Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Skin Care For Men

The manufacturers of beauty care products have blatantly ignored men while persistently pursuing women. Decade ago beauty regime, cosmetics, etc were considered a female's prerogative. So what's new? There is a clear blurring of gender lines in today's world. Eyebrow plucking, facials, massages, manicures, pedicures, hair removal and hair colours, which were regaled to women only, now find a mention in men's list for beauty.

Men have shown interest in taking better care of their skin. Simple daily ritual of cleansing and moisturizing is the key to healthy beautiful skin. Men’s skin care products include moisturizing creams, cleansers, face and body wash, scrubs, exfoliant and night renewal cream with a variety of natural ingredients for example sea salt, coconut, Aloe Vera and even beer.

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Men's skin is 20% thicker than woman's skin because it’s richer in collagen and elastin. The active sebaceous glands make the skin much oilier. No matter what is your skin type, you have to clean your face daily. Deep cleansing keeps the pores clear, skin healthy and good looking. Just like women's skin, men's skin is also prone to dehydration, sun damage, changes in the environment like air pollution, climate etc. Basic cleansing, protection and moisturizing after shaving is an effective skin care routine.

- Daily face washing will unclog the pores and help in prevention of variety of skin conditions such pimples, acne, ingrown hair, etc.

- Daily shaving of their face makes the skin prone to dehydration. Use shaving creams or foams designed for specific skin type.

- If your skin is prone to imperfections such nicks, pimples, etc after shaving; soothe the skin with moisturizer or after-shave lotion.

- Sunscreens are not only for women. Men's skin should also be protected against the sun. Buy sunscreen or moisturizers with SPF of 15 or above.

- Steam your face before shaving. It opens up hair follicles. Splash cold water on your face after shaving to close the pores on the skin. Aloe Vera is a wonderful post shave moisturizer.

- The use of the correct oils for oily and acne prone skins can be very helpful. Essential oils like lavender, sage, mint and tea tree are naturally antiseptic, active and help heal the skin.

- Eat a balanced diet and stay active. Up your intake of fruits and vegetables and avoid greasy fried foods. Exercising clears your pores and increases your metabolism and sweating cleanses your inner body.

- Drink plenty of water daily to keep your skin hydrated. If consume liqueur, beverages or soft drinks, increase your water intake to keep your self from being dehydrated.

Skin care for men is akin to women's skin care regime. Clean your skin every day and moisturize your skin for healthy beautiful looking skin.

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Skin Care Ingredients to Watch Out For

Skin care products are made of different substances. Some may be wholly organic while others make use of preservatives and chemicals. Vitamins, minerals, oils, and a whole lot of other skin care ingredients find their way inside your jars of moisturizers, bars of soaps, and tubes of creams. While these skin care ingredients are generally approved by the concerned federal agencies, they can affect your skin differently especially if it's sensitive. The following are some skin care ingredients you must watch out for in buying your beauty products:

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

A common component of cleansers and shampoos, sodium lauryl sulfate is a detergent that can cause probable damage to the skin with prolonged exposure. Since cleansers and shampoos only have short-term contact with the skin, the risk of exposure is minimal. However, prolonged or repeated exposure to this substance can cause dryness and irritation.

Synthetic Colors

How a product looks certainly adds to its marketability. Often, a product's appeal lies on its appearance, particularly its color. Mixing chemicals and other skin care ingredients does not guarantee an attractive hue so synthetic colorants are often added to enhance or change a product's color. However, since they serve no real purpose in taking care of your skin, they are best avoided. Although studies are still inconclusive, preliminary testings often indicate the connection between synthetic colors and some diseases like cancer.

Mineral Oils

Often used as product base, mineral oils are comedogenic, meaning, they can cause whiteheads, blackheads, and minimal breakouts. Mineral oils are also found to interfere with the skin's natural ability to perspire which can cause blocked pores.

Synthetic Fragrances

Like synthetic colorants, the use of synthetic fragrances are often just for market appeal. While there are no clear evidence linking these synthetic fragrances to diseases and skin damage, they can mask spoilage in your beauty products. Foul smell is often one of the indicators of expired skin care products but with synthetic fragrances, products may still smell good long after they have expired.

Imidazolidinyl Urea

A common cause of dermatitis, imidazolidinyl urea is a preservative found in some skin care products to prevent bacterial growth. Prolonged exposure or use of a product with this substance can make you prone to developing skin irritations and contact dermatitis. In addition, a variety of this substance is known to release formaldehyde, a popular toxic chemical used in embalming.

Great skin care products do not rely on how good they smell and look or how long they last. Their value lies in their components and how these can benefit your skin. To be on the safe side, you can opt to go for organic or natural skin care products. Most skin experts also recommend products that contain vitamins A, C, and E to prevent aging, correct discoloration, and increase antioxidants. It is also advisable to learn more about a product and its components prior to purchasing or using it. The Internet, as well as dermatologists, is a great source of information regarding skin care products.

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Skin Care Made Easy

The skin is the largest organ in the human body. The skin constantly protects the human body from infections and other sickness. Yet at the same time, the skin is the most vulnerable organ in the body because it is exposed to pollution like cigarette smoke, specifically to the carbon monoxide emitted by cars. The skin may also be exposed to the sun's ultraviolet rays. In the long run, these factors may lead to skin degeneration and the clogging of pores. In addition to these factors, environmental poisons like toxins and chemicals may set off chemical reactions that produce free radicals. Free radicals are unstable oxygen molecules that may damage skin membranes, proteins, and DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). These harmful molecules are primary reasons of deterioration of the skin cells. Because of these threats to the skin, skin care has become a major health issue nowadays.

Other factors that may contribute to poor skin conditions may include the following:

Antibiotics and alcohol lead the way in reducing good bacteria in the digestive tract. The liver and most of the immune system is in the digestive tract;
Poor diet, or faulty digestion restricts the absorption of nutrients that are important to skin's health;
Sluggish liver cannot store skin-nourishing vitamins such as Vitamin A;
Smoking subtracts years from your health and makes the skin lose vitality and color; and
Lack of exercise reduces blood circulation. This means that fewer nutrients and oxygen make it to the skin.
Taking care of the skin does not have to be expensive and complicated, simple adjustments in one's lifestyle may spell the difference between healthy and impaired skin. One simple way of taking care of one's skin is to keep it clean, especially the hands because the hands can spread germs and bacteria to the skin and other parts of the body. Individuals with dry and flaky skin can use moisturizing soap, lotion, cream, and other skin care products. The use of gentle skin care products are encouraged by many health professionals. To lessen the development of pimples, non-comedogenic (won't cause pimples) products should be used.

In addition to proper hygiene, a proper diet should be followed in order to maintain healthy skin. It is important one's appearance is directly related to what people eat or drink. A balanced diet composed of carbohydrates, protein, fats, essential fatty acids, and necessary vitamins and minerals is essential in maintaining the health of the skin. Fruits and vegetables are also important for skin care because they contain plenty of antioxidants. Antioxidants are molecules that may help protect skin cells from damages that might be brought by free radicals especially the ones that are caused by environmental exposure.

Drinking enough water throughout the day may guarantee proper hydration of the body and help reduce skin dryness. However, it is advised to drink the right amounts of water because too much or too little may bring unwanted effects. Ask health professionals to know more about proper diet and hydration.

Skin care these days is an essential part of a healthy regimen because of the abundance of environmental pollution, global warming, and the thinning of the ozone layer. Without taking care of the skin, individuals may heighten the risks of developing skin ailments like psoriasis, skin cancer, and other skin conditions. Understanding proper diets, hygiene, and hydration are essential in maintaining healthy skin.

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Monday, April 12, 2010

Acne Prevention - Hygiene and Medication

Proper Hygiene

One of the most common misconceptions about acne is that it's caused by dirt. It's not! Acne is caused by a combination of factors you can't control, like your hormone balance and the natural pace of your skin's renewal system. Fortunately, there are a number of things you can control that may help you keep your acne in check. Begin by following these simple suggestions for healthy-skin hygiene.

Acne Prevention - Tip #1: Don't over-wash. Since dirt is not causing your acne, excessive scrubbing and washing won't make it go away. Try to limit yourself to two washings per day — anything more than that can leave your healthy skin dry, and your acne-prone areas irritated. Habitual over-washing may also stimulate extra oil production, which could result in more breakouts.

Acne Prevention - Tip #2: Skip harsh scrubs. It's okay to exfoliate, but be sure to use a gentle formula with small, smooth grains. Avoid products with almond or apricot shell fragments; they can irritate or even tear your skin and further aggravate your acne.

Acne Prevention - Tip #3: Say no to alcohol. If you use a toner, avoid products with high concentrations of isopropyl alcohol, or common rubbing alcohol. A strong astringent, alcohol strips the top layer of your skin, causing your sebaceous glands to produce more oil. The result? Dry, red skin — and possibly more blemishes.

Acne Prevention - Tip #4: Don't squeeze or pick. Squeezing or picking your blemishes — with fingernails, pins or anything else — can force bacteria deeper into the skin, causing greater inflammation and infection. You'll also increase the damage to the surrounding skin, so the blemish is more likely to leave a permanent acne scar.

Acne Prevention - Tip #5: Hands off! Propionibacterium acnes (the bacteria that causes breakouts) is a normal resident of your skin; it doesn't lead to acne until it gets trapped inside the hair follicle. Excessive touching of your face, including rubbing or even resting your chin in your hands, can drive bacteria into your pores — where it can begin its dirtywork.

Acne Prevention - Tip #6: Work out, wash off. When you exercise, your movement generates heat; clothing and equipment cause friction. Until you shower off, heat and moisture are trapped against your skin, creating an ideal breeding ground for the spread of bacteria. So whenever you can, shower off immediately after exercising.

Acne Medications

Acne Prevention Treatment - Find a regimen and stick with it. Most cases of mild acne can be improved with "over-the-counter" products, or products that don't require a prescription from your doctor. There is a wide range of treatments available, and there’s a good chance one of them will work for you. If you start treatment before your acne gets severe, you’ll have a better chance of avoiding physical and emotional problems down the road. But if your acne gets worse or lasts more than a couple of weeks, see a dermatologist. Here's a quick listing of the most common products used to treat acne — click on the links that interest you for more information on that course of acne treatment.

• Benzoyl Peroxide: Kills the bacteria that causes acne.

• Proactiv® Solution: A dermatologist formulated Combination Therapy® acne management system. Click Here and receive 2 free bonuses when you try Proactiv® Solution Risk-Free for 60 Days!

• Salicylic Acid: Unclogs your pores and encourages skin renewal.

• Tretinoin (Retin-A®): Promotes healthy sloughing.

• Antibiotics: Kill bacteria and reduces inflammation.

• Oral Contraceptives: Help regulate hormone levels.

• Anti-Androgens: Inhibit the body's production of acne-causing hormones.

• Isotretinoin (Accutane®): Treatment for severe cystic or nodular acne.

There are a number of prescription medications known to cause acne. If you routinely take any of the following drugs (or drugs like them) and have problems with acne breakouts, you may want to consult your physician to discuss an alternative treatment with fewer side affects. But try to keep it in perspective, your health comes first!

Anticonvulsants (like Dilantin) are prescribed for the treatment of epilepsy and other kinds of seizures. Most medications in this family list acne as a common side-effect.

Corticosteroids (like Prednisone) are often used to treat asthma and other chronic lung diseases. Like cortisol, a natural steroid produced by the body during times of intense stress, corticosteroids can stimulate sebum production and lead to blemishes.

Disulfuram (or Antabuse) is prescribed to help chronic alcoholic patients who want to remain in a state of enforced sobriety. When mixed with alcohol, this drug causes a range of unpleasant symptoms intended to discourage further mixing. Unfortunately, regular use of Disulfuram (even when not drinking) can cause acne in some patients.

Immuran. Like other immunosuppressants, Immuran is used to suppress the immune system in patients awaiting an organ transplant. It can help prevent organ rejection; it can also suppress your body’s natural ability to fight the bacteria that cause acne.

INH (or Isoniazid) is typically used to treat tuberculosis, or TB. Thought to be largely eradicated, TB experienced a resurgence in the late 1980s among the homeless population and in patients suffering from AIDS. It continues to be a problem today.

Quinine is prescribed as a precaution against — or treatment for — malaria. If you’re traveling to a part of the world where malaria is a risk, be sure to ask your doctor about alternative solutions.

Thyroid preparations. Some thyroid medications (such as Thiourea and Thiouracil) are known to trigger acne. These preparations are used to stimulate the thyroid gland in patients with low thyroid function. Large amounts of iodine, which also helps to regulate thyroid function, can also cause breakouts.

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Acne Medication Potential Side Effects

Patients with mild or occasional acne may be able to treat themselves without the use of prescription medication. Such remedies may include an alteration in diet and exercise habits, regular cleansing to remove residue and buildup on the skin, choosing the right cosmetics and eliminating stress. But for some individuals, this simply isn’t enough. For those who suffer from moderate to severe acne, a stronger medication may be needed in order for that individual to find relief from their condition.

There are several different types of medication that are commonly used to treat acne, each of which may contain the potential for certain side effects. As is the case with most over-the-counter acne medication, prescription medicines are usually available as gels, creams, lotions or solutions. In determining which is the best choice for the patient, a physician will study the skin type, severity of acne and the patient’s likelihood of having a negative reaction to any medication. Once a prescription is written, the physician will explain how often to use the medicine and how to properly apply it to the skin.

As mentioned previously, it is not uncommon for individuals to have a reaction to strong acne medication. For some it is only temporary, but others may require a change in their prescription. The most widely seen reaction is that of the skin’s condition actually worsening. Many physicians agree that most medications will cause the skin to worsen before it actually improves, which may take 6-8 weeks of using a medication. However, additional side effects may include extreme redness, burning, stinging, peeling, soreness, scaling or a discoloration of the skin. If individuals notice these side effects becoming increasingly worse or if they do not go away after a specified period of use, which should be indicated by a physician, the medication may need to be changed.

Individuals who take oral medications for the treatment of acne may face an entirely different set of potential side effects, including an upset stomach, dizziness and skin discoloration. Certain types of medication can be dangerous to women who are pregnant or children under a certain age, so individuals should report any possible conditions to their physician prior to accepting a prescription.

As with any medication, there are often risks and benefits of it’s use. The best way to learn of these is to speak with a physician, ask about any potential side effects and completely disclose your current medical condition and any medications that you are currently taking. In some instances, medications may negatively react with one another and this can be very dangerous to the patient. Acne medicine is no different and the patient should have a complete understanding of how it operates before using it.

The information in this article is intended for informational purposes only. It should not be considered as, or used in place of, medical advice or professional recommendations for the cause, diagnosis or treatment of acne. If necessary, individuals should consult a medical doctor or dermatologist for information regarding the use of acne medication or other effective treatment methods.

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Acne Cures and Myths

Unfortunately, few find it, but this is only because they haven't found the right acne cure for them. Each of us is different, and our bodies function and respond to treatment differently. What works for some, may not work for others. However, there are a few proven treatments that do provide an acne cure for a large majority of acne sufferers.

The best over the counter acne cure seems to be ProActiv. This is a skin care system that contains benzoyl peroxide as the active ingredient. It is an expensive treatment, but that is because it has proven to be so effective as an acne cure. ProActiv is a non-prescription topical acne treatment, with prescription strength benzoyl peroxide.

Accutane, which is a prescription medication, has also proven to be quite effective as an acne cure. However, it is also expensive, and as an oral medication, there is the possibility of serious side effects. Due to the possible side effects, many choose not to take this powerful drug, even though it works well for the majority of people who use this treatment.

Another acne cure seems to be retin-a. Retin-a is used to treat acne, acne scars, wrinkles, skin discoloration, and other skin disorders. It is highly effective, with few side effects. Retin-a is used as a topical treatment, and is available by prescription. However, there are other over the counter medications that contain small amounts of retin-a.

The important thing to remember is that acne cures do not work overnight. Furthermore, you may need to continue acne treatment even after the acne has cleared up, or start the treatment again should you have another outbreak in the future. Discuss the need to continue treatment with your dermatologist.

The three acne cures discussed above are expensive. However, they are expensive because they work. This doesn't mean that all expensive treatments work, it simply means that these three, which have been proven to work for the majority of people who have tried these treatments, are well worth the cost.

Acne Myths

Myth #1: Acne is caused by poor hygiene. If you believe this myth, and wash your skin hard and frequently, you can actually make your acne worse. Acne is not caused by dirt or surface skin oils. Although excess oils, dead skin and a day's accumulation of dust on the skin looks unsightly, they should not be removed by hand scrubbing. Vigorous washing and scrubbing will actually irritate the skin and make acne worse. The best approach to hygiene and acne: Gently wash your face twice a day with a mild soap, pat dry--and use an appropriate acne treatment for the acne.

Myth #2: Acne is caused by diet. Extensive scientific studies have not found a connection between diet and acne. In other words, food does not cause acne. Not chocolate. Not french fries. Not pizza. Nonetheless, some people insist that certain foods affect their acne. In that case, avoid those foods. Besides, eating a balanced diet always makes sense. However, according to the scientific evidence, if acne is being treated properly, there's no need to worry about food affecting the acne.

Myth #3: Acne is caused by stress. The ordinary stress of day-to-day living is not an important factor in acne. Severe stress that needs medical attention is sometimes treated with drugs that can cause acne as a side effect. If you think you may have acne related to a drug prescribed for stress or depression, you should consult your physician.

Myth #4: Acne is just a cosmetic disease. Yes, acne does affect the way people look and is not otherwise a serious threat to a person’s physical health. However, acne can result in permanent physical scars--plus, acne itself as well as its scars can affect the way people feel about themselves to the point of affecting their lives.

Myth #5: You just have to let acne run its course. The truth is, acne can be cleared up. If the acne products you have tried haven’t worked, consider seeing a dermatologist. With the products available today, there is no reason why someone has to endure acne or get acne scars.

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Acne Causes and Treatment

Acne is one of the most common skin problems affecting people worldwide. A big misconception is that acne affects only teenagers, but many are surprised to learn that adults also suffer from this same inconvenience. Among the many causes are clogged pores resulting from makeup, everyday air particles and often a simple case of hormonal changes. While acne is a part of life for many individuals, it can be effectively treated.

One of the best natural remedies for acne is to wash your face at least twice on a daily basis. Early in the morning and late at night are both good times to cleanse the face. A moisturizing soap will be the most gentle for your skin whereas others with a harsh ingredient may strip the skin of it’s natural moisture and may even cause itching and/or redness.

Many people choose to use retail acne treatment products, which can be effective if used properly. It is very important, however, that consumers read and understand the instructions and/or warning labels found in the packaging. All acne treatment creams, pads or face wash products should be kept away from the eyes and are for external use only. This is not only true of retail products, but prescribed medications as well.

For a recurring or severe case of acne, many sufferers turn to a dermatologist for a more aggressive treatment. In most cases, a prescribed routine and medication can help to treat acne. In most cases, a follow-up visit will be scheduled so that the doctor may monitor the patient’s progress and determine whether additional steps should be taken to treat the problem.

It is very important to avoid aggravating, or disrupting, any and all acne blemishes. Otherwise, the sufferer will face a possible bacterial infection from dirt and/or germs that may reside underneath the fingernail. Many believe that just because their fingernails appear clean, there is nothing to worry about. That’s simply not true. There are many germs and bacteria, which are not visible to the naked eye, that reside underneath the fingernail. This is why an acne sufferer should avoid any direct contact between their hand and the blemish area(s).

The information in this article is intended for informational purposes only. It should not be considered as, or used in place of, medical advice or professional recommendations for acne diagnosis and/or treatment. If necessary, acne sufferers should consult a dermatologist or qualified physician for acne treatment.

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