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Blackhead Treatment & Blackhead Removal

Blackheads are some of the most common types of pimples, this is especially true for those who have an oily skin type. Although, it was once common to believe that blackheads were caused by not washing the skin properly, however, now we know that they are caused by the build up of oil on the skin.

Blackheads appear black, because of the oil clogging the pores becoming dark when oxidized by air, causing pimples known as blackheads. Meanwhile, the melanin pigment of the skin contributes to their darkness in color. In order to properly remove blackheads, you must remove their cause, which is the excess of oil and dead skin cells.

Always use gentle products for treating and eliminating blackheads, since harsher products will actually strip the skin of necessary essential oils. This in turn can cause the skin to produce more oil, that will eventually clog your pores and cause the process to be repeated, time and time again.

Natural products that contain natural oils for cleansing the skin are most often preferred by those who suffer from acne, since they are so much more gentle. These types of oils are similar to the natural oil of our skin, and do not clog the pores of our skin as will those products formulated with synthetic ingredients.

It is important to gently exfoliate your skin daily to remove any dead skin cells, which will keep the pores from becoming blocked by dead skin cells. However, you must be careful to use this type of product gently, in order to keep from over exfoliating and causing skin irritations. Do not use any skin care product that includes mineral oil, alcohol and other harsh chemically formulated products that can cause inflammation or skin irritation.

Never attempt to extract blackheads forcibly, since squeezing or picking at them may only remove some of the blackhead, while pushing the remainder of it further into the surrounding skin tissue, which eventually cause even more infection and irritation. It is always best to use gentler products that aid in the drying up of blackheads, so that they do go away on their own. Although, it may take more time to see results than trying to get rid of them forcibly it is much better for your long term skin care by allowing them to naturally heal, by themselves.

Although it is considered that a diet has no effect on the occurrences of acne, it is still wise to eat a well balanced diet. And there are many physicians to maintain the idea that a proper diet can decrease the amount of oil a body will produce, while providing the proper hydration that moisturizes the skin, which in turn will encourage the healthy growth of new skin cells. This will aid in decreasing the appearance of blackheads and hinder the formation of new pimples.

Although, blackheads are more common for those who have oily skin, any skin type has the potential to develop blackheads, even if they do not occur regularly. Always choose your skin care products carefully, since they are vital for keeping your skins complexion healthy and radiant. Remember to eat healthy, while keeping your body well hydrated, since water is essential for healthy skin.

When blackheads occur remember to take the proper steps for eliminating them and be gentle to your skin always. You should consult a skin care specialist, when you are not able to amply treat blackheads by the use of over the counter products.

Acne Treatments and Cure


Acne is a skin disease caused by changes in the pilosebaceous units (skin structures consisting of a hair follicle and its associated sebaceous gland). Severe acne is inflammatory, but acne can also manifest in noninflammatory forms. Acne lesions are commonly referred to as pimples, spots, or zits.

Acne is most common during adolescence, affecting more than 85% of teenagers, and frequently continues into adulthood. For most people, acne diminishes over time and tends to disappear—or at the very least decrease—after one reaches his or her early twenties. There is, however, no way to predict how long it will take to disappear entirely, and some individuals will continue to suffer well into their thirties, forties and beyond.

Effective Acne Treatments
The type of acne treatment you need depends a great deal on the severity of your acne as well as its causes. Treatments for acne vary from over the counter anti-spot creams and lotions, nutritional programs, medications, and natural herbal treatments.

Acne care products can help mild acne and should be combined with a program to help identify the root causes and factors of your acne condition to ensure the problem does not recur. The root cause of why some people get acne and some do not is not fully known. It is known to be partly hereditary, partly hormonal and even prolonged periods of stress can cause an outbreak.

There are many types of anti-spot creams, acne washes and pimple lotions available on the market making it difficult to choose one that is effective. These skin care products are usually quite effective in helping improve skin hygiene and soothe your skin. Some acne treatment products are very expensive but this does not mean they are more effective, so its recommended that you try the more affordable products first. Widely available over the counter bactericidal products containing benzoyl peroxide may be used in mild to moderate acne. Care must be taken when using benzoyl peroxide, as it can very easily bleach any fabric or hair it comes in contact with.

Acne Medications
There are many kinds of acne medications but there are no "quick fixes". Severe pimple outbreaks usually require prescription medication. Prescription medications used to treat pimple outbreaks include isotretinoin, which is a retinoid. Historically, antibiotics such as tetracyclines and erythromycin were prescribed. While they were more effective than topical applications of benzoyl peroxide, the bacteria eventually grew resistant to the antibiotics and the treatments became less and less effective.

Externally applied antibiotics such as erythromycin, clindamycin, Stievamycin, or tetracycline kill the bacteria that are harbored in the blocked follicles. While topical use of antibiotics is equally as effective as oral use, this method avoids possible side effects.

Natural Acne Treatments
Natural acne treatments usually involves handling any nutritional deficiencies, intolerances, allergies as well as improving skin hygiene. There is a wide range of of natural acne treatment products and herbal remedies that comes in the form of capsules that are taken daily like regular vitamin pills. These acne supplements work on the basis that an imbalance in our body chemistry causes an over production of oil which ends up on our skin. A total approach may also touch upon lifestyle habits which may be causing your acne problems. You can see a nutritionist and dermatologist to help you devise a more effective acne treatment program.

Overall, the most effective acne treatment is a natural approach. If you address nutritional problems, improve skin hygiene as well as eliminate the root causes, you will gradually see improvements in your acne condition.

Acne cover-up tips

Applying make-up to cover Acne:

Your three acne hiding weapons will be a concealer, a foundation and a finishing powder. Stay away from the dollar store and use only brand names that you can trust. e.g. MAC or Make Up For Ever

Step #1: Apply the concealer in a light dabbing motion directly to any dark blotches or red areas that the acne has produced on your skin. Blend the concealer in using a disposable facial sponge. Use the concealer sparingly. You can always apply more if you need it but you don't want to layer it on too thickly. It will look terrible when it dries.

Step #2: Apply the foundation sparingly as well and use a light dabbing motion here too. Blend the foundation with your sponge and reapply to any areas that need it.

Step #3: Apply a light layer of the oil-free powder using a large makeup brush. This will take care of any shine that the acne concealer and foundation left behind and it will give you an even and finished look.

Following are some useful tips to improve your beauty habits and avoid cosmetic acne.

Re-using an acne concealer applicator

You have an acne and you wish to conceal it before a big date or an event. However, no matter how little time you have, never dip your concealer applicator in the bottle and apply the liquid cover directly to the inflamed zit. Reapplying concealer to your face with the applicator provided by the manufacturer may spread more bacteria.

To avoid this, apply your acne concealer with a cotton swab or disposable facial sponge and never, ever use the applicator stick provided by the concealer manufacturer. This will make sure that your concealer applications are always fresh and free of acne causing bacteria.

Re-using a foundation sponge

The reasons for not re-using a foundation sponge are the same as the reason for not re-using a concealer applicator. Never use the foundation sponge provided by the manufacturer of the foundation. Instead, use a cotton ball or a disposable foundation sponge to apply your foundation. This way, each of your foundation applications will be clean.

Pressing on your acne when applying makeup

Do you have the habit of piling layers of makeup onto your face? Always apply your makeup and moisturizer with light strokes. The added benefit of light facial handling is that you reduce stretching and irritating your skin, a combination that can help limit the onset of wrinkles and acne breakouts. If you need more coverage, buy a professional acne concealer made by MAC or Make Up For Ever.

Not evenly applying concealers and foundations

When applying makeup or a moisturizer, spread it evenly across the entire face. Keep in mind that hair styling products may have spread to your hairline and this increases the chances of the pores getting congested and acne arising. Add more concealer where you have acne outbreaks. Also, while cleansing your face, apply a warm cloth onto your hairline area to help remove the waxy build-up that comes from hair styling agents, moisturizers and makeup.

Before you go to bed

Wash your face throughly to remove all makeup before you go to bed, but preferably as soon as you can after you return home. You want your skin to breath and your acne to get as much fresh air as possible.

A note of caution:

Choose only oil-free makeup products that match your skin tone. Oil-free is the key to success here so read the labels carefully. You don't want to aggravate your existing acne problem by layering a fresh coat of oil on skin that already has too much to begin with. Choose a hypoallergenic brand while you're at it.

Use the best natural product Lemon


Lemon and almond oil lotion for beautiful hands:
You will agree that your hands are on show just as much as your face. Pamper your hands with this simple & inexpensive lotion. Mix 3 tsp lemon juice, 6 tsp honey and 8 tsp almond oil in a dish. Massage well into hands for 10 to 12 minutes. Wash with a mixture of equal portions of vinegar and water. Preserve this lotion in a bottle for use on your hands. This lotion keeps well for 2 weeks.

Lemon and yoghurt pre-bath gel:
Turmeric when combined with lemon and starch, acts as an effective cleanser and also forms a barrier between the drying effect of chlorinated water and body skin. The following is an excellent body pack.
Mix 8 tsp of yoghurt (curds), 3 tsp. Lemon juice, 1 tsp of any vegetable oil. Apply this body pack with firm, upward movements. Wash off after 10 minutes and take a bath. This is perhaps one of the oldest skin rejuvenation therapies. Use this at least thrice a week for a satiny skin.

Lemon as natural bleach
Mix equal proportions of tomato juice, lemon juice and milk and apply on face and body. Lemon as a skin tonic
The juice of a fresh pear and apple with a few drops of fresh lemon juice acts as a good skin tonic.

Lemon face scrub
Mix cold milk and fresh lemon juice with powdered almonds or powdered orange peel or oatmeal. Rub the skin gently with this mix. Mix a tablespoon of honey with two tablespoons of finely ground almonds and half a teaspoon of lemon juice. Rub this gently on the face. Rinse off with warm water.
Lemon as an anti-wrinkle mask
Mix a teaspoon of honey, a few drops of fresh lemon juice and a drop of sweet almond oil. Apply this on the face and allow it to dry for 20 minutes and wash off.

Lemon for dark elbows
Rub lemon halves and then wash off with water. Over a period of time, it will cleanse the skin and lighten its color.

Lemon and papaya face pack for oily skin
Mix ½ tsp turmeric powder, 2 tsp lemon juice, 3 tsp papaya pulp to a smooth paste. Apply evenly over the face (keeping away from the eyes). Leave the pack on for 20 minutes and then wash it off.

Lemon for complexion
Lemon contains enzymes which help to cleanse the skin of dead cells. Sprinkling a little alum on a lemon half and rubbing the mixture on your face helps tremendously to refresh and tone the skin. It also acts as a quick pick-me-up after a long pollution filled day.


Face and body pack with lemon and milk

A fresh lime may be squeezed into a cup of milk to which a teaspoon of glycerin may be added. Stir well. Apply it on your face, neck, hands, legs and feet, an hour before retiring to bed. Keep it on for half an hour and then wash off. This application every night will make the skin look younger and beautiful. This application works well on pimples and scars, is good for cracked soles and palms, dryness of face and hands, and sun-burn.

Lemon - cheap and best cure for acne!

Lemon for smooth skin

Mash an over-ripe banana and mix it with a few drops of fresh lemon juice. Apply on face and hands to keep the skin clear and smooth. Mix a teaspoon of honey with a teaspoon of vegetable oil and one fourth of a teaspoon of lemon juice. Rub this into the hands, elbows, heels and any area that feels dry. Leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse with water.

Lemon and honey face pack for dryskin

Mix 3 tsp lemon juice, 3 tsp honey, ½ tsp cabbage (boiled and crushed) paste. Mix to a paste all these ingredients in a dish and apply it on face and neck; wash off with cold water after 10 minutes and admire the new “you”!

Lemon and almond face pack for freckles

To remove freckles, blanch and grind almonds and mix with white of an egg to which half tsp of lime juice has been added. Spread on the face and wash after 20 minutes.

Use Stuff Available at Home to Cure Acne

The tricky part about acne is that the problem can
actually become worse if you overmedicate. That's
because acne medication can overdry the skin, causing
a boost in your skin's Sebum (oil) production. This
results in...you guessed it - more acne.

So what's the long term solution? Find gentler
solutions or even natural acne cures that won't
shock your body into more breakouts.

Here's what I recommend...

Glycerin based facewash:
Glycerin is gentler and will balance the
pH levels in your skin.

Antibacterial Soap:
For body acne, try using an antibacterial soap
to slowly dry out the skin. If your skin gets too dry,
switch to a moisterizing soap like Dove to
counterbalance the effect.

Don't Overwash:
Wash your face only 2 times a day max and gently
pat dry with a towel.

Moisterize:
Use a gentle face moisterizer if the glycerin based
face wash drys you out too much. I like using
Aveeno moisterizers personally.

Change Your Diet:
Eat almonds, fiber, drink lots of water and avoid
excess sugar intake. Food really does make a difference.
This is because the food you put into your body has a
direct effect on your Sebum (oil) production. By eating
the right foods, you'll minimize oily skin, thereby
preventing breakouts.

Egg Whites:
If acne medication isn't working or causing new breakouts,
try applying egg whites to the pimples at night before bed.
This natural remedy works by gently drying out the clogged
pores and clearing up the pimple.

Oatmeal Masks:
One of my favorite natural skin conditioners is wearing an
"oatmeal mask". The oatmeal with smooth your skin while
simultaneously absorb toxins and oils from your pores.
Try this for a few days straight. Wear the oatmeal mask
for 10 minutes, then wash off. You'll have a nice
glowing complexion right after.

Lemon Juice:
Lemon juice also dries up pimples and kills any bacteria
in the infection.The citric acid also balances your skin's
pH levels to prevent future breakouts.

Honey:
Yes, despite your initial beliefs, honey is FANTASTIC for
skin care. Actually, you may notice on many moisterizers
that honey is an ingredient. Much like the lemon solution
above, honey balances the skins pH levels. Test out this
sticky remedy by dabbing pimples with honey and leaving it
on for 5-10 minutes. You can apply full honey masks to your
face but I prefer the oatmeal masks instead.
They're less messy.


Contributed By: Jackie

Best Diet For Acne

Diet and Acne Sources of Vitamin A

* Carrots

* Yams

* Apricots

* Cantaloupe

* Tomatoes

* Spinach

* Kale

* Parsley


Stress has been known to aggravate existing cases of acne. Vitamin B-2 is great at alleviating stress so obtaining B-2 can help keep acne at bay.

Diet and Acne Sources of Vitamin B-2

* Whole Grains

* Fish

* Milk

* Eggs

* Meat

* Leafy Green Vegetables

Niacin or Vitamin B-3 improves circulation, promoting healthy skin. It also helps reduce cholesterol level in the blood and helps metabolize protein, sugar, and fat.

Diet and Acne Sources of Vitamin B-3

* Peanuts

* Eggs

* Avocados

*Liver

* Lean Meats

Vitamin E is the most potent antioxidant and helps protect your cells against the effects of free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules produced from sources like air radiation, pollution, and peroxides. They are also potentially damaging by-products of the body's metabolism that can lead to many diseases.

Diet and Acne Sources of Vitamin E

* Almonds

* Peanuts

* Sunflower Seeds

*Broccoli

* Wheat Germ

* Vegetable Oil

Zinc is another antioxidant that helps boost the immune system, which reflects in the skin.

Diet and Acne Sources of Zinc (Antioxidant)

* Eggs

* Whole Grains

* Nuts

* Mushrooms

Home Remedies for Scars

1. Squeeze the juice out of fresh lemons or limes. Apply the juice directly on your acne scars using a cotton ball. Let your skin soak up the lemon juice for a while before washing it off with water. Lemon juice improves the appearance of dark acne scars and blemishes by lightening them.

2. Mix sandalwood with a few drops of rosewater to make a paste. The sandalwood and rosewater paste can be used as a facial mask and can be directly applied on the scarred area. Leave the paste on for more than an hour. Wear it overnight if you can. Wash off completely with water. This is an effective method of how to treat acne scar because of sandalwood’s soothing and cooling effect on the skin.

3. Slice up a tomato and place it over your face. Tomatoes are rich in vitamin A that hinders overproduction of sebum that causes acne. Vitamin A also has antioxidant qualities that refreshes and renews scarred and damaged skin.

4. Keep your hands away from your face or other affected areas. They contain oils and bacteria that promote acne. Wash your hands frequently.

5. Honey is another natural moisturizer that can help in treating acne scars. You can use honey as a mask or orally take a specially formulated honey acne scar treatment.

6. To treat acne scars, use this mixture as a face mask: 1 tablespoon of sour cream, 1 tablespoon of yogurt, 1 tablespoon of oatmeal, and a few drops of lemon juice. Pat the mixture onto acne scars, leave on for 10 minutes, and rinse off.

7. A popular way of how to treat acne scar is to use a face mask made out of tomatoes and cucumbers. These two combined can greatly reduce the visibility of acne scars. Using a tomato and cucumber face mask also tightens the pores of the skin giving it a nice, even texture.

8. Wash your skin gently twice daily with an antibacterial soap or cleanser containing salicylic acid, not regular soap, as it is alkaline and will promote bacterial growth. Don’t scrub too hard, as this will irritate your skin further.

9. Fenugreek is an effective solution to how to treat acne scar. You can make a paste out of fenugreek leaves and use it as a face mask. You can also boil Fenugreek seeds in water and use the solution on acne scars after it cools down.

10. Saturate a cotton ball with a few drops of acne-fighting essential oil such as lavender oil. Apply it on acne scars at least two times a day.

Herbal way to prevent Pimples

1. Wash your face with lukewarm water and mild soap twice a day.

2. Wash fresh methi leaves (fenu greek leaves) and grind it to make a paste. Apply it on face and wash it off with lukewarm water after 10 minutes.

3. Grind juicy tender neem leaves with turmeric to a consistency of paste. Apply this paste on acne and pimples. Wash this off after it dries.

Treat Pimples At Home


You might not be aware but the solution to your pimples lies right in your home. Have you ever asked the elder members in your family on how to get rid of acne? You will be surprised with the variety of tips on how to get rid of pimples at home they have to offer.

The best part is that you can do all this with the things available at home and do not incur any extra cost but the results are always spectacular.

Simple Things To The Rescue

You will not believe what ordinary everyday things can do, for example take the common toothpaste (not the gel type), dab a little of this on the acne and you will find how effectively it dries out your pimple.The same effect can also be brought about by holding a used tea bag or a cotton ball drenched in lemon juice.

You could make a solution of camphor lotion, honey and tomato juice and apply it on your face and keep it for 15 minutes. Wash it off with luke warm water and follow it up with a cold water rinse, it helps to control acne.

Groundnut oil mixed with an equal amount of limejuice if applied on the affected part of the face prevents the formation of pimples. Again, glycerine mixed with borax powder, water and camphor lotion also makes an effective acne controller.

Turmeric plays an extremely important part in Oriental homes because of its myriad curative properties. One amongst them is its power to treat acne especially when it is mixed with whole-wheat flour. Another method is when it is mixed with sugarcane juice.

Oriental cuisine is also fond of garlic because of its many curative qualities. Apart from many ailments it also has the power to prevent one of pimples. You could cleanse your skin with a mixture of 3 parts water and garlic juice and follow it up by applying raw garlic on the pimples. This not only cures the acne but also rids the skin of any blemishes caused by it.

Another method that says bye bye to your acne is a mixture of fresh limejuice, glycerine and boiled milk. This prevents pimples and also gets rid of blackheads. The juice of raw papaya could also be applied for preventing pimples.

One thing you could do to control acne in general is to wash your face with lukewarm salty water. This helps to keep your face oil free and hence pimple free.

Lastly, do not forget to lead a healthy lifestyle with a minimum of stress, drinking lots of water and maintaining a balanced diet to help these natural remedies to take full effect.

Aloe Vera - Best Natural Product for Acne


Aloe Vera is a medicinal plant which belongs to the family of Cactus. There are several varieties of this plant but only one particular variety is used for medicinal purposes. The medicinal reputation of Aloe Vera dates back to many thousand years. The Latin word Vera meaning true was added to this particular species of Aloe plant to distinguish it from the rest of the aloe plants. Only this particular species has the therapeutic properties. The medicinal properties of the Aloe Vera plant have been re-discovered recently. But it is one of the age old natural remedies used by our ancestors. Aloe Vera is a truly magical herb.

The properties:-

* Antibiotic Property - Aloe Vera plant products have been produced for the treatment of various skin ailments. The Aloe Vera gel has many therapeutic healing properties. It has a unique mixture of antibiotic, analgesic, growth stimulating and astringent properties. The Aloe Vera gel is therefore effectively used for treatment of sun burns, burn injuries, Scarring of the skin, and also for healing of cuts, wounds and scratches. The antibiotic properties of this gel helps in the treatment of other skin diseases such as Eczema, dry skin diseases, and other allergic conditions. I t can also be used in treatment of insect bites, stings and other skin inflammations.

* Analgesic Property - Another very useful property of this Aloe Vera gel is its pain healing or analgesic effect. The Aloe Vera gel is used in reducing pain during dental treatments. It can be effectively used in treatment of mouth ulcers, sores, blisters. It provides quick relief of pain after dental surgical procedures. Aloe Vera is also used for pain healing purposes in the treatment of piles and Hemorrhoids. Aloe Vera also helps to improve digestion and absorption and elimination of food.

* Growth Stimulating Property- Aloe Vera gel has enzyme in it which stimulate the growth and formation of new cells. The Aloe Vera gel has the capability to penetrate the outer layer of the skin and it removes the dead cells caused by the infection. The enzymes present in the gel, help in the formation of new cells around the infection and thus heals the part. This property of Aloe Vera makes it a good choice for the treatment of burns. Burn injuries heal miraculously faster when aloe gel is used. Aloe Vera is effectively used treatment of pains associated with Arthritis and other rheumatic pains.

Other Characteristics

* COSMETICS- All these magical properties of Aloe Vera makes it suitable in developing various cosmetic products. The present cosmetic industry has launched several Aloe Vera products for removing scars, blemishes, pigmentation spots, bruise marks, blotches and wrinkles. Many people have benefited by these products. These Aloe Vera products have helped women to look younger.

* LAXATIVE- Aloe Vera gel also acts as a mild laxative. I t can be used in the treatment of chronic constipation and for treatment of Ulcers. The gel inhibits the secretion of hydrochloric acid by the mucosa of the stomach thus helps in healing of ulcers.

Home Cure for Acne

1.Gently apply fresh limejuice on pimples and blackheads.

2.Dab the mixture made by combining 1 tsp fresh coriander powder and a pinch of turmeric powder on the pimples, while going to bed in the night and wash it off when you wake up the next morning.

3.Take a few fresh curry leaves and make a paste. Apply the paste on the acne-affected area and keep it overnight and wash it off with warm water the next morning.

4.Apply the paste made of nutmeg (Jaiphal) and raw milk on acne and wash it off after 20 minutes. Do it for about 10-12 days and see the magical effects.

5.Take some fresh fenugreek leaves and make a paste to apply on the acne pimples overnight.

6.Apply a paste made by mixing sandalwood and few drops of rosewater on the acne affected area for about an hour and then wash off gently.

7.Take a piece of sandalwood and rub it on a smooth stone and make a paste using a few drops of raw milk. Apply the mixture on the acne and keep it for an hour and thereafter gently wash with water

8.Clean your skin: soak a cotton ball in either lemon juice or apple cider vinegar and apply on face.

9.Mix 2-3 tea bags to some basil and cook in boiling water for 10-20 minutes. Then apply on the acne with a cotton ball.

10.Saturate lettuce leaves in water, use water to rinse face and acne.

11.Grind bay leaves and blanch in water, Cool and apply on the acne.

12.Boil water in a pan, add some apple cider vinegar. Cool, put a towel on your head and bend over the pan.

13.Clean your face every morning with cotton ball soaked with vinegar; might sting; try on a small part first.

14.Take1 tablespoon of brown sugar and 2 tablespoons of white sugar wet a little and rub face.

15.Mix 1 tablespoon of sour cream , tablespoon of yogurt, 1 tablespoon of grind oatmeal and 3-4 drops of lemon juice. Apply on face, leave for 10 minutes and wash off.

16.Blend 1 peeled apple with 1 tablespoon of honey, half a cucumber and 1 tablespoon of yogurt (use a blender). Apply on face, leave for 20 minutes and wash off with warm water.

17.Aloe Vera can be used topically and orally. If you have weak immune system, you should engulf approximately one teaspoonful of Aloe Vera lump daily.

18. Neem is very effective home remedies for acne. Most often acne flare ups are due to bacterial infection known of hair follicles and sebaceous glands.

Sunburns

Whether you’ve been sunbathing intentionally or just absentmindedly wandered outside without sunscreen, sunburns happen. Getting burned is absolutely no fun, but if you deal with the burn quickly oftentimes you can significantly reduce the pain, discomfort, and length of time a burn will last.

After you get burned, you might think you’ve got to run off to the store and buy up a lot of burn creams and first aid supplies to deal with it. These smelly, expensive creams turn your sunburn into a sticky, uncomfortable mess. They’re so filled with water, emollients, and mineral oil that very little of the cream is actually able to penetrate and help your skin heal.

As for first aid supplies, even for extremely severe burns where your skin has blistered badly, the best first aid remedy is not wrapping the burn in gauze and tape. This will only pull and tear at your new skin, reopening the wound and prolonging the time it will take for your skin to heal.

Aloe jelly heals sunburns.The best first aid medication for sunburns that everyone should have in their first aid kit is not burn creams, gauze, or sticky tape - it’s aloe. Pure Aloe Barbadensis Jelly is far more potent and healing than any water based cream could ever dream to be. If you slather Aloe Jelly on a burn it not only soothes your hot skin immediately, the gel actually soaks into skin and begins healing the damaged tissue on contact.

You don’t need to bandage a wound covered by Aloe. Using the first aid method of moist wound healing you can effectively heal your skin without ever covering the sunburn. Slather on enough gel to cover the area completely. Extend the coverage of the Aloe to 2 inches surrounding the whole sunburn. This ensures that the skin around the damage stays calm and is soothed as well. Continue to reapply Aloe as needed to keep the sunburn moist and cool.

In some situations you might not be able to keep the area moist all the time. Where possible, avoid tight straps, belts, and shoes if they impact your sunburned skin area. If you can, stop wearing clothing over the area at all and try to sit comfortably without leaning against the sunburned area. This might be difficult, as sunburns typically stretch across several planes of the body.

There are a lot of Aloe Gels and Jellies on the market these days. Most are bright green to make them look natural and Aloe rich. This is just coloring or the effect of grinding the whole Aloe plant up when they manufacture the gel.

Look for Aloe that is completely clear and odorless.

This means that you’re getting more pure Aloe Jelly and less dyes, pigments, and fragrance. Aloe that’s been cold stabilized is also essential because heat cooks the goodness out of aloe. Also check out the look of the bottle. Do you have any information on how old the Aloe Jelly is? No, it’s not going to rot, but fresher is better in terms of the healing benefits to your skin.

So here’s a quick sum up for those searching for the best first aid for sunburns:

* DON’T - Use water or oil based creams, lotions, gauze pads, tape, or band aids on your sunburn!

* DO - Use Pure Aloe Jelly and moist wound healing techniques to heal your sunburn quickly!

* DON’T - Buy Aloe Jelly that’s green, smells bad, or looks like it could be 18 years old!

* DO - Wear sunscreen when you go outside so you don’t get burned in the first place!

This is first aid advice for dealing with a sunburn, but use common sense. If you’re really hurting and seriously burned it’s probably a good idea to consult a physician too. This is just my opinion on the first aid methods I would use on a sunburn and is not meant to diagnose or prescribe treatment. Be smart about your health and your skin care!

Home Remedies for Wrinkles

Make a natural homemade paste using (1-2 tablespoon) juices of sugar cane and (2-3 teaspoon) turmeric powder, which is the most effective herb used in every kitchen and keep it aside for five minutes. Gently apply on aging lines (wrinkles) and let it dry for 10-15 minutes, then wash your face using clean water. This is one of the most effective natural remedy for wrinkles. This is one of the useful home remedies for wrinkles.

Rubbing down wrinkles around the eyes, neck, and other areas with coconut oil before sleep increases blood circulation and promote relaxation to the skin. This is helpful in to get rid of wrinkles

A good facial massage improves blood circulation, reduces wrinkles, tones your skin, and gives a new life to the tired and dead skins.

Massage the wrinkles prone area for ten minutes with the central part of the pineapple fruit, which is hard or with its fresh juice then wash your face using cold water. It slows down the aging lines.

Make a mixture using natural honey (half teaspoon) and fresh chopped ginger (one teaspoon) and eat it daily at sun rise. This is one of the important home remedies for wrinkles. This is how to get rid of wrinkles

You can also use the freshly prepared juices of kheera (cucumber) or apple everyday on wrinkles as it is natural and effective treatment for curing wrinkles and slows down skin ageing. This is one of the best home remedies for wrinkles.

Lemon juice also works for reducing fine lines under eyes, neck, and hands. This is also very effective in minimizing the wrinkles and cleaning the skin surface.

Pamper your under eyes skin area by using egg white or castor oil, as it keeps the skin soft and nourishes with required nutrients in your body and slows down the aging sign (wrinkles). One of the useful home remedies for wrinkles.

Massage your skin using oils of flax seeds as it is very effective in getting rid of wrinkles.

Dos and don’ts for wrinkles

Your skin is soft so be gentle in its treatment and go only by natural treatment, as they are effective and also gives fast results.

Drink enough water as it keeps the skin glowing and removes unwanted materials from the body.

Use a natural sun protecting cream everyday as ultraviolet rays of the sun takes away the natural beauty of the skin and develops wrinkles around your eyes, necks, and any exposed skin surface.

Diet plays an important role for keeping you in good health and keeping the skin glowing and wrinkle free. Eat green vegetables, sprouts, eggs, fish, nuts, papaya, purple colored fruits, as it keeps you active and slows down the aging lines.

Drink plenty of fresh fruit juices instead of soft drinks.

If you want to look beautiful and reduce your wrinkles or fine line around eyes and necks stop smoking and avoid tea, beverages, and alcohols.

Do a face scrub using various natural home available products like turmeric, rose water, honey once or twice a week to keep it soft and clean this also reduce wrinkles or aging sign.

Live a stress free life and control your anger and always keep a beautiful smile on your face as it slow down wrinkle lines.

Avoid laser treatments, chemical-based injection to the skin to reduce aging lines or wrinkles on your skin. They are harmful and do not treat your skin naturally and safely.

Eat healthy food and avoid junk foods, oily foods, and do yoga regularly.

Yoga can minimize face wrinkles.

Regularly practicing yoga makes your life beautiful. Yoga can minimize aging signs, wrinkles on your face, increase blood circulations, and controls your body weight, improves your vision and gives a new life to your tired skins. Yoga helps in bringing out toxic substances, gives mental and physical strength, increases life span, body’s disease fighting capability increases, various other benefits can be easily avail by doing yoga.


Overturned or reversed yogic poses using hand as a stand and doing various other yogic postures for 10-15 minutes everyday can keep you youthful as ever, and rejuvenate your skins, improves the appearance from outside, makes the facial muscles strong, and removes wrinkles and various aging signs from your face, neck, hands naturally.


Healthy living can control your wrinkles so live stress free and develop some healthy practice for minimizing wrinkles.

Wrinkle Treatment

Where do you start with preventing wrinkles from forming, and reversing existing lines? Every woman, starting as early as the age of 20, should start to use wrinkle treatments, and have a comprehensive anti aging skin care routine. The earlier you start, the better. Many skin care experts now say that preventive maintenance is the best way to have smooth, wrinkle free skin well into your forties.

The first place to start is to stay out of the sun. I don't care how pretty you think a nice tan looks, tanning damages and ages your skin faster than anything, and it also has been leading to cancer more and more since the ozone is wearing away from pollution.

There are some GREAT self tanners out there now that look even better than a real tan, because they don't give you tan lines, and you can make yourself as light or as dark as you want. You control your color. How much better does it get?

Secondly, incorporate healthy doses of natural antioxidant foods like dark leafy green veggies and brightly colored fruits for maximum free radical elimination. Free radicals are the number one cause of collagen breakdown, which is a direct cause of wrinkles. By the way, the sun also causes free radical production.

Thirdly, choose a very agressive wrinkle free skin care system into your overall skin care routine for maximum age defense and prevention. Like I said, the earlier you start the better. A good anti aging skin care system would consist of several key ingredients found in nature that are currently the most potent and effective in skin firming, smoothing and repairing.

These ingredients will dramatically increase elasticity, lift sagging skin, brighten dullness, and stimulate the production and regeneration of healthy skin cells to replace old, dull cells that build up and hydrate parched skin all day.

What are some of these wrinkle defeating ingredients you ask?

Well, some of the most effective and well documented and studied skin support ingredients are as follows:

1.) Idebenone - A natural compound which has the same antioxidant effects as Co-Enzyme Q10, but is actually more effective than Co-Enzyme Q10 in effectively seeking out and destroying damaging free radicals.

2.) DMAE - One of the most powerful anti aging elements currently known. This natural compound has been demonstrated in clinical studies to be an extremely powerful wrinkle and fine line reducer, and is especially effective in firming sagging skin. It is derived from the skin of salmon fish. DMAE is not only an excellent topical skin support element, but is also very effective when taken orally. You should always have this in you medicine cabinet to apply topically as well, even if you take it in an oral dose.

3.) Vitamin E - Vitamin E is also an effective skin mender and antioxidant when taken orally and when applied topically. It is especially effective in protecting skin cells from damage.

4.) Hyaluronic Acid - This natural acid is found in the human body and works as a natural lubricant in the connective tissues. Large amounts of Hyaluronic Acid have been found in healthy, unaffected skin , hence the launch of studies to investigate its skin benefits and anti aging properties. This acid has been one of the biggest discoveries in skin care and anti aging technology today, and produces and almost immediate noticeable effect on damaged or aging skin.

Those are just four of the best natural wrinkle treatment elements that you should include in your anti aging routine. There are others, but the list is too long to discuss here. Trust me, if you incorporate just these 4 ingredients into your skin care regimen, or find products that contain the full spectrum, you will be well on your way to a lifetime of beautiful, young skin.

Treat stretch marks using peanut butter

This is a great remedy for removing old stretch marks. Mix together 2 tablespoons of peanut butter, and and 1 teaspoon of crisco. Apply the paste to your stretch marks and leave it there for 15 minutes before washing it off. Do this 3 times a week and you will notice your stretch marks disappear.

Treat stretch marks using vitamin E oil (caplets)

Straight after each shower cut open a vitamin E oil caplet and apply the oil straight onto the stretch marks. Just leave the oil there. Re-apply after each shower or at least twice daily. This remedy works for all marks and blemishes. I swear by this remedy.

Treat stretch marks using ground coffee beans

Ground some of the coffee beans to a powder and add it to a plain hand cream or moisturizer cream. Rub this cream into your stretch marks for about a minute then wipe it off with a warm wet towel. Do this twice a day. You will notice improvements at about 2 weeks after starting this remedy.

How to Get Rid of Stretch Marks

Stretch marks can be a frustrating problem for people who have them. Whether you just have a few stretch marks around your stomach or you’re plagued with these unsightly marks in many places, most likely you are looking for a way to get rid of them.

Stretch marks are caused when the collagen under the skin is damaged. This can happen through the rapid gain of fat or muscle in one area. These marks start as red lines and then fade to whitish scars over time. Because stretch marks are the result of advanced damage to the collagen, it is very difficult to reduce their appearance. It is best to try to avoid developing stretch marks by controlling the pace at which you gain weight or build your muscles.


Many creams and oils are specially designed to reduce the appearance of stretch marks and can be bought over the counter at your local store. These products can help your skin become firmer and more supple, and may help reduce the appearance of some surface stretch marks. Vitamin E oil and cocoa butter are commonly used to treat stretch marks. These products can be massaged into the skin twice a day or more. It is best to start using a cream or oil as soon as you notice stretch marks forming. The sooner marks are treated, the more likely it is that treatment will be successful.

Prescription creams are also available for the treatment of stretch marks. These may be very successful on mild stretch marks and may improve the appearance of deeper stretch marks as well. Retin-A cream is commonly used to reduce the redness in new stretch marks and may help prevent prominent scarring. However, Retin-A can only be used on newer stretch marks that are still red or pink, typically less than one year old.


The most successful treatment of stretch marks is cosmetic laser surgery. Laser treatment is by far the most expensive method available, running well into the thousands of dollars when there is a large treatment area. However, laser surgery is also the best way to achieve results when trying to remove stretch marks. This method can be used on deeper and older stretch marks in addition to newer marks. Laser treatment removes, vaporizes, and breaks down the skin’s tissues. Successful laser surgery depends on the result of a series of treatments over several weeks. Usually between six and eight treatments are needed to see results. Although laser surgery is generally the most effective treatment for stretch marks, this method still may be ineffective for some people. It is important to decide if you can afford such surgery even if it does not provide the results you desire.

It is important to remember that damage to the deep fibers of the skin is difficult and sometimes impossible to repair. That is why it is best to always try to prevent stretch marks before they happen. You can do this by monitoring your weight gain and muscle building closely. A healthy diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and water will also aid in preventing stretch marks.

Acne Misconceptions

There are number of causes of acne and are a lot of myths and misconceptions about acne. Some beliefs are baseless and unscientific and some are qualified with the suitable facts. So, the various myths about acne are:-
Stress causes acne
Stress is not the cause of acne but it triggers flare-ups. Stress increases the production of cortisol which causes the sebaceous glands to produce excess oil.

Individual stress has different effects on the skin so it is very difficult to examine the type of acne which is caused due to stress.

Antibiotics reduce the effects of oral contraceptives
Some doctors believe that when oral contraceptives are combined with antibiotics, it reduces the effects of birth control pills and increase the risk of pregnancy. So, the women should first consult the doctor before combining the drugs which can harm the new born baby.

Certain foods cause acne
Some studies have not found any connection between the diet and acne till now. Foods such as French fries, chocolates, pizza or other greasy foods do not cause acne. Eating a balanced diet is good for acne and if any person get acne by eating these foods then it is best for them just to avoid such foods.

Acne is just a cosmetic condition
Acne is not a life-threatening disease and it is true that acne worsens the looks of the people and leads to permanent physical scars. It is not considered as a simple cosmetic disease. Acne affects their confidence and self-image. If people are unable to handle the situation then they goes into depression. It is better for the people to consult the dermatologist and use such products to clear the skin.

Acne is caused by dirt
This is not true that dirt causes acne. Acne is caused when dead skin cells mix with the excess oil and forms a plug in the hair follicles known as pores. So, overwashing the face and body more than twice will not clear up the acne. Overuse of harsh scrubs and too much washing can make the acne worse and it leads to flaky and dry skin.

Sun exposure helps acne
Sun exposure improves the appearance of acne, damages the skin and causes macules and hyperpigmentation and makes the skin dark, so there are less chances of acne to be seen. So, sun protection products can be applied on the acne to get rid of them.

Acne is curable
Acne can be treated by the number of treatments available and one has to find out the best treatment plan which suits their skin. So, acne is not cured even after if the blemishes go away.

Acne is for teenagers
The truth about acne is that it can strike at any age but it is harmful in various ways. Many teenagers do not find the right treatment and this can lead to plummeting self-esteem and scarring. Acne can also be caused in adults and they also feel embarrassed while seeking the treatment.

Acne myths

There are so many myths and conjectures about acne and the possible reasons and cures for it. A lot of acne information, rather than distributing the best and true information furnishes us with deceptive concepts and understanding about pimples. The real meaning of "acne" is a disorder of the skin that results from the behavior of our hormones and other substances on our skin’s oil glands and hair follicles. Acne usually grows in the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders of a person.Myths And MisconceptionsLets understand what we mean by "acne" before we consider some of the incorrect information which is floating about out there. Acne is a disorder of the skin.

There are many myths and misconceptions about it.

Lets look at some of them. Number one is that tanning clears up the skin from acne. It does not heal the acne and the scars, it only covers them up. And this is a dangerous belief because not only does tanning do nothing to alleviate the acne but it also exposes the skin to skin cancer. There is another danger that you might develop an allergy from due to the the chemicals you use in tanning. Another item of information about acne that is totally false is that chocolate and greasy food causes people to break out. It is not yet proven that there are any specific foods that causes one to break out, each of us are different to one another so our bodies react differently to what we eat. Other people may notice that they are breaking out after eating certain foods, while others do not. Another false acne information that we may often hear is that the more often we wash our face, the less acne we will get. Though cleaning the face often may get rid of bacteria and oil, it may cause severe dryness if washed too often causing the skin more breakouts. Also, it is false to assume that by popping your pimple, you will instantly get rid of it. Popping the zit may only worsen your condition since you have the tendency to push the bacteria further and deeper in the skin which eventually may lead to redness and more irritation.And lastly, worse false acne information that we may see and hear from acne commercials is that it helps to use more of acne medication until the pimples are gone. This misconception is dangerous since it not only makes you spend more money, but also dries your skin a whole lot. Over-the-counter acne medications contain drying agents like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. If the medication did not work for you, it is always best to consult your doctor and ask for a better treatment.

Acne Skin Care Cosmetics

Acne skin care cosmetics are your survival kit. Your new acne medication promises fast results in 7 days, but you've got to put your best face forward today.

All you need is to learn a few creative acne makeup concealing tips to help you look your very best always.

Using makeup to conceal acne isn't difficult, but there are some basic rules that you should always follow.

Your Basic Acne Makeup Toolkit

Your three acne-hiding makeup weapons will be a concealer, a foundation and a finishing powder. When choosing your acne skin care cosmetics, stay away from 'cheap makeup' and use only brand names that you can trust.

Choose only oil-free makeup products that match your skin tone. Oil-free is the key to success here so read the labels carefully. You don't want to aggravate your existing acne problem by layering a fresh coat of oil on skin that already has too much to begin with. Choose a hypoallergenic brand while you're at it.

There are cosmetics called corrective cosmetics, specifically formulated to cover acne blemishes and scars without further irritating the condition. They are not very expensive and definitely effective.

The first time that you use a new brand acne skin care cosmetic, test it by applying small dabs to a spot under your jaw to see how your skin reacts. If you are going to have a problem you will know within an hour or so after applying it. Nothing is worse than adding more blotches to an already colorful face.


Before you begin...

Gently wash your face - never scrub, with your normal face cleansing product and pat dry. Apply your acne medication per the instructions and let it dry throughly.
Start with the concealer...

Apply the concealer in a light dabbing motion directly to any dark blotches or red areas that the acne has produced on your skin. Blend the concealer in using a disposable facial sponge. Use the concealer sparingly. You can always apply more if you need it but you don't want to layer it on too thickly. It will look terrible when it dries.

Next, apply the foundation...

Apply the foundation sparingly as well and use a light dabbing motion here too. Blend the foundation with your sponge and reapply to any areas that need it.
And now for the final touch...

Apply a light layer of the oil-free powder using a large makeup brush. This will take care of any shine that the acne concealer and foundation left behind and it will give you an even and finished look.
Throw away the disposable sponges when you are through so you don't transfer yesterday's skin oil to tomorrow's clean face!

Always wash your face throughly to remove all makeup before you go to bed, but preferably as soon as you can after you return home. You want your skin to breath and your acne to get as much fresh air as possible.

Remember -- Makeup conceals acne, it doesn't cure it!

Which Make-Up and Cosmetics are Right for Teen Acne Sufferers?

Having teen acne doesn’t mean you can’t wear make-up. If you are careful and choose the right brands with the right ingredients you can still look and feel good. You can even wear your favorite colors and styles of make-up.

If you choose the right kind of make-up and camouflage treatments; wearing cosmetics can help to increase your self-confidence and make you feel better about your skin on a daily basis.

Knowing that your acne or scars are less conspicuous (or in the case of very mild acne, almost hidden), can really boost your self-esteem especially in social settings.

These days teenage acne products include cosmetic treatments that are suitable for acne sufferers. Non-comedogenic make up preparations (ones that won’t block your pores) as well as preparations that hide scarring and blemishes are easy to find at your local store or pharmacy.

The best make-up is one that is suited for oily skin types or acne-prone skin. These are oil-free or non-comedogenic and won’t aggravate your acne. Read the labels to be sure of what you’re getting.

Some oil-free preparations contain alcohol and this can be very drying. Avoid these if your skin is also very sensitive. They might aggravate your skin problems.

Teen acne sufferers should also avoid products than contain: isopropyl myristate, isopropyl esters, oleic acid, stearic acid, petrolatum and lanolin (especially acetylated lanolin, alcohol and lanolin fatty acids). Make sure that the labeling states that the product is oil-free.

However, do bear in mind that you could still have a reaction to any cosmetic. If this happens immediately discontinue using it before a severe acne flare up rears it’s head! Avoid oil-based cosmetics as these may work better but tend to block pores.

Instead use water-based creams, matte or semi-matter, oil-free foundation, sheer or transparent foundations if you are prone to blackheads. If you have red lesions and scarring you may need an opaque foundation.

If the foundation is very sheer you can mix loose transparent powders into it to provide better coverage and help them last longer.

Skin Foundations
Face foundations hide skin blemishes and acne but they also help make the complexion seem more even and can even add a bit of color to the face. There are four basic types, and they all contain mixtures of oil, water, emulsifiers, talk, kaolin, titanium dioxide and pigment.

1) Oil-based foundation (probably not suitable for most teens with acne)
This is a mix of water and oil plus pigment. Once the preparation is on the skin the water evaporates leaving the pigment and oil. This is great if you have dry skin but not really suitable for acne sufferers!

2) Water-based foundation
This is also a mix of oil and water and pigment but the oil is present in much smaller quantities. The pigment emulsifies and the foundation won’t drift or spread. Such preparations are great for people who have slightly dry to normal skin. Again not for many acne sufferers, unless you know you can tolerate it.

3) Oil-free foundation
These contain no animal, vegetable or mineral oil but they do contain silicone-based oily substances like dimethicone. These foundations are perfect for people with oily skin and those who are prone to acne.

4) Water-free foundation
These are waterproof preparations. Oil, alcohol and synthetic esters are mixed together and then combined with waxes. Since the creams are quite opaque, they may also be able to hide acne scars.

Here is a short guide to help you make sense of all confusing terminology:

Liquid - sheer to moderate coverage (semi-transparent)
Mousse - sheer
Water based- moderate coverage
Soufflé - moderate
Water-free - full (full coverage)
Stick - full (opaque)
Shake lotion - sheer
Matte - flat with no shine
Semi-matte - minimal shine
Moist semi-matte - dewy shine
Shiny

Skin Camouflage
This is a type of concealing cream that can help cover up skin defects like scarring, discoloration or blemishes. It can be used before applying sheer or opaque foundation. The foundation can then be set with loose powder. Some brand names are:


Hyperflage® from Dormer Laboratories Ltd, Dermablend®, CoverMark Face Magic®

Above all enjoy your make-up and make sure it enhances your beauty. Don’t use it to try to hide from the world, instead use it to boost confidence so you can face the world with pride and confidence.

What can your dermatologist do for your acne?

There are many different types of acne, ranging from the mild inflammatory kind characterized by a few whiteheads and blackheads to the more severe cystic acne. See your doctor as early as possible to find the right treatment to control your breakouts and minimize scarring. Your doctor may wish to send you to a dermatologist.

Medications
Mild acne: Characterized by a few surface whiteheads, blackheads, and pustules. Over-the-counter or prescription topical (skin-applied) medications containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid are usually recommended. Don't overdo it with these medications, because skin irritation, redness, and peeling may occur. If these problems don't go away, talk to your doctor about using a lower strength or trying a different product. These products need to be used regularly, and it may take at least 6 weeks to notice a difference. If you don't see any improvement, seek advice from your dermatologist.

Moderate-to-severe acne: Characterized by numerous whiteheads, blackheads, papules, and pustules. Prescription medications such as topical antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin, clindamycin, tetracycline), topical retinoids (e.g., tretinoin), oral antibiotics, oral contraceptives, and over-the-counter topical acne medications are used alone or in combination.

Severe nodular or cystic acne: Characterized by deep cysts, inflammation, and extensive damage to the skin and scarring. Isotretinoin (Accutane®), a vitamin A analog that is taken regularly for 15 to 20 weeks, is usually recommended. The acne will go away in about 90% of people, but make sure to discuss with your dermatologist the serious side effects associated with this medication. It is important for women of childbearing age not to be pregnant or get pregnant while taking this medicine. Oral contraceptives and oral antibiotics may be recommended as well.

Cosmetic procedures
Chemical peels: Chemical peels improve overall skin tone and luster and decrease the number of whiteheads and blackheads but do little for scars. Peels can be painful and may take a few days to heal.

Laser resurfacing: Laser resurfacing improves the appearance of fine lines, uneven skin tone, and scars. A laser is used to remove areas of damaged skin. Although complications are rare, burning, scarring, and permanent depigmentation can occur. The skin may appear slightly red for days to weeks after the procedure.

Can You Use Lemon Juice To Win the War Against Acne?

How Lemon Juice Can Help Stop Acne Breakouts


I'm not a big fan of sour stuff, so lemons aren't usually my cup of tea. When it comes to fighting acne, however, you can't ask for more powerful stuff. Lemon juice is a wonderful acne treatment, both internally and externally. If you haven't yet put lemon juice into your anti-acne arsenal, here are some things you need to know...

Cleanses From the Inside Out
Lemon juice is a great cleanser, and I'm not just talking about an external cleanser. By putting lemon juice into your water and drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day the lemon juice can help clean out your system, which means less toxins, which means less acne breakouts.


When Breakouts Happen
You could drink lemon juice every day for the rest of your life and still have the occasional acne breakout. Especially if your a woman who's having hormone fluctations at a certain time of the month. At those times, nothing can totally prevent acne. Lemon juice can, however, act as a wonderful topical treatment at these times.


How To Treat Your Skin with Lemon Juice
If you do suffer an acne breakout, soak a cotton ball in lemon juice and apply the lemon juice to your blemishes. The alpha hydroxy acids in the juice will get rid of the dead skin cells and will flush out your pores. The juice also promotes elasticity and faster healing.


Bottom line is this - if you have acne, you should definitely have lemon juice in the fridge. After all, a lemon a day keeps the dermatologist away!

Great Diet for Healthy Skin

Everyone can have acne free and clear skin. Having attractive and healthy skin depends largely with what you eat. A diet consisting of certain foods and nutrients can nurture beautiful skin and keep acne and other skin disorders at bay. Without a proper diet both your health and your skin appearance may suffer.

To achieve healthy skin select foods that are rich in vitamin A. You can find natural vitamin A(or retinol) in dairy products, liver, fish oils; vitamin A can also be found in plants--which is called beta carotene--such as orange and yellow vegetables and fruits. Vitamin A is necessary for maintaining key tissues of your body. Adopt a vitamin A-rich diet of abundant dark orange vegetables such as sweet potatoes and carrots, and dark green vegetables such as kale and broccoli.

Select foods rich in B vitamins, for example, B-2 and B-3. Such foods help in the conversion of calories into energy to facilitate metabolism; in addition, these B vitamins in foods are important components of enzymes which assure and maintain basic skin function. Your most trusted sources for obtaining B vitamins are eggs, fish, lean meats, avocados, green vegetables, lean meats, whole grains and peanuts.

For collagen maintenance, take vitamin C. You can find vitamin C in cantaloupe, tomato, green peas, citrus fruits and juices, and strawberries.

Take Vitamin E for the sake of protecting your cells in the war against free radicals. Vitamin E is a wonderful antioxidant which assists in the promotion of healthy skin and slows down the aging of your skin cells. Foods that are very rich in vitamin E are wheat, germ, vegetable oils, broccoli, peanuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, and hazelnuts.

Include zinc in your daily diet; zinc is ideal for boosting your immune system as well as for achieving overall health. You can find zinc in turkey, seafood, eggs, mushrooms, whole grains, and nuts. Zinc mineral assists you in maintaining elastin fibres and collagen which promote firmness in skin, and helps to reduce and even prevent wrinkles.

Another essential mineral is selenium which is an antioxidant. Selenium is known to diminish damages of ultraviolet lights. Researchers state that selenium may go so far to prevent skin cancer. You can find selenium in nuts, sesame seeds, wheat germ, mushroom, whole grains, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and tuna.

Diet For Acne

In order to control the rate of acne development, there are a few tips, which need to be followed. It is better advised to consume vegetables, cereals, pulses and fruits to the maximum. They are usually rich in fibre content and lack the constituents that lead to obesity. You will be on the safer side if you avoid gulping fried food, milk products, hydrogenated vegetable oils, shellfish, carbonated beverages etc. Proper intake of water is also necessary and will work out best.

As vitamin supplements are the building blocks for healthy skin, they should be eaten but with a proper guidance from a physician.

1. Vitamin A is necessary for reducing the sebum production, but excessive dosages could cause knee and joint pain, decrease in bone density, a few gynaecology issues etc. A woman expecting an offspring should carefully follow a guideline from the medical

experts and continue with her course of therapy.

2. Ingestion of zinc, especially the solution of zinc gluconate will readily reduce the rash formations, reduce inflammation and also slow down the effect of adrenal glands on the skin.

3. Vitamin B6 is required for proper metabolism.

If the above mentioned diet and vitamin supplements are consumed you can restrict acne to a large extent. Consult a physician before embarking on any supplement or diet regimen

Tips to Remove Blackhead

We get black heads when sebum stores in the pores of our skin and collects the dirt, which hardens the pores. Mostly oily skin is tend to get more of black heads because of excess of sebum and open pores which forms the into bleach heads. The tip of the skin becomes black so it is called blackhead.

Maximum oil comes on the T-Zone of the skin so we usually get black heads on the nose and chin. One who strongly faces the open pores problem get them filled with dirt if not cleaned regularly so they get blackheads even on their back, which look extremely ugly. In medical language a very small black lump clogs the pores of the skin by blocking the skin cells with oil.

Black heads look ugly on the skin and if they set deep in the skin it becomes very difficult to remove them. They look like as if dirt is filled into the pores of the skin but they are much deeper. Squeezing is not the right way to remove the black heads it can make them worse and can give you infection and scars. The problem is not just external you need to keep the skin toxins free by drinking lots of water to prevent the skin from getting black heads and cutting away your tea or coffee intake.
Certain things will definitely help you in getting rid of blackheads:
  1. Wash your face regularly with lukewarm water and a good cleanser at least 3 times a day.
  2. Keep on splashing water on the skin because blackheads usually appear on the oily skin.
  3. Always apply an astringent on your skin, which will reduce the oiliness from the skin.
  4. Use a good toner to reduce the size of open pores and to tighten the skin.
  5. Be sure to use mild facial scrubbers, which are very useful in removing the black heads from the skin because the massage done by scrubbers removes the blackheads from the pores with the help of its roughness. Scrubbers can be used on the back also to remove the black heads from it.
  6. Apply oil free moisturizer on your skin.
  7. Use medicated soaps and some good scrubbing soaps are available in the marker these days, which are pretty good for blackheads' prone skin.
  8. Drink lots of fluids automatically you will not get black heads on your skin because the moister which water gives to the skin flushes away the toxins from the body and makes the skin smooth and supple.
  9. Rub a lemon peel on your skin to reduce the greasiness from it and it helps to remove the black heads too.
  10. Make a homemade scrubber by soaking rice in the milk for 4 hours, grind them and make a paste. Use this paste on your body as a scrubber to remove the black heads but do not rub it too hard on the skin. You should use it in mild circulations.
  11. Apply a good face pack on the skin at least once a week.
  12. Taking steam on the facial skin helps in removing the black heads. You can learn the usage of the black head remover from a professional expert. Take steam on the face, where the heat should be bearable to you. Then use scrubber on your skin or target the black heads from the black head remover.
  13. If you yourself can't do it take professional help to remove black heads.
  14. Black heads removing strips are easily available at cosmetic stores, which can be used easily by anyone to remove black heads from the nose.
  15. Take medical help if the black heads are deep set in the skin and no treatment is helping you in reducing them.
  16. Some gels and creams containing Benzoyl Peroxide help in treating blackheads. It helps the skin to soak the oil and peels away the blackheads from the skin. If this gel leaves your skin dry or patchy then apply an oil free moisturizer on the skin before applying the gel to that area.

Step by Step Acne Pimple Home Remedy

Contrary to common notion acne is not at all similar to occasional bump or zit. Acne is a severe skin condition that is caused by the overproduction of oil by the oil glands in the face. The oil tends to block oil ducts, which promotes the growth of pimples, blackheads and whiteheads. There are also cases wherein it includes deep skin lesions known as cysts. Areas on the face that contain the largest number of oil glands are susceptible to acne.

Teenagers are usually the ones that are prone to acne due to the hormonal changes that they are undergoing plus of course the unhealthy lifestyle that most teens are known for. But acne is not only restricted to teenagers there are also adults that get acne as a result of too much stress, improper hygiene and by some other factors.

Popping Pimples – DIY Guidelines

Many of us want to pop our pimples the moment we see them on our face or other parts of the skin. You need not always wait for your pimples to burst out without giving you due advice, you may initiate to pop them. Though popping pimples is not recommended, it does not mean you can’t do it on your own.

It’s quite easy but there are important things to note. Here are some guidelines that you have to observe when you have to pop pimples.
Considerably the most important thing to note is know which pimples can be popped. If your pimples are not ready yet, leave them alone and wait until they are “ripe” for popping. For a red bump type of pimple, you may pop it only when you see yellowish-white pus directly underneath the skin surface.

Popping pimples before this condition can definitely spell disaster to your skin. When the pus and dirt combine to form a blackhead, this type of pimples must be removed using a blackhead remover to safely remove them. As for whiteheads, the ones with white top and liquid pus under the surface may be popped.

Below are steps on popping pimples, that of whitehead type:
First, wash your face with a gentle cleanser. “Gentle” means that the formula of the cleanser is non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic and alcohol-free. Wash your face using very warm water, cleansing the skin at least 20 seconds. After which, rinse thoroughly for 20 seconds too. Dry the skin area using a clean towel.

If you really want to make sure the pimplefilled area is really clean, you may opt to dab the pimple with cotton pad soaked in an all-natural ingredient. Witch hazel will do.
Second, run a part of a clean washcloth under very warm water. Apply the cloth directly to the pimple. This will open the skin pore and will make popping pimples less painful. Do the step for about a minute.


Now you are ready to pop your pimples. Place each tip of your index fingers on the sides of the pimple. Make sure you do this with clean hands. Then squeeze, pushing the fingertips towards each other. Do this very gently. Repeat this step until the pimples have popped. You will know if you succeeded when the pus and other dirt and impurities have burst out of the pimple.
After the pus and dirt burst out, wipe the pimple area with another cotton pad. If there is none available, use your finger to wipe them.

However, you need to repeat the squeezing part every 10 to 20 seconds to make sure you drain out the dirt and other impurities out of the pimple. Once you see blood coming out, then you have to stop. With a cotton pad wrapped around your finger, press gently the top of the pimple to stop it from bleeding.
Do not do anything to the pimple for two minutes. Then wash your face with warm water. After your skin was patted dry, apply aloe vera gel or other ointments onto the pimple. You may cover the area with a bandage as well.

Apply more aloe vera gel or ointment once or twice a day.

How to Cure Acne?

The process of curing acne depends on its severity. There are acne cases that require for continuous treatment since it usually reappears after sometime. For this type of acne problem expert help is required particularly a dermatologist since treatment might involve the intake or the application of some medicines.

There are also acne problems that are easy to treat and often acne pimples home remedy is enough to hinder it from coming back. Again, caution is required especially when you want to employ acne pimples home remedy. The ingredients to be used have to be considered.

Try to research on ingredients that can help in treating your acne. For acne pimples home remedy usually all the things or ingredients that you will need are available in your very kitchen but just the same research on what ingredients will work best in treating or controlling acne outgrowth.

Here are some recipes on acne pimples home remedy that are very easy to prepare:

1. Acne Removing Tomato Lotion- Ingredients: camphor lotion ½ tsp, tomato juice 1 tsp, honey 1 tsp; Preparation procedures: combine all the ingredients to forms a paste like mixture. Apply this mixture on your face and leave it for fifteen minutes. Afterwards wash off with lukewarm water to open the pores and then rinse with cold water to close the pores. This tomato lotion mask is very ideal for removing spots due to acne.

2. Acne Removing Camphor Lotion- Ingredients: glycerin 1 tsp, borax powder ½ tsp, distilled water 1 cup, camphor lotion ½ tsp; Preparation procedures: combine all the ingredients to make a paste. Apply the paste solution on your face and then leave it to dry. Once it is completely dry washed it off with lukewarm water and rinse with cold water. In case you have extra paste just store in your fridge for another application.

3. Acne Mask- Ingredients: pack of bran, baking soda, water; Preparation procedures: mix the pack of bran with the baking soda and water until you form a paste solution. Apply the paste on your face and then leave it for fifteen minutes to dry. Instead of lukewarm water, rinse your face with a 1 part of apple cider vinegar mixed with 8 parts of water.

Lastly, for more home remedy for pimple zits simply research online. And remember never ever try those untested acne removal solutions, if you are not sure consult your dermatologist to be properly guided on the treatment to use.

Home Acne Remedies You Already Have In The House

Try These Home Acne Remedies When In A Pinch
Maybe you only suffer from the occasional acne breakout so you don't really have an arsenal of acne fighting skin care products. Or perhaps you didn't have time to run to the store and you ran out of your best acne fighters just as a huge ugly pimple beast reared its head. When you're in a pinch, these home acne remedies can do the trick.

Hydrogen Peroxide
Don't use it regularly, but in a pinch hydrogen peroxide can help beat the pimple blues. Apply it to the blemish every half hour for two hours and then once before you go to bed. It should take care of the pimple rather quickly. If your pimple has a white or yellow head, pop it gently (I know, goes against everything you're taught) before applying the peroxide.

Horseradish
It burns like heck, but it works wonders. If you have stubborn pimples or deep blemishes that just won't go away apply horseradish to them before going to bed. The ingredients in horseradish work to cleans the skin and kill the acne bacteria. Some report it works better than many expensive store-bought acne treatments.

Toothpaste
Toothpaste doesn't just clean your teeth, it can also get rid of a pimple in a pinch. Apply a glob of toothpaste to an unsightly blemish and let it dry overnight. Rinse it off in the morning and you should notice an immediate improvement.

Apple Cider Vinegar
It might not smell the best but it really works wonders as a topical acne treatment. Wash your face with a mild facial wash and then dab on the apple cider vinegar. It can clear your complexion in no time.

The next time you find yourself with a nasty blemish and no acne products in sight, try one of the above home acne remedies. You may be surprised at how well they work.

Aggravating Factors

Aggravating Factors:

Certain things can aggravate, or worsen your acne. You will want to avoid these things while treating your acne, to ensure that you get the best results possible. Read below to catch up on the most common things that make acne worse.

Food: Some individuals feel that certain foods make their acne worse. If you feel this is true for you, then avoid those foods. However, there is no clear scientific evidence that food plays a role in aggravating acne.

Cosmetics: Some cosmetics can trigger acne by causing acne to flare without causing blackheads. They probably do this by irritating the pores which then swell and become blocked. Not everyone reacts the same to a cosmetic. Oil-free cosmetics are recommended, but some people react even to these. Non-comedogenic, or non-acnegenic cosmetics are also available for use.

Over washing: Avoid over washing, acne is not caused by the lack of washing or by dirty skin. Blackheads are not black because of dirt, they are black because the air oxidizes the protein called keratin. Do not scrub or rub your skin excessively.

Sweating: Sweating appears to worsen acne in 15% of acne sufferers. Humidity may also worsen the condition, avoid tight clothing as well.

Stress: Many students have reported that their acne gets worse during times of stress, such as when taking exams. However, it has been hard for doctors to prove or disprove this in clinical studies.

Sexual activity: Sexual activity will not produce, cause, or influence acne, it’s the hormones that do that!

Contraceptive pills: It's common for all women to have acne flare-up before their periods.
Estrogen is usually helpful for acne control
Progesterone may make your acne worse

Squeezing: Avoid doing this if possible, it could aggravate your acne and increase the risk of acne scarring.

Sunscreens

Sun avoidance and regular sunscreen use are widely promoted by organizations and individuals interested in cancer prevention. However, 70% of those who participated in a beach survey were on the beach to get or to maintain a suntan. Although they stayed on the beach for an average of 4 hours, only half were using sunscreen.

On the mountains, and despite past sunburn experience, skiers often do not use sunblock. A springtime survey of skiers in Alberta showed that only two thirds were using sunscreen, and of those using a sunscreen, one third were sunburned at the time of survey.

There appears to be some confusion about the messages people are getting about sunscreens and why they’re so important. Some use sunscreens to prevent sunburn, whereas others use sunscreens to improve sun tanning. Some wish to avoid the wrinkling associated with sun exposure, and others believe that sunscreens prevent all types of skin cancer, yet others seem to believe that they can use sunscreens in order to prolong their time in the sun.
Why Use Sunscreens?
  • Prevents sun burns
  • Prevents photodamaged skin (aged look – brown spots, wrinkles)
  • Prevents actinic keratosis and perhaps squamous cell cancers
  • May prevent other skin cancers

What Is A Sunburn?
A sunburn is caused by exposing your skin to too much ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun, that is, lightwaves that measure approximately 200-400nm. UV light can be broken down into 4 component parts that include:

  • Ultraviolet A1 (UVA1), 340-400nm
  • Ultraviolet A2 (UVA2), 320-340nm
  • Ultraviolet B (UVB), 290-320nm
  • Ultraviolet C (UVC), 200-290nm

There are two major types of UV sun damage: UVA-type damage, with light wavelengths of 340-400nm, and UVC-type damage, which includes light wavelengths of up to 340nm. UVA-type damage can cause the skin to tan and may cause very weak burns, while UVC-type damage causes skin to burn.

How Much Sunscreen Should I Apply?
The average user of sunscreen tends to use significantly less sunscreen than the amount required to achieve the SPF listed on the container.

How Often Should I Apply Sunscreen When I’m Out In The Sun?
Many experts recommend that frequent application during sun exposure is required. However, a group of children were tested by spreading on one application of sunscreen to one side of their bodies, and four applications to the other.


They then spent 6 hours in the sun, one application provided the same level of protection as four applications, confirming the adequacy of a single daily application of a sunscreen in that situation.

How Long Before Sun Exposure Should I Apply Sunscreen To My Skin?
As molecules of sunscreen are present in their active state in the sunscreen, sunscreens work immediately upon application. The only reason for early application, is to allow absorption into the skin so that the sunscreen is less likely to be washed off, should the person be entering the water. Even so, modern sunscreens are quite resistant to removal from the skin.

Sun Protection Factor (SPF) – What Is It?
SPF is the ratio of the minimal ultraviolet dose required to produce redness with and without a sunscreen. For example, if it took ½ hour for your skin to become sunburned without any sunscreen, then for a sunscreen that has a 15 SPF rating, you could stay in the sun for 15 times longer (or 7.5 hours) before you get sunburned. This is provided, of course, that you’ve applied the sunscreen properly so that you’re getting the prescribed protection.

Reactions To Sunscreens:
Sunscreens can be both an irritant and an allergen, though allergic reactions are rare. Irritant reactions, however, abound. One classic error in sunscreen application is to put a large amount of sunscreen on the forehead, perspiration and gravity can cause the sunscreen to migrate down your forehead into your eyes, causing a stinging sensation. Some people attribute this to an allergic reaction and discontinue use. It’s also important to wash your hands after applying sunscreen, since rubbing your sunscreen covered finger near your eyes can induce an irritant reaction.

Why Is It Important To Use Sunscreens During Childhood?
It appears that a great deal of time can elapse between actual sun damage and the development of skin cancer or other skin problems like photoaging therefore, it is important to protect your skin from an early age when you are out in the sun.


Sunscreens And The Elderly:
Many elderly people can become quite obsessed by sun avoidance, and their quality of life can suffer. Sometimes, if they are diagnosed with an actinic keratosis or basal cell carcinoma, they can become anxious and almost leap from shadow to shadow. However, few of them are likely to develop new skin cancers from present sun exposure. As long as they are prudent about avoiding excessive sun exposure, and protecting their skin to prevent sunburn, they can continue to enjoy time outdoors.

Can Sunscreens Prevent Cancer?
There is clear evidence that sunscreens are helpful in preventing actinic keratoses, which are warty lesions that can occur on sun exposed skin of the face or hands. Research has shown that these lesions can develop into a cancer called squamous cell carcinoma, and that this is linked to a cumulative exposure to the sun.


However, there is surprisingly little evidence that sunscreens have much effect in preventing another kind of skin cancer called basal cell carcinoma, or for malignant melanoma. For malignant melanoma and for basal cell carcinoma, the character and timing, that is, the type of sunlight and your age at the time of the exposure to the sun, appears to be more important than the cumulative dose.

Oil Free Cosmetics

The best types of cosmetics to use for oily or acne prone skin, are either oil-free cosmetics or non-comedogenic cosmetics.

Oil-free cosmetics mean products that contain little or no ingredients such as isopropyl myristate, isopropyl esters, oleic acid, stearic acid, petrolatum and lanolin (especially acetylated lanolin, alcohol’s and lanolin fatty acids).

The label on the cosmetic should state that it is oil-free. This implies that the product has been formulated with no oleaginous ingredients. These products would be appropriate for oily or acne prone skin. For a small number of people, acne may still flare up, to feel better about yourself, you may want to consider using cosmetics to cover up your acne. You should remember that not all skins react alike to the same cosmetic. Oily foundations give the best and longest coverage, but tend to make acne worse.
Suggestions:
  • You can use water based creams or alcohol based liquids under your foundation
  • Matte or semi-matte, oil-free foundations are the best choices
  • Sheer or transparent foundations are usually recommended for comodonal (blackhead) acne
  • Fuller foundations (opaque) may be needed for red lesions or scars
  • You can mix loose transparent powders (of appropriate tone) into the foundation to give better and longer coverage

Natural Cleansing Agents

An assortment of lemon juice and vinegar can also act as a cleansing agent. The mixture is applied on the skin directly and is kept for 5 minutes. This will fade the spots which are caused by acne troubles.

Home made scrub!

Baking soda, a widespread food ingredient can act as a great scrub. A paste is formed by mixing certain quantity of water to it and then this paste is applied on the skin. It is kept for about 15 minutes. Then it is rinsed off, and the face must be wiped off with a soft cloth.

Acne treatment

What is the best treatment for acne?
The exact cause of acne continues to evade researchers. We do know that the sebaceous glands secrete an oil that changes to a solid white substance called sebum. This travels to the opening of a hair follicle and erupts on the skins surface. This process may be due to an infection of these glands or to excessive amounts of male hormones call androgens. Blackheads appear when sebum mixes with skin pigments in plugged pores. They are a mixture of sebum and skin scales that have closed off a hair follicle.

Since the exact source of acne is not known, it is often difficult to determine a treatment that will work. You may have to try a variety of the following suggestions and create a combination that works for you:
  • Wash your skin twice a day with warm water and a gentle pH balanced soap that does not contain sulfur, chemicals, or perfume. Touch your face only when your hands are clean — wash them frequently and avoid touching your nasal area and then your skin.
  • Steam your face a few times a week to open and cleanse your pores. Boil some water in a pot on the stove, turn off the heat, cover your head and face with a towel and hang your face over the pot. Take your face away from the heat whenever you need to, and when the steam is gone, rinse your face with cold water.
  • Check out your diet. Try eating a diet high in fiber — salads, bran, complex carbohydrates, and lots of water. This will keep your digestive tract moving so that your skin is not burdened by wastes your system can't handle.
  • Keep your diet low in fat and sugar. Eating healthier foods insures that your skin gets the nutrients it needs.
  • Food allergies may also contribute to acne. You might try eliminating dairy products, wheat, and/or food preservatives. You may be interested in visitig a health care provider to talk about allergy testing, which could help you determine which foods to eliminate from your diet.
  • Over the counter medication which contains benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid can be helpful with mild to moderate acne. For more severe acne, consult a dermatologist who can help you come up with other suggestions particular to your situation.