Acne is a common and distressing skin complaint. It predictably starts during puberty, affecting approximately three quarters of all 13-18 year olds, and can sometimes continue to affect people well into their adult lives. While research remains to be done on the exact cause of acne and there is no one definitive cure yet available, there are a number of treatments which can help to greatly reduce the symptoms.
As all sufferers know, acne is a condition which causes redness and spots on the skin. These can be painful and in severe cases lead to scaring. The blemishes most often occur on the face but can also be found on the back, chest, neck and behind the ears, in fact anywhere where there are a lot of oil glands on the skin. In acne, these oil glands produce excessive amounts of sebum, an oily lubricant used by the body to keep skin pliable and soft. This excess of sebum is unable to be flushed away by the skins normal mechanisms and builds up inside the hair follicles leading to the formation of whiteheads and blackheads. Bacteria thrives in this environment and the skins defense to rising bacteria levels leads to inflammation and redness of the infected area.
There are many myths surrounding the causes and treatment of acne. For example, acne is not caused by poor hygiene or a diet high in fats and sugars. nor is it contagious. Some things however do seem certain about the condition. High levels of some hormones, especially testosterone seem to cause acne, or at least make it worse. Increased stress levels too are known to exacerbate acne, although the exact reason for this is unknown but it may be because people under stress touch their face more often and so help to spread bacteria. There also seems to be a genetic link, since parents who are suffers tend to pass the condition on to their children.
There are a number of treatments available for acne and your doctor will be able to advise you of these. In addition there are things you can do yourself to help improve the condition. Cleansing the skin is obviously very important as this helps to reduce bacteria levels. You should use a gentle cleanser twice a day and a facial steamer two to three times per week.
Steaming opens up the pores on the face and increases sweating. The sweat acts in two ways, firstly washing the excess oil, grime and dirt out of the skin and secondly, since it contains salt it has a antibacterial effect, reducing bacteria levels in the skin and giving a thorough but gentle cleansing. Steaming also stimulates the circulation blood to the skin resulting in a greater supply of essential oxygen and nutrients and it moistens and softens the skin too.
To increase the effectiveness of a home steam, some people add herbs or essential oils to the water. These can have very beneficial effects. Rose hip for example is high in vitamin A and useful for skin regeneration. Mint can help to break down the dirt and oil in your pores making it easier for them to be flushed away. Since stress is thought to play a role in acne outbreaks, adding lavender a known relaxant to your steam treatment may help.
You can steam your face at home over a bowl of very hot water, with a towel covering your head. However, there are facial steamers available which are more effective, convenient and indeed safer to use. Since these are relatively cheap to buy, they can prove to be a wise investment, bearing in mind that they will be used on a regular basis. Facial steamers come in a variety of designs. Some facial steamers are made to be used with ozone which has a drying and antibacterial effect. Others are portable and these tend to be small and quite handy to use, all you have to do is fill up the reservoir and turn them on. One advantage of a bought facial steamer is that you can choose to have a mist or full steam delivered to the face. Facial saunas are also available to buy and these too are a great way of detoxifying the skin and improving your complexion. In addition to a facial steam, using a steam room can also help acne found in other parts of the body. Generally steam treatments need to be done 2-3 times per week for the most beneficial results.
In addition to a facial steam, using a steam room can also help acne found in other parts of the body. Generally steam treatments need to be done 2-3 times per week for the most beneficial results. Whatever kind of steam treatment you use, it is important to wash your skin immediately afterwards with a gentle cleanser to remove all the impurities which have been flushed out. As with all acne treatments, you may have to continue for a few weeks before seeing results, but since using a facial steamer is a relaxing and enjoyable experience, you should easily be able to stick to this regime. Good luck! - 16955
As all sufferers know, acne is a condition which causes redness and spots on the skin. These can be painful and in severe cases lead to scaring. The blemishes most often occur on the face but can also be found on the back, chest, neck and behind the ears, in fact anywhere where there are a lot of oil glands on the skin. In acne, these oil glands produce excessive amounts of sebum, an oily lubricant used by the body to keep skin pliable and soft. This excess of sebum is unable to be flushed away by the skins normal mechanisms and builds up inside the hair follicles leading to the formation of whiteheads and blackheads. Bacteria thrives in this environment and the skins defense to rising bacteria levels leads to inflammation and redness of the infected area.
There are many myths surrounding the causes and treatment of acne. For example, acne is not caused by poor hygiene or a diet high in fats and sugars. nor is it contagious. Some things however do seem certain about the condition. High levels of some hormones, especially testosterone seem to cause acne, or at least make it worse. Increased stress levels too are known to exacerbate acne, although the exact reason for this is unknown but it may be because people under stress touch their face more often and so help to spread bacteria. There also seems to be a genetic link, since parents who are suffers tend to pass the condition on to their children.
There are a number of treatments available for acne and your doctor will be able to advise you of these. In addition there are things you can do yourself to help improve the condition. Cleansing the skin is obviously very important as this helps to reduce bacteria levels. You should use a gentle cleanser twice a day and a facial steamer two to three times per week.
Steaming opens up the pores on the face and increases sweating. The sweat acts in two ways, firstly washing the excess oil, grime and dirt out of the skin and secondly, since it contains salt it has a antibacterial effect, reducing bacteria levels in the skin and giving a thorough but gentle cleansing. Steaming also stimulates the circulation blood to the skin resulting in a greater supply of essential oxygen and nutrients and it moistens and softens the skin too.
To increase the effectiveness of a home steam, some people add herbs or essential oils to the water. These can have very beneficial effects. Rose hip for example is high in vitamin A and useful for skin regeneration. Mint can help to break down the dirt and oil in your pores making it easier for them to be flushed away. Since stress is thought to play a role in acne outbreaks, adding lavender a known relaxant to your steam treatment may help.
You can steam your face at home over a bowl of very hot water, with a towel covering your head. However, there are facial steamers available which are more effective, convenient and indeed safer to use. Since these are relatively cheap to buy, they can prove to be a wise investment, bearing in mind that they will be used on a regular basis. Facial steamers come in a variety of designs. Some facial steamers are made to be used with ozone which has a drying and antibacterial effect. Others are portable and these tend to be small and quite handy to use, all you have to do is fill up the reservoir and turn them on. One advantage of a bought facial steamer is that you can choose to have a mist or full steam delivered to the face. Facial saunas are also available to buy and these too are a great way of detoxifying the skin and improving your complexion. In addition to a facial steam, using a steam room can also help acne found in other parts of the body. Generally steam treatments need to be done 2-3 times per week for the most beneficial results.
In addition to a facial steam, using a steam room can also help acne found in other parts of the body. Generally steam treatments need to be done 2-3 times per week for the most beneficial results. Whatever kind of steam treatment you use, it is important to wash your skin immediately afterwards with a gentle cleanser to remove all the impurities which have been flushed out. As with all acne treatments, you may have to continue for a few weeks before seeing results, but since using a facial steamer is a relaxing and enjoyable experience, you should easily be able to stick to this regime. Good luck! - 16955
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Using steam for acne might just be the answer to your skin problems. Find out how to get rid of your acne at http://steamforacne.com
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