Top 10 Myths About Acne

acne
Top 10 Myths About Acne

I have been treating acne in my patients for over a decade.  And during that time many patients have asked me questions related to myths that they have heard, that simply aren’t true.  Here I will address the top 10 acne myths that I have heard over the years with detailed explanations of why they are false.

Acne Myth 1 – Washing your face more often will help clear up acne

Facial blemishes are not caused by dirt. Contrary to what you may have seen in commercials, pores do not get blocked from the top down due to “impurities”. Rather, the walls of a pore stick together deep within the skin, starting acne formation. Far from preventing acne, frequent washing may actually irritate pores and cause them to become clogged. A washcloth can add even more irritation. The best bet is to wash very gently with bare hands, and only wash twice a day.

Acne Myth 2 – Stress causes acne

Stress may have an effect on hormones and theoretically can promote acne. However, an effective acne treatment regimen is more powerful than a bout of stress any day. Some psychiatric medications may have acne as a side effect, but stress itself is no big deal. Your time is better spent determining the right course of acne treatment rather than feeling guilt about stress.

Acne Myth 3 -Masturbation or sex causes acne

This antiquated notion, originating as early as the 17th century to dissuade young people from having premarital sex, is just plain wrong. Don’t believe the hype.

Acne Myth 4 -The sun will help get rid of acne

Although a tan may temporarily mask acne, the sun can make the skin dry and irritated, leading to more breakouts in the future. In fact, there’s no link between sun exposure and acne prevention, but the sun’s rays can cause premature aging and skin cancer. Always protect your skin by choosing a sunscreen of at least SPF (sun protection factor) 15 that says noncomedogenic or nonacnegenic on the label, which means it won’t clog pores.

The sun also reddens your skin, blending your skin tone with red acne marks. However, a sun burn is actually skin damage, and sun exposure can cause irritation which will make acne worse. People will often notice their skin breaking out as it heals from sun damage. The sun is a short-term band-aid which will often bite back with more acne in the weeks following exposure. However, some sun exposure is not evil. It is actually important, and we get our vitamin D from the sun. Limiting sun exposure on acne prone areas of your body is most likely prudent, but some exposure from time to time is not only unavoidable, but is perfectly okay.

Acne Myth 5 -Diet and acne are related

The bottom line is we need more research. We do know that people in some indigenous societies do not experience acne at all. This is in contrast to the widespread presence of acne throughout all modern society. It leaves us to question whether the indigenous people’s diet contributes to their acne-free skin. Discovering a dietary way of preventing acne may be a future reality.

Although eating too many sugary, high-fat foods is never a good idea, studies show that no specific food has been proven to cause acne. Every individual is different, though. Some people notice their breakouts are worse after eating certain foods — and these foods are different depending on the person. For example, some people may notice breakouts after eating chocolate, while others are fine with chocolate but notice they get breakouts after drinking too much coffee. If that’s the case for you, it can help to cut back on that food and see if it makes a difference.

Acne Myth 6 -Popping pimples will help them go away faster

Popping a pimple may make it seem less noticeable temporarily, but popping can cause it to stay around longer. By squeezing pimples and zits, you can actually push bacteria, dead skin cells, and oil further into the skin, causing more swelling and redness — and sometimes causing a red or brown mark or scar to form. Sometimes marks can last for many months and true scars (dents and pits) will last forever.

Acne Myth 7 -Don’t wear makeup if you want clear skin.

As long as you choose cosmetics that are nonacnegenic or noncomedogenic, they shouldn’t cause breakouts. In fact, some concealers now contain benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, which help to fight acne. You can also try tinted benzoyl peroxide creams that hide pimples while helping treat them.

If you’ve had moderate to severe acne, though, talk to your doctor or dermatologist about the best cosmetics to use — he or she may recommend avoiding cosmetics altogether or only using certain brands so you’re acne isn’t aggravated.

And even if a product is labeled nonacnegenic or noncomedogenic, you should stop using it and talk to your doctor if you notice that it’s irritating your skin or seems to cause breakouts.

Acne Myth 8 – If you keep getting breakouts, it helps to use more acne medication until the breakouts stop.

Because acne medication contains drying agents like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, using too much medication may cause overdrying, leading to irritation and more blemishes.

If over-the-counter acne medication doesn’t seem to work on your acne, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor or dermatologist. Also, if you’re taking a prescription acne medication, make sure you follow your doctor’s instructions — some medications may take up to 8 weeks to make a significant difference.

Acne Myth 9 – Acne is just a cosmetic .

Yes, acne does affect the way people look and is not otherwise a serious threat to a person’s physical . However, acne can result in permanent physical scars–plus, acne itself as well as its scars can affect the way people feel about themselves to the point of affecting their lives.

Acne Myth 10 – You just have to let acne run its course

The truth is, acne can be cleared up. If the acne products you have tried haven’t worked, consider seeing a dermatologist. With the products available today, there is no reason why someone has to endure acne or get acne scars.

For more information on acne, including: medication reviews and skin care tips, click here, or visit: www.skincarehelp.me.

By: Justin Chelf

About the Author:

ACNE MD BENEFIT

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Do You Know About Resveratrol and Prostate Cancer?

resveratrol
In vitro studies of resveratrol and prostate cancer were promising.  In animal models, resveratrol prostate cancer preventative activity has not been seen.  It has been shown to prevent the development of skin cancer in animals exposed to carcinogens. 

Orally, it has been ineffective against lung cancer and leukemia, but effective against throat, stomach, intestinal and colon tumors.  When injected into the lung, it did slow the growth of the tumor.  It appeared to help prevent breast cancer, but had no effect on existing tumors. 

In order for studies to continue concerning resveratrol and prostate cancer treatment, researchers believe that they will need to find a way to get the compound to the tumor. They believe that it only has a positive affect on tumors that it can come into direct contact with.  In other words, simply injecting it into the bloodstream or giving it orally is not effective.

As far as resveratrol prostate cancer prevention goes, it is not likely that there will be additional research.  Right now, most of the studies are focusing on the anti-diabetic or blood-sugar lowering capabilities of the compound.  Some small studies are being conducting concerning its use as an anti-obesity drug, as well. 

In animal studies, it has been shown to counteract the effects of a high fat diet, although exactly “how” it does that is not clear, but it has some effect on the genes within the cell’s DNA.  So, there may be many advantages to supplementation, but resveratrol prostate cancer preventative activity may not be among them.  Green tea and grape seed extracts, however, may be advantageous for that purpose.

Instead of focusing on resveratrol and prostate cancer prevention, you may look for alternatives.  Green tea is one of the supplements that are allowed to bear the claim of helping to prevent cancers of the breasts and the prostates.  Other important botanicals and nutrients for ’s include Tribulus, damiana, L-arginine, gingko biloba, corn silk extract, Chrysin, saw palmetto and lycopene, as well as omega 3 fatty acids.

Cancers of all types are caused by free radicals, chronic inflammation and exposure to carcinogens.  Normal cells become mutated and multiply spreading to the surrounding tissue and eventually forming a tumor.  Resveratrol prostate cancer studies were initiated because it has unique antioxidant activity.  Antioxidants neutralize free radicals.

Green tea, Chrysin and lycopene have antioxidant activity and they are natural anti-inflammatories.  Omega-3 fatty acids are also natural inflammation fighters.  So, even though the animal model studies concerning resveratrol and prostate cancer were not promising, there is hope for prevention and treatment.

As the standard treatments cause numerous side effects, many people are choosing alternative treatments.  That’s one reason that animal studies were conducted concerning the potential of resveratrol prostate cancer treatment and the reason that those studies are likely to continue.

In the meantime, the best suggestion is to consult a doctor of naturopathic medicine.  Many of them have programs designed specifically for with this condition.  Perhaps, as time goes by, we’ll learn more about resveratrol and prostate cancer prevention. If you have a minute to spare, please take a look at my website now.

By: Gordon Hall

About the Author:

Gordon Hall is fervent about enabling you and everyone to live a healthy lifestyle, and is an ardent reviewer of herbal, vitamin and mineral extracts. To discover which supplements Gordon recommends after far ranging and extensive research. Visit his website now at : http://www.your-supplement-resource-site.info

RESVERATROL ANTI AGING

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Do You Know The Early Stages Of Skin Cancer?

The diagnosis of skin cancer can be devastating. It is a scary time and you may be wondering what you should do next. If your skin cancer has been detected in its early stages your chance of survival is very good.

When you catch skin cancer early, you can have it removed and stop the cancer before it has a chance to take hold. Be sure to be pro-active about keeping skin cancer at bay. When you find it early on, you have a good chance of defeating it.

During skin cancer’s first stages you will learn whether or not you have a non-melanoma skin cancer or melanoma. In the early stages, the survival rate is quite good for both. With basal cell carcinoma, spread past second stage is rare. For that reason, the prognosis for this type of skin cancer is generally quite good.

Being diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer it can be scary. The good news is with early detection the stage I and stage II survival rate is very good, almost 100% for 5 years. However, if it’s found at stage 3 the survival rate drops to 60%. This stresses the importance for early detection, as it’s the biggest cure for melanoma skin cancer.

It is very important that you do a self exam at least once a month. See your physician regularly and be sure that a skin check up is included in your regular physical. Anytime you notice any suspicious lesions on your skin, be sure to see your doctor right away. If a mole or discoloration begins to change in color or shape, be sure to get to your doctor quickly.

If you have a wound that doesn’t heal, be sure to let your doctor know about it. Ask your doctor what melanoma skin cancer looks like. Armed with this knowledge, you will know what to look for when you do self exams. It is important that you be able to identify any skin cancer you find.

Early stages of skin cancer can be relatively small in size, about the size of a pea, and progressively grows larger. Eventually other organs will become involved as the cancer progresses through the body. Once this happens the survival rate will drop and other forms of treatment, aside from removal of the cancer, will be necessary.

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Skin Cancer Radiation Therapy

Sometimes skin cancer is resilient, and will either keep returning, or resist treatment. When this occurs, an alternative is to use x-ray radiation to eliminate the cancer calls. This treatment requires multiple visits over a period of time. The X-ray treatment is repeated until the cancer is completely destroyed.

Skin cancer radiation treatment is not a first option for treatment. There are cases, however, where it is the only option that is available. Many times the condition of the patient or other mitigating circumstances will require the use of radiation treatment for skin cancer. The reasons that skin cancer radiation treatment might be used are many. It could be that the patient has other considerations that prevent them from undergoing other forms of treatment.

Radiation treatment may also be used if the area of your skin cancer is very large, or if it is in parts of your body that are not amenable to other methods. A skin cancer may have already been treated, but may have recurred more than once.

Skin cancer isn’t a sure or easy thing. This type of treatment in particular does show some success – a 50% to 25% drop in recurrence of the .

There are some risks to treating skin cancer with radiation, however. You may develop new skin cancers in the area that surround the affected area. If the skin cancer reoccurs after the treatment it may be that much harder to treat because of the radiation. And you might experience damage to your healthy skin in the same area.

Radiation treatment of skin cancer carries some significant side effects. These include loss of energy and appetite, hair that falls out, and persistent skin redness. These side effects usually last no longer than the radiation treatment.

If you are thinking about this type of treatment for your skin cancer, chances are your doctor has gone over these side effects and possible risks. You will need to consider your own situation very carefully to determine if this is the correct course of treatment for you. Skin cancer radiation treatment may not be your only option and you should make sure that your doctor has gone over every other possible solution.

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Is It Possible To Prevent Skin Cancer?

Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer. It is also a highly preventable and very treatable skin cancer. If you do all you can to reduce your risk of skin cancer and monitor your skin frequently you should have no trouble from the effects of skin cancer.

First and foremost, try to avoid the sun as much as you can. Seek the shade provided by trees, beach umbrellas or buildings wherever possible. Wear hats and lightweight clothing to cover your skin, protecting it from the sun’s rays that could cause lesions leading to skin cancer.

Be aware that even when the sky is cloudy that you can still suffer from the effects of the sun. It is possible to burn your skin when it is cloudy outside. The same is true with swimming pools. Even if you are in the water, you can easily be sunburned.

One of the most effective ways to prevent skin cancer is to apply sunscreen. You should make sure to be wearing at least SPF 15 when in the sun, or stronger sunscreen depending on how easily you burn. Also, be sure to reapply after swimming, or if you are sweating heavily.

Children’s skin is even more delicate than your own and therefore must be looked after carefully. However, it is important to remember that children who have not reached 6 months of age cannot wear sunscreen on their skin yet. With that in mind be sure to keep them out of direct sunlight at all times and remember to always keep their skin covered. Warn older children that prolonged unprotected exposure to the sun’s harmful rays can eventually lead to skin cancer and that they would be safer in the shade.

There are several ways that you can detect the possibility of skin cancer on your own time. Keep an eye out for any changes on your skin or growth in moles or the sudden appearance of new ones. Be careful of those that seem to have increased in size or are shaped irregularly. In addition, watch out for transparent or multicolored growths. Lastly, it’s helpful to have your doctor check out any wounds or cuts that seem to take longer than usual to heal.

Make a routine check of your skin a regular part of your doctor’s visit. You should make sure you examine your skin every month. This is one of the best ways to prevent skin cancer. You are your own best advocate for your . Make sure you keep an eye on your skin and your and get treatment immediately if you develop a problem.

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Not Every Type Of Skin Cancer Is Deadly

Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer that is diagnosed every day. It is also highly preventable and very curable if it is caught early enough. There are three different types of skin cancers that can be found on your skin.

The first type of skin cancer is squamous cell carcinoma. They are generally found in areas that have been overexposed to the sun. The face and ears are typical locations for this type of skin cancer. With squamous cell carcinoma, you will most often have a bump in the beginning and it will eventually turn into an open sore that will not heal. It will continue to get larger and larger if left untreated. It will also spread to other parts of the body if you do not get treatment for this type of skin cancer.

Basal cell carcinoma is another one of the types of skin cancers. These are generally found on the face, hands and neck and are as many as seventy five percent of all skin cancers that are diagnosed. Basal cell carcinoma is very treatable and can be cured quite easily if it is found early enough. The symptoms of basal cell carcinoma are a sore that bleeds and is irritated. It may also resemble a fresh scar.

The third type of skin cancer is the most dangerous of all of them. It is melanoma and it can be found on any area of the body. It is usually found on the arms and legs in the beginning. It will look like a mole or freckle that has recently appeared on the skin. It can also be from an existing mole that has recently changed its size, shape or color. The border of the melanoma will be indistinguishable and it may have more than one color.

It may be impossible to distinguish the border of a melanoma. It may consist of more than one color. This type of skin cancer must be found and eradicated early on. In this way, the problems that accompany the late stages of this cancer can be avoided.

Regardless of the time of year, care should be taken to prevent skin cancer. Make sure that you protect your skin at all times by wearing sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat if possible.

The best chance you have of surviving skin cancer is to detect it early. Make sure to cover your exposed areas with clothing and protect your head and face by wearing a hat. Be aware of any changes in your skin.

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What Are the Different Types Of Skin Cancer?

Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer that is diagnosed every day. It is also highly preventable and very curable if it is caught early enough. There are three different types of skin cancers that can be found on your skin.

The first type of skin cancer is squamous cell carcinoma. They are generally found in areas that have been overexposed to the sun. The face and ears are typical locations for this type of skin cancer. With squamous cell carcinoma, you will most often have a bump in the beginning and it will eventually turn into an open sore that will not heal. It will continue to get larger and larger if left untreated. It will also spread to other parts of the body if you do not get treatment for this type of skin cancer.

A type of skin cancer is called basal cell carcinoma. The face, hands and neck are where these are usually located, and up to seventy five percent are included in all diagnosed skin cancers. If you detect it early enough, basal cell carcinoma can be treated very effectively. If you have a sore that bleeds and is irritated, that may be basal cell carcinoma. This cancer can also look like a fresh scar.

Melanoma can be found on any area of the boday, and it is widely recognized as the most dangerous form of skin cancer. Most of the time you find it first on the arms and legs, where it looks like a mole or freckled. Instead of a new mole, it could also be an old mole that suddenly changed shape, size, or color.

To avoid complications associated with this type of skin cancer, it must be detected early in development. The cancer may have a boder that is not distinguishable from surrounding healthy tissue and the interior of the melanoma may consist of multiple colors.

There are many steps you can take to prevent skin cancer. Protect your skin from the sun anytime you go outside. Always wear sunscreen no matter what time of year it is.

Wear clothing that will cover your exposed areas. Keep a hat on your head to protect your face and head. Keep an eye on your skin to catch the different types of skin cancers early. Your best chance of survival is early detection.

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Resveratrol, The Fountain of Youth? Quite Possibly!

resveratrol
It has long been somewhat of a mystery as to why the French could eat a high fat, high calorie diet and have a lower incidence of heart and live long healthy lives. It was known that wine had something to do with it but over the last couple of years, compliments of Dr Sinclair of the Harvard Medical Center and Rafael De Cabo Phd., they may have isolated the properties that answer the mystery.

The key is resveratrol in the fermented skins of the red wine grape, especially grapes that come from cooler climates.

There have been published papers on the fact that people (or animals for that matter) who have calorie restricted diets live longer.

Resveratrol does many things for the body including fooling the body into thinking it is calorie restricted. Hence, the French eating high calorie, high fat diets (with wine) may live longer with less incidence of heart .

Here is some interesting information on various studies on resveratrol and the promising results.

- According to a study done by the Dept. of Science and Technology at the Ohio State University in 1997, resveratrol was able at a cellular level to inhibit cancer cells from dividing. It also demonstrated that the estrogenic activity was able to prevent post-menopausal bone loss.

- The Dept of Microbiology-Immunology NE Ohio University, College of Medicine, successfully treated hairless mice that had herpes lesions. Repeated tests with topical resveratrol had the same results. In the same year it was also discovered that topical reseveratrol reduced skin cancer by as much as 98%.

- In Nov. of 2006, Dr Sinclair and Rafael De Cabo, did a study on middle aged mice and the findings were extremely encouraging. The mice were divided into 3 groups; the 1st group was given a standard diet., the 2nd group a high fat, high calorie diet, and the 3rd group a high fat, high calorie diet with resveratrol. The 2nd group of high fat, high calories soon developed symptoms of heart and diabetes and shortened lifespan. The 3rd group with high fat, high calories and resveratrol had no symptoms of heart or diabetes and they were much more active than the second group even later in life. The third group of mice also lived up to 30% longer. (The standard diet mice faired as well as the 3rd group)

- In another study in April of 2008, patients who were treated with resveratrol before receiving radiation treatments, found that pancreatic cancer cells would die off during radiation sessions. This is very encouraging because pancreatic cancer can be very difficult to treat.

- Now, very interesting, what does resveratrol have in common with Viagra? They both open restricted blood flow. Viagra is limited to small blood vessels but reseveratrol opens both small blood vessels and main arteries. The circulation benefits of resveratrol may outperform Viagra.

- The reasoning behind resevratrol being hailed as the potential fountain of youth is because taking resveratrol regularly has been demonstrated to reduce and or reverse DNA mishaps. Aging comes about when cells can no longer replicate cell DNA and thus begins the gradual decline of the body. Resveratrol stimulates what is called the longevity gene (caloric restricted diets) and it has been demonstrated that resveratrol reduces DNA mishaps by as much as a whopping 60%! Even if it was 30% that would be impressive!

There is still much studying to be done on resveratrol, especially on humans but the research so far has been more than promising. A glass of wine a day can be beneficial but good quality, pure resveratrol supplements have the potential for great benefits!



By: Willie Jones

About the Author:
Willie is a researcher and freelance writer whose own problems prompted her to gain information on and wellness and share that knowledge with others. She is co-owner of http://www.cleanbodydetox.com a site that focuses on detox through foot baths and resveratrol.



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Is There Any Way To Prevent Skin Cancer?

Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer. It is also a highly preventable and very treatable skin cancer. If you do all you can to reduce your risk of skin cancer and monitor your skin frequently you should have no trouble from the effects of skin cancer.

The first thing you should do is make sure that you stay out of the sun as much as possible. Stay in the shade and out of direct sunlight whenever possible. Use hats and clothing to keep your skin protected from the harmful effects of the sun.

You should realize that even on cloudy days, the ultra-violet rays from the sun can still reach you. Yes, even when it is cloudy, your skin can get burned. Swimming pools are not safe havens either. Your skin can get sunburned even when your body is in the water, and skin cancer could result in the future.

Wearing sunscreen is important every time you go out in the sun. Generously apply SPF fifteen or more every time. Reapplication is a must to insure your best chance of avoiding skin cancer. Remember if you are sweating or swimming to reapply after each time.

Children’s skin is even more delicate than your own and therefore must be looked after carefully. However, it is important to remember that children who have not reached 6 months of age cannot wear sunscreen on their skin yet. With that in mind be sure to keep them out of direct sunlight at all times and remember to always keep their skin covered. Warn older children that prolonged unprotected exposure to the sun’s harmful rays can eventually lead to skin cancer and that they would be safer in the shade.

There are several ways that you can detect the possibility of skin cancer on your own time. Keep an eye out for any changes on your skin or growth in moles or the sudden appearance of new ones. Be careful of those that seem to have increased in size or are shaped irregularly. In addition, watch out for transparent or multicolored growths. Lastly, it’s helpful to have your doctor check out any wounds or cuts that seem to take longer than usual to heal.

Make a routine check of your skin a regular part of your doctor’s visit. You should make sure you examine your skin every month. This is one of the best ways to prevent skin cancer. You are your own best advocate for your . Make sure you keep an eye on your skin and your and get treatment immediately if you develop a problem.

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What Are Some Skin Cancer Treatment Options?

The stage of cancer that you have will determine which of the many skin cancer treatments are available for you. Each person’s medical condition and their ability to withstand treatment will decide which procedure is best for them. With skin cancer, do not put off going to the doctor. By discovering it early and beginning treatment you will be extending your chance of surviving because these treatments have an extremely high success rate.

For basal cell carcinoma there are a few different types of treatment options that can be used. The first is the Mohs Micrographic Surgery, which is used to remove the cancer without harming the healthy tissue surrounding it. The cancer is removed in layers and examined after each layer is removed.

During the examination, if the doctor finds cancer cells he starts removing the thin layers continuously. Once the doctor finds that only normal tissue is left, he stops removal of further layers. Alternately, the doctor might use a normal incision to remove the skin cancer; however, in this case he might also remove some of the normal tissue along with it.

Cryosurgery can be used to freeze the skin cancer cells and kill them. The use of a laser to focus light that will kill the skin cancer cells. Radiation therapy may also be used for the treatment of skin cancer. The x-ray will be used to shrink and kill the skin cancer tumors. A lotion that uses chemotherapy can also be used topically to treat skin cancer. The chemotherapy will kill the skin cancer cells when the lotion is applied on the affected area.

The skin cancer treatment options that are used will depend on the individual case that is being treated. If you are recently diagnosed with skin cancer you will want to discuss your treatment options with your doctor. Remember to ask questions about the side effects and the success rate of each option.

To make a decision about skin cancer treatment, you should have all the pertinent information available to make a wise choice. Treating it early will keep it from spreading to other parts of your body. If you wait until the later stages of skin cancer, your options for treatment will be much less than if you had started earlier.

For the best skin cancer treatment options you should make sure that you perform a self examination at least once every month. It is imperative that you catch skin cancer early so that you can effectively treat it and eliminate it in your life.

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