Tag: Dead Skin Cells

Acne Scars Is There Hope?

It is estimated that eighty percent of people between the ages of fourteen and twenty suffer from acne. For most of us, acne is a short-lived annoyance during certain periods of our lives. Unfortunately, for some people acne is painful long after the pimples have been treated. Scarring from acne is most common for those who have suffered from severe acne, but scarring can affect anyone who has experienced acne.

If you are one of the millions of people living with acne scars, theres good news. There are many options available to diminish these unseemly blemishes. All of these techniques work to restore the normal, healthy appearance of scarred skin; it may not always be possible to get rid of all acne scars, but with the right treatment for you, no one will ever know you were scarred. Acne scar treatments vary in their approaches depending on the severity of your scarring and your budget. You should discuss all of the available options, costs, and side effects with your dermatologist.

Before we talk about the treatments available, we should take a look at why acne can cause scarring. The primary reason for any kind of scar is tissue damage. When body tissue is damaged, our body tries to heal and protect it from infection. In the case of acne, dead skin cells block the bodys pores, preventing the secretion of natural oils in the skin. This creates a perfect environment for bacteria to grow, which irritates the skin and causes acne. When acne is aggravated due to harsh scrubbing or other forms of physical attention, it further aggravates the condition and harms the sensitive skin tissue. When the skin finally is able to heal, a scar is left behind.

One of the most popular acne scar treatment techniques is injecting collagen under the surface of the scarred skin. Collagen puffs out the skin and evens out the scarred area, making acne less noticeable. Another important acne scar treatment technique is what is called autologous fat transfer. This process makes use of your own bodys fat. Fat is taken from another part of your body and is injected into the affected part, filling up the scar.

This technique requires repeated applications because the fat is eventually absorbed into the body, making the scar noticeable once again. Your dermatologist may suggest you try laser treatments or dermabrasion. Both of these techniques are very effective. In the most extreme cases, skin grafting and skin surgery may be considered.

Keep in mind that these are only a small number of the options available for acne scar treatment.

Acne: A Basic Understanding

Statistics indicate that as high as 80% of the entire American population has ever had acne. Acne afflicts all genders, sexes and ages making it a universal skin disorder. As a form of skin disease, the good news is that acne is not transmittable.

Although acne is not contagious from person-to-person, it can spread to the whole face and can severely affect all the skin tissues that have pilosebaceous units. It is not true that acne just affects those going through puberty. Even infants or individuals who may be well over their forties, can develop this skin disorder. Acne infantilis is the term used for acne that grows on newborn babies, on the other hand acne rosacea is related to middle-aged people.

Acne has different classifications, according to the severity of the infection.

Comedo is the form where all severe acne cases originate. This is characterized by red swelling or small lesions on your skin. Whiteheads and blackheads are two forms of comedo. Conversely, blackhead is an open comedo. The coloration is due to the accumulation of dark skin pigments called melanin, plus hardened sebum and other skin debris and particles. This is the basic structure of whiteheads, however, the only difference is the coloration and these are deeply situated into the skin layers.

If you have sandpaper-like skin around the tissue of your mouth and on the surface of your forehead, chin and cheeks, you probably have papules. Pus-filled lesions are also termed as pustules.

Nodules on the other hand are similar with pustules. However, nodules are firmer and are larger acne growing deep in the skin. Inflammation may develop your pustules into containing semi-liquid or liquid materials composed of white blood cells (which are dead because of the acne-infecting bacteria named as Propionibacterium acnes), dead skin cells and active or inactive bacteria. This can result into more serious acne called cysts. In such situations, you may need the assistance of a skin dermatologist or physician.

What is the cause of acne? It is quite difficult to exactly determine what may have caused your acne infection as reasons differ case to case. Studies indicate that the skin disorder may be brought about by many factors, including poor diet, stress, weather elements, and hormone changes or may be genetically influenced.

Medically speaking, acne starts from the formation of hardened sebum, or the oily substance secreted to the skin through the sebaceous glands. This then will be permeated with acne-infecting bacteria, which in return will trigger the immune system to release white blood cells to obstruct the attack of the bacteria. As this happens, dead white blood cells and bacteria will accumulate in the hair follicles mixed with skin debris and dead skin particles, which then will inflame the lesions.

Most mild case acne may be treated with over the counter acne medications. They are generally topical drugs, which you apply on your skin for acne treatment. They may come in the form of soaps, lotions, gels and creams. Conversely, systematic acne medications are taken orally. The most common of which are the antibiotics.

Knowing that you are not the only one inflicted with acne at some point in life or another helps in that there will always be new research and new products coming on stream. Continue to read up on acne research and help your fight against it.

The Best Skin Care For Oily Skin

Oily skin can be really tricky to take care of because one wrong move can spell disaster for the skin. One must remember that among the basic skin types, oily skin is perhaps the most sensitive and easily triggered.

Although having oily skin will lessen the possibility of developing wrinkles and lines early in life, one will compensate by being prone to acne, pimples and all sorts of blemishes. This is because over-activity of the sebaceous glands make it more likely for the pores in the skin to get clogged. Clogging of pores with grime, dead skin cells and bacteria trapped inside, can result to swelling and red bumps.

Below are some of the tips that will help you take care of your oily skin.

1. Choose what you put in your face

Oily skin can be very sensitive to irritation. This makes choosing the products that will not irritate the skin all the more difficult. For despite having products that are made especially for oily skin, there are skin types that are very allergic to some ingredients.

It is also recommended that people with oily skin refrain from using cosmetics and skin care products that are oil-based or those that are oily. Using oily products will only add to the oil already on the skin. They should instead use water-based products that are easily removed.

2. Wash your face

Another solution to a problem is the frequent washing of the face. This is done to prevent the build-up of oil on the skin which in turn will prevent the occurrence of acne. Basic hygiene is the single best solution to acne problems in oily skin.

3. Remove Make-up

Another reason why pores are clogged is the interaction of chemicals and oil on the skin. To prevent this, avoid sleeping while there is still make-up on your skin. This is actually a no-no for all skin types but all the more important for people with oily skin.

4. Be consistent with your treatment

In taking care of oily skin, it is important that you are consistent with your treatment. Most people with oily skin will probably be asked to use cleansers and then toners. Astringents are also popular as it helps exfoliates the skin and remove dead skin cells on the surface. Moisturizers are sometimes forgone because the skin is oily and moisturized as it is.

Taking Care Of Acne-Prone Skin

Although acne has been largely associated with teeners and puberty, the condition is not only confined in this age level. In fact, there are cases when as teeners, people do not suffer from acne only to have acne appear when they are in their 20s.

Acne is characterized by big break outs and pimples in large quantities. It can develop in different areas of the body although frequently found on the face and at the back. Acne often starts from the overactivity of the pilo-sebaceous glands, oil-producing glands. When combined with bacteria, dead skin cells and hormones, these oils are trapped in pores and induces swelling.

Often, lumps will develop into white heads or blackheads or even purely red lumps that are tender. Acne can also lead to scarring when not treated early. Some acne extend so deep within the skin and form nodules and cysts that even when heals, will leave scars that may not disappear.

Although nothing has been proven yet, acne has been known to be exacerbated by emotional stress, fatigue, humidity and even cosmetics. This is the reason why the use of chemicals on the face is strictly forbidden when there is acne as the products only irritate the skin.
There are actually medicines that can be applied to treat acne but before putting them on your face, you need to first consult a doctor to find out the regimen that will fit your condition and your skin type.

Here are some tips on how to take care of acne prone skin.

1. Let it be treated by professionals

The earlier you have it medically treated, the better will be the prognosis. There are medications that can help control the processes that lead to the acne problem such as the over-activity of the sebaceous glands, hormonal imbalances and even stress.

2. Do not take it in your own hands

Do not squeeze your pimples. This will only spread the infection and cause the affected area to swell. Squeezing your pimples may also result in permanent scarring. So be very careful in tweaking those red bumps on your face.

3. Avoid oily cosmetics

Remember that acne-prone skin is oily enough as it is. If you use oily cosmetics, it will only add up to the oil build up. If you have to wear make-up, look for the ones that are water-based. This will be less harsh on the skin. Also, remember to always remove your make-up at night. This is very crucial as leaving make-up on your skin while asleep can further irritate the skin.