Acne formation

Hair Follicle

Comedones (blackheads & whiteheads)

Zits

Nodules

images courtesy of EMedicine Health

How acne appears:

Your skin sheds dead cells and produces oil from the moment you are born. Your hormone balance affects the rate at which you produce oil and at which your skin sheds dead skin cells, and it changes throughout your life. Acne happens when these natural processes are thrown off-balance.

1) A blemish begins approximately 2-3 weeks before it appears on your skin's surface. Deep within each pore (or hair follicle), your sebaceous glands are working to produce sebum, the oil that keeps your skin moist and pliable.

2) The pores clog: As your skin renews itself, the old cells die and slough off. When cells are shed unevenly, they clump together with natural skin oil to form a plug – much like a cork in a bottle. 3) The blemish appears: This plug, or comedo, traps oil and bacteria inside your pore. As your skin continues to produce oil, the pore swells because of the plug, and bacteria flourish. Your pore becomes infected and possibly inflamed.

Acne is a red, irritating skin rash primarily affecting teenagers and young adults. It can, however, occur at all ages. Typical acne appears in the oil-producing areas of the body—namely, the face, chest, and back. Acne can also occur on the neck and upper arms.


Acne can have a short-term, potentially lasting psychological effect. Decreased self-esteem and self-confidence can lead to social withdrawal and even depression. Left untreated, severe acne can lead to disfiguring scarring, which can itself be difficult to treat.

When to Seek Medical Care:

Acne that does not improve with over-the-counter medicines should be evaluated by a doctor.
People with acne that is severe and tender or already scarring should also be seen by a doctor.
Women with acne who develop facial hair or have irregular periods require evaluation by a doctor.
Anyone with a sudden severe worsening of their acne or acne with fever and severe swelling should see a doctor immediately. These could be signs of a serious skin infection.

At home Treatment:

Wash once or twice daily with a soap and water to remove excess oil from the skin. An acne cleanser purchased over-the-counter in any drug store can also be helpful. Avoid scrubbing too abrasively because this can actually irritate the skin and cause acne to worsen.

Over-the-counter acne medications can be used either at bedtime or during the day. Always follow the directions on any acne product.

Many cover-up products are available without a prescription to improve the appearance of blemishes while they have a chance to heal. Most work well and should not worsen acne.

Some cosmetics and other skin care products, however, can cause acne to worsen. Look for make-up, cosmetics, and skin care products labeled with the word noncomedogenic. This means that it does not cause or worsen acne.

Medical Treatment:
Many treatment options are available to treat all forms of acne. Medications are the main treatment for acne and usually work well. Several preparations are available over-the-counter, while others require a prescription from a doctor.

Over-the-counter medications: Nonprescription or over-the-counter medications for acne are plentiful and can be effective for milder forms of acne. They come in the form of soaps, washes, and cleansers.

Many contain benzoyl peroxide, which does two things. First, benzoyl peroxide kills the acne-causing bacteria, which are thought to play a role in acne. Second, benzoyl peroxide can cause drying and flaking off of skin, which can help prevent the pores from becoming plugged. Plugged pores can develop into acne blemishes.

Scrubbing excessively with any over-the-counter preparation can actually cause acne to worsen by additionally irritating the hair follicles.

Prescription medications: Doctors can prescribe medications when acne becomes moderate to severe or is not controlled by over-the-counter medications. Prescription drugs can be used effectively alone or in combination with other prescription and nonprescription medications.

Antibiotics: Antibiotics can be effective in treating most inflammatory acne (papules and pustules). They work by killing the bacteria and also by decreasing the redness and swelling seen in the inflammatory forms of acne.

Antibiotics may be applied to the skin in the form of gels and lotions, or by way of pills. We now know that using a combination of 2 medications together may be very effective in treating acne. Using a topical antibiotic with topical benzoyl peroxide, for example, may prevent bacterial resistance to the antibiotic. Giving an antibiotic by mouth is often needed for acne that is more extensive, red, and tender.

Antibiotics taken by mouth can be associated with more side effects than if applied to the skin and may interact with other medicines such as birth control pills. Sensitivity to the sun can result in a "bad sunburn" in some people who take the antibiotic tetracycline by mouth.

Retinoids: Medicines made from vitamin A (retinoids) are useful in treating several types of acne lesions. Topical retinoids are effective in treating the noninflammatory types of acne (blackheads and whiteheads).

Topical retinoids (applied directly to the skin) help to open clogged pores by creating a mild peeling effect. Drying of the skin can be a frequent side effect. Oral retinoids are reserved for treating the more extensive nodular type of acne or severe inflammatory acne, which has not responded to other treatments. Oral retinoids not only have a peeling effect but also decrease the production of oil.

They can also be associated with a number of serious side effects including birth defects in babies of women who become pregnant while taking the medicine. They can also cause elevated blood fats (triglycerides) and damage to the liver. Your doctor may recommend certain blood tests to check for these problems (and to make sure you are not pregnant) if you are given oral retinoids. Depression and suicidal thoughts have been reported while taking oral retinoids.

Other medications: A doctor may recommend other types of drugs or therapy to improve acne. For women, medications such as birth control pills or certain "water pills" may be helpful. These drugs counteract the acne-causing effect of male hormones. Newer treatments for acne include the use of light or zinc. Your doctor can advise you whether these types of acne therapy might be good for you.



Author: Brian W Russ, MD, Consulting Staff, Department of Dermatology. For more information check out American Academy of Dermatology

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All-Natural Acne Treatments

Nowadays all we hear about is saving energy for the environment. This means that don't forget to turn off the lights when leaving the room or turn off the television when no one is watching. To reduce pollution, many people walk, take the bus or ride a bicycle to work. Basically the people are trying to go green.

I was on Planet Green website and saw an article about acne treatment made with natural ingredients. I really enjoyed reading that piece and learned a few tips about on using natural products to banish pesky blemishes and acne. Here's what you have to do:

Mix the juice of three cloves of garlic with equal parts rosehip seed oil and white vinegar. Dab concoction onto a swab and apply to the affected area several times a day. The garlic and vinegar is antibacterial and antiseptic, whereas the rose hip seed oil decreases redness and soothes the skin.
To clean your face, use gentle cleansers and exfoliants, and avoid chemical additives such as sodium lauryl sulfate, which can dry out skin. Soothing Cleanser such as Miessence, Miessence Gentle Exfoliant, and skincare brands based on marine ingredients, such as Osea, which can help stimulate cell renewal.

Question & Answer with Dr. Jeannette Martello

While reading an article on skin care, I stumbled on a post with Jeannette Martello, a board-certified M.D. She's the Editor-in-Chief of Skin Deep, a magazine that talks about skin care, cosmetics as well as health issues. She states that "The desire to enhance one’s image has worldwide appeal. People want to feel good both inside and out. Our goal at SKIN DEEP is to educate the public regarding lifestyle, fashion, beauty, health, nutrition, fitness, skin care, anti-aging and so much more."
Jeannette Martello answers questions from her readers:

Q.
Why do I still break out with acne as an adult?

A.
Due to exposure to unfriendly, environmental influences, the pores on our face enlarge. In addition, as we get older, our skin cell turnover cycle lengthens. It takes longer for a skin cell to live, die and then fall off of your face. This is a perfect set-up for adult break-outs. The dead skin cells occupy your enlarged pores for a longer period of time and can result in adult-onset acne.

Q.
Why can't I use Accutane to treat my acne if I'm trying to get pregnant or am pregnant?

A.
Accutane is a very potent prescription-strength medication that is used in non-responsive cases of cystic acne. This medication has been associated with birth defects. In addition, Accutane is so potent, that you should not plan on any elective, non-emergent surgery for approximately nine months to one year after stopping Accutane. Accutane can also negatively affect wound healing.

Q.
Why do I always wake up with pimples?

A.
As we age, our pores enlarge secondary to exposure to negative environmental influences. Also, dead skin cells tend to stay on our face for a longer period of time and fill in the enlarged pores. This situation is made even worse when applied makeup is allowed to overfill the pores even further, especially when left on overnight.

Q.
Why do wrinkles form?

There are basically two types of wrinkles: dynamic wrinkles and static wrinkles. Dynamic wrinkles include crow's feet, bunny lines at the top of the nose and lip lines that are made worse when you pucker up. Dynamic wrinkles are produced by facial expressions created by the muscles underneath the skin and soft tissue. Static wrinkles are stationary wrinkles that are formed by deeper attachments from the upper layers of the skin to the deeper layers. We had those attachments when we were 10 years old. Unfortunately, as we age, there is just no stopping gravity. Since these attachments remain stationary and the skin and soft tissue move downward, these static wrinkles become apparent as we age.

Q.
Why do I have more wrinkles on the left side of my face?

A.
Everyone's face is asymmetric. It is extremely rare for a person to have a perfectly proportioned face. The underlying action of the muscles may be stronger on one side of the face than the other. We also tend to express ourselves on one side of the face more than on the other. Most importantly, when you drive, both ultraviolet A and B rays attack the left side of the face more than they do on the right. In fact, UVA can penetrate through glass and clothing, and is even present indoors!

Q.
If I were able to do only one thing to look younger, for example, a tummy tuck, breast augmentation or skin treatments, what would you suggest?

A.
Being an aging woman myself, I can completely relate to your situation. This is how I look at it: I consider the face and therefore the skin--the largest organ of the body--to be the first thing most people see. That is why I consider making your skin look as good as you can to be the most important thing you can do to improve yourself. This is more important than undergoing changes that can only be accomplished with a scalpel.

Q.
Why do I have brown spots on my face?

A.
Brown spots can occur in anyone, but they appear to be more common in women. Brown spots can become more prevalent during various hormonal changes in one's life, including pregnancy and menopause. Synthetic hormonal influences, including birth control pills and hormones taken after menopause, can also increase the occurrence of brown spots. Exposure to UV rays can also increase their frequency. Special skin creams can help, but make sure they have been developed in conjunction with a skin specialist such as a plastic surgeon or dermatologist.

Q.
Why do I have large pores?

A.
Some people have genetically enlarged pores. In general, though, as we age, we are exposed to a variety of toxins, first-hand cigarette smoke (which contains more than 4,000 toxins), secondhand smoke, pollution, ultraviolet A and B rays and toxins we ingest. All these environmental influences affect the enlargement of pores.

Q.
I have a mole I'm concerned about. How can I tell if it is a skin cancer?

A.
If you have a mole you are concerned about, you should definitely have it checked out. Start with your primary care physician. Some tell-tale signs of possible malignancy or cancer include:
A change in color--any change in the color of the mole.
A change in size--for example, if a flat mole becomes raised or a small mole starts to spread or enlarge.
Any sign of itchiness or irritation.
Any sign of ulceration or bleeding. If you have any of these signs or if you think a mole just doesn't look "right," contact your primary care physician immediately.

Q.
I tend to flush red when I drink alcohol and break out with whiteheads on my red-appearing nose. What's wrong with me?

A.
You may have a skin condition known as rosacea. With this condition, certain events can trigger a flushing episode, including pollution, smoke (first-hand or second-hand) and alcohol, to name a few. I would consult with a board-certified dermatologist. In a majority of cases, rosacea can be controlled with oral and topical medications.

Q.
How does Botox work?

A.
Botox works by temporarily paralyzing the underlying muscles that create wrinkles. Botox comes from the toxin that is produced by the bacteria, Clostridium botulinum. The amount of Botox injected to achieve cosmetically desirable results is very little. This toxin is known to cause botulism or lethal food poisoning, but in astronomically greater doses than those used cosmetically in humans.

Q.
Do I really need to use toner?

A.
Consider toner as a second step in your cleansing routine after the first step of using a cleanser. Toner also helps balance the pH of your skin since pH can vary in different parts of the face. Equalizing the pH helps other corrective products work better after the toner's application.

Q.
I have been told never to use tissue or toilet paper when I apply astringent or toner. Why?

A.
When applying any fluid, including a toner or astringent, small fibers can break off and stay on your face. Instead, use a cotton ball or cotton pad to apply toner. The fibers are longer and inter-woven, and therefore are much less likely to break off and remain on your skin.

Bobbi brown's Summer Skincare

Ladies, check out Bobbi Brown's new facial products for the summer. "My philosophy is that with the right skincare a woman's skin looks beautiful." - Bobbi Brown choose the skincare with essential daily sun protection that works best for your skin's needs this season. She introduces her newest moisturizer:

This lightweight, hydrating formula keeps skin looking smooth and shine-free. Seaweed Extract helps soothe while absorbing excess oil. Lavender Extract aids in reducing visible skin irritation.Bobbi Tip: After cleaning with Lathering Tube Soap, pair this daily face lotion with Hydrating Eye Cream for the delicate undereye area.

Just in time for summer. This lightweight, moisturizing lotion hydrates as it helps protect against the damaging rays of the sun. Formulated to absorb quickly, and leave skin smooth and prepared for even, long-lasting makeup application.

This unique soap formula with a rich, luxurious lathering action that lifts off makeup and dirt. Cleanses deeply, yet gently, while hydrating and cushioning skin for an incredibly clean, soft, and refreshed feeling. Dermatologist and Ophthalmologist tested. Apply to damp skin. Gently massage into a lather, avoiding the eye area. Rinse with warm water.

Bobbi's #1 skincare best-seller. This ultra-gentle moisturizer provides three benefits in one little jar: it minimizes the look of fine, dry lines, soothes the delicate skin around the eye, and prepares for flawless concealer application. Dermatologist and Ophthalmologist tested.

Prevent the Signs of Aging

As I mentioned before in my previous blog, I was surfing on the Iq Derma website. They address about all the skin problems that I'm concerned with. All women should learn how to prevent skin aging because it is an issue that affect our well-being as well as our self esteem. When it comes to aging skin, the best long-term prevention is leading a healthy lifestyle.

Minimize sun exposure:
A tan may look nice for a few days, but it causes damage that will last a lifetime in the form of premature aging (not to mention the increased risk of skin cancer). And, tanning beds are every bit as hurtful to your skin. If you want to bronze safely, use a self-tanning lotion.

Use sunscreen:
Sunscreen isn't just for the beach: your skin is exposed for hours every day during the course of normal activity. Those cell-destroying UVA and UVB rays are just as harmful when you're going from your car to the grocery store as when you're lounging in the sun. Even when the sky is completely overcast, the sun's rays can penetrate 70% to 80%. The only way to be safe is daily application of broad-spectrum SPF products like Life Without Wrinkles with SPF 25.

Quench your skin's thirst:
Hydrated skin looks plump, firm, and healthy. Rule of thumb: Replace sugary sodas with water. Also look for products like SkinTensive Daily Facelift Treatment, which contains ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid and Marine Collagen to hydrate skin and help strengthen its natural moisture barrier.

Easy on the eyes:
The skin around your eyes is thin and fragile. Tugging at it can break down vital elastin fibers, making it more prone to wrinkles, bags, and sagging. Look for products that will help firm and strengthen delicate eye skin such as Matrixyl 3000TM, a key ingredient in RestorEyes Triple-Zone Eye Therapy and iDisguise Firming Eye Corrector.

Learn to read product labels:
Nothing does more damage than using the wrong products. Some skin care products are mostly filler and foam, which reduces their effectiveness. A high price tag does NOT guarantee result. Research the ingredients to make sure you're getting your money's worth.
Click here to learn more about the clinically proven ingredients in iQ Derma's line of advanced age-delaying skin care.

Eat Healthy:
A diet with plenty of whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables and the use of healthy oils (such as olive oil) may protect against oxidative stress in the skin.

Exercise:
Daily exercise keeps blood flowing, which brings oxygen to the skin. Oxygen is an important ingredient for healthy skin.

Quit Smoking!
Smoking not only increases wrinkles, but smokers have a 50% greater risk for squamous cell cancers than nonsmokers.

Review: Proactiv Solution

How good is Proactiv Solution?! For million of people, it seems to be the perfect product to cure severe, mild or occasional acne. Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields, both a certified dermatologist created this product to help men and women heal their acne problem "with just three simple steps a day, you can stop the suffering and start living with the clear, radiant complexion you've always wanted." Apparently this is the #1 acne treatment in America! Does it actually work or it is just a gimmick?! Well to those million of users, it's THE acne cream! They even advertise celebrities that use Proactiv. So here what some of the celebrities said about the product:

"Proactiv not only keeps my skin acne-free, it leaves my skin glowing, vibrant and fresh. I love this stuff!"-Jessica Simpson

"I noticed an immediate change in the smoothness of my skin: fewer bumps, less redness. I've been a loyal customer for the past six years."-Vanessa William

"Once I started using Proactiv, within a week and a half, my skin was completely different. Every day there were fewer pimples on my face. Now I have nice skin!"-Jennifer Love Hewitt

"Now, with Proactiv as part of my daily skin care regimen, I can wake up, shower and walk outside with no makeup on and feel confident and beautiful."-Melissa Claire Egan

"Every time you talk to somebody, you're presenting yourself. When you have acne, sometimes you feel like they're not listening to you; they're kinda just staring at your acne."-Kevin Kasper

"With Proactiv's help, I feel good about myself. And when I feel good about myself, I play better. It's amazing what belief in yourself and a winning attitude can do. It's amazing what good skin care can do, too."- Serena William

How Proactiv work: Even though there's no cure for acne, Proactiv Solution treats acne safely and effectively by attacking it at the source, where a build-up of dead skin cells and bacteria clogs your pores.

1) Renewing Cleanser: "Tiny, smooth beads unclog the pore and help remove dead skin cells. Benzoyl peroxide penetrates deep to attack bacteria."

2) Revitalizing Toner: "A gentle alcohol-free formula helps to balance skin tone and remove dead skin cells, while preparing the pore for the Repairing Lotion."

3) Repairing Lotion: "Finely milled benzoyl peroxide penetrates deep into the pore to attack bacteria, healing existing blemishes and preventing new ones from forming."

Ingredients:

Renewing Cleanser:
"A unique oil-free formula that contains smooth, tiny beads to gently exfoliate dead skin cells and other impurities, plus prescription-grade benzoyl peroxide to penetrate pores, attack bacteria and heal blemishes fast. "

Revitalizing Toner:

"A refreshing, alcohol-free toner that helps balance skin tone and remove dead skin cells to reveal the vital, radiant skin beneath. Contains our special formulation to balance skin's natural acids, witch hazel to refine and purify pores, aloe and chamomile to soothe and soften, plus allantoin to stimulate the grown of healthy tissue. Removes excess surface oil without drying, leaving skin even-toned and soft."

Repairing Lotion:
"A light, oil-free lotion contains finely milled prescription-grade benzoyl peroxide to heal blemishes and helps prevent future breakouts. The advanced delivery system in Repairing Lotion is safe for your entire face."

How Proactiv different: "It's not just a spot treatment like most other acne products. Gentle and effective, Proactiv Solution is designed to be used on the whole face (or acne-prone area) every day. Proactiv leaves your skin feeling healthy and hydrated, not dry and flaky."

So proactiv is a great acne treatment for many people. But for me, that's another story! I have occasional mild acne. I decided to try it since I heard thousands of people raving about this product. Proactiv did not hydrate or make my skin look healthy as stated in their ads. Instead my face was so flaky after just 3 days of using it. Although I have combination skin, this product makes my face so dry! Imagine if using it for a month.....my skin would probably feel like chalk or I'll look a like a mummy! EEEWWWW The moisturizer is light, but you need to wear a bit more than you should so that your face don't feel like a paper sand. It's good that all 3 products come in bottles so that you don't contaminate them when using. The repairing lotion is oil-free, therefore your face will not feel oily all day long. There is no SPF, so you have to wear a sunblock lotion over which result into oily face at the end of the day!

ll give props to how easy it is to use. 3 easy steps: cleanse, tone and moisturize. How easy it that?! The smell....well.... it's fragrance free, so it smells like plants or herb scent. I personally don't like the scent, although I like the fact that it's fragrance free. Basically Proactiv was a total waste of $$, and did not even clear the pimple! All I got was dry, flaky skin!

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How to avoid wrinkles

I really enjoyed this video since I am so worried about waking up one day with wrinkles under my eyes. Even if I do not have any presently, I am a little paranoid about those fine lines that are around the eye area (crows feet), lines around the mouth (laughing lines) or the line on the forehead. So we cannot escape from the wrinkles which age us; it is inevitable. But there is no harm in preventing them. Sarah Chapman, a beauty expert and skin specialist, gives advice on the best ways to help prevent and avoid wrinkles.

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7 invisible causes of aging skin

The 7 invisible causes of aging skin

As the iQ Derma website indicates, the skin is an organ that have many specialized cells and structures. As you age, changes take place within both the epidermis and dermis that can dramatically affect the appearance of your skin. The following are explanations of what is happening inside your skin as you age, or what iQ Derma researchers refer to as “the 7 invisible causes of aging skin”:

1) Reduced Cellular Activity
Your body does not regenerate new skin cells as quickly.
2) Free Radical Attack
Highly reactive particles within cells cause them to function poorly or die.
3) Collagen and Elastin Break-down
These are the structural proteins that keep skin firm and tight. Dermatologists estimate that you lose about 1% of your skin’s collagen every year after age 30. The production of new collagen also slows, resulting in thin skin and less elasticity. (See Fig.1 & Fig.2)
4) Fatty Tissue Buildup
This occurs under thinning skin around the eyes, causing puffiness and bags to form.
5) Cellular Deterioration
This process accelerates as we age due to prolonged exposure to the sun and environmental toxins. Old cells collect on the surface of the skin.
6) Weakened Capillaries
These minute blood vessels under the eyes leak small amounts of blood. The result is the appearance of dark under-eye circles. (See Fig. 3)
7) Degradation of the Skin’s Moisture Barrier
The result is drier skin as we age. Based on these 7 invisible causes of aging skin, iQ Derma researchers have determined that the 7 keys to delayed aging are:
1) Healthy cell activity
2) Reduction of free radical1
3) Synthesis of collagen & elastin
4) Reduced fatty tissue
5) Delayed cell deterioration
6) Strengthened capillaries
7) Improved moisture barrier function

Why skin changes as you age?

Being in my 20s, I'm concern with skin aging. I was on iQ Derma website and learned that skin aging is caused by a combination of Intrinsic, Environmental, and Mechanical factors.

Intrinsic Aging: As a person ages, skin biology changes. Every person's skin undergoes the same changes at a microscopic or cellular level: Cell function slows down, leading to a break down of structural proteins and a decrease in your skin's ability to repair itself. This is called Intrinsic Aging. While we are all pre-programmed to experience Intrinsic Aging, the extent and speed at which these changes occur varies from person to person depending on genetics.

Environmental Aging: The role of the sun cannot be overstated as the most important cause of prematurely aging skin. As much as 80% of premature skin aging is caused by sun damage. Both UVA and UVB rays cause harm leading to wrinkles and pigmentation problems such as uneven skin tone, blotchy skin, and age spots.
Sunlight impairs collagen fibers, stimulates production of enzymes called metalloproteinases (MMPs) that further degrade collagen, and contributes to over-production of oxidants, also called free radicals. These are unstable molecules that can destroy skin cells, causing skin to "spoil."
Furthermore, the role of sun exposure in skin cancers is proven. This is another reason to reduce the amount of time you spend in the sun without protection. Wear a broad spectrum sunscreen to minimize risk and help prevent further damage to the skin.

Mechanical Aging: Repetitive facial expressions caused by small muscle contractions stretch skin and break down structural proteins. The effects of these expressions accumulate over time, leading to frown lines (those between the eyebrows), laugh lines (wrinkles at the corners of the mouth), and crow's feet (lines that radiate from the corners of the eyes). Gravity also contributes the drooping or sagging skin by pulling down on the jowls eyelids.

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