Social ImpactMany acne sufferers tend to isolate themselves from society and purposely chose not to socialize with their friends. Why? Because acne sufferers are plagued with feelings of depression, embarrassment and have a poor body image. This then leads to frustration, anger and severe depression. These negative psychological effects can have a very crippling impact on an individual's social life, which in turn will discourage them from pursuing lifes opportunities socially, scholastically and even in the work force. Depression caused by acne can lead to low self esteem, causing sufferers to purposely miss dates, social gatherings, classes, job interviews and even work.Psychological ImpactAlthough acne is not considered to be a life threatening disorder, its psychological effects can be quite profound as acne affects the most visible parts of your body. The psychological effects of acne have only come to light in recent years. Fact: The psychological scarring caused by acne can last forever, so it is a very important topic to explore. Note that the severity of acne can also be measured by its effect on an acne sufferer's emotional and social life.How to HelpNow that weve established that acne blemishes, cysts, etc. can be very damaging to the psyche, especially during the teenage years, which is when the formation of an individual undergoes so many important changes, what can be done to prevent this. After all, we are talking about some serious dismantling conditions that may lead to depressive disorders, academic decline, social isolation, substance abuse and even suicide.What to do? The first step an Acne sufferer must take is to come to terms with his or her condition. It will have a negative impact on your life because our society judges us by our appearance. The trick is that an acne sufferer does not need to face this alone. Think about the numbers mentioned in the home page Acne affects about 80% of all adolescents. That means that eight out of every ten people around you is or has had to battle with acne and its negative social impacts. So dont be shy to inform and involve people you come into contact with to prevent the psychological scarring from becoming permanent.Your entire family, teachers, coaches and doctors all must have a better understanding of the effects acne is having on you. This may seem like an awkward and difficult task, but you will be surprised by how understanding and compassionate others will be towards your situation. If you feel too shy to bring it up in conversation, then print up this page and leave it on your teachers or coachs desk and/or have your friends and family read it. Send them the link to this page. This will instigate both understanding, support and open communication on something that should not be kept secret. Let the people that you love or come into contact with on a regular basis know how your acne makes you feel.You may also want to discuss the myths and realities associated with acne with the people you have chosen to consult or talk about your acne. Be sure that they understand that it is not due to poor dietary habits, poor personal hygiene, or anything else which may lead to the idea that it is your fault that you have acne. People need to know that acne is not your fault. A supportive family, supportive friends and even a supportive coach or teacher will help you to no end in maintaining your self esteem. I cannot stress this enough.Support, current information, and the proper acne control treatment regime are all a must when faced with this skin disorder.

Acne Types, Causes And Treatments

Acne Vulgaris, commonly referred to as pimples, is an inflammatory disease of the skin. This condition is very common in puberty. As one reaches their early twenties, it either disappears or decreases. Acne begins because of the comedo, an enlarged hair follicle plugged with oil and bacteria. The comedo is invisible to the naked eye and is present beneath the surface of the skin. When it gets the right condition, it grows into an inflamed lesion. The oil produced from the skin helps bacteria to flourish within the swollen follicle.Non-inflammatory acre are of two types Closed comedo or white head, and Open comedo or black head. There are 4 types of inflammatory acne Papule It is the mildest form that appears on the skin as a small, firm pink bump. Pustule They are small round lesions containing visible pus. They may appear red at the base and yellowish or whitish at the center. Nodule or Cyst Large and painful, they are pus-filled lesions lodged deep within the skin. The nodules may persist for weeks or months with the contents hardening into a deep cyst. Both nodules and cysts often leave deep scars. Acne Conglobata This severe bacterial infection develops mostly on the back, buttocks and chest.The chief causes of acne are hormones like androgen, production of extra sebum, follicle fallout, bacteria and inflammation. For controlling acne, you can carry out the following steps Avoid excessive washing of your skin. It can leave the healthy skin dry, thus irritating the acne prone areas. Over-washing may also stimulate extra oil production. Avoid alcohol products to tone your skin. Alcohol is a strong astringent that strips the top layer of the skin causing sebaceous glands to produce more oil. Do not squeeze or pick the acne with fingernails, pins or any other thing. It forces the bacteria deeper into the skin and often leaves a permanent acne scar. A wash is required after exercise. The heat and moisture trapped against the skin creates an ideal breeding ground for the spread of bacteria. Consume food rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin B-2, Vitamin B-3, Vitamin E and Zinc like eggs, nuts, liver, milk, fish and leafy green vegetables. Proper sleep and a life without stress and emotional anxiety can reduce acne. Wear little make-up while exercising. Avoid garments that are made exclusively with nylon.Laser surgery is often used to reduce the scars left behind by acne. Treating acne with azelaic acid, salicylic acid, tropical retinoids and benzoyl peroxide is also common. A large number of people started trying herbal acne treatments over the traditional medications by using teas, oils and herbal creams.

Acne Free Treatment

Acne is very common among teenagers, and adolescents. No one is really sure what causes acne, or why it is known to form in the teen years. Although scientists don't know what causes it but heredity is at the top of the list of possible factors. Heredity has long been thought to be a large roll in who gets acne. If someone in your family has had, or has, acne, then you are more then likely going to develop it.Acne can vary from mild to very severe. It is commonly formed when the skin ducts and oil glands start to work overtime. The lining of the duct will actually shed cells which are then moved away to the outside layer of skin. The skin duct clogs and oil is trapped underneath. This plug of the pore is called a comedo. When the plug is below the skin it is called a whitehead, or closed comedo. But then, if the plug pushed up and pops out of the skin duct, pore, it is then called an open comedo, or blackhead. It is called black head because the top of it appears dark, although it is not dirt that is trapped in your skin, and it cannot be easily washed away. It is important that you do not let having acne restrict or control your life. Here are some tips for and easy Acne Free Treatment. One of the most dismissed treatments for acne is water. Something so easy as drinking enough water a day is very effective in getting rid of acne. This is thought to be because water is alkaline, with a pH of 7.3, and is considered a natural treatment to become acne free. Drinking at least eight glasses of water a day will help your body get rid of oil and waste toxins that can damage your skin. Water even helps moisten your skin and keep your pores from clogging. Drinking water will also lower your stress levels and relax your body, letting you get a better sleep. Along with drinking more water, try to lessen your intake of coffees, sodas, teas, and alcohols. These types of drinks are diuretics that take more water out of your cells then they put in. Although astringents shrink your pores and decrease the appearance of acne for a short while, they are unhealthy for your skin in the long one. For one, they dry out your skin, forcing your cells to produce more oils, and that can lead to acne outbreaks. Also, when your pores shrink, oil is trapped in there, clogging the pores. Another thing to avoid is stimulants. Stimulants such as coffee, tea, cigarettes, and sugar from sweets and soda should be considered unhealthy for the entire body. These stimulants affect the whole nervous system and brain, and can easily stimulate the oil glands to start producing more oil than usual. These can also trigger stress, which is also bad for your skin. Watching what you eat is a good way to limit your acne breakouts. Diet does affect acne, so be careful what you eat. Try to stay away from foods that are high in fat, or foods that tend to be greasy. Think low fat foods and you will be just fine. Alcohol is thought of as one of the best ways to relieve stress, alcohol is also a big contributor to acne. It is an astringent and shrinks pores. Also, alcohol inhibits sleep and can cause stress. You need rest and a stress free lifestyle to have healthy skin.Scrubbing your skin, along with abrasive soaps should be avoided. They irritate the skin and damage the natural barrier between you and the acne causing bacteria. Sure, the sun does kill most bacteria, but it also harms the skin. The skin is very fragile, and is harmed easily. The sun acts as an astringent that tightens and clogs the skin pores. It also dries out the skin, and there is also sun spots, freckles, and skin cancer. You should spend 15 minutes under the sun daily. There are many medicines and cream that are used to fight acne. But so far, maintains a healthy lifestyle is the easiest way to go. It is important to say that by leading a healthy lifestyle, you will not only get healthier skin, but also a healthier body. Changing habits will be hard at first, but in the long run you will have a better general health, and more energy, and clearer, healthier skin.

7 Ways To Conquer Acne

The most effective methods to combat acne include a combination of prevention and better skincare.Here are some of the ways you can use to prevent and treat acne:1. ExerciseRegular exercise can help fight acne by fighting off negative stress levels that can come from negative self-esteem and depression. But avoid wearing tight lycra and nylon exercise outfits. These synthetic fabrics that tend to trap body moisture and heat, creating an ideal environment for bacteria to grow. Stick to loose clothing made of cotton or natural blends, and keep your sports gear and equipment clean.2. Safe CosmeticsTo avoid pore-clogging and skin irritations that can contribute to acne, use products labeled "noncomedogenic" or "oil-free." Opt for "hypo-allergenic" perfumes and cosmetics to avoid allergic reactions and skin irritation. Coal tar derivatives, carmine and heavy cream in blushes can cause reactions.Shimmering facial colors can contain a flaky mineral called mica that can cause skin irritations and clog pores. Use a lip gloss with a matte finish for less pore-clogging. The more the shine, the more then comedogenic content and the more your pores can clog.3. Healthy DietStudies show that diet does not play a role in either the cause or the treatment of acne. However, what is best for your body is best for your skin. So make sure you get enough vitamins, minerals and supplements that have been known and recommended to prevent and help conquer acne breakouts. These include * Vitamin A or Retinol (High doses are toxic) * Vitamin B Complex * Vitamin C * Vitamin E * L-Carnitine * Zinc A good quality brand name multivitamin will probably have the recommended vitamins and minerals that you need to help with acne prevention. Drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day and making good, healthy dietary food choices.3. Hormonal TreatmentHormones (or a lack of them) during later years - especially for women - can play a role in acne flare-ups and prevention. One recent study showed that about 50 percent of women have acne, referred to as hormonal acne, problems during the week before their menstruation.Treatment options include topical retinoids, oral antibiotics and Benzoyl Peroxide for teen years. For adults oral contraceptives or hormonal birth control pills and hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) may be helpful for women, combined with systemic or topical treatments, prescription or over-the-counter products and medications.4. Healthy Skin RegimenAvoid harsh scrubbing or over-washing, because this can cause possible skin irritation or possible over production of oil to replace what's washed off, clogging pores in the process. Use products with gentle exfoliation ingredients and skip products that contain alcohol.5. Acne ProductsSome of the more popular products on the market that can prevent acne include: * Benzoyl Peroxide * Proactiv Solution * Salicylic Acid * Retinoids * Antibiotics * Oral Contraceptives * Anti-Androgens * Isotretinoin (Accutane) 6. ShavingShaving is actually an excellent way of exfoliating or removing dead skin to help with the prevention and spreading of acne instead of leaving the remains to clog pores. And for some light acne cases already in process, shaving can help rid whiteheads and blackheads from the face. Do not shave areas taht are sore or infected. Use a shaving cream for sensitive skin.Shave with a sharp blade. Use gentle swipes instead of heavy pressure and go with the flow or "grain." A single-edged blade is better than a twin-blade razor. Electric razors may not shave as close to the skin, but they help with the prevention of acne and other skin breakouts and flare-ups better.7. StressStress includes external and internal stressors. External Stressors are those that compromise your skin's ability to heal, like oily make-up and too much sun. Internal stressors like anxiety, fear, low self-esteem, depression and a variety of other internalized emotions, can trigger chemical reactions inside your body that can result in acne flare-ups and other skin irritations.To combat internal stressors and prevent acne problems, get plenty of rest and sleep. Try to maintain regular hours. Keep a check list of "Things that Calm You" handy for stressful times, like reading a book, resting, listening to music, taking a walk, going out for an ice cream cone, etc.