The P.J.M. Health Solutions

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Get Rid of Acne through These Simple and Best Home Remedies

A person usually suffers from acne due to hormonal changes related with puberty or blood impurities. But the reason may vary from person to person. Normally, acne goes away in a couple of days, but if the person does not take enough care, it may leave a lifelong scar behind.

The beauty and cosmetic market claims their acne products to be the best to cure acne. With their promises, youngsters are putting a lot of money in these acne products, but left with disappointing results. There are several natural treatments that are very effective in treating your acne. Below is a list of the best methods known to fight with acne:-

Home Treatment for Acne

• Rub the peel of an orange onto the acne affected area so that its juices moisten them completely. Repeat this procedure several times a day to reduce and even eliminate the acne.

• Take a single seed of jambula fruit (Indian Plum) and put it in water. When the seed is sufficiently wet, rub it thoroughly on the areas where pimples are present. This remedy is especially beneficial for the pimples that occur in adolescence.

• Mix 10 grams of the powder of chana (Cicer arietinum) and 10 grams of turmeric (Curcuma longa) in curds. Apply this paste onto the skin. Wash it off when it dries. Continue this treatment for a week. It is very effective treatment for acne.

• Mash a ripe pumpkin thoroughly and rub it over the face for a long time. Keep it on the face for 15-20 minutes. You will feel the skin drying up and stretching. This is when you must wash the face and then wipe it dry. Then apply coconut or mustard oil onto the face. Do this for a week on a daily basis. This will help you to get rid of acne and makes your skin smooth.

• Prepare an infusion of the leaves of the Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum) and apply it regularly on the face. The infusion is prepared by taking 2-4 teaspoons of dried basil leaves in a cupful of water, bring it to a boil and then cool it for use.

Herbal Treatment for Acne

• Garlic is very beneficial for acne sufferers. Gently rub raw garlic on the acne spot. It not only reduces the inflammation but also is very effective in fading away the scar that is generally left after the acne vanishes.

• Apply fenugreek (methi) paste onto the pimples or the black head. Leave it for an hour. After that washed it thoroughly with water or aloe vera juice.

• Take triphala powder daily. It is also very effective in treating acne caused due to metabolic disturbances.

• Drink either wheat grass juice or aloe-vera juice. They are highly recommended in preventing acne.

Do’s and Don’t for Acne

• Drinks lot of water (8-10 glasses of water daily)
• Avoid chemical based cosmetics
• Do not eat spicy, heavy or junk food
• Sleep at least 8 hours a day
• Keep yourself stress free

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

Copyright © Nick Mutt, All Rights Reserved. Nick Mutt is an active writer on alternative health and has published many ebooks on natural health. If you want to use this article on your website or in your ezine, make all the urls (links) active.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Acne Treatment - The Real Secret to Quickly Heal Your Acne

Acne is an all too common skin condition, and in some cases the chemicals used to treat it can further damage the skin. Here are some tips that will help you heal your acne:

No scrubbing or rubbing.
You can't scrub your acne away. In fact abrasive or frequent washing can lead to dry skin and irritated acne. Your skin will respond best to kind attention. Gently wash your face no more than twice a day with a mild cleanser and pat your skin dry with a clean towel. If you exercise hard and sweat a lot you may want to wash your face afterwards.

Don't pop pimples.
Don't pop or squeeze pimples, as it could lead to inflammation and infection. It could also push the infected materials deep into the skin and create more swelling. Squeezing or popping pimples could lead to permanent scars on the face.

Breathe deeply.
It is advisable to breathe deeply when you feel stressed. Doctors have found out that there is a direct link between stress and acne. Studies have shown that there is increased amount of androgen production when a person is under stress. Not only mental but physical stress such as allergies, surgery etc could activate the androgen production. When androgen is activated the sebaceous glands pumps out more oil/sebum leading to acne.

Use honey.
Apply a honey mask once a week. Honey is regarded as a disinfectant and also it has medicinal properties believed to heal minor blemishes. It has the properties of destroying the bacteria present in the skin.

Pay kind attention to your skin.
Use a mild cleanser no more than twice a day and gently wash and dry your skin. Apply a noncomedogenic (won't clog your pores) sunscreen.

Patience is a virtue.
Be patient. Healing takes time. Unfortunately this doesn't happen overnight. Results are generally seen in a few weeks, but may take up to 8 weeks or more. Don't be tempted by over night promises. So give your acne treatment a fighting chance.

Use sunscreen.
Many acne medications contain ingredients that can make your skin extra sensitive to sunlight and ultraviolet light from tanning booths. Read the label warnings, avoid tanning booths, and always use a sunscreen with at least an SPF of 15. Sun exposure can actually irritate acne even if you are not using an acne medication. So don't make sunbathing a part of your lifestyle and always use sunscreen.

More is not better.
If you use more acne medication than directed by your doctor you can actually worsen your acne. Many over-the-counter acne treatments contain active ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Too much of either of these can cause your skin to become excessively dry or irritated. It can take time for your skin to adapt to new medications. Remember that it may take up to 8 weeks for any acne medication to have a noticeable effect. Use the medication exactly as directed by your doctor and if you don't see an improvement within 8 weeks talk with your dermatologist.

Use only noncomedogenic products.
When purchasing cosmetics, sunscreen or other skin care products, make sure the label reads noncomedogenic. These products, as well as those labeled nonacnegenic, won't clog your pores and therefore won't cause or make your acne worse.

Here's the rub.
Headbands and hats can aggravate your acne as they rub against your forehead. Try to avoid these things when possible.

Don't touch your face.
It's amazing how often we touch our faces during an average day. Our hands have oil on them and of course bacteria too, both of which can make acne worse. So avoid touching your face or leaning your chin on your hand. Be sure that other objects that come in contact with your face like cell phones, telephone receivers, eye glasses, etc are clean.

Wash your face.
It is advisable to wash your face at least twice a day with sulfur-based soap. Once when you wake up and again when you go to bed. Do not scrub; just give it a smooth touch. Washing your skin over and over again will create more trouble than help you.

Cut your hair.
If you have long hair it is advisable to cut it short. Your hair contains oil and when you move, the dust particles do mix up with your hair and when your hair bangs on your face or neck or forehead or the affected area, the situation could worsen. Also wash your hair on a daily basis.

Eat fruits and vegetables.
Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables daily.

Drink lots of water.
Drink at least 8 glasses of water daily. Water helps in cleaning and hydrating the skin and maintaining overall health.

Change your pillowcase.
Wash or change your pillowcase every day.

Exercise.
Exercise moderately as it helps in blood circulation and helps eliminate toxins.

Review your environment.
Pollution, airborne grease (such as in a fast food restaurant), irritating clothing - all these can aggravate your acne. It isn't always possible to avoid all the various irritants that may contribute to your acne. You can, however, make educated decisions that may help to minimize their impact. Loosen tight, irritating clothing or find fabrics that breathe better and don't aggravate your acne.

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Acne And Diet There Are Other Issues As Well

On average 9 out of 10 people at some stage of their lives will suffer from the skin condition known as acne. Although some believe that acne and diet issues are the main cause for their suffering from this particular skin problem, this is not the case. Below we take a look at what causes acne and the ways in which it can be treated.

Even today we are still not sure what is the main cause for a person to suffer from acne. Doctor's will often look at a number of different factors in order for them to come up with the most appropriate kind of treatment for dealing with this skin condition. Below we will look at just what the factors are that doctors look at closely and which they feel contribute towards a person developing acne.

1. Sebaceous Glands Which Are Overactive - These are to be found located deep underneath the skins surface and produce an oil called sebum. As hormonal changes take place in a person's body so often the amount of oil that these glands produce increases. Often a person's body finds it difficult to cope with this excess oil and their skins pores become blocked with the result that acne begins to develop.

2. Skins Pores Become Blocked - One of the main reasons why a person's pores become blocked is that their sebaceous glands are producing too much sebum which is not able to be adequately eliminated from the body. Over time a build up of this oil causes the pores to become blocked which results in a person developing the kinds of spots often associated with acne.

3. Normal Skin Bacterium Activity - Our bodies produce a bacterium called Propionibacterium Acnes that lives on our skin and which helps to protect us from bacterial infections. However there are occasions when this bacterium can actually help to exacerbate a skin condition like acne rather than preventing it. Simply what happens is that this bacterium is unable to cope with the amount of oil a person's serbaceous glands are producing and which results in the pores of the skin becoming inflamed and irritated.

4. Inflamed Skin - One of the most common signs of a person suffering from acne is that their skin becomes inflamed. The three previous factors we have mentioned in this article all will contribute towards a person's skin becoming inflamed. However there may be another reason for this problem as well. Often a person's skin has become inflamed because their immune system is trying to fight off what it sees as a foreign presence.

Yes the wrong kind of diet can certainly contribute to a person's acne becoming far more severe than it is currently. However as mentioned above there are other factors which will need to be taken into consideration as well. By making changes to your diet you can help to greatly reduce the condition but it will not cure it altogether. To do this you will need to try one of the many different treatments that are now available.

There are products such as Zenmed Derma Cleanse System, Proactiv Solution and Murad which are very effective at helping to treat the condition over an long period of time. But if you want to try something a little more different and which will help to clear up your acne much more quickly it may be worth your while considering using the "Acne Free In 3 Days" program instead.

As previously mentioned when it comes to this particular skin problem it is not just your diet, which may be causing your condition, rather there are several other factors to consider as well. However, when it comes to acne and diet issues certainly avoiding certain foods, such as those high in fats may well help to reduce the condition rather than curing it altogether.

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Skin Care - Natural Ways To Get Rid Of Acne

Acne is a broad term covering blemishes, blackheads and whiteheads. This condition can strike at any age. While there are many preventative measures you can take to avoid acne with good results, Acne affects most teenagers to some extent. However, the disease is not restricted to any age group; adults in their 20s - even into their 40s - can get acne. Acne is caused by the overactivity of the sebaceous glands that secrete oily substances onto the skin. There are many misconceptions and myths about acne. Exactly why some people get acne and some do not is not fully known. It is known to be partly hereditary.

The nature and cause of acne

Acne stems from the effect of sebaceous glands present in the skin. It has got an inflammatory nature. Appearance of papules or pustules is characteristic of this situation. There may also be formation of blackheads.

Secretion of certain hormones, their proportion and balance acts as a causative factor of acne. The use of harsh skin care products may also cause acne or pimples. Dehydration of the skin aggravates the formation of acne. Yeast build up in the body is also common in persons suffering from acne. This can be a probable reason for the acne formation.

Acne is also caused due to a devitalised condition of the skin which is a result of unhygienic living habits. Another effective remedy in the area of nutrition that seems to offer new promise of help for acne is zinc. Zinc is another popular home remedy for acne. Neem posses’ outstanding anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral capabilities. Garlic has been used successfully to cure acne. Rub with raw garlic several times a day. Garlic is known to have cured the toughest of acne problem. Fenugreek is another useful remedy for acne. A paste made of the leaves of this vegetable, applied over the face every night before going to bed and washed with warm water in the morning, prevents pimples and blackheads.

Wash properly once or twice a day, using a mild soap, and rub lightly with your fingertips and warm water. If your skin is oily, use a soap with benzoyl peroxide for its drying properties.

Grated cucumber applied over the face, eyes, and neck for fifteen to twenty minutes has been found effective. Add hot water into a bowl and add a few drops of essential oils into it. Apply juice of raw papaya (including the skin and seed) on swelling pimples or acne. Meats, sugar, strong tea or coffee, condiments, pickles, soft drinks, candies, ice cream, refined and processed foods should be avoided as far as possible. A hot Epsom salts bath twice a week is beneficial in all cases of acne. Use 2-3 tsp. dried basil leaves to 1 cup boiling water. Steep 10-20 minutes. Cool, and apply with cotton ball. Grind orange peel with some water to a paste and apply on affected parts. Clean face with cotton wool dipped in rose water 2-3 times a day.

Drinking atleast 1 litre of water a day to impart a healthy glow to the skin. Mix 1 teaspoon lemon juice in 1 teaspoon finely ground cinnamon powder and apply on affected areas frequently. Apply ripe Tomatoes pulp on acne, pimples and keep them for 1 hour, then wash. Apply grated potatoes to treat wrinkles, pimples, blackheads,acne. Do not use harsh soaps, use baby soaps to wash face twice a day.

Watch out for iodine, which can be found in multiple vitamins and iodized salt. Some doctors believe iodine may encourage acne.

Prevention

As with any medical condition, prevention is preferable to treatment. Avoiding those items, which can trigger acne, should be seriously considered by anyone who has a history of it.

Some factors, such as heredity or hormones cannot be avoided, and in fact are probably the most prominent factors in determining whether a person may have acne. Other factors, however, can be reduced or eliminated as one of the natural ways to get rid of acne.

Stress, both physical and emotional, has been shown to be an acne trigger for some people. Attempting to reduce such stress may assist in reducing acne breakouts.