Pregnancy and Acne Sunday, May 31 2009

Pregnant women often report an increase in acne outbreaks not only on the face but on the chest and back as well. In an effort to properly prepare for the growing fetus, the female body goes through many changes.

The two primary female hormones at work in every woman’s body are progesterone and estrogen. During pregnancy, progesterone becomes the dominant hormone, taking on new roles as the fetus develops. Progesterone is more androgenic than estrogen, which basically means it is more like the hormones found in men. Increased progesterone during pregnancy causes the sebaceous glands to produce more sebaceous oils than normal. Once these oils, combine with dead skin cells and dirt become trapped in pores acne appears.

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Birth control pill as acne treatment?? Sunday, May 31 2009

There are problems with using birth control pills to control acne. Some women may actually notice their acne worsen with the use of birth control pills until the estrogen levels become dominant.

Women who do take the birth control pill and who notice that their acne is getting worse should discuss the situation with their doctor. Different brands of oral contraception have different levels of hormones. Switching to another brand may bring acne back under control. There are several brands that may help clear up acne but only Ortho Tri-cyclen has been approved by the FDA for treating acne.

Using birth control pills for acne control is only a temporary solution. Many women find that once they stop using birth control pills, their acne returns – sometimes worse than before.

Birth control pills often have undesirable side effects. There are also other more serious health risks than acne to consider.

It is for these reasons that using birth control pills for acne control should be considered only after all other treatment options have failed and always with the guidance of your physician.

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Acne and Stress Sunday, May 31 2009

The fact that stress exasperates acne is not a surprising revelation to the millions who suffer from it. But, does stresscause acne? That has not been proven. Many people report the belief that their acne appeared during a stressful time in their life.

What is known is that stress can cause your adrenal glands to produce the male hormones, testosterone and androgens. Yes, women’s bodies do produce male hormones. These male hormones in turn cause the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum. The production of this oily substance, combine with dead skin cells, clogs pores and may trigger an acne outbreak.

One fact is not debatable. Acne may be a symptom of stress but…acne can cause stress too! Just ask a teenager who is avoiding a date due to new acne pimples ‘popping up’ over night or an adult frantically trying to ‘cover’ a huge new blemish just before a job interview.

Acne can have a very negative impact on a person’s life. People with acne often suffer from embarrassment and low self-esteem. They fear that people will believe the myth that poor hygiene causes acne. There is absolutely no truth in that misguided notion but, the uninformed may still believe it.

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Acne Myth Sunday, May 31 2009

Acne Myth: Acne is caused by dirt.

Acne Fact: Dirt doesn’t cause acne. Skin gets dirty and is cleansed. In fact, your skin is regularly dirtying and cleaning itself, shedding dead cells and then producing its own oil to nourish and hydrate the skin. It’s when these processes get off-balance, something not caused by rolling in the mud, that pores can clog and the cycle of acne can begin.

Acne Tip: Rather than avoiding dirt, avoid over-washing or stripping your skin’s natural oils with harsh alcohol. This just causes more imbalance and can actually make blemishes worse.

Acne Myth: Acne is caused by certain foods.

Acne Fact: Let’s just get this out there – food is not one of the causes of acne. Chocolate does not cause acne. You should know that scientists have never found a connection between diet and acne.

Acne Tip: Eating healthy foods provides essential vitamins and minerals that nourish your skin, just as they do they rest of your body. Don’t be afraid to indulge every now and then.

Acne Myth: Only teenagers get acne.

Acne Fact: Anyone can get acne. Over 85% of all people 12-24 have acne, but it can also reoccur or even start as late as your 30s. It’s estimated that one in four adults between the ages of 25 to 44 experiences acne in a cycle that lasts an average of 20 years!

Acne Tip: Don’t be afraid to seek out treatment, whatever your age. There is no cure for acne, so living with acne is about controlling it with full face, daily use of medicines that are powerful enough to kill acne bacteria but gentle enough to use everyday.

Acne Myth: Spot treatment works best.

Acne Fact: There are 10 million pores on your face. You have a better chance of winning the lottery than picking the one pore that will clog. This is especially true given blemishes take 2-3 weeks to develop. With spot treatments you are, in effect, treating a symptom (an old symptom) rather than the causes of acne. Proactiv customers understand that the best way to clear acne is to stop blemishes from developing in the first place by treating your whole face every day, even when you aren’t breaking out.

Acne Tip: Spot treatments are akin to getting fillings to deal with dental care – a solution that is too late in the making. Using acne fighting skin care daily will help prevent breakouts and keep your face and body clear of acne – largely eliminating the need for spot treatments.

Acne Myth: Acne is cosmetic, so it’s really not a big deal.

Acne Fact: This probably seems funny to many of you who have dealt with the frustration and humiliation that can accompany acne breakouts. Acne is a bacterial infection. And while not a serious health threat, it can have long-term cosmetic consequences in both how you feel about yourself and in the form of scarring and discoloration.

Acne Tip: Don’t let anyone discourage you from seeking treatment. Whether by ordering dermatologist-created Proactiv or making an appointment with your doctor, please seek help. You’ll be glad you did.

Acne Myth: Sun exposure helps clear acne.

Acne Fact: While small amounts of sun exposure may initially improve acne by drying the skin, it also drains the skin of much its natural oil moisture which can throw the skin further out of balance. In that way, continuous sunbathing often increases plugging of the pores, producing blackheads, whiteheads, and small pimples.

Acne Tip: The sun is many things, but “effective acne cure” is not one of them. The fact of the matter is that the risks of sun exposure outweigh its minimal acne and oil-drying benefits. For that reason, those with acne-prone skin are ALWAYS encouraged to use sunscreen. For acne-prone skin, use noncomedogenic (non-pore clogging) products.

Acne Myth: Acne is curable.

Acne Fact: Not yet, but don’t lose hope as it can be contained. Unlike previous generations, today you can prevent and control acne with continued daily use of products such as Proactiv.

Acne Tip: Even if your blemishes go away, your acne is not cured. Given the typical blemish takes 2-3 weeks to develop, just because your skin is clear doesn’t mean you aren’t dealing with an acne infection. It’s important to be diligent about your skin care routine, even when your skin is clear.

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