Using the Birth Control Pill to control acne
Posted on May 9, 2008
Filed Under acne, chemical cures | 1 Comment
One cause of acne is an imbalance of hormones. This is one of the reasons why teenagers suffer from acne more than adults. A dermatologist can determine if this is the case in your situation.
If it is the case, and you are a woman is isn’t planning on getting pregnant, taking a birth control pill to treat acne can be effective. They work by reducing the hormone androgen as part of their normal course of operation. This hormone is partially responsible for making skin more oily, and creating oils that clog pores. It is therefore possible that a side-benefit of taking the pill is to have clearer skin.
As with anything that attempts to change your body chemistry, taking the birth control pill for acne can take one to three months to show any difference. One of the reasons is that the pill can’t really do much for outbreaks that are already formed, either at the skin level, or just below. It will begin working on the root cause, but it will take some time for your system to work out a backlog of oils that it has built up.
This isn’t necessarily a good idea, however. There are many downsides to the birth control pill, such as an increased risk of developing blood clots, diabetes, gall stones, liver tumors, heart attacks, osteoporosis and breast cancer. The pill has also been associated with mood swings, migraine headaches, and allergic reactions. It’s unlikely that taking the pill for acne alone is worth the risk, but you should consult with your doctor to discuss options.
And, of course, taking the birth control pill to control your acne may not even work. Everyone’s body, and thus, everyone’s body chemistry, is different. And different brands of pill will affect people differently. Some will have differing abilities, and some will work better than others. There is a newer drug on the market, Ortho Tri-Cyclen, that is the only pill clinically proven to reduce acne (in addition to other benefits of the pill.) You should ask your doctor if it’s right for you.
The birth control pill can be useful in fighting acne that’s caused by a hormonal imbalance. If you are willing to accept the risks, consult with your gynecologist, and see if it’s right for you.
Detox diets and their role in acne prevention
Posted on April 13, 2008
Filed Under acne, detox, natural cures | Leave a Comment
Readers of ControlAcneNaturally.com know that we believe the cause of acne lies within ourselves. Acne is a inflammatory skin condition caused not by what rub on the outside of our skin, but by what we have going on inside. Flareups are caused by pore blockage, which are in turn, caused by hormonal activity, internal body detoxification, and other various internal processes. It’s these activities that eventually lead to whiteheads, blackheads, and other rough acne patches.
Starting in the 1970s, detox diets became fashionable. There were several kinds, including the no-meat diet, the Celebrity Fit Diet, the Fat Smash diet, and lots of others. Nearly all of them began with a few week of detox diet, which would serve to shock and flush your system of anything harmful that it already had inside. There are also liquid-based detox diets, which use fruit and veggie juice as their core. These diets were based on reducing free radicals in your system, which would make your body healthier all around.
These diets were intended to be just that, diets. They were intended for weight loss. As with all weight loss programs, they had mixed success. Not every metabolism is the same, not everyone has the same willpower or tolerance for eating the foods and sticking the regimen. However, as a side effect, many people found that while they didn’t lose as much weight as they hoped, they found that they felt much better, and that their skin was much clearer. This has given more credence to the idea that when it comes to acne, what goes on inside is more important that what goes on outside.
By going on a detox diet, which is often very challenging, you are getting the benefits of cleansing the whole body. This includes the digestive system, which may also be of benefit to the skin, even though that wasn’t the original goal. In ancient chinese medicine it is believed that some problems that are started in the bowels and colon ultimately lead to skin disorders and additional inflammation. The toxins that your system can’t flush out that way have to leave through your pores.
Detox diets therefore have a two-fold benefit. Not only do they make you healthier, and help with your digestive tract, but they also will help your skin. Control the inside, and you control the outside.
More on home remedies for acne
Posted on April 6, 2008
Filed Under acne, natural cures | 1 Comment
For as long as there have been people, people have tried a host of remedies for acne. For instance, x-rays were used in 1902, but proved to be futile. Later Benzoyl Peroxide, Tetracycline, Minocycline, Clindamycin, Tetracycline and Sodium Sulfacetamide were tried. None of these drugs worked in curing acne completly, which is probably no surprise. In fact, many of them had harmful side effects. Recently, many dermatologists have headed back to nature for safer and mroe effective cures.
Today, there are two main categories of natural acne cures. The first are the commercially available, and the second is the kind you can make yourself. Commerical varieties have data, testing and other information to backup their claims. Home remedies require a bit of faith and prayer to work. Commercially, acne remedies come in neat, convenient packages that are easy to use. Home remedies on the other hand, rely on raw materials that range from smelly egg whites to potentially messy honey.
Typically, a commercially available topical solution, such as a cream or rinse, contains herbs or other natural cleansers. They can carry odd, medicial sounding names like Lonicera, Tangkuei, Angelica, Fritillaria, Trichosanthes, Olibanum, Myrrh, Gleditsia Spine, Aurantum, Paonia, Platycodon, coix and Astragalus. Many also contain ginsing, grape seed, pine bark, or seabuck thorn oil. Whatever it takes to make something that sounds workable.
Still others will contain Vitamin E, Vitamin B5 or B3, and are taken orally, They claim to “clean up blood and digestive system,” and of course, have varying degrees of effectiveness.
Home remedies are as wide-ranging and strange as the causes of acne, and need to be tried out individually to examine their effectiveness. Most homegrown cures have been “discovered” by individuals looking for an instant cure from acne and scars. These include eggs, salt, lemon juice, cornstarch, vinegar, cooked oatmeal and steam. By and large, natural acne cures score over conventional remedies in being safer and less expensive. They do not require a prescription and are easily available. It is always good to consult a dermatologist when selecting a cure for acne. This saves both time and money spent experimenting with various brands before finding a suitable one.
Green tea is a natural way to control acne and detox
Posted on March 30, 2008
Filed Under acne, detox, natural cures | Leave a Comment
The popularity and desire to cure or treat acne naturally has grown over the past several years. Because of this, people have turned to many long-standing, “miracle” remedies, such as Green Tea. Natural remedies are usually much less costly, both to your wallet and to your skin and body, while proving to be equally effective. Natural remedies also have the benefit of not doing any more harm to your skin, which chemicals and other medications can.
Green tea has long been used as a treatment for acne. Its ability to rid the body of toxins and other irritants is extremely useful when attempting to clear up either a current or future outbreak of acne. Unsweetened (that is, no sugar added) green tea, when drunk like normal hot tea, goes a long way towards flushing toxins out of your system, and acting as a natural detoxifier.
However, there are two other ways to use green tea as a treatment for your acne. One of them is to get topical creams or rinses and use as directed. This type of acne fighting product is gaining popularity fast among consumers as it is useful on all skin types.
The other popular way is to use Green Tea as a way to give your face a “steam bath” by brewing the tea, and bathing your skin in the vapors from the brew. You can either do this the very cheap way, by brewing the tea in a mug, and letting the steam and vapor wash over your skin, or you can buy an apparatus that will let you do this better.
These kinds of gizmos allow you to put your face in a special holder, to increase your comfort, while the steaming extract enters your face and pores, to try to work from the outside. While this doesn’t do the full job of ridding your body of toxins, it will help from the outside, and will be directly applied to your pores.
Fighting acne naturally will always be a pleasant alternative to consumers that do not want to risk the potentially bad side effects associated with chemical-based acne medications. Green tea extract should be at the top of the list of natural acne remedies, as it has been for centuries.
When To Seek A Doctor’s Attention For Your Acne
Posted on March 25, 2008
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Acne comes in many types and can take many forms. It is one of the most common problems among teens and adults alike. The physical and psychological effects can be damaging to your self-esteem and your own opinion of your appearance. In our articles, we talk about natural ways to help your acne problems, things you can do to help, and things you should avoid. In addition, many mild forms of acne outbreaks can be treated with over-the-counter medications. However, sometimes, it is wise to seek medical attention from a doctor or dermatologist.
There are several reasons why it may be smart to see a doctor or dermatologist about your acne. For instance, severe acne may leave permanent scars, and medical treatment may help reduce scarring, or the effects of scarring. Acne scars come in different types, and appear on some people while others do not have them. The type of acne you have and your skin type both play an important role in how your acne scars are treated, how they look, and how long they last. Of course, the best way to prevent acne scars is to prevent acne, so you should find what works for you and stick to it.
In men, scars on the face and neck may make shaving difficult, if not impossible. Shaving can irritate scars, especially larger, more prominent ones, and can further irritate the skin. If you have cystic acne, a more severe type of acne, painful cysts may need to be drained by a physician. This type of acne usually requires medical attention because of its severity. It can also last for months and cause a good deal of discomfort to sufferers, both physically and mentally.
Acne can also have negative psychological effects on people. It can cause one to become depressed or anxious, because you are constantly worried about your appearance. They may also fear how others see them, and worry that there is no cure for it, nothing they can do about it. This happens in adults because many feel their acne should have cleared up after adolescence, or shouldn’t have occurred during adulthood. They are often afraid to place themselves in social situations where they might feel inferior, and often shy away from events. A physician can help treat the physical effects, as well as the psychological ones.
Another reason to see a doctor is that teens who suffer from acne early on can sometimes expect it to worsen as they get older, and possibly continue on into adulthood. This can also mean more severe types of acne have formed, and by seeking medical attention, scarring can be prevented earlier on in the course of the condition.
There are plenty of reasons to visit a doctor for your acne, even if you don’t think you need one. Always better to be safe, and get checked out, than to cause a lasting condition that could have been treated.
Natural Ways To Stop Acne Fast
Posted on March 23, 2008
Filed Under acne, natural cures | Leave a Comment
by Shakil Zaman
There are a significant variety of acne treatments and remedies out there in the marketplace and it can be difficult and confusing to find a solution that can work well for you long term. Many acne sufferers have reported that using natural products and methods have helped them in their quest to get rid of acne.
These natural approaches do not work for everyone since acne is complex and there is no single solution that can work for all people. However if you have not tried any natural acne treatments then consider doing so as you may see positive and lasting results. Diet is one of the first things to consider when looking at a natural solution to acne.
For many people eating the high fat foods and junk foods can make their acne worse. Consuming more fruits and vegetables is always recommended as these foods have many great health benefits such as detoxification which can help to reduce the amount of acne causing bacteria in your body. Unfortunately it can be difficult to always eat enough fruits and vegetables which is why it can be ideal to turn to either a whole food supplement or to juicing.
There are many great natural whole food supplements you can purchase at most large supermarkets and health food stores. Many of them go by the name of green drinks. These concentrated supplements contain many green foods which can have many positive health benefits including helping to reduce acne.
You can also purchase a juicer which you can then use to make your own fresh juices out of fruits and vegetables like carrots, celery, apples, pears, oranges and any other hard fruits and vegetables that you like and that can be eaten raw. You should use your diet to cleanse and detoxify your body so that acne causing bacteria has the least chance of surviving in the pores of your skin.
In addition you can also purchase detox kits usually from a local health food stores that can also help to clear your skin. Consider starting with a colon cleanse as that may have the largest effect since most people have colons that are clogged with waste so getting rid of this waste can really make a good difference in your overall health. Many times acne is a sign that something may be wrong with your health so do your best to improve your health by eating responsibly.
Exercise may also be beneficial in helping to reduce acne. If you live a highly dormant lifestyle then make sure to implement some sort of workout routine into your life. Be sure to do both aerobics and strength training. Start slowly and do even ten to fifteen minutes of exercise a day. The important thing is to start and make it a habit. It will always be difficult in the beginning but if you do it consistently it will become a natural part of your life.
When it comes to strength training make sure you do not overdo it. It takes your body a lot of time to recover from each weight training workout so give yourself at least 1 week rest if you lift fairly light weights. The heavier the weights you lift the more rest you need to take otherwise you could end up in a state of over training which weakens the immune system and makes you susceptible to illness.
Also try to relax and enjoy your life. Stress can also contribute to making acne worse. While it is difficult, try to see the good things about every situation and focus on that as this can make a big difference in how you feel. In life we tend to get what we focus on so make it a point to focus on things that serve you in the long term. Follow some of these natural and holistic acne treatment methods to help you get the clear skin and confidence you deserve.
Can Detox Diet Really Cure Acne?
Posted on March 18, 2008
Filed Under acne, detox, natural cures | Leave a Comment
Diet plays an important role in keeping your health. The diet plan offered by Detox Diet is as excellent for skin problems like acne as it is for problems of other body organs. Many factors influence the condition of skin which comprises of age, nutrition and hormonal environment of the body. Inheritance is also an important factor. Although there are some experts who do not believe in the influence of the nutrition on skin, but the research has proved the saying “you are what you eat” and you can see it in your skin.
Diet Effects Skin and Cures Acne:
Research work has shown that food plays a big role in acne and other skin problems rather it has a direct influence. Some foods can actually flare up acne lesions such as animal fats that are rich in saturated fatty acids. Abundant use of water is good for keeping the skin healthy and so is the use of vitamins, appropriate minerals and proteins.
Acne and Detox Diets:
If we keep in mind the outcomes of research works about the effect of diet on skin, mentioned above we may anticipate that the best Detox Diet for acne should include moderate use of water, proteins, vitamins and minerals and the saturated fats in the food should be kept to the minimum in the best Detox Diet for acne.
1) Proteins:
It has been proved that the liberal use of proteins in diet helps in preventing flare ups of acne lesions. There are some enzymes in the body that stimulate the production of fats in lubricating glands (sebaceous glands) of skin and this is an important feature our best Detox Diet for acne accounts for. Formation of these enzymes is controlled when diet is rich enough in proteins, in turn controlling the production of fats by these glands so that it should not reach the extent that make clog the pours and start acne.
2) Water:
It is one of the best cleansing agent and important ingredient of all best Detox Diet for acne. Best Detox Diet for acne flushes out the poison Substances from the body and decreases skin problems. So it is a must ingredient of the best Detox Diet for acne.
3) Citric Acid:
Grapes and citric foods are all rich in citric acid and are one of the most important ingredients of any best Detox Diet for acne. For that matter they are also vital content of best Detox Diet for acne.
How to Handle Undesired Effects:
Even with the best Detox Diet for acne, one may experience undesired effects which include even the flare up of acne lesions but that does not mean that it should lead to the termination of the diet plan rather it should be taken as an expected reaction of the body. It should give hope that the diet is going to achieve the expected results. The person should be encouraged to continue the best Detox Diet for acne with the hope that acne shall rapidly clear after this reaction. These reactions are quite common even with the best Detox Diets for the acne although most of them last for brief periods.
Long Term Diet plan for Acne:
If we want a permanent cure for acne and other skin problems by nutritional management then short term Detox Diet plans do not perform satisfactory. The patients should be educated to stick to a healthy diet plan like best Detox Diet for acne, for the rest of their life. Also high motivation will be needed. A best Detox Diet for acne off and on will complement dietary schedule by cleansing body system.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Judy_Wellsworth
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Are you on a toxic, acne diet?
Posted on March 18, 2008
Filed Under acne, detox | Leave a Comment
by Nanci Bartlett
If you are reading this you may be on a toxic, acne diet. And you probably didn’t even know you were on a diet, did you? An acne diet consists of foods that trigger acne outbreaks. It is acidic and toxic to you and your system. These foods are very individual to YOU. You may have noticed that some of us can eat all the pizza, greasy foods and carbonated beverages we want and have clear skin.
Some of us eat very healthy foods and still have outbreaks. It can only be the way our bodies react to the foods we eat.
Acne is a symptom of internal distress. You are stressing out your internal organs, especially your liver, kidneys and lungs.
The pro acne diet consists of acidic foods such as meat, wheat products, sugars and diary products - the normal America diet. Almost anything that makes you body more acidic, makes it more prone to acne outbreaks.
Most prescription medicines, food additives, food colorings and flavor enhancers - and of course the teenager’s wild hormones - make the body acidic.
One of the common symptoms of your body being acidic/toxic is acne or other skin problems. Rough dry skin, red patches, dry flaky skin - all these are because your body is out of touch with itself.
Acne happens to you when your liver, kidneys and bowels try to process more waste and toxins than they can handle. When this happens your begin to expel toxins through your skin and lungs.
This causes your natural skin oil production to go into high gear. It can also cause your skin oil to be thicker which can cause the pores to become blocked and lead to acne outbreaks. Your skin becomes a very friendly and fertile place for the acne causing virus and accompanying bacteria to flourish.
This is when the breakouts start.
The answer is to get your elimination system in order and to make your skin a bit alkaline. This makes your body unfriendly to acne and your skin clears up. I don’t know why this works, just that it does.
The way you accomplish this is an anti acne diet.
First - cut back on refined carbohydrates and sugar. They both increase your production of androgens and sebum by taking processing time, which slows your elimination of toxins.
Second - start drinking plenty of water as water is used to expel the toxins in your system. Water will also thin out the skin oil and allow it to travel through the pores without clogging them. Lots of water will also help eliminate the toxins on your skin.
These toxins get into the pores and the bacteria feed on them. The next thing you know, you have a pimple.
You should drink at least two quarts of water daily.
Third - get plenty of fiber in your diet. Eat more beans, apples, green vegetables and more bran. These help your colon expel waste along with the toxins more efficiently.
Fourth - eat rich antioxidant foods. Foods like apples, oranges, watermelon and almost any other fresh fruit. These will help heal your skin and help it deal with the acne triggers.
Fifth - take a supplement of zinc. Zinc seems to help heal the skin, along with vitamin E and A. The supplement should not be a high dosage, just the normal recommended amount.
Sixth - try an omega3 supplement. I don’t really know why it works, but it seems to be a good long-term acne treatment, in addition it is good for you.
Following an anti acne diet is not always easy, but will work. By all means use Tea Tree oil and 2.5% Benzoyl peroxide on your outbreaks. You will look and feel better for it.
But do follow an anti acne diet for the long run - it will make you acne free.
Good Luck Nanci
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