Wednesday, December 3, 2008

How Psychosocial Implications Can Affect Acne Treatment Progress

By : Ingrid Lihan
Early and effective treatment for acne is important for physical reasons, but it is also critical for a positive self image for the adolescents and adults who suffer from the condition.

At a time when youngsters are at their most vulnerable--during the teenage years, the scourge of acne hits to further erode their ability to form the social attachments that are so important for future emotional health and well-being. It is for this reason that any effective treatment for acne and prevention of further pimple breakouts should include recognition of the psychological component of acne treatment. By treating the visible lesions caused by acne and working on the negative self image that is common with those who have acne, the acne sufferer has the opportunity to improve his or her self esteem.

Hormonal changes

Part of the most effective treatment for acne relies on adjustment of the hormones that go on a rampage during the adolescent years. So the hormones that sometime fluctuate wildly during this teenage stretch of years are also implicated in causing the skin of the face, neck and shoulders to breakouts in unsightly bumps, lesions, blackheads and whiteheads. Because this same hormonal effect, many adolescents suffer from low self-image even when their appearance doesn't show signs of acne. The doctor who recognizes the effect of the hormone changes on both the physical and emotional well-being will be well able to treat both aspects.

Appearance

There is no doubt that acne is ugly. It attacks when teens are at their most vulnerable and most concerned about their appearance in the eyes of those around them. Treatment for acne that doesn't take into consideration how the person who has acne looks will not be successful treatment. Most people have at least some level of concern about how they look, but for adolescents in the grips of pimple breakouts, the concern is doubly important. Their self esteem may be shaky already and knowing the negative appearance caused by an acne blemish, insult is added to injury.

Self-image

A positive self-image is one of the most difficult things to promote in an adolescent who is suffering from facial skin that is red and swollen with blemishes such as blackheads and whiteheads irritating the sensitive skin and the sensitive feelings about one's appearance. Treatment for acne that doesn't take into consideration how the person feels about their appearance will be less than successful. Medical doctors, dermatologists and other medical personnel are more and more aware of the need for treatment of the personality as well as the way the person feels about their appearance.

Cosmetic surgery

Cosmetic surgery to repair the ravages of pitting and scarring caused by breakouts of acne is becoming more common amongst people from all walks of life. The treatment of acne that takes appearance into consideration rather than ignoring the unsightly scars recognizes that there is more to healing than just physical healing. Several types of cosmetic treatment are available to successfully remove the scars of acne. These include dermabrasion, chemical peeling and other methods. The positive psychological impact that such a surgery will have on the acne sufferer may be well worth the expense of such a surgery in fostering a positive self esteem.

Monday, September 8, 2008

Are You Tired of Acne Treatment Products That Do Not Work? Make Your Own Acne Solution Today

By : Julia Elorriaga
Some acne treatment products work on some people but they may not work in others. The efficiency of the wide array of commercial acne solution products vary because of our differences in skin type. Some are just formulated for Caucasian skin, others for the dark skin tone, and a few others for Asian skin. Some acne treatment products are also formulated for people who have dry skin, oily skin, normal skin, and the so called combination skin type. Because of the several options we can choose from, not to mention a lot of manufacturers making these products, sometimes it is very difficult to pick the right acne solution for our problem.

How about creating your own acne solution for a change? There are a lot of people who prefer to cure their acne using homemade solutions and they are more than satisfied with the results. One advantage of making your own acne solution at home is that you will save a lot of money as compared to buying chemically prepared products in the market.

If you have oily skin, your pores are always open because they constantly produce oil. The homemade acne solution for your problem is to dip your face in ice cold water, preferably stored in the freezer for two hours. You should dip your face in the water for at least five seconds and repeat the process five times in a row. You can do this several times a day and by doing so your pores will close to prevent any excessive oil production, which is one of the main causes of acne problems.

There’s also an acne solution for dry skin that can be done at home which is making your own soap mixture. You will need a bar of soap that is especially formulated for sensitive skin. Put it in a container and pour a cup of boiling water over it. You should cover the container for at least two to three hours or until the soap dissolves. When you’re ready, wash your face normally, apply a generous amount of the dissolved soap mixture onto your face, and then let it dry. This will serve as a face mask for your dry skin. When the mask dries up, get a face sponge, dip it in water and use this to remove the facial mask. This twice a day acne solution for dry skin actually brings back the lost moisture in your skin because of the essential oils of the soap.

Acne treatment products for curing zits are also one of the most popular and most expensive acne solutions in the market. You don’t have to buy these pricey products because you can make your very own acne solution concoction at home. You just need to mix two teaspoons each of lemon and lime juice plus half a cup of apple sauce and one fourth cup of ranch dressing. Mix the ingredients well to create a thick creamy substance. Use this homemade cream and rub it in a circular motion on the affected zit areas such as the face, neck, or back. Leave it on the skin for about ten minutes before washing it off with a washcloth drenched in ice cold water. Your pimples or zits will be treated instantly because the citrus formulation will dry it up.

About the Author
Skincare, acne and health expert. I also have been building a variety of websites for the last 3 years. Julia Elorriaga LastSkinCare.com For more information about Acne visit Acne - LastSkinCare.com