Today’s Acne Treatments

Today’s medical world is especially complicated when it comes to drug manufacture that is targeted to specific problems This is because pharmaceutical companies are trying to make as much money from as many gets, ointments, pills and injections that we can buy. It is largely a failure when it comes to being open to alternative approaches to medical problems, such as acne, which result from outside the realm of deductive science.It is what many people like to call ‘paralysis by analysis’. That is why for years western medicine failed to draw ties between diet and acne. Medical and technological advancement has led to the treatment of symptoms rather than addressing the root causes of acne!

Our Lifestyles and Acne

An ordinary day for a teenager will include gobbling gallons of coffee or carbonated drinks, all loaded with tons of sugar, as the liquid part of nutritional intake. For the solid part, snacks that contain highly processed sugars and sometimes laced with caffeine to make them addictive! This mass consumption of refined carbohydrates and sugar is the ultimate culprit for many individuals’ problems with acne. Recent scientific studies show without a doubt that when carbohydrates and sugar are metabolized they lead to an increase in insulin and an insulin-like growth factor called I.G.F.-1 production. These sugars make your sebaceous glands hyper-active which is wrong considering that they are already over-zealous in their sebum production! The end result is a break out of many pimples. That is why our lifestyle has an immense correlation with acne.

So What Exactly Do We need to Change?

First of all you can do with less of refined carbohydrates, chocolates, caffeine and carbonated drinks. This is a lifestyle choice that you alone can effect. It will make you feel sad and groggy the first few days, because your body is used to being pounded my tons of ‘feel-good’ products, which wreck havoc on your skin.

What Can I pickup to expedite the process of clearing up?

But it may surprise many to know that giving up mo-ca-lattes may not be the only way to go about getting clearer skin. Rather, targeted nutritional intake for acne sufferers, in particular raw vegetables and antioxidants which can actively clear up skin. These foods act as a sort of mop within the body to soak up toxins, help rejuvenate and tighten your skin, and help in the control of your hormones. This is because vegetables and fruit contain the one thing that humans cannot synthesize from other food stuffs: Vitamins!

You might want to consider taking up Vitamins.

Vitamins are what you get after digesting vegetables. Sometimes though, we might not be getting enough. Or in the winter season, some vegetables will be hard to get.

Click HERE for a FREE Vitamin Acne Report Specifically designed for those with acne.

Vitamins Help! They are the lifestyle choice you need to MAKE ACNE VANISH!

In our society today, it is routine when a child is born to begin testing for certain illnesses that could be devastating to development. Doctors have set a routine schedule for growth and development to be evaluated and encourage parents to have children immunized against diseases. Prevention is a buzz word used repeatedly in clinics and hospitals, however, when applied to Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), testing and evaluation is not done until adulthood when the condition is out of control and complications have already begun. Testing and evaluation for PCOS during the adolescent years should be used to prevent devastating complications from PCOS.
Do women know what they have is treatable, and if not treated could lead to devastating disease? There are many women that suffer with the daily complications associated with untreated PCOS. For many women testing is not being accomplished. Because in reality, PCOS women do not even know that there is anything that can be done for the symptoms, and continue to suffer. According to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologist (AACE):

PCOS is the most common metabolic disorder of reproductive-age women in the United States, is generally known as a reproductive disorder but is also associated with life-threatening medical illnesses. In the U.S., six million reproductive-age women are affected with the syndrome. (“Fact Sheet”)
PCOS was discovered before computers were invented and yet [2005] there’s still no evaluation for PCOS during adolescence, when the symptoms first start to develop. The symptoms associated with PCOS were first reported by Irving Stein and Michael Leventhal in 1935 (9). Women with menstrual problems who had large ovaries because of multiple cysts [classical symptoms] were diagnosed with Stein-Leventhal syndrome. Due to more research these symptoms have become just a subset of a more encompassing syndrome called PCOS. Many people in the medical profession simple call it PCO, because the symptoms will vary in individuals.
The statistics show that no one person has all of the same symptoms, but doctors should be able to make educated guesses and send women in form testing much earlier than during adulthood (11). By the time some women are treated the complications due to lack of treatment have set in, and some women become infertile, overweight, and have depression. In Living with PCOS, Angela Boss states:
Although the age of onset for PCOS symptoms varies, most women with PCOS can think back to their teenage years and remember a point in time when they started feeling “different” and wondering if something was wrong with them. (1)
Signs and symptoms of PCOS include irregular menses, no menses, infrequent menses, central obesity, excessive body hair growth in male distribution pattern, acne, cysts on ovaries, and infertility (2). Abnormal test results such as elevated levels of male hormones, lower female hormones, fasting insulin abnormalities and reduced levels of sex hormone (8).
Another abnormal test, in PCOS that should be evaluated as part of a routine screening for the adolescent, is a cholesterol test. There is a new test being used in the process of evaluating cholesterol (4). The VAP (Vertical Auto Profile) helps to evaluate cholesterol and there seems to be certain factors of cholesterol elevated only in female with PCOS (12). As more studies are conducted to validate this information, this may prove a definitive test for PCOS patients (4). Most parents become very concerned when medication is involved and want some kind of proof there is something medically wrong before starting treatment. Without the VAP test many parents may not take the doctors word, just based on symptoms, their child has PCOS and will need to take medication for treatment. The medication would be used to treat PCOS and Insulin Resistance (IR).
IR the over production of insulin, is one of the more severe, but treatable syndrome associated with PCOS (10). Acanthosis Nigricans (velvety thickening hyperpigmentation of the skin; brown spots) may be present at nape of neck, axillae, area beneath breast and exposed areas (elbows, knuckles) a sign of insulin resistance (2). However, this is also one of the signs used by the doctor to diagnose PCOS. Research has been conducted to determine whether or not IR causes PCOS or whether PCOS cause IR. The debate is similar to the question of which came first the chicken or the egg. “Insulin resistance if not treated can lead to glucose intolerance or type 2 diabetes mellitus” (2). The treatment must be started as soon as possible to avoid complications. In order for treatment to start the condition must be diagnosed.
The diagnosis of PCOS is a hard thing to get from many Physicians. The reason, as stated before, is because symptoms vary from person to person and many physicians are still following the classical symptoms and do not know how to treat this syndrome. The Mayoclinic states, “Management of PCOS focusing on each woman’s main concern, such as infertility, hirsutism, acne or obesity”, this is how most doctors today are treating this syndrome. My daughter, Alizza, experienced this first hand when she could not loose weight no matter what she ate or how hard she exercised. While in one doctor’s office the doctor told Alizza all she had to do was exercise more, eat less and see someone for her depression. Alizza was very depressed and had no self-esteem due to being overweight. She felt the doctor’s recommendation was not the answer and began doing research. She was fortunate to find a doctor that knows about PCOS and how to treat it. As my daughter experienced most women with PCOS have been made to suffer and think that the symptoms were in their head or it was just how they were made and they would have to live with the symptoms.
As more and more studies have been done, there is a plethora of information that is available to the medical community and women. The AACE in conjunction with the Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Association (PCOSA) is trying to educate doctors and women of all ages in an awareness campaign (2). Most of the sites on the internet have conferences schedule, and public forums to educate people about PCOS. The Associate Press has picked up on PCOS and reported: Doctors often fail to connect the disparate symptoms. There are also stories of how PCOS is affecting women like “Hidden Fertility Disorder can lead to Diabetes” (7). In an effort to educate medical providers the AACE provided this Position Statement:
The physician should no longer regard these women as merely having annoying cosmetic complaints, or primarily suffering from infertility, but as having potential metabolic disorders that may be associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular events. (2)
Education of the physicians and women is needed to make early diagnosis a reality. Before someone can be treated for a disease they have to know that there is a treatment available to them. With the education that the AACE has started there is a better chance of treating PCOS during the adolescent years.
Doctor Foley, a pediatrician specializing in adolescent gynecological problems, stated in our interview, “Adolescence with abnormal periods should be evaluated for PCOS.” When asked why this evaluation would be important, Doctor Foley had several reasons. Early treatment of PCOS will prevent complication later on in life. There has been an increase in the number of adult onset diabetes in younger and younger children. Weight gain puts them at risk for diabetes, and heart disease. It also has a big impact on self image, which is extremely important in the developing child. We also know that PCOS effects neurotransmitters of the brain and can cause depression.
The last reason for treating PCOS during adolescences was quite a unique philosophy. Until our interview I had not even thought about the implications. According to Doctor Foley adolescent having PCOS have higher levels of testosterone. This high level of testosterone causes females to feel more masculine. The other symptom that most will have is no periods or very irregular periods. Which coupled with high levels of testosterone, could make a girl feel like she is not very feminine. “Insulin resistance (IR) almost always goes hand in hand with PCOS, and girls that have IR will have problems with weight gain, and difficulty loosing weight” (10). Put all of this together and Doctor Foley feels this could lead girls to lean toward and alternate life style of Homosexuality:
Girls come in and have made statements like, “I don’t feel right”, and “I don’t look like the other girls, and “I don’t feel like a girl”. Part of this is because the hormone levels are not in a normal range. This is due to the PCOS and IR. After treating the PCOS the girls have returned to state that they feel much more like a normal girl now, because they are now having periods and their testosterone level is within a normal range.
Studies have confirmed the prevalence of PCOS in adolescence. In Doctor Mahin Hashemipour study he concluded PCOS is a common endocrine disorder in adolescents. Adolescents with a mother, or sister that has PCOS and symptoms of PCOS should be evaluated for this syndrome in order to prevent its potential complications (6).
The treatment of PCOS does vary from one doctor to another. The newer philosophy is to focus on the root cause of PCOS. “Many of these new therapies are designed to lower insulin levels and, thus reduce production of testosterone” (3). Doctor Foley agrees with this newer approach however she feels emphasis needs to be placed on the nutritional side of the treatment. Treatment with medication aimed at lowering insulin levels and changing eating habits have shown to eliminate most of the symptoms of PCOS and IR.
The role of hereditary factors in the development of PCOS, its associated metabolic abnormalities and the use of insulin-sensitizing agents in the treatment of PCOS is currently being research at the University of Chicago by Doctor David Ehrmann and his team. Metformin is an insulin lowing drug. It has been approved by the FDA for diabetes, but is not yet FDA-approved for use in treatment of PCOS. These studies will help to find out if metformin does help in lowing insulin production in the PCOS patient. Doctor Glueck studies have found:
During adolescence and childbearing years, before the advent of Metformin therapy, treatment of PCOS was directed (with only modest success) at the presenting clinical feature. Metformin, a safe and effective, widely available, oral medicine increases the effectiveness of insulin at the peripheral cell level, reduces hyperinsulinemia, and reduces hyperandrogengenemia in turn, thus correcting this biochemical domino effect by correcting it at the source.
Doctor Foley currently uses metformin in treating PCOS, and has found dramatic results in her patients and those of her husband, Doctor Steven Foley a Board Certified Gynecologist. Doctor Foley and her husband treat patients with a combination of metformin and nutritional therapy. After a diagnosis of PCOS the patient is scheduled to see a nutritionist for an hour appointment. During my daughter’s evaluation the nutritionist explained that a diet restricting the amount of carbohydrate to 30-50 grams a day, and increasing the amount of protein to 80-100 grams a day, will help to lower insulin levels. As Doctor Foley stated, “It’s a life style change that will be with you the rest of your life.” If the diagnosis of PCOS was made during the adolescent years this life style change could begin sooner and help reduce the risk of long-term complications much earlier. It would also be easier for younger women to adjust to this new lifestyle than when they are much older and set in their ways.
Most women report one or more of the symptoms to their doctor, but unless the doctor has been trained to recognize the symptoms and relate them to each other, many women will suffer until their symptoms worsen, or they develop more symptoms. “Irregular or heavy periods may signal the condition in adolescence, or PCOS may become apparent later when a woman has difficulty becoming pregnant” (8).
At present there is no screening that is done until a woman see a doctor for treatment of her symptoms. If early diagnosis and treatment of PCOS can help reduce the risk of long-term complications in six million women, then why is there no screening during adolescence? Testing and evaluation for PCOS during the adolescent years should be used to prevent devastating complications from PCOS.
Works Cited
1. Boss, Angela, Evelina Weidman Sterling, and Richard Legro. “Adolescent Females.” Living with PCOS. Omaha: Addicus, 2001.
2. Cobin, Rhonda, et al. “American Association of Clinical Endocrinologist Position Statement on Metabolic and Cardiovascular Consequences of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.” American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. Oct. 2004. 10 Apr. 2005 http://www.aace.com/pub/pcos2004/index.php
3. Ehrmann, David, et al. “Treatment Options.” The University of Chicago Center for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. n.d. 10 Apr. 2005

http://centerforpcos.bsd.uchicago.edu/Treatment_options/treatment_options.html.

4. Foley, Deborah. Pediatrician Advanced Gynecology Prof. LLC. Personal Interview. 15 Mar. 2005. 719-633-8773.
5. Glueck, C.J. “Metformin: The Treatment of Choice in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.” Health Alliance on line. Scientific Update 5 Sept. 2000. 7 Apr. 2005
6. Hashemipour, Mahin, et al. “Prevalence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Girls Aged 14-18 Years in Isfahan, Iran.” Hormone Research :2004, Vol. 62 Issue 6, p278, 5p. Article. EBSCOhost. Front Range Comm College, Westminster Lib. 10 Feb. 2005 http://rpa.westminster.lib.co.us/rpa/webauth.exe.
7. “Hidden fertility disorder can lead to diabetes.” The Associated Press. 11 Oct. 2004. 11 Feb. 2005 http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6227116 .
8. Hunter, Melissa and James Sterrett. “Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: It’s Not Just Infertility.” The American Academy of Family Physicians 62 (2000): 1079-88. 22 Mar. 2005 http://www.aafp.org/afp/20000901/1079.html
9. Marrinan, Greg. “Polycystic Ovarian Disease (Stein-Leventhal Syndrome).” Emedicine. 30 Aug, 2002. 22 Feb. 2005 http://www.emedicine.com/radio/topic565.htm
10. Pick, Marcelle. “Insulin Resistance in Women.” Women to Women on line. n.d. 9 Apr. 2005 http://www.womentowomen.com/LIBinsulinresistance.asp
11. “Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.” Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. 14 Nov. 2003. 2 Feb. 2005 http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?id=DS00423
12. “The VAP Test: An Emerging Standard of Care in Cholesterol Risk Assessment.” Medco Forum. 8 (2001): 36. 29 Apr. 2005

http://www.atherotech.com/information/default.asp?section=aa&location=1

Mary B. Eddinger is a mom and Retired Air Force Medic of 22 years. She is also a nursing student specializing in women’s health. After seeing the same symptoms in her daughter she had suffered with for years, she began researching PCOS and found experts in the field of Obstetrics’ and Gynecology who treat PCOS. Through Mary’s support, and guidance her daughter has lost over 25 pounds. This has been a life changing experience for her daughter. Mary cares about women that have PCOS especially teens and wants to help them achieve a successful treatment program through support, education and real life experience.

Effective and healthy acne treatment is my lifes work and my passion. I love researching about the causes of acne and about all of the possible methods for helping the skin clear from acne. If youve ever been to a store looking for an acne treatment, then you know first hand how many options there are and how easy it would be to make the wrong choices.

Most teens and adults I know go looking for the easiest and cheapest form of acne treatment that they can find. Yes, acne bothers them, but not enough to seek professional treatment. I am convinced that one of the reasons that so many people are unhappy with their chosen method of acne treatment is that they havent taken the time to make changes to their lifestyle.

I am a firm believer that the most effective acne treatment is one that requires a total change of lifestyle. When any client struggling with acne enters my office, my first assignemnt to them is to change some of their lifestyle habits for a month and then return to see me. I will not prescribe any topical or oral acne treatment until people have other daily habits under control. For example, I look carefully at the typical diet of my patients and I look for ways to help them cut out junk food. I ask them to drink more water and less beverages that are filled with sugar, and I encourage them to stay away from sugary and salty foods for the month. I monitor their fitness habits and suggest that they get moving.

This might seem like a strange method of acne treatment, but you would be shocked to learn that every single client of mine returns to my office after a month of changing their lifestyle in awe of what a difference changing habits has made for them. Yes, I do offer topical and or oral acne treatments to supplement their other methods, but the point is that no topical or oral acne treatment will be as effective without partnering it with a healthy lifestyle./pbr
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It is not uncommon for women to suffer acne well into their forties, thanks to hormonal cycles and changes within the female body. Adult men can also develop acne as a result of increased stress levels.

The Cause
Acne can result when pores (small holes in our skin) are blocked by oil or dead skin. The blockage creates a suitable environment for bacterial growth, which can then lead to infection.

Androgen hormones cause the sebaceous glands to produce excessive amounts of oil at the infected areas, which leads to redness, swelling and pus. This combination is seen on the surface of the skin as a pimple.

Treatments
There are many different treatments for acne, but unfortunately there is no single product that is guaranteed to work for everyone. The first thing to do is to keep the skin clean. Washing regularly helps to prevent the build up of oil and dirt, impeding the blockage of pores.

If the condition does not improve, it is best to seek medical treatment as soon as possible, since acne is progressive and can quickly go from mild to severe. Particularly severe cases can lead to permanent scarring of the skin.

If you are looking for acne treatments, youll know that there are many available to you. It can be advantageous to try a few different treatments so that you can identify which one works best for you. Free trials are particularly useful for this.

Take a look at my website below, where youll find a free trial offer for one of the latest acne treatments, among many other health products which are currently also offering free trials.

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pThanks for reading my article, I hope it was informative. Be sure to check out my blog at a target=_new href=http://bestfreehealthoffers.blogspot.com rel=nofollowhttp://bestfreehealthoffers.blogspot.com/a for some of the a target=_new href=http://bestfreehealthoffers.blogspot.com/ rel=nofollowbest free trial health offers/a currently available. These are 100% obligation-free and are usually very limited, so act quickly or youll miss out!/pbr
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Acne in teenagers is caused by the action of hormones on the skins oil glands. During puberty both boys and girls have an increase in the hormones called androgens. These hormones cause sebaceous glands under the surface of the skin to enlarge. The sebaceous glands in response produce excess oil. This excess oil mixes with bacteria and dead skin on the skins surface and blocks pores. Inside these pores the bacteria multiple and cause inflammation.

Acne is usually genetic, so you may not be able to avoid it. However there are things you should know, an things you can do to help you deal with it.

There are many myths surrounding acne. The most well known one is that chocolate and greasy foods cause breakouts. Over the years dermatologists have discovered there is no evidence of this claim. However, if you find you do break out more after eating certain foods, avoid them. Although it may not have an affect on your acne, eating a healthy diet complete with fruits and vegetables is a good idea. Another myth is that acne is caused by poor hygiene. This is not true at all. As mentioned above acne is caused by overproduction of oil, period. Myth three advises you to scrub your face several times a day. Actually, over washing your skin can cause it to become more inflamed. Also, if you use drying products to excess on you skin your skin may rebel by producing more oil.

Whatever one of the literally hundreds of treatments you decide to choose remember that acne takes time to disappear. Overnight or miraculous results dont happen. It takes six to eight weeks to see results from treatment. Once acne has cleared continued treatment will needed to prevent it from recurring.

If an acne treatment takes more than six to eight weeks to show a significant difference it probably wont work. Try something else.

You really should see the advice of a dermatologist. With the number of products on the market, how do you choose? What might clear one persons acne might not clear anothers. Your skin type and lesion types must be taken into consideration. Before you spend a bundle of money on an unknown treatment see a dermatologist. He or she can plan an individualized program based on your skins needs.br
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When searching for adult acne treatments that will help you eliminate your stubborn adult acne and on-going blemish breakouts, you need to look back in your life and ask yourself some lifestyle changing questions so you can find the best solution for your acne eliminating needs!

If you have suffered with acne breakouts your entire teenage years, you may understand what needs to be done for the treatment of your pimples, or you may know exactly the treatment product necessary for elimination and daily maintenance.

However, if you had clear skin as a teen, and now that your body is changing due to hormones or pregnancy, you may suddenly experience a change in your complexion and may not know exactly how to handle the new changes in your skin.

When your pimple breakouts occur, if you notice you’re getting an increase in blackheads and whiteheads in combination to excess blemishes, try to think back and remember how your skin has been in the past. If your skin was clear due to good eating habits, low stress levels, and you were getting at least 8 hours or more of sleep prior to getting your adult acne, then that’s the first place you want to start.

For example: As a teenager, if you slept more than eight hours a day, drank plenty of water, and you ate more vegetables and fruit, and now as an adult you only get 4 hours of sleep, you drink less water, and you’re not eating the same level of fruits and veggies, then you may want to adjust these areas first. If you change these habits, and notice no change, you then have to go to the next step, and make an appointment to see a dermatologist.

When All Else Fails, Visit A Dermatologist To Get The Bottom Of Your Adult Acne Issues!

If you can’t figure out why you’re still having skin problems after you made necessary internal lifestyle changes, then you should see the skin professionals to find out what’s causing your stubborn adult zits, and you may be enlightened once you visit your local dermatologist.

Depending on the severity of your skin condition, you may soon find out the condition you have is caused by several circumstances. For women, acne and increased blemishes can be easily caused by hormonal changes due to pregnancy. A woman that is pregnant will have to look at alternative safe skin programs, and natural skin products would be a place to start. Women with hormonal changes that are not currently going through a pregnancy can look at other options such as oral acne medication or antibiotics, but keep in mind that this method should not be a long-term solution, so if you can avoid internal medication, look at other alternatives.

Men are somewhat different, and in most cases, increased acne causing a blemished complexion could be the lack of facial care, or mental stress in your life. For men in general, a good blemish cleansing and facial exfoliating routine combined with a healthy diet are the first steps to follow; however, we encourage that men see a skin doctor to assess their adult skin problems.

Acne and aging is a complex situation, and there is never one solution to every individual adult suffering from pimple breakouts. There are many contributing factors such as your body’s changes during puberty, and for women, even the type of cosmetics you may be applying to your face. Your facial skin consists of thousands of pores, follicles, skin and oil. Any negative balance, and you have a recipe for facial infections, plus outbreaks that can lead to many skin imperfections and severe scarring for a very long time.

We touched briefly on what may contribute to your adult acne, and some of the changes that may be occuring in your body internally and also externally. Now, to find out how you can start a program to eliminate your adult blemish problem: I encourage you to read our article on where I break down some of the top adult acne systems that target stubborn facial and body acne.

It’s common knowledge that acne, even in mild cases, can cause permanent facial scaring which is unfortunate. But did you know that acne can exact and even heavier emotional toll? Psychological scarring and social disabling among acne sufferers, both teenagers and adults, actually can have far more serious long term consequences than the physical fallout.

By some estimates, around 85% of people between the ages of 12 and 25 develop acne. The psychological and social impacts during this emotionally sensitive time of life are huge. Adolescents are in the throes of developing their personalities just when acne manifests itself. During this time, peer acceptance is critical, and peer status becomes inextricably woven with physical appearance and attractiveness, often leading to severe emotional disturbance when acne erupts.

Studies indicate that psychological consequences from acne primarily take the form of embarrassment, impaired self-image, low self-esteem, self-consciousness, frustration, and anger. There is a subset, as also shown in studies, where the sufferer believes that their personality has been adversely and permanently affected. Depression, to some degree, haunts younger people with acne to a greater extent than in the normal population. However, there is no clear indication that their depression in relation to acne is generally severe enough to require treatment. Most teens studied were far more likely to describe their mental state in terms of embarrassment, self consciousness, impaired self esteem and the like. Adults with acne, however, are more prone to suffer anxiety and depression needing treatment.

Acne flare-ups trigger these negative feelings as soon as they appear, and are aggravated in the teenage setting by taunting, stigmatizing, and apprehensions of being scrutinized and judged. Simply walking past a mirror can bring on feelings of self loathing. Some people report that their emotional reactions are at their worst when looking in the mirror.

Feeding acne’s emotional fallout are media generated ideal images of unblemished skin. People with acne become acutely aware that they have failed to live up to the ideal of perfect, flawless skin projected in television, film and advertising. Magazines targeting the younger female demographic certainly never portray anyone with pimples, nor, for that matter, will you encounter such images in publications for more mature audiences. One’s sexual attractiveness, so seemingly vital in the teenage years, is then found to be abysmal by comparison.

Of course, there’s a something of a paradox at work here. One of the acne myths is that stress in one’s life causes acne. Studies have proven that this is untrue, and, in fact, it’s the other way around. Acne can cause stress which, in turn, suggests that it was stress that caused the acne in the first place.

So, what are the remedies? First and foremost, of course, is treatment to relieve the symptoms of acne outbreaks as soon as they appear. Given the nature of the disease, there are numerous approaches to treatment (accompanied by information overload). A proactive stance toward treatment is the most effective way to ameliorate the damaging feelings. Beyond that, support and sensitivity on the part of one’s family and close friends goes a long way toward propping up both teenagers and adults while treatment is in progress.

If you are one of the many sufferers from Acne, then you already know of the many over the counter options available to you today. However, did you also know that there are a multitude of studies occurring around the world to find better cures for Acne? There are and we highlight two of them here for you. As with anything medically related, consult your physician prior to taking or applying any medication. With any case of Acne, it is best to consult with your Dermatologist.

If you are unsure what a Dermatologist or Dermatology is, we have defined it here for you (with a little help from Wikipedia). Dermatologists are physicians specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases in relation to the skin and appendages (hair, sweat glands, etc). Dermatology (from Greek δερμα, “skin”) is a branch of medicine dealing with the skin and its appendages (hair, sweat glands, etc).

A study recently released in the September issue of British Journal of Dermatology (BJD), studied 1045 adolescents aged 13-19 years. The objective was to determine the epidemiology of acne in teenagers in Singapore. According to the study, “Results Of these respondents, 88% identified themselves as having acne. Eight hundred and six of these respondents were examined by a dermatologist, and 51?4% were classified as having mild acne, 40% moderate acne and 8?6% severe acne. Isolation of Propionibacterium acnes was attempted in 262 subjects. Cultures were positive in 174 subjects, giving an isolation rate of 66?4%. Antibiotic-resistant strains of P. acnes were detected in 26 isolates (14?9%). Eleven of these 26 subjects (42%) had previously been treated or were presently on antibiotic treatment for acne, but the other 58% of students who had antibiotic-resistant strains of P. acnes did not give a history of prior antibiotic therapy. Teenagers expressed psychological distress over acne, and believed that hormonal factors, diet and hygiene were important factors in causing acne.” Researchers have concluded from this study that there is still a need for more education on acne and how to treat the skin condition.

So what kind of strides are being made in regards to acne? Acne vulgaris, better known simply as acne, has a variety of ways it can be treated. However many doctors and patients as well are dissatisfied with a lot of treatments available on the market today. Another study published in the September issue of BJD, was to, “evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a novel lotion containing triethyl citrate and ethyl linoleate in the treatment of mild to moderate acne vulgaris.” The results showed that, “forty patients were recruited into the study, of which 33 completed the study. Active treatment was statistically superior to placebo in reduction of Leeds grading and total, inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesion counts. The active lotion showed a rapid response with obvious reduction in lesion counts and acne grading by 4 weeks. Sebum production was significantly reduced in the actively treated group, with a mean reduction of 53% in sebum production compared with baseline. One patient developed irritation to the active lotion and withdrew from the study.” According to researchers the study showed that the lotion was effective against mild and moderate cases of Acne, as well as effects on both inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne lesions. According the doctors, “The new lotion worked quickly and was generally well tolerated.”

This may not mean it is a be all end all for your case or someone you know, but you should consult with your Dermatologist to see if it is right for you.

By: Michael C. Podlesny

7 Acne Myths Exposed.

People are always willing to give you advice regarding your acne. The problem is that most of the advice they give are myths that they’ve picked up over the years.

However, skin experts are actually dismissing those as nothing but myths. The best way to cope with your acne problem is to educate yourself and it is with this purpose that we decided to list here the common acne myths that people often encounter.

1.You can outgrow your acne. This might be true in some cases but at least 25% of teenagers who have acne carry it into their adult lives. And more and more woman in their 20′s to late 40′s are reporting having acne for the first time. It is much more sensible to treat your acne immediately to avoid emotional stress and permanent scarring.

2.Bad eating habits causes pimples. The common myth is that chocolate, caffeine or oily foods will lead to or worsen an acne condition. In a large clinical research study no links were established between acne and food. However, some people feel that certain food can cause an acne outbreak. If this is your case try avoiding these foods for 2 to 4 weeks and monitor your acne. If your acne improves, do a test and try eating these foods to see if it will indeed cause an outbreak.

3.The sun will clear up acne. While tanning will dry up existing acne and help cover blemishes. It does not prevent acne from resurfacing. The dry skin will make the oil glands produce more oils and block your pores creating pimples and blackheads. Not to mention the risk of skin cancer and premature wrinkles.

4.Sex causes acne. No, the hormonal changes your body goes thru during puberty that lead to the maturation of your sexual features may cause acne. Sexual activity does not cause acne.

5.Drinking water will flush out acne. While drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water a day is recommended for a healthy body. Water alone will not cure acne. It will however, keep your skin healthy which will help in the fight against acne.

6.Stressed out = breakouts. Very high levels of stress may produces hormones that can cause acne. But normal levels of stress we encounter everyday will not produce an outbreak.

7.Poor hygiene causes acne. People believe that acne is caused by uncleanliness and they tend to over-wash or scrub their face. Over-washing and scrubbing too aggressively can damage the skin by stripping it of natural lipides. The oil gland will then produce more oils causing acne outbreaks. Using alcohol to wash your face will produce the same results. Washing 2 times daily with a salicylic acid(2%) based face wash will help treat your acne.

So the next time someone tells you one of those things, gracefully thank them for the advice and correct them and share what you know. Remember, knowledge is power.