Remedies of Nature: Acne Treatment

Every person knows the value of our face. The better it is, the more advantageous it gets. Before anything else, it is the first thing others look at whenever they see you. In general, our confidence relies on our contentment to our physical appearance. When one thinks he or she looks good, the confidence really exudes.

For growing up, the growth of pimples is really a major concern. For those who do not have problems involving the face, congratulations! For those who are crying over it, there is a bright light at the end of the tunnel!

Is acne your problem? Are you spending too much money for chemical remedy? Do you want to apply a remedy but you are afraid it may be harsh? Try the natural way of treating your acne. You do not have to go that far… The treatment is right in your home. The doctor is right within you.

The most effective beauty tip of all times is: drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. Hydrating your body will help you get rid toxins. Love your body and love your skin.

Healthy and clean acts may also help. Make sure that you do not leave makeup products on your skin because it contributes to clogging your pores, causing more pimples and blackheads. Do not sleep with make-up on. Also, keep your hair away from your face. Hair contains oil that may create breakouts to your skin.

Wash your pillow case and towels. They are absorbent and they absorb even acne-contributors too. Lastly, never prick your pimples. You do not want your face to be as dirty as your fingernails, right?

Eating healthy food because when you have ACNE would be best in order for you to cleanse yourself not only outside but also inside. It would indeed help if you lessen your oily or fatty food intake. Eating food rich in fiber is a remedy. Moreover, in order for you to maintain a healthy skin, eating food that is considered anti-oxidants would matter a lot. Food rich in Vitamins A, B and D as well as those rich in calcium, potassium, phosphorus, chloride, magnesium, zinc, iron and sodium.

When you maintain a diet which is high in beta-carotene and zinc, it would also be of help not only prevention but as well as in the healing process and anti-scarring of acne.

Beauty is skin deep. Yes, but having beautiful skin will make you feel more beautiful for your self.

Pregnant Women and Acne Treatment

Treating acne is really the right move when you have it, but not at all times. There are stages in the life of a person when you could not treat acne anytime you want to. And, this is during pregnancy. As we know, this is a delicate stage in a woman’s life and it is that phase of a woman’s life that she must show extra care for herself. When she feels the need of treating acne, she must see to it that she equips her self with the right information.

This must also be remembered by those who may also get pregnant. The following are some medications for acne that are not good for use during pregnancy for they are harmful for the fetus:

First is Hormonal therapy that may include estrogen, flutamide, and spirolactone. They are a big no. They are harmful and may lead to some problems for both the mother and the child. Better see it as a threat

Another one that would just put a pregnant woman’s life in danger is Isotretinoin. This has negative effects as well especially for pregnant women or those that are breastfeeding. This could cause severe health hazards on both mother and the fetus inside her womb. It is advised that a woman on the process of taking this must be monitored by the expert. Those who are trying to be pregnant must ignore the use of this for it may just trigger negative effects not only for you but most especially to your child.

And, also if Oral tetracyclines which could be of doxycycline, tetracycline and minocycline, must not be an option at all for it would not do you any good. As tested and proven, pregnant women or those that are breastfeeding must ignore the use of this for it may just give those bad side effects that would nothing else be but a threat to your life and to your child. The topmost effect is permanent discoloration of teeth or bone disorders.

And the last one to ignore is topical retinoids such as tazarotene, adapalene and tretinoin.

Just like the above-mentioned means, this could just be another hazard to you and your baby’s health. So, whether you are pregnant or not, it is not wise to use all these mentioned.

For all of you who would like to treat their acne but are pregnant, why must you risk your life and the life of your child just to have a prettier face?

There is due time for treating your acne and during your pregnancy is not one of the safest times.

Facing Acne: How to Cope With its Effects

As we are all aware of, there are emotional effects caused by acne. More than those obvious red bumps on your face, there are effects of acne that could not just be healed by any cream or acne solution and that is the emotional scars left by acne. Well, no doctor or any expert dermatologist could provide you with the best answers to this problem on acne.

According to studies, acne is very common when one is on his teenage years. For teenagers experiencing the pains of acne, it is very difficult to face the social impacts of acne. There are these marks of shame, depression and even self-pity. As a parent of a teenager who faces this problem, you could be one of the greatest helps. What could you do? You could do a lot.

Remind your child that acne is temporary.

As a guardian, you need to be there and give the encouragement to your child. You would probably see him or her so down due to the way people and criticisms pinch him or her. Tell that it will not last for long and that it would be successfully surpassed. Never stop to explain the importance of moving on despite the negative reactions from others for their words are not that important at all.

Bring your teen to a good dermatologist

Do not wait for your teen’s acne problem to get worse before you go and see a dermatologist. The earlier the better, this may be cliché but very true for this matter and you could realize the truth behind this. You need to find the dermatologist who deserves your trust. Be with your teen as you have visits to the dermatologist. Also, help your teen follow the reminders and instructions of the dermatologist.

Guide your child to do the right things

There are some things or acts that may worsen acne. See to it that you are near your teen to remind that those are not the right thing to do and it would just cause bad effects. Explain the cause and effect of acne problems and be sure t answer questions that your teen has.

Boost your teen’s self-confidence

Self-confidence plunges down when all those mocks and teases arise. The effect to your teen would be bitter. Be there to boost the esteem he or she has inside. Be generous with praises but do not use them just to flatter. Tell your teen about how wonderful his or her talent is. This would be a lift to his/her morale.

You are a parent, and you could help out your teen feel better through the misjudgments of the society towards people with acne. This is just a stage; it would surely be put to an end. Be there and support your child like no one could.

Comparing Common Over-the-Counter Acne Products

Comparing Common Over-the-Counter Acne Products
Over-the-counter acne products are perfect for individuals who do not have severe acne or acne scarring. Individuals who only have mild or occasional breakouts or who want a good maintenance program will find that over-the-counter products are a good fit. For individuals who do suffer from severe acne, a visit to the dermatologist might be in order. Below, is a list of some of the very best over-the-counter, acne treating products on the market.

1. Neutrogena: Neutrogena has a number of over-the-counter acne fighting products. The company is well-respected brand with claims that they are dermatologist recommended. Their Rapid Clear technology purports to kill 99.9% of the bacteria that causes acne and prevents pimples before they even show up. Neutrogena products do not cause dryness or skin flakiness.
Rapid Clear Daily Treatment Pads, Rapic Clear Acne Eliminating Spot Gel, Neutorgena Deep Clean are a few of their available acne fighting products.

2. Biore: Biore provides basic skin care products that were developed for everyday use. Many of their products are aimed at pore minimizing. Their product line includes blackhead cream cleanser, blemish fighting cloths, pore unplugging scrub, pore strips, face wash and exfoliation. Biore has one of the most extensive acne fighting lines on the market.

3. pHisoderm: Because of the environment, our skin often gets out of whack and the result is pimples, blemishes and break outs. Phisoderm helps to get the skin back into balance. pHisoderm also has a very extensive product line. Some available product offerings include: pH Balanced Anti-Blemish Gel Facial Wash, Deep Cleaning Cream Cleanser, Nurturing Facial Polish and Nurturing Toner.

4. Derma Clear: Derma Clear is an all-in-one, product that uses beta and alpha hydroxyl acids to exfoliate the skin. It also works to get rid of the bacteria that causes acne. The formula is designed to provide a decrease in acne and blemishes in five days or less.

5. Clinique: Clinique has products for nearly every acne or skin related problem. Their product list includes cleansers, exfoliators, anti-aging, acne, redness and pore reduction. Their Clear Skin Starter System includes products that cleanse, exfoliate and moisturize. They also have available a spot healing gel, emergency gel lotion and body treatment spray that fights body acne.

Over-the-counter acne products are a great place to begin when looking for acne-related solutions. You can easily find them at your local Wal-mart, drug store or department store. Depending on which brand you purchase, over-the-counter acne products can also be fairly affordable.
These types of products are best for individuals who suffer from mild to medium level acne. For more severe breakouts, a dermatologist really needs to be seen. The products listed here are well respected and our worth giving a try. Neutrogena, Biore, pHisoderm, Dermaclear and Clinique are all very good over-the-counter, acne fighting products especially for those either have mild acne, or wish to maintain an acne free appearance.

Acne Treatments

Acne can be very distressing for individuals who suffer from it. The
severity of one's acne will determine the appropriate course of
treatment. The good news is that acne is treatable and dermatologists are
convinced that no matter the source of the acne, it can be reduced or
eliminated. Below, we will be discussing some common acne treatments.

Again, how severe one's acne is, will determine the acne regimen that
is necessary to obtain clear skin. The first step is to visit a
dermatologist. They will be able to classify your acne (whether it is mild,
moderate or severe) and uncover the root of the problem.

Individuals with mild acne are generally directed to wash their face
twice daily with soap and water and then apply an over-the-counter acne
fighting cream that contains benzoyl peroxide.

Moderate acne consists of whiteheads and blackheads that covers about
50% of the face.  It also requires stronger treatment. A dermatologist
may opt to treat moderate acne with light therapy and even extraction.
It will probably be necessary to use prescription medication such as a
retinoid or antimicrobial cream.  Oral medications may also be
prescribed. Because acne scarring can occur at this stage, it is important to
see treatment when acne becomes moderate.

While acne can be distressing even when it is only mild or moderate,
people who suffer from severe acne may loath even leaving the house.
Severe acne occurs when pimples and blemishes become inflamed and deep.
Acne and zits can even become cysts. These breakouts can be painful and
even become infected. At this stage, the skin can become very damaged and
scarring is very likely. When acne is severe, dermatologists will
aggressively treat it, so that it does not get worse.  Antibiotic
medications, like Accutane may be prescribed. Surgery and drainage may also be
necessary. A specific acne treatment plan will be developed based upon
the severity and cause of the acne.

Acne is a skin disease that can range from very mild to very serious.
Mild acne may be characterized by a break out of a few zits or pimples
every now and then. Moderate acne is defined as having breakouts that
cover about half of your face. While severe acne can be quite painful and
includes inflamed and deep pimples, cysts and scarring.

Mild acne can typically be treated with over the counter cleansers and
even warm soap and water. Moderate acne will require a stronger
treatment. Prescription medication is likely to be in order and perhaps even
oral medication. Severe acne will have to be treated much more
aggressively. Surgical extraction, oral antibiotic medication, and drainage may
be required to get the acne under control. While acne can be quite
distressing, the good news is that it can be treated. Dermatologists are
confident that they can successfully treat any type of acne, no matter
how severe. This is wonderful news for acne sufferers because the disease
can lead to social exclusion, embarrassment, shame and even
depression. Visiting a dermatologist and being committed to following the
prescribed regimen should have one on the path to smoother and more beautiful
skin.

Acne Prevention Techniques

Acne is the most common skin disease in the world. Millions of
adolescents, teenagers and even adults deal with the embarrassing and unsightly
disease. As with most problems, prevention is much better then having
to seek treatment.  Bad acne can leave permanent scars and dark spots.
Stopping acne before it occurs, can help you avoid this. In this
article, we will provide five tips to help you prevent acne.

1. Drink Plenty of Water: Water is necessary to cleanse the body.  It
also helps your body get rid of wastes. Waste and toxin build up can
contribute a great deal to acne flare ups. Drinking 8-10 glasses of water
every day will go a long way to prevent acne and keep your skin clear
and beautiful.

2. Develop A Routine: Developing a routine to keep your skin clean is
vital. If you have purchased over-the-counter acne medications, use them
as directed. Also, washing your face twice a day, every day, is very
important to preventing acne.

3. Avoid Bad Habits: Avoid bad habits that contribute to acne. This
includes constantly placing your hands on your face or not washing your
hands regularly. Popping and picking at pimples is also a big no-no.
This can make acne worse or cause scarring.

4. Watch Your Diet: While studies have proven that eating chocolate or
greasy foods have no effect on your diet, eating healthy and getting
the right vitamins and minerals can help your overall health, including
your skin. Vitamins good for healthy skin are vitamin A, vitamin B,
vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc and chromium. Eating a balanced diet will help
you get most of these vitamins. If you have a poor diet, you may want to
consider supplementation. But speak to your doctor first.

5. Physical Activity: Some people may worry about getting sweaty during
a workout and the subsequent effect on the skin. But exercise helps to
sweat out toxins that can negatively affect the skin and cause acne.
Exercise also decreases stress which can contribute to acne.

Acne is a very common skin disease. Millions of people deal with acne
on a daily basis. Some of these cases are very severe, while others are
mild. Whatever the severity, acne can cause feelings of embarrassment,
shame and a lack of confidence. Individuals that suffer from acne,
especially severe acne, may be afraid to interact with others or take
chances socially and professionally. And while individuals who already
suffer from very severe acne should seek professional treatment, other
individuals should work hard to prevent acne.

Some common ways to prevent acne is to drink plenty of water.  Every
individual should aim to consume 8-10 glasses a day. Individuals should
also be sure to develop a routine. Cleansing one's face twice a day is
necessary to keep clean skin. Watching your diet and getting the right
amount of vitamins will also help to keep the skin healthy.
Consistent, physical activity will also help to cleanse the body from waste and
toxin buildup which can cause breakouts and acne flare ups. If you
discover that nothing seems to be working to stop or prevent acne, it may be
time to bring in a professional. A dermatologist will be able to
diagnose your problem and prescribe the necessary medications.

Acne Scar Treatment Products Really Remove Acne Scars?

The most annoying part about acne is the scar it leaves
behind. After all the hard work is done, you still have
another problem to deal with. Acne scars cannot be avoided,
but they can be minimized.

By not popping the acne, you will help reduce the scarring
after the pimples are gone. The thing about scars is that
they are deep under the skin, which means it will not be
easy to remove.

There are some acne scar treatment products that claim that
they can remove scars. However, this means that they will
be loaded will all sorts of chemicals to make them
effective. In reality, these acne scar treatment products
can only help fade surface scars; they cannot penetrade
deep into the skin to remove scars.

The only known treatment that has worked in acne scar
removal is acne scar laser treatment. And this procedure
is very expensive, which is why most people do not believe
in acne scar treatment products.

This is not to say that acne scar treatment products cannot
deliver on the promises they make. They can, perphaps,
deliver in cases where the acne scars are not dense and
deep.

However, when scars are deep and dense, they cannot totally
remove scars and give you clear skin. Keep this in mind
when you purchase any scar treatment product.

If you feel that your scars might need something more long
term, then start saving for acne scar laser treatment.

Even though you might have to go for a few sessions, you
won’t have to wait for a whole month to see the results.
Acne scar treatment products are often not even worth the
amount of money you have to pay to purchase them.

In the case of acne scar treatment, patience is the key to
your success. If you blow your money on a number of useless
products, you will never see results, but if you save your
money and use it to eradicate the scars permanently, you
will never have to buy another product again.

Acne Tips to Better Manage Your Skin

Quick Acne Tips 1: Electric razors may not shave as close to the skin; however, they help with the prevention of acne and other skin breakouts and flare-ups better.

Quick Acne Tips 2: If a non-electric razor is your choice, a single-edged blade is actually better. Why? Because double- and triple-edged blades grab hair follicles and pull them out from below the epidermis. And in the process, your skin "heals itself" by closing over these holes, making it difficult for future hair follicles to grow outward - creating inflammation in the tight areas.

Quick Acne Tips 3: Thoroughly clean your face and any other areas where cosmetics are applied daily, especially if used when combined with exercising or other activities that promote sweating, where there is the opportunity for the chemicals to be absorbed or soaked up into your pores.

Quick Acne Tips 4: Cosmetics - To avoid pore-clogging and skin irritations that are similar to acne and that can contribute to acne, use products labeled "noncomedogenic" or "oil-free." Shimmering facial colors can contain a flaky mineral called mica that can cause skin irritations and clog pores. Other additives in coloring that can cause similar reactions are coal tar derivatives, carmine and heavy cream in blushes.

Quick Acne Tips 5: More preventative measures include using a lip gloss that promotes a matte finish instead of a high gloss for less pore-clogging; note the more the shine, the more then comedogenic content and the more the pores can clog. Beware that eye creams can contain heavier concentrations of moisturizers than regular creams and lotions, meaning they have greater potential to clog pores in the surrounding facial areas.

Quick Acne Tips 6: Additionally use caution with hair styling products that contain oils, alcohol and adhesives that should be kept away from skin and from seeping into pores along with perspiration during workouts; especially watch hair gels and mousses so that they don't cause clogging around your hairline. Use care when choosing fragrance and scented cosmetics, too, and opt for "hypo-allergenic" or "fragrance-free" versions where possible to avoid allergic reactions and skin irritations (a sampling 3-day test behind an ear is recommended).

Acne Prevention Tips

Acne can tremendously embarrassing for the acne sufferer. It is advisable to maintain the right kind of diet, nutritional balance and proper skin care. Here are some tips that will help you heal your acne:

• Use an astringent to remove the excess oil.
• Although moisturizing is not advisable on a daily basis, oil-free moisturizers can be applied if your skin is rough after washing.
• It is advisable to choose water-based products, rather than products containing oil or petroleum.
• Apply a honey mask once a week. Honey is regarded as a disinfectant and also it has medicinal properties believed to heal minor blemishes. It has the properties of destroying the bacteria present in the skin.
• It is advisable to wash your face at least twice a day with sulfur-based soap. Once when you wake up and again when you go to bed. Do not scrub; just give it a smooth touch. Washing your skin over and over again will create more trouble than help you.
• If you have long hair it is advisable to cut it short. Your hair contains oil and when you move, the dust particles do mix up with your hair and when your hair bangs on your face or neck or forehead or the affected area, the situation could worsen. Also wash your hair on a daily basis.
• Take a multi-vitamin daily. Your skin needs proper nutrition.
• It is advisable to take a chromium supplement once a day, as it will heal your pimples quickly.
• Vitamin A protects the skin and prevents acne. It also helps reduce sebum production.
• While going to bed make sure to remove your makeup and it is also advisable not to use any kind of cold cream and lotions. If you really want to wear makeup, make sure that it is water-based.
• Drink at least 8 glasses of water daily. Water helps in cleaning and hydrating the skin and maintaining overall health.

The truth about Acne

. Bacteria is a common cause to all types of acne.

2. You are not alone! As high as eighty percent of people suffer from some type of acne, and in any age.

3. Are you aware that there exists a number of varieties of acne? There are more than fifty types of acne that have been identified so far. But the most commonly occurring type of acne is vulgaris.

4. Lots of people strongly believe that the sun improves their acne condition; but the reality is: ultraviolet rays penetrating the skin's surface could damage the follicles, closing them off and provoking acne to emerge weeks after sun exposure.

5. It usually takes any where from three to four weeks for a pimple to develop; thus, what you ate yesterday will not affect your skin today. More than anything, your genes and hormones are the central root causes of acne.

6. Spot-treating of an acne condition will not work. The whole face and affected areas should be treated in a daily basis to prevent new acne lesions from forming.

7. Acne cannot be cured. On the other hand, it can be effectively treated with a proper acne treatment. The earliest you start a treatment program, the quicker you will experience better-looking skin.

8. Most people generally do not outgrow bouts of acne. Like any other health condition or disease, a case of acne should be treated. You must not ignore this condition, if you want to get rid of your acne problem.

9. In reality, scrubbing and over washing can worsen your acne condition. Items such as Buff Puffs, Loofah sponges, strips applied to your skin, and scrubs containing particles, are all irritating and can aggravate your acne.

10. In order to wipe off all of the oils created by your body, you would have to constantly wash your face. Excessive washing truly provokes the body to make more oil which then worsens acne.


11. Stress usually is not a cause for acne; but it can surely worsen it. Stress could adversely affect hormones, which may consequently affect the process of creating new acne lesions.


12. For most people, diet is not a contributing factor to acne. Certain foods can provoke flare-ups of acne.


13. Dirt that clog the pores do not cause acne breakouts. Hormones that stimulate the oil glands, plug the pores by dead skin cells, bacteria residing in the pores which both break down the oil and create inflammation, are contributing factors for causing acne.

Skin Types

Skin Type

It's highly recommended to learn your skin type before beginning on any acne treatment. There are five main types of skin. The wisest move you can take to the care of your skin, is to become acquainted with your skin type.

Normal skin

Normal skin is the skin type that everyone would love to have. This is commonly known as the “healthy” skin type. This skin type is not too oily, nor too dry; it has few blemishes, and is usually smooth and firm with tiny pores. Wrinkles are suitable in advanced age.

Oily Skin

This skin type can appear rough and oily; it can have recurring acne, blackheads, and big pores. The skin's texture is thick and the touch is usually sticky. This skin type often gives out a youthful appearance resulting from the existence of its oil. Often people with this skin type are prone to experience acne in their teenage and later years, as well as develop sebaceous hyperplasia in their adulthood and advanced years.

Dry Skin

This skin type can be caused because of the absence of water and the exposure to harsh elements in the environment. These variables may make the skin feel rather tight in the face and skin can literally flake off. This skin type can lack natural oils, might seem quite flaky with little pores, blackheads, and blemishes. Dry skin may easily become chapped when there is not enough moisture. As this skin type gets older, it is more prone than other types to grow wrinkled.

Sensitive Skin

Individuals with sensitive skin are more likely to suffer from allergies, stings, burns, and rashes. This skin type may easily become irritated and grow dark red and blotchy, to be affected by environmental elements more than other skin types, and to be overly sensitive to cosmetics.

Combination Skin

This depends on your skin type. This skin type is generally characterized of being dry to normal around the eye area, and oily on areas such as from the forehead down to the nose and chin.

Acne Myths

Myth #1: Acne is caused by a lazy lifestyle of poor hygiene. If you indeed believe in this myth, you will soon discover that by often washing and scrubbing yourself, can worsen your acne. In actuality, dirt or surface skin oils are not the causes of acne. Even though an overflow of oils, a day's accumulation of dust on the skin, and dead skin cell appear unattractive, in order not to worsen the current situation, they should not be wiped off through washing or hand scrubbing. In reality, vigorous washing will only irritate the skin and aggravate your acne problem. The ideal approach to both hygiene and acne: Twice a day, tenderly wash your face using a mild soap, pat dry, and a suitable acne treatment for the acne.

Myth #2: Diet is a major cause of acne. To date scientific studies have failed to find a connection between diet and acne. What this means is that what we eat does not cause acne. Food like pizza, french fries, or even chocolate will not cause us to get acne. Still, there are people who insist that certain foods affect their acne. If you are one of them, then simply avoid those foods. Having a well-balanced diet can only help your overall health. Back to latest the scientific evidence: if you're treating a case of acne in a proper way, there is no reason to fret about what you're eating.

Myth #3: Stress causes acne. The general stress of day-to-day living is not a contributing factor in acne. Intense stress that requires medical assistance is sometimes treated with medications which may cause acne as a side effect. If you think you may have acne in account to a medication prescribed for either stress or depression, it's always a good idea to talk to your family doctor.

Myth #4: Acne is only a cosmetically provoked skin condition. Well yes, acne does affect the manner people look; on the other hand, it's not a danger to a person’s physical health. Nonetheless, acne can sometimes materialize as permanent physical scars; in addition, both acne and its scars can do a number on how people feel about themselves to the extent of deeply affecting their lives.

Myth #5: The best action to take when experiencing acne, is no action. In reality, one can take effective steps for clearing up acne. If you have tried several acne products without success, the next step may be to schedule an appointment to see a dermatologist. With so many products available over-the-counter for treating acne and acne scarring, anyone can take responsible and well-informed steps for treating a case of acne or scars.

Myth #6: Acne is just a teenage condition. The reality is: acne affects every age group from teenagers to people beyond the age of 40. Even though acne most often affect teenagers, adults are not immune from this skin condition. Regardless of age, it's a very good practice and preventative measure to wash your face twice a day, especially with an acne fighting item.

Myth #7: Sex and masturbation are causes of acne. Current research indicates no connection between sexual intercourse, masturbation, and acne. As a matter of fact, this idea began as a "tale" approximately in the 17th century in order to reduce the occurrence of premarital sex.

Myth #8: Squeezing and popping pimples is the ideal way to remove them. Touching and popping your pimples actually can push germs under your skin, which in turn can create additional redness, pain, as well as infection. Remember: popping pimples could sometimes lead to permanent scarring!

Myth #9: Sun tanning will clear up your skin. In actuality, a suntan will only cause your skin to become darker. It's true that darker skin will keep redness because of acne from appearing too noticeable. But then, when your tan vanishes, your acne remains!

I don't have bad acne just bad scarring

White scars and hypopigmentation (loss of skin coloring) can result from trauma to the skin.

Scars take on a white appearance because melanocyte production has been impaired. Melanocytes make melanin- the pigment that gives the skin its color. If melanocytes are damaged, so is the skin’s ability to produce darker skin tones.

After damage to the skin, whether or not hypopigmentation or white scarring occurs depends on how the injury took place.

Causes of hypopigmentation and white scarring

For example, if you were riding a bicycle, fell and only scrapped your knee, this would have created a superficial abrasion on the skin. A scab would develop to protect the wound. Over the course of the few days, the scab would fall off. Once the scab shed away, the skin would then produce pigment in response to sun exposure and eventually, the color of the scar would match that of the rest of the skin.

On the other hand, had the bicycle fall involved a deep gash to the knee, most of the pigment producing layers of the upper skin would be damaged while the deeper layers of the skin would need to repair the injured tissue.

To start the dermal repair process, the skin would then knit together collagen and elastin to protect blood vessels beneath the skin. If blood vessel damage occurred, increased amounts of inflammation would accompany the wound healing process. Under these circumstances, a mild form of fibrosis, or excessive scarring, may happen because of the increased in skin damage and inflammation.

With this build-up of scar tissue, melanocytes may not reach the surface of the skin where they make melanin and give color to the skin. This results in white, coarse scar tissue.

Laser resurfacing & hypopigmentation

Unlike bicycle accidents, laser re-surfacing is a form of intentional scarring. Since laser resurfacing corrects skin damage by inflicting tiny wounds in the skin, laser treatments can cause hypopigmentation. At times, the hypo-pigmented spots may not show up until two to six months after the laser treatment.

Treatments for white scarring and hypopigmentation

Treatments for white scarring that result from acne scars or accidents include medications for vitiligo. Vitiligo is a skin disorder of unknown cause involving loss of pigmentation in patches of otherwise normal skin.

Dermatologist Dr. R.W. Urbanek, reported to E Skin and Allergy News that a product know as V-Tar helps combat the effects of hypopigmentation. According to Dr. Urbanek, this compound causes the skin to produce melanocytes which in term create melanin and restore the skin’s normal pigmentation.

Dr. Urbanek has seen improvements with using V-Tar in as little as eight daily applications. However, side effects of V-Tar include a burning sensation when exposed to direct sunlight. This can be mitigated with using a sunscreen. You can ask you doctor for V-Tar.

Ironically, when hypopigmentation results from skin resurfacing, the treatment could involve more laser resurfacing. In a study published in Dermatologic Surgery, Dr. James E. Fulton revealed his method for treating hypopigmentation that resulted from laser or chemical skin resurfacing.

Dr. Fulton gave 22 patients who had hypopigmented scars a pre-treatment with a vitamin A and glycolic acid lotion. Next, the patients received a series of laser and chemical resurfacing treatments. After the resurfacing treatments, researchers specially bandaged the treated hypopigmented scars and allowed them to heal.

At the conclusion of the study, melanocytes did return to the previously hypopigmented area and ultimately the skin spot blended with the rest of the skin’s natural tone.

Preventing hypopigmentation and white scarring

Since hypopigmentation and white scarring have historically proven themselves difficult to cure, the best treatment is really prevention. You can help prevent hypopigmentation by properly bandaging deep wounds immediately after they happen. In the case of skin resurfacing, ask your health practitioner what steps she is taking to avoid post hypopigmentation and what you can do, in addition to wearing a good sunscreen, to prevent possible hypopigmentation.

What is Acne?

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What is Acne?

Acne is the term for plugged pores (blackheads and whiteheads), pimples, and even deeper lumps (cysts or nodules) that occur on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and even the upper arms. Acne affects most teenagers to some extent. However, the disease is not restricted to any age group; adults in their 20s - even into their 40s - can get acne. While not a life threatening condition, acne can be upsetting and disfiguring. When severe, acne can lead to serious and permanent scarring. Even less severe cases can lead to scarring.

Types of Acne
When you read about acne or other skin diseases, you encounter words or phrases that may be confusing. For example, the words used to describe the lesions of acne—comedo, papule, pustule, nodule and cyst—are understandable only if you know each word’s definition. It also is helpful to have a photo that is characteristic for each type of lesion.

Here is a brief summary of definitions of words used to describe acne, with accompanying photos. Let’s begin, though, with the definition of lesion, an
all-purpose word:

Lesion—a physical change in body tissue caused by disease or injury. A lesion may be external (e.g., acne, skin cancer, psoriatic plaque, knife cut), or internal (e.g., lung cancer, atherosclerosis in a blood vessel, cirrhosis of the liver).

Thus, when you read about acne lesions you understand what is meant—a physical change in the skin caused by a disease process in the sebaceous follicle.

Acne lesions range in severity from comedones (blackheads and whiteheads) to nodules and cysts. Here is a brief definition of acne lesions:

Comedo (plural comedones)—A comedo is a sebaceous follicle plugged with sebum, dead cells from inside the sebaceous follicle, tiny hairs, and sometimes bacteria. When a comedo is open, it is commonly called a blackhead because the surface of the plug in the follicle has a blackish appearance. A closed comedo is commonly called a whitehead; its appearance is that of a skin-colored or slightly inflamed "bump" in the skin. The whitehead differs in color from the blackhead because the opening of the plugged sebaceous follicle to the skin’s surface is closed or very narrow, in contrast to the distended follicular opening of the blackhead. Neither blackheads nor whiteheads should be squeezed or picked open, unless extracted by a dermatologist under sterile conditions. Tissue injured by squeezing or picking can become infected by staphylococci, streptococci and other skin bacteria. The following photos are characteristic of acne with comedones:

(Photos used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides)

Papule—A papule is defined as a small (5 millimeters or less), solid lesion slightly elevated above the surface of the skin. A group of very small papules and microcomedones may be almost invisible but have a "sandpaper" feel to the touch. A papule is caused by localized cellular reaction to the process of acne. This photo shows papules and comedones on the face of an acne patient:

(Photos used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology
National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides)

Pustule—A dome-shaped, fragile lesion containing pus that typically consists of a mixture of white blood cells, dead skin cells, and bacteria. A pustule that forms over a sebaceous follicle usually has a hair in the center. Acne pustules that heal without progressing to cystic form usually leave no scars. This photo shows pustules, papules and comedones on the face of an acne patient:

(Photos used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology
National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides)

Macule—A macule is the temporary red spot left by a healed acne lesion. It is flat, usually red or red-pink, with a well defined border. A macule may persist for days to weeks before disappearing. When a number of macules are present at one time they can contribute to the "inflamed face" appearance of acne. This photo shows the "red face" appearance of acne with macules:

(Photos used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology
National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides)

Nodule—Like a papule, a nodule is a solid, dome-shaped or irregularly-shaped lesion. Unlike a papule, a nodule is characterized by inflammation, extends into deeper layers of the skin and may cause tissue destruction that results in scarring. A nodule may be very painful. Nodular acne is a severe form of acne that may not respond to therapies other than isotretinoin (Click on Acne Treatments)

Cyst—A cyst is a sac-like lesion containing liquid or semi-liquid material consisting of white blood cells, dead cells, and bacteria. It is larger than a pustule, may be severely inflamed, extends into deeper layers of the skin, may be very painful, and can result in scarring. Cysts and nodules often occur together in a severe form of acne called nodulocystic. Systemic therapy with isotretinoin is sometimes the only effective treatment for nodulocystic acne. Some acne investigators believe that true cysts rarely occur in acne, and that (1) the lesions called cysts are usually severely inflamed nodules, and (2) the term nodulocystic should be abandoned. Regardless of terminology, this is a severe form of acne that is often resistant to treatment and likely to leave scars after healing. These photos show nodular, cystic acne:

(Photos used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology
National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides)

Who gets acne?
Close to 100% of people between the ages of twelve and seventeen have at least an occasional whitehead, blackhead or pimple, regardless of race or ethnicity. Many of these young people are able to manage their acne with over-the-counter (nonprescription) treatments. For some, however, acne is more serious. In fact, by their mid-teens, more than 40% of adolescents have acne severe enough to require some treatment by a physician.

In most cases, acne starts between the ages of ten and thirteen and usually lasts for five to ten years. It normally goes away on its own sometime in the early twenties. However, acne can persist into the late twenties or thirties or even beyond. Some people get acne for the first time as adults.

Acne affects young men and young women about equally, but there are differences. Young men are more likely than young women to have more severe, longer lasting forms of acne. Despite this fact, young men are less likely than young women to visit a dermatologist for their acne. In contrast, young women are more likely to have intermittent acne due to hormonal changes associated with their menstrual cycle and acne caused by cosmetics. These kinds of acne may afflict young women well into adulthood.

Acne lesions are most common on the face, but they can also occur on the neck, chest, back, shoulders, scalp, and upper arms and legs.

Normal distribution of acne