Acne Magazine : Skin Care, Tips, Treatment Reviews

It’s officially been kicked off. The holiday rush to get the decorations down, get the holiday bills paid off, bake your usual holiday goodies, coordinate a million New Years events and parties, and generally have the entire month of December and beginning of January pass you by like a train that never stops at any station.

Sound familiar? Well, if you celebrate the holidays in the typical traditional way that most Americans do, then you know exactly what I’m talking about.  You can definitely put the kaibosh on some of the stress and the ridiculous fanfare that is now surrounding the normally happy holiday season and make yourself a safe nest of calmness and tranquility.

The rush, confusion and general angst of the holidays is something that definitely can become pronounced physically in the way of skin conditions.  People with acne and rosacea for example, may experience more symptoms on their skin during the stressful holiday period.  They may experience increased flushing, more breakouts and generally less “calm” looking skin.

It is especially important to make sure you are using sulfate free, gentle and natural cleansing products, as well as gentle treatments during this time.  Using harsh detergents and chemicals can only aggravate the skin, causing more “internal heat” under the surface and making your skin break out the defenses by inflaming  and becoming more prone to irritation, redness and bumpiness.

Be kind to yourself. When you start to feel the anxiety and inevitable feeling of constantly being rushed or the pressure to be perfect coming over you, do something that you know relaxes you. For me, it’s getting a massage scheduled, doing yoga, getting in a sauna, having a really tough sweaty workout, or taking an herbal calming remedy such as kava or 5htp (of course, these come with warnings, and interactions with other medications, so be sure to read up on them before taking).

If you can schedule some time to kick back, relax and do the things you normally do when the holiday season isn’t constantly on your mind, then you can at least tame the feelings of no control or of being always “on” and feeling the need to have this perfect, utopian holiday season.

Of course, the holidays weren’t meant to be like this. But in the age of commercialism and the “Black Friday” thing being pushed up further and further, with the most attention being focused on materialism instead of the real idea of the holidays which is the idea of giving, forgiveness, kindness, peace and love, it’s hard to remember what they are really all about.

Hello everyone and Merry Christmas!  No matter what you celebrate, we’re here to wish you a warm and happy holiday season. Have fun with the family and friends and remember, we’ll be here in just a few days after the festive holiday to bring you more news on skin care and helpful advice and treatments from nature.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Acne is one of the major skin conditions that affect adolescents and some adults. This can be a very minor problem but in some cases, it can be very severe. Acne is brought about by bacteria which disrupt the skin’s hormonal balance. This results in bumps appearing on the skin followed by pus in severe cases.

Acne affects several parts of the body that has non-glabrous skin, especially the face. This skin condition can also affect the scalp. Scalp acne affects both sexes of all ages. This type of acne can be very difficult to detect as the bumps are covered by hair. It is also a troublesome type of acne to deal with.

There are several treatments for scalp acne. Most of these are natural as the causes of these bumps on the head can easily be dealt with naturally. Scalp acne is mainly caused by overproduction of sebum but also poor hygiene, high stress levels, food allergies and malnourishment.

The best acne scalp treatment is prevention. Preventing the causes of the skin condition will deal with it. Ensure that you wash your hair every day. This will keep it clean, hence avoiding build up of bacteria and sebum. There should be good blood flow in the head. This will lower the stress levels as components of the head such as the skin layers will work at their optimum, hence less chance of infections.

Another acne scalp treatment is avoiding eating foods that you are allergic to. These foods tend to increase the rate of acne development on the scalp. The reason for this is that the foods will make the chemical composition of the scalp skin unstable, therefore making it susceptible to infections.

Avoid using any hair products that are oil-based. These products will clog your scalp pores and in the long run, force a buildup of sebum in the pores. However, ensure that you do not deprive the skin of oil too often as this will cause the skin to become too dry. The end result will be a different skin condition known as dandruffs.
Products meant for styling should not be left on your hair overnight. Shampoos and conditioners should be rinsed off thoroughly to avoid any buildup of residue.

You can also invest in anti-dandruff shampoos, which is are good treatments for scalp acne. This shampoo contains zinc, which is very effective in eliminating acne.

Blackheads are a problem for adolescents and teens. They are a black dot on your face or skin They are dirt, oil and dead skin that clogs the pores in your skin. Once you get them they are not easy to remove. Washing even with an abrasive cleanser may not help you with the problem. A blackhead remover tool often is the best way to get rid of the problem. There are different kinds on the market to choose from.

One of the most well known kinds is the loop blackhead extractor. It has two small looped ends that are used on your pimples. They are often used on whiteheads too. You roll the looped end over the surface with consistent pressure. It is important for you to steam your face before using the tool.

This softens the clog in the pores making them easier to remove. Some of the best blackhead removers are made from stainless steel. After using this tool you should wash with hot soap and water. Rinse it in alcohol to kill any bacteria on it. The looped remover is one of the best blackhead remover tools to use.

There are remover products that are creams that you put on your face. Often the cream is applied to the face until it dries. After the cream dries wash your face with warm soap and water and dry. Some of the creams are expensive.

There are also pore strips like Biore and some of the other knockoffs of yesteryear that you apply to your nose or face. This strip loosens the skin and clogs formed in the pores by basically pulling it out via brute force.   While interesting, these can sometimes leave a mark and not heal right because of how they are often yanked out so forcefully.

Most blackhead extractors push or pop the blemishes, so it is wise to make sure you use the gentles pressure possible to avoid scarring. Another type of tool is the spoon extractor used for small sized blemishes. It has several holes at the end to be used only for very small blemishes. These tools are a safe way to remove black head pimples that are not serious.

When choosing the right tools to remove zits pick the best blackhead remover for you and make sure it is safe to use. Some extractors are not safe if you do not know how to use them correctly. So practice safety when using these tools – and keep them disinfected so you don’ t do more harm than good by depositing more bacteria into the pore.

Treatment of blackheads with facial masks

Blackheads are one of the worst forms of acne. They usually are not painful and sensitive like whiteheads and cystic types of acne are, but they can be more difficult to get rid of, and can stay on the skin for months or even years if left untreated.

Acne is usually caused by dirt or oil blocking a hair pore. When this happens a pimple is foremed and if a pimple is created you will want to rid of this very soon. There are many different treatments meant to remove anyforms of acne.

A good way to treat acne is through the form of masks. A mask is applied to the face or affected area and is let sit until it dries completely. You should usually wear the mask in your down time since it is pretty obvious you have a mask on your face and you may draw some stares.

Mostly because it is pretty noticeable to walk around with your face completely white and chalky. A mask is a good way to remove the pimples. There is a side affect from applying masks though, if you wear them for too long.

The mask works by drying out the acne and when this happens the area it is applied to is also dried out. Most bottles are labeled with a warning that says there can be an excessive amount of dry skin after prolonged use of the product. Masks are only used for a last resort or if your acne is out of control.

Many of the treatments out there that help to remove blackheads use the same method of drieng out the skin to release the fluid inside the blackhead. Alcohol pads have been used since acne has been around (forever).

Alcohol pads are rubbed on the blackheads daily until they are gone. They can also dry out the skin, but not as extremely as a full-face mask.

These programs can be expensive, but they are very effective. These programs come with a schedule and many different treatments. For example a kit can come with a bottle of masking cream, a face cleanser applied in the shower, and a cream to quickly remove pimples before they come to a head.

Blackhead masks can be especially helpful because they help to draw out the blackhead pimple so that it can be more easily extracted without scarring. Our next blog is going to be on blackhead extraction tools. 

These can often be used in combination with a blackhead mask, which sort of “preps” the skin for extraction.

Sodium lauryl sulfate is a destructive chemical that is often used in facial cleansers and other soaps. It creates foam, which consumers have been conditioned into believing is a sign of effectiveness, but it is actually a derivative of sulfuric acid. It dissolves the top layers of skin, drying it out and causing premature wrinkling.

The skin’s oils are removed, which causes the skin to overcompensate by creating more oil and, consequently, very bad acne blemishes. Skin that is prone to acne needs to be cleansed with gentle products that do not contain SLS. It may take a long time to become accustomed to facial skin still feeling somewhat soft and oily after being washed.

In addition to being bad for skin, SLS is bad for hair: when used in shampoo, sodium lauryl sulfate completely strips away all of the healthy moisture and oils. It is so harsh and abrasive that is it used in household cleaning products and automobile maintenance fluids.

It is used in facial and body cleansing products because it is inexpensive and disperses naturally occurring oils for a feeling of being clean, but one is not really cleaner after using these cleansers than after using gentler soaps with less foaming action.

SLS seeps into the body and mimics the effects of female hormones, raising the odds of contracting breast cancer, developing menstrual problems, and experiencing lowered fertility. When facing an almost absolute probability of aggravating both body and acny with sodium lauryl sulfate, it is best to seek out washes and creams that contain natural botanical ingredients and do not lather into the deceptive foam that has made SLS such a common ingredient in most popular cleansers.

Sodium lauryl sulfate is also bad for eyes, the respiratory tract, and is dangerous when swallowed. It is not a chemical that is conducive to healing acne or perpetuating healthy, glowing skin. In some people, it can cause rashes, itching and painful breakouts.

Consumers are advised to read product labels and ensure that their favorite brands do not contain this dangerous chemical additive. Acne sufferers should see a licensed dermatologist who can prescribe medication targeted toward the patient’s individual needs.

We’ve talked many times here at AcneMag about how a lot of women use the pill either solely to help clear their skin of acne, or in conjunction as a birth control method, with the “nice to have” side effect of helping to keep their skin clear.

Even though one fairly recent addition to the birth control market, Yaz which is a Bayer drug, was marketed as helping to clear acne as well as prevent pregnancy, there are actually several other types of pills on the market that will help your skin stay clear because they help control the estrogens and testosterone hormones in the body which can aggravate acne.

However, Yaz or Yasmine promoted this side effect of their pill, as well as their ability to help control other side effects that are unwanted on the pill such as bloating and mood swings. They were able to become the most successfully selling birth control pill for a few years because they became so popular.

Every birth control pill comes with somewhat of an inherent risk though, and Yaz is no different. Most birth control pills come with warnings that they may make you more susceptible to blood clots. The risk is fairly minimal, but it can be very serious because blood clots can travel to the lungs or brain and become potentially life threatening.

Yaz is under review by the FDA because the risk of these blood clots has been found to be slightly higher on their pill and others like it.  Although the risk is not much higher than that of other pills, the FDA still wants to review it and possibly have even more warning labels affixed letting women know about the slightly increased risk.

While there are risks on any hormone based drug for increased blood clot likelihood, there are factors that can add to this risk and greatly increase your profile for being one of the few affected. Factors such as smoking and obesity for example, can greatly increase your risk.

It is recommended that you never smoke when on the pill, although a lot of women still do this. It is also recommended that you watch your weight and if you are obese to start with, then you probably should not be on the pill.  These are good rules of thumb to keep yourself safe if you are going to go on the pill.

A regular teen, who happens to have beautiful facial features – and oh by the way also has multiple acne scars – has become famous very quickly – at least internet famous.  The inventive teen filmed herself while expertly applying makeup that makes her look as if she has perfect skin.

It is quite a transformation when you see the before and after picture of the teen, named Cassandra Bankson, who is just nineteen years old.  I must applaud this brave young woman for having the nerve to put this video up and helping so many other people see how skillful makeup application can really help to blend away the skin problem of acne.

Bankson’s video on Youtube has already gotten over two million views in a relatively short period of time. This really speaks to what a huge problem acne is for men and women of all ages, and how much it weighs on the ego and self worth when you have acne pretty badly.

She mentions in the video that this is one of the most insecure times for her, appearing with no makeup for the whole world to see her imperfections. Little does she know, this makes her more beautiful, just the fact that she has the guts to do it and to help others out.

When she is done applying her makeup, it really does look amazing. It almost look like she’s an airbrushed version of herself. This goes to show what great makeup application can do to cover up acne.

Some of the tricks I learned are as follows to help cover up acne scars and fresh acne redness with makeup:

1.)  I choose thicker stick-type cover ups.  These tend to work a lot better for me on the redness. They are also easier to cover heavy redness or darkness because they just sit on the skin, and you can blend them with the slightest touch of your finger so that you get maximum coverage and staying power.

2.) Instead of blending vigorously, just dab the cover stick over the blemish you want to camoflauge.  This way, you get more coverage and don’t accidentally blend all of the cover up off of the blemish.

3.) Use a good foundation that provides lots of coverage. I like to use Revlon Color Stay because it really helps conceal any imperfections and “airbrush” the skin.

4.) Don’t over dry the blemish. A cracked, red and bleeding acne spot looks a lot worse than one that is not dried out. Drying out the acne with a harsh spot treatment often has this effect.

This is a guest posting from our guest author Michael on rosacea and why natural ingredients are best. It is important to stay away from harsh, drying and irritating (irritation always equals redness) ingredients in your skin care regimen when you have rosacea.  Here, he talks about what you might want to look for in rosacea skin care.

Struggling with one of the most common skin conditions, known as Rosacea is not an uncommon battle for many Americans. I had severe Rosacea for several years when I was a teenager. The strange and embarrassing red pigmentation on my skin was incorrectly categorized as acne at school and I was ostracized.

Unfortunately for me, this runs in my family. More specifically, it was passed down from my dad who had the condition for years before it mysteriously went away one day.

By the time I was 16 I had been to so many skin care professionals who really seemed to know nothing about what i was going through. They gave me many chemical based prescription creams instead of natural rosacea solutions,  that only seemed to cause more problems. I finally decided to leave the skin care professionals to their chemistry and go for an all organic solution.

I found that natural ingredients like aloe and calendula were amazingly soothing when applied to my irritated skin that was affected by Rosacea. While the natural products were not prescribed by a doctor, they seemed to work even better than anything that the so called skin care experts had given to me.

When I looked at the ingredients on the bottles of chemical; based creams I could not read them, but when I looked at my holistic product lists I found that the ingredients all came from nature.

I figured at that point that it was much better to use something that had clean and pronounceable ingredients that I could easily research. Because these natural products were so soothing to my skin I began to investigate further.

I read a lot about my condition and found that many thing I had done were the opposite of soothing, they were in fact aggravating my Rosacea which was interesting considering that the doctors had mentioned nothing about the benefits of aloe, calendula, and even cool water rather than hot agitating water.

In the end, it convinced me that working with natural products and conscious healers, not scientists, was my way to healing. In fact, my experience has lead me to pursue a career in holistic health and skin care. Organic living has truly changed my life forever.

The simplest method for reducing facial redness is to cover it up. To do this naturally, there are many great foundations and concealers that are made from all natural holistic ingredients. Though you can visit your local cosmetics department, it may be easier to shop online for specialty natural cosmetics.

That way you can find precisely what you need for your skin type, and probably even a concealer which nourishes your skin in addition to acting as a cover up.

To combat facial redness directly, it’s important to consider what you’re washing your face with. If you’re using a traditional bar soap, it may actually be too harsh for your face, as they are more suited for the body.  Avoid sulfates and try to opt for more natural cleansing options.

You need to get gentle face cleansers that will clean effectively without aggravating sensitive skin. When washing your face, you should also avoid using wash cloths which can be abrasive. Instead, just directly apply the cleanser to your face and work it in softly with your fingers.

To reduce the look of flushing further, it may be necessary to get rid of skin care treatments, such as wrinkle reducers. They contain too many chemicals and active ingredients such as retinol, which could be increasing redness and irritation. You can also just reduce the amount of treatments you’re using, which can also help even out your skin tone.

Though some skin treatments can make the face even redder, there are specially formulated skin treatments and lotions which are good at reducing the effects as well. Look for products that contain all natural ingredients and consider using essential oils instead of lotions to moisturize your face.

Essential oils are derived from plants and seeds and don’t contain extra chemicals. They would hydrate naturally without irritating the face further.

One treatment that uses extracts from an herb called chrysanthellum indicum, has been shown to reduce the size of capillaries and improves the flushing appearance of rosacea. Other herbal remedies such as green teas and licorice have also been beneficiary.

Like intolerances to the chemicals in soap and skin lotions, food can also cause a reaction that results in flushing and symptoms of rosacea. Removing foods from your diet and then reintroducing them can allow you to find food which may be triggering the dilation of blood vessels. In general, maintaining a healthy, balanced diet is essential to preserving the health of your skin and reducing facial redness.