The Former Fat Guy Rob Cooper presents 6 ways in which we can take up the “green habit” on St Patrick’s day. Green smoothies, salad’s and soups make up the first 3 of his list but of note is what looks to be a quite delicious green soup recipe.

His thoughts on green foods for St Patrick’s day are great, but what about supplements such as blue green algae, spirulina or even hemp protein? I know, hemp protein is pushing it, but it kinda looks green.  Increasing green foods should help with acne prevention and green tea is said to be good as well.
Either way you look at it, St Patricks day is better know for beer and shamrocks than it is for dieting or weight loss, but maybe we should have a re-think of that.  Take up Rob’s challenge and eat more greens starting March 17th.

Tags: "st, patricks, day", "green, foods", health

Tags: acne treatment, nutrition, weight loss, diet

For centuries, acne has been the bane of human beings - especially teens. Acne affects over 40 million Americans. Acne has a far-reaching effect on individuals. Social withdrawal, lowered self-esteem, depression and lack of self-confidence are common among its victims. Hundreds of remedies have been tested over the years. These fall into three basic categories - commercial chemical and antibiotic cures, homegrown remedies and commercial herbal treatment. Most people agree that chemical-based formulas provide fairly good results. However, they require time to work, and the chemicals used in these products could damage the skin. However, they require time to work, and the chemicals used in these products could damage the skin.

Homegrown remedies are wide-ranging and at times bizarre. Desperate acne sufferers seeking overnight relief have concocted them. Most of the remedies recommended in this category use the contents of kitchen and bathroom ingredients and need to be tested by individuals to check their efficacy. Herbal remedies are fast becoming the treatment of choice. They score over their chemical cousins in being of organic origin and are free from damaging side effects. Basically, these herbal creams aim to restore skin oil production to its pre-acne levels, alleviate bacterial infections and remove skin blemishes. Commonly, these remedies contain a mixture of plant extracts. The active ingredients in these extracts come from grape seed oil, lemongrass essential oil, rosemary essential oil and lichen extracts, to name a few.

GREEN TEA: The Chinese rely heavily on green tea to fight acne. Studies indicate that creams containing up to 3% green tea produce results that are comparable to those of 4% benzoyl peroxide, an effective chemical antidote. Green tea helps fight acne by reducing inflammation and lowering hormonal activity and acting as an effective detoxifying agent.

TEA TREE OIL: Another cure that is rapidly becoming popular is tea tree oil. This natural oil is extracted from the Melaleuca alternifolia tree found in Australia. Aboriginals have used tea tree extract for hundreds of years to treat just about everything. The curative power of this pill is credited to its anti-bacterial activity that is thought to be as good as salicylic acid.

ALOE VERA: Aloe Vera extracts are highly recommended in fighting acne and removing marks on the skin. Many believe that drinking Aloe Vera juice keeps the skin healthy.

Ironically, acne victims suffer not from a lack of cures but an over-abundance of remedies. Herbals cures are a safe bet as they do not damage the skin, yet with so many concoctions claiming to be the best, consulting a dermatologist is always advisable.

Acne Solutions provides detailed information about acne solutions, natural acne solutions, acne scar solutions, best acne solutions and more. Acne Solutions is the sister site of Acne Treatment Web.

Surveys reveal that over 75% of people having facial acne also suffer from body acne as well. Of these 90% carry this infection on their back, neck, shoulders and chest. A small percentage has acne on their legs and abdomen. While facial acne is undoubtedly harmful to a person’s personality, body acne is no less damaging. Body acne makes it difficult for men to go shirtless in public and prevents women from wearing low cut dresses, sleeveless garments and swim wear. The impact and severity of body acne can be minimized by taking a few precautions and by using time-tested medications.

Body acne poses a greater challenge than facial acne. For one thing, the back is not easy to reach. Secondly, these parts contain a large number of pores that produce more oil and are more vulnerable to infections than the face. Thirdly, the skin on the back is thicker and does not respond to doses of topical or oral medications that work for facial acne.

Almost all commercial creams and lotions contain one of the three commonly used antidotes - benzoyl peroxide, a glycolic acid derivative or salicylic acid. These compounds unclog the pores and possess an anti-bacterial property that helps fight acne. Further, they help in reducing the oil content of the skin. While these compounds have produced promising results, they can over-dry the skin and care must be taken to use moisturizing agents to prevent this condition.

Supporters of herbal cures recommend creams containing combinations of extracts from a variety of herbs. These include neem, honeysuckle, yellow dock, dandelion root and sarsaparilla roots. They act as mild antibiotics, anti-inflammatory agents and claim to detoxify blood. Body scrubs enhance exfoliation and are used to promote a healthy skin. Apricots are commonly used in these scrubs to provide roughage. Oral antibiotics and vitamins (B2, B3, A and E) are a useful adjuvant in battling acne.

Some simple health and hygiene measures go a long way in controlling acne. First of all, dermatologists agree that stress induces hormonal changes that in turn aggravate acne. Staying “cool” helps control acne.

Hygiene measures include regular body washes using antibacterial soaps, using moisturizing creams, using a soft towel to dry the skin, removing sweaty garments as soon as possible, avoiding pinching affected areas, exercising and getting enough rest. The best thing to do always is to consult a dermatologist before using any medication - oral or topical.

Acne Solutions provides detailed information about acne solutions, natural acne solutions, acne scar solutions, best acne solutions and more. Acne Solutions is the sister site of Acne Treatment Web.

Most everybody has to deal with acne at one time or the other. Acne is especially noticeable during teen years when individuals are the most self-conscious about their looks and wish to make a favorable impression. The disfiguring effects of acne (especially on the face) are quite depressing and can greatly damage anyone’s self esteem.

Acne is caused by an imbalance in the skin’s physiology. Hormonal changes during adolescence trigger hyperactivity of oil producing glands in the skin. This oil and dead skin cells block hair follicles. Opportunistic skin bacteria then infect these follicles.

With so many commercial anti-acne medications to choose from, how does one know which medication suits him or her best? Different skin types react differently to medications. What works well for one person may not work for another. While it is always best to consult a dermatologist, below are a few popular medications used in the battle against acne. These drugs act on factors that cause acne — oil, dead skin and bacteria.

Accutane is an oral drug that acts on cells that produce oil and reduces their output by as much as 80%. However, Accutane affects all the cells in the body and could cause the mucosal lining in lips, mouth, eyes and vagina to bleed. It also causes significant birth defects and damages the liver.

Antibiotics help in controlling the infectious bacteria in an outbreak of acne. Erythromycin is widely used in topical applications. Continued use of antibiotics though results in the development of drug-resistant bacteria. Individual sensitivity to antibiotics should also be tested prior to use.

Retin A is a topical medication that is quite effective in reducing acne, but it does cause skin irritation, redness, itching and flaking.

Several masks that reduce the oil content of the skin are available. These include charcoal and oatmeal masks. One must be cautious in using these as they may cause over drying of skin.

Salicylic Acid, better known as aspirin, is an effective antidote. When used topically as a 1-2% solution, it promotes exfoliation of the epidermal layer of the skin, and minimizes plugging of follicles.

Precautions such as avoiding exposure to strong sunlight and intake of greasy food, controlling stress, personal hygiene and regular exercising go a long way in controlling the effects of acne.

Acne Solutions provides detailed information about acne solutions, natural acne solutions, acne scar solutions, best acne solutions and more. Acne Solutions is the sister site of Acne Treatment Web.

Acne is a common skin infection that affects mostly teenagers. However, not only teens suffer from acne, Adults too are also affected by this problem. A complete understanding of acne continues to baffle experts. What really precipitates acne? Why does it disappear without apparent reason in some adults and persist in others? What we do know is that a hormonal imbalance triggers a sequence of physiological changes in the skin leading to the onset of acne. These events include an excessive production of oil, clogging of hair follicles and bacterial infection.

Acne can cause severe damage to the skin and to a person’s psyche. Acne scars often disfigure the face, causing embarrassment and loss of self-esteem. An early cure is therefore essential. About 5% of adults suffer from acne. This figure does not include women who suffer from transient attacks of acne during menstrual cycles and in pregnancy due to hormonal changes. Although the acne eventually disappears in such cases, it could cause scarring if treatment is delayed or ignored. Adults with acne need a two-fold remedial approach - eradication of acne and surgical procedure to remove acne scars. The following tips could help control adult acne and prevent permanent skin damage.

Early Action: Begin medications as soon as a fresh outbreak of acne occurs. This will help control its spread.

Keep skin clean and moist: Wash face regularly with warm water, and a mild soap. Cleansing solutions containing antibacterial agents like Chloroxylenol are useful in eliminating skin bacteria.

Avoid squeezing pimples: Squeezing spreads the infection and should be avoided. Handle affected areas gently and use soft and clean tissues to dry affected areas after washing.

Use skin lotions containing combinations of salicylic acid and lactic acids: These agents are effective in de-clogging hair follicles and stimulate growth of new skin. Lotions containing combinations of lactic acid with lanolin or similar compounds are also useful in keeping the skin healthy and moist.

Drugs like OrthoTrycyclen have proved useful in controlling acne in pre-menstrual women. If lesions containing pus persist after using topical antibiotics, consult your physician about oral antibiotics.

Nowadays several surgical procedures such as dermal fillers, punch excision, punch excision with skin graft replacement, punch elevation, subcutaneous incision and laser resurfacing are used in removing effects of acne scars. The important thing is to control acne before it controls the way you feel about yourself.

Acne Solutions provides detailed information about acne solutions, natural acne solutions, acne scar solutions, best acne solutions and more. Acne Solutions is the sister site of Acne Treatment Web.

Acne is a common skin infection that affects over 80% of youth and 5% of adults. When acne eventually heals, it leaves ugly blemishes called acne scars. These become permanent if they are not treated in time. Acne scars are damaging to the ego and personality of an individual, and a lot of time and money has been invested in research to treat this problem.

Acne scars are classified by size, shape and appearance they are identified as Icepick, Boxcar and Rolling. They are also tagged as early or permanent on the basis of their duration. Early scars respond well to topical medications. Permanent scars require surgical intervention. Presently, scars are treated with combinations of topical skin care medications in tandem with carefully selected surgical and skin resurfacing procedures.

At least a half dozen surgical procedures are also performed to repair acne scars. Each has benefits and pitfalls and a surgeon will closely examine the patient’s age, sex, medical history, skin type and type of scarring before agreeing to perform surgery. Cost is also discussed, as it can be quite expensive.

When dermal fillers are used, a surgeon will inject fillers such as collagen and hyaluronic acid derivatives into the skin. This raises the base of the scar to the level of normal skin. The “punch excision” procedure is used in

icepick and boxcar type scars and relies on making incisions in the skin with a punch biopsy tool and stitching the skin edges together. The new scar heals, leaving a clear skin. Punch excision with skin graft replacement is a variant of the punch excision method. Instead of suturing the skin after excision, surgeons use a skin graft to repair the scar. Punch elevation is used on deep boxcar scars that have sharp edges and normal appearing bases. Here the base of the scar is excised and elevated to the surface of the skin. Sutures and glue are used to join the edges together. Subcutaneous Incision is used for treating rolling scars and centers on the use of a special beveled needle that is inserted under the skin and used to cut the binding tissue in the scar. The resulting bruises fade after about 1 week. Laser resurfacing is used to burn the top layer of the skin and reduce it to the same level as the base of the scars.

Prevention is always better than cure. Simple precautions such as avoiding strong sunlight, using medications like tretinoin and alpha hydroxyl acids, avoiding picking scabs, regular exercising and dietary control go a long way in preventing acne scars and saving a lot of embarrassment and expenses.

Acne Solutions provides detailed information about acne solutions, natural acne solutions, acne scar solutions, best acne solutions and more. Acne Solutions is the sister site of Acne Treatment Web.

The onset of puberty is often signaled by the appearance of tiny reddish bumps on the skin - especially the face. These bumps or pimples better as acne become infected and scar the skin, sending teenagers and adults rushing to the medicine cabinet for an instant cure.

Acne is one of the commonest skin disorders. It is an infection of the skin, accompanied by an increased production of oil by the sebaceous glands. This oil combines with dead skin cells and the resulting debris blocks hair follicles. Such conditions are ideal for skin bacteria that multiply quickly giving the skin a swollen, red and somewhat embarrassing appearance. Acne affects much more than the skin. It influences personality and self-esteem.

The causes of acne are not yet fully understood. As a result, there is no real antidote. It is believed that the hormonal surge that accompanies puberty is responsible for acne. Hyperactivity of the sebaceous glands, excessive dead skin cells, bacterial infections and chemicals like chlorine are also listed as causes. There are as many myths about the causes of acne as there are facts. It is believed that consumption of fatty foods like butter; greasy food, chocolates and sugar are causes. These suggestions lack scientific evidence.

Cures for acne are designed to tackle bacterial infection, reduce the secretion of oil glands and remove dead skin cells. Creams and lotions which crowd super market shelves offer a four-fold benefit to the user. These include eradication of the infection, removal of dead cells, stemming the production of oil and masking the discomfiting bumps and scars caused by acne. It is always advisable to consult a dermatologist before using a skin lotion or ointment for acne. There are a few precautions one can take to reduce the effects of acne. These are, washing the face regularly using warm water and a mild soap. You should also avoid squeezing pimples, strong sunlight and excessive use of makeup.

While acne often disappears in adulthood, it could leave deep scars and skin blemishes on the body. Dermatologists and plastic surgeons have developed several techniques to mask facial scars. Some of these are dermabrasion, laser resurfacing and punch excision. Chemical peels that remove dead skin layers are also widely used. Stress is known to increase acne in some people. Exercise and controlled diet help reduces stress and the spread of acne. Acne cannot be prevented, but judicious use of available solutions goes along way in reducing its impact on the skin and more importantly on the mind.

Acne Solutions provides detailed information about acne solutions, natural acne solutions, acne scar solutions, best acne solutions and more. Acne Solutions is the sister site of Acne Treatment Web.

One of the problems with benzoyl peroxide topical acne treatments is that they can be quite irritating, particularly to sensitive skin. Those fans of benzoyl peroxide will thus be pleased to learn that one skin care company that supplies prescription acne and skin care products is releasing a treatment with a delivery system that reduces benzoyl peroxide’s irritating effect.

Called NeoBenz Micro, this acne treatment will be available only by prescription, which is one drawback. On the plus side, it should mean that the acne sufferer is given the appropriate strength to their particular needs. It is aimed at helping people with mild to moderate acne, and comes in three strengths. These are 3.5% benzoyl peroxide, 5.5% benzoyl peroxide, and 8.5% benzoyl peroxide.

The difference in this treatment as compared to regular benzoyl peroxide solutions, is that it is a time release product. The method designed by SkinMedica, NeoBenz Micro’s developer, uses very small ’sponges’, called microsponges. These hold the active ingredient, in this case benzoyl peroxide, to be slowly released throughout the day. It means that though acne is kept in contact with benzoyl peroxide for the whole day, only small amounts of it are released onto the skin. These amounts are enough to be effective but far less irritating.

The side effects that this benzoyl peroxide acne treatment aims at reducing are rashes, skin soreness, and irritation. Aside from the unpleasant feeling these effects create, they unfortunately also reduce the effectiveness of benzoyl peroxide in clearing acne.

NeoBenz Micro is one example of a new trend in the pharmaceutical industry. It aims at taking existing products and developing new ways to package and deliver the active ingredients, thus effectively modernizing many treatments. The emphasis in the past had been more research oriented - finding new and more powerful treatments rather than fine tuning existing ones that were proven to work.

Other examples of this phenomena include converting treatments into sprays, with the effect of increasing absorption and convenience. MedPharm, a research contracting firm, is turning one eczema treatment and two acne treatments into sprays. These are still in the development stage, however.

References:
1. in-pharmatechnologist.com/news/ng.asp?n=65831&m=1IPE215&c=qgtqmovbyiaxdub
2. outsourcing-pharma.com/news/ng.asp?id=64465

These are traditional acne treatments, but if they frustrate you, check out these alternative natural acne treatments. Rebecca Prescott runs the website Acne To Health, providing information on both conventional and alternative acne treatments.

Although acne is traditionally thought of as a disorder of the teenage years, long after those years have passed and the acne condition has faded, many adults are left with facial scarring from acne they had years earlier. Thanks to modern medical advancements, there are very effective treatments available today to treat acne scarring.

Acne is a disease that often leaves scars behind. There are several different kinds of acne scars. Pitting scars are commonly known as “ice pick scars.” The more crater-like scars are known as “depressed scars.” In addition, changes in the color of the skin can also occur at the site of previous acne lesions. The skin can end up darker than normal, lighter than normal, or redder than normal.

For a single ice pick scar, the most effective treatment is simple excision. However, when the scarring is more widespread, other methods must be used to treat the scars. Dermabrasion was one of the first methods developed for treating acne scars, and it is still used today. With dermabrasion, a rotating wire brush or a spinning diamond burr is used to smooth down the surface of the skin. As the skin heals, a new layer of skin replaces the abraded skin, resulting in an improved appearance in the treated area. However, dermabrasion can require 10-20 days to heal, and may result in redness that can persist for several months. For these reasons, other methods were developed that have quicker recoveries and fewer side effects.

We are now using the Fraxel laser for acne scarring. We believe that the Fraxel laser is the best modality available today for treating more generalized acne scarring. With the Fraxel, the facial skin is resurfaced over a series of 4 or 5 treatments. Because the Fraxel laser preserves normal healthy skin between the areas of skin that the laser has treated, healing and recovery occur more quickly after each laser treatment.

We have been extremely impressed by the improvement in acne scarring after Fraxel laser treatment. The Fraxel laser is a “home run” when it comes to the treatment of acne scarring.

Our patients who have acne scarring are invited to call our office and make an appointment to have their scarring evaluated. In addition to scar excision, dermabrasion, and Fraxel laser resurfacing, other treatments for acne scarring are also available. Thanks to the development of a number of different techniques, acne scars can be treated with a variety of safe and effective procedures that improve the appearance of a patient’s skin. With all of the modalities available today for treating acne scarring, no one should ever have to live with their acne scars.

Dr. Mary Lee Amerian is consistently voted one of the top dermatologists and skin care specialists in Los Angeles and is a frequent contributor to many health and wellness publications across the U.S. Dr. Amerian has also been voted by her peers as one of the “Best Doctors in America” consecutively since 1996. She currently teaches at UCLA where she holds the title of Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine.

Dr. Amerian has been featured on the cover of the Health section of the Los Angeles Times for her work on the VelaSmooth device for the treatment of cellulite. Dr. Amerian recently completed filming her second season of shows for the television show, “Ten Years Younger,” which can be seen on The Learning Channel. Dr. Amerian uses all of the modern techniques of non-surgical facial rejuvenation on this show. By using the Fraxel laser, Vbeam laser, Thermage, Botox, and fillers such as Restylane, Collagen, and Sculptra, Dr. Amerian’s patients have indeed looked “Ten Years Younger,” and without any surgery.

Acne is a common occurrence and can appear at any age. It is a condition that can be frustrating as successful treatment may be hard to come by. Acne can take many forms; blackheads, whiteheads and blemishes are just a few.

Many are advised to seek professional help in the form of a dermatologist, although even with this help, it can take a while to find a treatment that is right for you. As a consequence, it is very easy for the self esteem of an acne sufferer to be low, but you are urged to keep positive as acne treatment, like anything, requires time and will power before you can start to see successful results.

There are many forms of acne, which would explain why it is so difficult to treat, but there are also many acne treatment products available that work; although researches into the product before you go ahead and buy it is important. The range of products available is vast and you could easily end up spending a lot of time and money on many which may not help you to a great extent.

The problem for sufferers experiencing low self esteem from acne is that it is possible for those to become depressed, as a consequence of treatment products that may not work for the individual. There is not a cure for acne as such due to a particular treatment not working for everyone that tries it. Many treatment methods will take several weeks to several months for the effects to be noticeable, but perseverance is the key.

In addition to the treatment products you can use, carry out regular exercise to keep your body healthy and to build your immune system. It’s also important to maintain a healthy diet, including at least 5 servings of fresh fruit and vegetables and 8 glass of water every day. Always wash your skin thoroughly before going to bed, and ensure that any cosmetics are removed.

As mentioned, it may take a long time before any improvements are noticed but you can rest assured that as soon you do find an acne treatment product that works for you, that it’ll begin to boost your self esteem. Just make sure that you carry on with the treatment and don’t give up on it, and furthermore for those that have yet to find a product that is working, don’t give up on finding a treatment that works for you.

Stress can play a large part in the appearance of acne as it can set-off chemical reactions in the body, so try to remain calm and relaxed. For a wealth of information on acne and the treatment of acne, take a look at: http://www.acne-treatmentproduct.info/

Justin Brown owns and runs http://www.acne-treatmentproduct.info/ where visitors can find a wealth of information on acne treatment and purchase books on acne help. He also runs a site to help those requiring depression treatment