Top ten habits for healthy skin

Sometimes you are not aware of what you have unless you lose it (or it gets deteriorated). The same theory applies to your skin. If you are young and you do not have any skin problems, you don't pay enough attention to it until, at some point, you are not pleased with the way it looks. Then you start worrying, pay a lot for expensive treatments, start thinking of plastic surgery and so on. All these things can be avoided if you develop early a good attitude regarding your skin.

Here are some habits that helps in the “battle” for a healthy skin:

1. Everybody loves the light and the warmth of the sun. But it can become your skins worst enemy if you don't use an adequate protection (that is a sunscreen with at least 15 SPF factor).

2. It is not enough to moisturize your skin from outside. No matter how good the cream is, a good inside hydration is needed so don't forget to drink plenty of water.

3. Have a healthy lifestyle if you want to keep a youthful look longer. Exercise your body and your skin will take advantage of your efforts. Stop smoking if you don't want more wrinkles and a dull, lifeless look for your skin.

4. Keep an eye on your diet. Improper food and too much alcohol can damage your skin.

5. Have enough sleep. This is not only helping you to recharge the batteries for another day, but it also gives your skin enough time to recover.

6. Pamper your skin daily by using the four simple procedures that should be done in the morning and evening: cleansing, toning, exfoliating, moisturizing.

7. Don't use soap and products based on alcohol on your face, neck (they will deprive your skin of all moisture and natural oils).

8. Don't use makeup in excess. And don't you ever go to bed (no matter how tired you are) without removing them.

9. Pay attention when shaving or depilating. After that, your skin will need a lot of moisturizing, or if irritation has occurred, gels and creams that help calm it down.

10. Usually forgotten lips, hands and feet should benefit also from pampering and proper care.

Maybe this list seems endless, but once you've started applying these tips, they will become a way of life. And it is worth the effort because skin is beautiful when it’s healthy.

Food for Healthy Aging

Some Anti Aging Food contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characters. Apart from this they help reduce sign of aging.

Some of the best known food is:

Fish is a powerful anti-inflammatory food, rich in omega-3 fatty acids. It offers huge number of health benefits. It should be taken twice weekly.

Fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants. Have at least 5 servings daily to get maximum benefits.

Whole grains contain lots of soluble fibre, helps lower cholesterol level and also contain phytonutrient equivalent to any vegetable or fruit. Take at least three times a day.

Legumes also contain nutrients similar to fruits and vegetables with minimal calorie.

Yogurt provides probiotics that helps adding healthy bacteria to your intestines. It has all the benefits of dairy products.

Nuts contain most of the Anti Aging Nutrient, are great source of B vitamins, good for your brain and heart. It benefits the elastin and collagen in skin, thus help in maintaining skin’s structure and maintain its flexibility. As nuts are high in calories, so intake of small portion is advisory.

Water is the most vital element of all Anti Aging Diet. It helps in hydration of the skin, muscles, blood circulation, and proper working of all organs in the body. 6-7 glasses of pure water are required to take everyday in addition with other liquids and watery foods.

The following foods are called as 10 super-foods due to its anti-inflammatory activity. It must be added in your everyday meal for a healthier life:

• Yogurt

• Hot peppers

• Acai fruit(available in health stores)

• Barley

• Allium vegetables: onions, garlic, scallions, shallots, leeks, and chives

• Green food: wheatgrass

• Buckwheat, both grains and seeds

• Nuts and seeds

• Sprouts

• Beans and lentils

As we grow old, we become more prone to continuing effects of oxidative stress (a condition when too many radicals present in the body starts consuming oxygen from it) and swelling occur on the cellular level. These Anti Aging compounds or antioxidants help radicals to move out and prevent the cells from damaging and minimizing the impact of aging.

Six Tricks for a bright and young look

1. Use UV screening cosmetic products

If you protect your skin from the sun’s rays only in the summer, when you’re sunbathing, you must know that this singular habit isn’t an effective barrier against wrinkles. Sun exposure is the main factor of skin aging. Some experts actually estimate that about 80% of aging is due to sun effects. Even more, sun exposure can cause skin cancer after the age of 50. Protection must be adapted depending on each type of skin. People with very light skin color need to use UV screening creams all year round. If you’re using these kind of products daily there’s a chance that your skin will have less wrinkles or sun-caused spots.

2. Eat fruits, vegetables and fish every day

Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables and you’ll do your skin a very big favor! Lacking vitamins is the next major cause of body deterioration. You must pay attention to your meals more often, by that meaning you have to supply it with antioxidants (vitamins A, E, C and selenium), zinc and copper. You need a daily quantity of 60 miligrams of C vitamin (about as much as an orange has). It is recommended to give up sweets, meat and fat-rich food. Don’t forget breakfast! It’s well known that even a piece of bread and butter or some cereals with milk will help your digestive system deal with the food more efficiently. Besides that, it also make you less hungry between the meals.

3. Drink more liquids!

Correct body hydration helps keep your skin young. Drink natural juices as much as possible, mineral water and tea. Avoid consuming too much black tea and coffee. In the summer your body will need up to 6 liters of fluids while in the cold season 1.5-2 liters will do the job.

4. Give up smoking

Both nicotine and alcohol “steal” the skin’s vitamins and minerals thus leaving it dehydrated and exposed to wrinkle conditions. Smoking should be definitely forbidden because it directly affects the skin, large part of the toxins being eliminated through it. These factors contribute to the whole body aging, also increasing the risks of cancer, arthritis and osteoporosis. Alcohol in moderate quantities isn’t as harmful as tobacco is, unless there’s strict recommendation against it from your doctor.

5. Take it easy!

It has been proven that chronic stress increases the aging process' speed. Don’t forget the 3 eights rule: have 8 hours of sleep, 8 hours of work and 8 hours of relaxation each day. It sounds impossible, right? Try yoga, meditation, massage or aromatherapy. You can use oils that create a peaceful sensation such as lavender. Can't get enough sleep? You should try harder, otherwise your efficiency at work will suffer, you’ll do a lot of mistakes and you'll get old quicker. Try harder to spend quality time with your friends, in a relaxing environment. Laughter has its benefits!

6. Use quality makeup

If the cosmetic products you’re using are carefully picked, they are specific to your skin type and you don'’t "forget" to remove your makeup every night, they won't harm your body. Instead, quality makeup protects the skin from harmful actions of the surrounding environment.

Acne Treatment Tips

Acne Treatment Tips

Acne is an ugly, painful and sometimes embarrassing problem. No matter how much or little grains seater, black heads, white heads or cysts that you want to last – and fast! Unlike most of the problems, acne is something that can be addressed fairly quickly if you have the right to treat acne.

You do not have to make a trip to your dermatologist for the best treatment of acne. There are acne solutions that you can do at home that are more effective than a prescription from your doctor can decide. (It costs much less). Drinking water is one of the most effective skin treatments you can do. Rejection of the impurities that clog your pores. If you do not drink at least 8 glasses of water per day (the more the better), then you may have found the problem. Drinking water is also responsible for many other diseases too.

An old remedy that really works is to rub a raw potato in his success. Vitamin C, starch, and enzymes are very useful to get rid of one is bad. Potatoes also contain many other powerful ingredients to fight acne, too. With natural sulfur, chlorine, potassium and phosphorus. She works as a natural antiseptic and a fantastic job as a natural treatment of acne.

For the treatment of acne and acne scars go away, try using a paste made of orange peel, garlic and cucumber. Grind the ingredients to your blender and the paste of their scars and beans and let stand for at least 20 or 30 minutes, then rinse. Do this twice a day until your skin is clear. The paste of orange peel, as it is called, works as a natural astringent, it can feel a little tingling. Some people even stay overnight, but at least wait until it is completely dry before it was removed.

It is important to find the best treatment of acne scars developing. But even if you have acne scars, natural acne solutions that reduce or eliminate the appearance of scars.

Acne Treatment – Blackheads and Whiteheads

Acne Treatment – Blackheads and Whiteheads

White-heads and black- heads are known as the first stage of acne. If the acne in the first stage itself, which saves a lot of work that you may have as acne develops into the second and third phase. Avoid the formation of scar tissue.

White-heads and black-heads and are usually mild acne. Some papules may be present, along with black heads and white heads in acne is classified as mild acne. Most people with mild acne treatment with OTC medicines. Let’s see what is best for the treatment of Black and White Heads.

Current medications for Black and White-Heads

Black heads and white heads are treated with topical medication with benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, resorcinol and sulfur, alcohol, acetone, and Azelaic acid topical retinoids.

Most of these medicines may cause dryness, redness or scaling of the skin at the beginning of treatment. If you have dry skin, you may want to use a Moisturizer. The skin takes some time to adjust to the acne medication. If irritation persists, you should see your doctor.

Keep in mind that acne medication for acne takes time and you have the patient during the treatment of acne. Some people change their medication after a week or so if you see no results. Produces no results, but can also erupt acne. Wait at least a month and you get no results after that, consult your doctor about changes in medication.

Procedures for the physical and Black White Heads

Dermatologists physically extract white heads and black heads. Small papules are sometimes treated with light to heal quickly and prevent the outbreak.

5 Acne Treatment Tips You Can Use Today

5 Acne Treatment Tips You Can Use Today

Dealing with acne can be embarrassing at any age. Fortunately, there are some things you can do every day to ensure that your skin is less prone to outbreaks. Here are five tips to take control of your acne starting today.

1. Exercise – Keeping in shape can help fight acne by combating negative stress levels that come from negative self-esteem and depression. However, certain safeguards must be taken to prevent acne can result from their exercise routines. Look what you put in your body when it comes to clothing, sporting goods and equipment.

For example, tight lycra and nylon exercise outfits can look in the movies and on magazine models, but as
prone to acne problems, avoid these synthetic fabrics that tend to trap in body moisture and heat in a Frenzy bacteria. Instead, choose loose clothing made of cotton or natural blends to more air to reach your skin.

And when you have finished your work, the clothes wet with sweat or water. Shower and change into dry clean clothes. And keep your sports gear and equipment clean, too. Dirty headgear, for instance, can irritate forehead areas prone to acne problems. So throw in the ring head after exercise sessions.

2. Cosmetics – To avoid the blocking of pores, and skin irritations similar to acne and can contribute to acne, products labeled noncomedogenic or without oil. Bright colors may face a flaky mineral called mica that can cause skin irritations and clog pores. Other color additives that may cause similar reactions are coal tar derivatives, carmine and cream blushes.

Other preventive measures include the use of a lip gloss that promotes a matte finish instead of high gloss for less pore-blocking; themore note clarity, the more comedogenic content and the more the pores can clog. Note that eye creams can contain heavier concentrations of regular moisturizing creams and lotions, meaning they have more opportunities to clog the pores in the surrounding facial areas.

3. Diet – Studies show that diet does not play a role in the cause or the treatment of acne. It is recommended for acne preventative care is what is best for your body is best for your skin, especially because your skin is the largest organ of your body. So do not forget to watch your diet and consume healthy vitamins, minerals and other supplements. This will help prevent and help conquer acne breakout.

4. Hygiene – A healthy skin should include no more than cleaning and washing, because this can lead to potential skin
Irritation or possible oil to replace what’s washed off, clogging pores in the process. Products with gentle exfoliation ingredients are good for use, ie no pica nut or fruit shell pieces that can tear the skin. And skip alcohol products when possible, which can take from the upper layer of the skin and cause your glands to product more oil, clogging pores in the process.

If you do spot acne-zones, NOT mess with them. Remember that these are already weeks in the making, and squeezing or picking blemishes can force the infected area to retreat to the interior, even more worrying in the region and possibly leave a scar. If necessary, seek help from a dermatologist for alternative treatments.

5. Shaving – Shaving for both men and women is in fact an excellent way of exfoliation or removal of dead skin cells to help in the prevention and spread of acne instead of leaving the remaining clog pores. And for some light acne cases already in process, can help relieve white heads and black heads from shaving the face. A word of warning: with area of infection or inflammation of high activity (redness, sensitive, open acne, sores, etc.) do not shave. Or at least use a shaving cream for sensitive skin!

What Causes Adult Acne

What Causes Adult Acne And How To Treat It

Why do we need to know what causes adult acne?

Adult acne needs to be treated differently to teenage acne.

The skin types of adult acne sufferers tends to be a little different. Whereas teenage acne often occurs on oily skin types, those with adult acne often have normal to combination (t zone skin). Sometimes they even have dry and sensitive skin.

And given that many over the counter acne creams are quite drying, this can be disasterous.

An acne adult sufferer is more likely to be concerned about the tendency of benzoyl peroxide to cause pigmentation and increase the effect of aging. In understanding what causes adult acne, we know that older skin has different nutritional needs.

Important vitamins like zinc and linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid, could be lower due to a longer period of poor nutrition. Or stress.

Other common ingredients in teenage acne creams are salicylic and azelaic acid. Whilst these acids are fine for stronger skin types, and are in some home care beauty peels, sensitive skins will find these too strong and irritating. They can also be very dehydrating.

What causes adult acne differs also. For example, acne can occur after taking steroidal drugs. And of course, anabolic steroids have acne as a common side effect.

Whilst some contraceptives are used to treat acne in women, some actually make it worse. Depo-Provera, as well as causing depression in some people, can make acne worse. Other contraceptives that reduce the sex hormone binding globulin also worsen acne. More information here.

There are yet other medications known to make acne worse, which is a concern if you're asking the question of what causes adult acne.

If you are an adult acne sufferer, you may want to find alternatives where possible to these: the class of drugs known as halogens, which includes iodides, bromides, and chlorides. Anti-epileptics like phenobarbital and carbamazepine. Antituberculous drugs, ciclosporin, and antidepressants like lithium. Interestingly, B vitamins can aggravate acne. No vitamins should be taken in excess however.

Acne Medicine

Acne Medicine Information

Acne medicine is freely available on the internet. And some of it gets a lot of press - like isotretinoin. Its important to get the right medicine based on the severity of your acne, however. Not every invasion needs a nuclear warhead.

There are a variety of acne medicines that dermatologists prescribe, based on the severity of the acne outbreaks.

Mild Acne

What is mild acne? Mild acne is defined as "Superficial lesions limited to the face, no evidence of scarring and no cysts".

Mild acne responds well to:

* strict hygiene like
* washing affected areas
* not touching face with your hands
* shampooing hair regularly
* keeping your hair away from your face
* using special moisturisers
* using water based rather than oil based makeup

acne medicine explainedRecommendations: topical creams, gels, ointments and lotions designed to combat acne, such as this acne medicine alternative that keeps acne clear even when you stop taking it.

Moderate Acne

What is moderate acne?

Moderate acne: "Lesions may involve the face and trunk, mild scarring may be seen, acne is comedo-papular but not predominantly cystic."

Retin A creams and antibiotics are usually prescribed by dermatologists and professionals. There are a number of more natural alternatives that are worth trying first as they have fewer side effects and are sometimes more effective. In fact, many people who got sick of some of the side effects of their prescribed medicine have found this acne treatment very effective.

Severe Acne

What is severe acne?

"Acne is causing persistent painful nodules and cysts that may leave deep scars. "

Oral isotretinoin is often prescribed. This must be taken under medical supervision however. There are a number of more natural acne alternatives that people with severe acne have taken and responded well to.

Other acne medicine for severe acne includes higher doses of oral antibiotics. And for women, severe acne medicines include hormone rebalancing treatments, that aim to reduce the level of androgen (male) hormones in the body. Birth control pills like Diane-35 and Estelle 35 are covered here. Other acne medicine includes spironolactone. This is a potassium-sparing medication that is more commonly used as a diuretic medication for heart failure, liver disease and high blood pressure.

Severe acne treatments address these factors

* they try to correct the problems with the skin's excess growth of cells
* reduce the activity of the oil producing glands
* reduce the bacteria, propionibacterium acnes
* reduce the inflammatory process

Severe nodular or cystic acne should be treated by a dermatologist. Isotretinoin is usually prescribed in these cases. Its believed to reduce the size of the oil glands so less oil is produced. Also reduces shedding of the cells and stickiness in the hair follicles.

There are a number of natural treatments that also seek to rebalance the hormones in the body. One of my favorites uses chinese herbs, and provides a supplement as well as a topical lotion. It makes a great option for those sick of acne medicine side effects.

Acne Nutrition

Acne Nutrition

Acne Nutrition Tips - Studies show that diet does not play a role in either the cause or the treatment of acne. However, what is recommended for acne preventative care is this: what is best for your body is best for your skin, especially since your skin is the largest organ of your body. So here are healthy vitamins, minerals and other supplements that have been known and recommended to prevent and help conquer acne breakouts:

Acne Nutrition 1: Vitamin A or Retinol is found not only in some cosmetic creams but also in liver, fish oils and dairy products. Produced by plants, this vitamin is also known as called Beta-carotene, and is found in yellowish-orange fruits and vegetable; yams, cantaloupe, carrots apricots, and in green vegetables like spinach, kale and parsley. Beware that high doses of Vitamin A are toxic.

Acne Nutrition 2: Vitamin B Complex. These vitamins are found in leafy vegetables, fish, milk, eggs and whole grains and have many functions. For example, although B-2 can irritate acne, it can help alleviate stress. B-1, B-6 and B-12 are also known for proving stress relief. And B-3, in avocados, eggs, peanuts, lean meat and liver, reportedly reduces cholesterol level, has an anti-inflammatory effect on skin and improves your metabolism and circulation, improving acne in some studies.

Acne Nutrition 3: Vitamin C - A form of this vitamin, the C ester has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and has helped penetrate skin and prevent the return of acne. It is being tested for repairing damage to scar tissue from teen years.

Acne Nutrition 4: Vitamin E, in almonds, broccoli, peanuts, sunflower seeds, wheat germ and vegetable oils, has been said to help with scar tissue healing, but this is considered a myth by many healthcare professionals. Instead, researchers are considering that a form called tocotrienol (often referred to as high potency E or HPE) may carry antioxidant properties that may be able to aid the skin when ingested.

Acne Nutrition 5: L-Carnitine- this supplement is reported to help repair skin damage from acne for young and old.

Acne Nutrition 6: Zinc (found in eggs, mushrooms, nuts and whole grains) and selenium (a trace mineral in most soils and absorbed my a variety of vegetables) are known to improve the overall health of the body, including the skin.

A good quality brand name multivitamin will probably have the recommended vitamins and minerals that you need to help with acne prevention. Combine this with drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day and making good, healthy dietary food choices. For example, if you have had ill effects from eating a certain food before, be leery of it and make healthier food choices for yourself.

Acne Scars

Acne Scars

Acne scars form from the way your skin cells respond to the inflammation of active acne. Some scars are created from an overgrowth of skin tissue. These are keyloid scars, and form when the cells secrete too much collagen. Keyloid scars are firm, soft, and ususally irregularly shaped. These type of scars are not as common as other types in acne.

The other way scars are formed is by the loss of tissue. These scars are very common with acne, although early treatment of acne will help prevent scar formation. 'Ice pick' scars fall into this category. They are named because they make the skin look like it has been punctured by an ice pick.

Other types of acne scar are boxcar and rolling scars. Boxcar scars vary in depth and are round to oval indentations. They have vertical edges. But they aren't pointed like ice pick scars. Rolling scars are formed by the adhesion of the surface of the skin to the subcutaneous layer.

The different types of acne scars require different treatments. The range of treatments include dermabrasion, laser resurfacing, chemical peels, punch techniques, subcision, collagen injections, and some topical treatments. Newer treatments include pulsed laser technology. Sometimes a combination of treatments is required depending on the type and severity of your acne scars.

For those with various types of pigmentation problems associated with acne - this includes, white spots and brown spots - there is hope. Alpha lipoic acid acne cream has resulted in significant improvements for some people.

treatments for acne scarsAnother cream that has proven beneficial is azaleic acid cream. And chemical peels are effective at this stage.

Treatment for ice pick scars is usually dermabrasion and laser resurfacing. For deep scars, punch grafting may be required. Dermabrasion involves a local anasthetic. A brush at high speed removes the surface of the skin. It can make ice pick scars worse if the width of the scar is wider underneath the skin.

Punch grafting involves cutting the scar down to the layer of fat beneath and then stitching the hole, or using a small skin graft. Another surgical technique, subcision, involves dividing the fibrous band underneath the scar.

Collagen injections are not recommended for ice pick scars. Collagen injections, or injecting your own fat into scar tissue, is usually done on flat, thin scars.

Treatment of keyloid acne scars includes injections of steroids into the scar, silicone gel dressing, crytotherapy, and surgery.

Pulsed laser treatments have been successful with keyloid acne scars, and reddened and thickened scars. A combination of pulsed dye laser treatment and carbon dioxide laser vaporisation has been effectively used when scarring is not red, and not so thick.