| Proper Hygiene | | | | system. Click Here and receive 2 free bonuses |
| One of the most common misconceptions about | | | | when you try Proactiv(R) Solution Risk-Free for |
| acne is that it's caused by dirt. It's not! Acne is | | | | 60 Days! |
| caused by a combination of factors you can't | | | | - Salicylic Acid: Unclogs your pores and encourages |
| control, like your hormone balance and the natural | | | | skin renewal. |
| pace of your skin's renewal system. Fortunately, | | | | - Tretinoin (Retin-A(R)): Promotes healthy |
| there are a number of things you can control that | | | | sloughing. |
| may help you keep your acne in check. Begin by | | | | - Antibiotics: Kill bacteria and reduces inflammation. |
| following these simple suggestions for healthy-skin | | | | - Oral Contraceptives: Help regulate hormone |
| hygiene. | | | | levels. |
| | | | - Anti-Androgens: Inhibit the body's production of |
| Acne Prevention - Tip #2: Skip harsh scrubs. It's | | | | acne-causing hormones. |
| okay to exfoliate, but be sure to use a gentle | | | | - Isotretinoin (Accutane(R)): Treatment for |
| formula with small, smooth grains. Avoid products | | | | severe cystic or nodular acne. |
| with almond or apricot shell fragments; they can | | | | There are a number of prescription medications |
| irritate or even tear your skin and further | | | | known to cause acne. If you routinely take any |
| aggravate your acne. | | | | of the following drugs (or drugs like them) and |
| Acne Prevention - Tip #3: Say no to alcohol. If | | | | have problems with acne breakouts, you may |
| you use a toner, avoid products with high | | | | want to consult your physician to discuss an |
| concentrations of isopropyl alcohol, or common | | | | alternative treatment with fewer side affects. But |
| rubbing alcohol. A strong astringent, alcohol strips | | | | try to keep it in perspective, your health comes |
| the top layer of your skin, causing your | | | | first! |
| sebaceous glands to produce more oil. The result? | | | | Anticonvulsants (like Dilantin) are prescribed for |
| Dry, red skin - and possibly more blemishes. | | | | the treatment of epilepsy and other kinds of |
| Acne Prevention - Tip #4: Don't squeeze or pick. | | | | seizures. Most medications in this family list acne |
| Squeezing or picking your blemishes - with | | | | as a common side-effect. |
| fingernails, pins or anything else - can force | | | | Corticosteroids (like Prednisone) are often used to |
| bacteria deeper into the skin, causing greater | | | | treat asthma and other chronic lung diseases. Like |
| inflammation and infection. You'll also increase the | | | | cortisol, a natural steroid produced by the body |
| damage to the surrounding skin, so the blemish is | | | | during times of intense stress, corticosteroids can |
| more likely to leave a permanent acne scar. | | | | stimulate sebum production and lead to blemishes. |
| Acne Prevention - Tip #5: Hands off! | | | | Disulfuram (or Antabuse) is prescribed to help |
| Propionibacterium acnes (the bacteria that causes | | | | chronic alcoholic patients who want to remain in a |
| breakouts) is a normal resident of your skin; it | | | | state of enforced sobriety. When mixed with |
| doesn't lead to acne until it gets trapped inside the | | | | alcohol, this drug causes a range of unpleasant |
| hair follicle. Excessive touching of your face, | | | | symptoms intended to discourage further mixing. |
| including rubbing or even resting your chin in your | | | | Unfortunately, regular use of Disulfuram (even |
| hands, can drive bacteria into your pores - where | | | | when not drinking) can cause acne in some |
| it can begin its dirtywork. | | | | patients. |
| Acne Prevention - Tip #6: Work out, wash off. | | | | Immuran. Like other immunosuppressants, |
| When you exercise, your movement generates | | | | Immuran is used to suppress the immune system |
| heat; clothing and equipment cause friction. Until | | | | in patients awaiting an organ transplant. It can help |
| you shower off, heat and moisture are trapped | | | | prevent organ rejection; it can also suppress your |
| against your skin, creating an ideal breeding ground | | | | body's natural ability to fight the bacteria that |
| for the spread of bacteria. So whenever you can, | | | | cause acne. |
| shower off immediately after exercising. | | | | INH (or Isoniazid) is typically used to treat |
| Acne Medications | | | | tuberculosis, or TB. Thought to be largely |
| Acne Prevention Treatment - Find a regimen and | | | | eradicated, TB experienced a resurgence in the |
| stick with it. Most cases of mild acne can be | | | | late 1980s among the homeless population and in |
| improved with "over-the-counter" products, or | | | | patients suffering from AIDS. It continues to be a |
| products that don't require a prescription from | | | | problem today. |
| your doctor. There is a wide range of treatments | | | | Quinine is prescribed as a precaution against - or |
| available, and there's a good chance one of them | | | | treatment for - malaria. If you're traveling to a |
| will work for you. If you start treatment before | | | | part of the world where malaria is a risk, be sure |
| your acne gets severe, you'll have a better | | | | to ask your doctor about alternative solutions. |
| chance of avoiding physical and emotional | | | | Thyroid preparations. Some thyroid medications |
| problems down the road. But if your acne gets | | | | (such as Thiourea and Thiouracil) are known to |
| worse or lasts more than a couple of weeks, see | | | | trigger acne. These preparations are used to |
| a dermatologist. Here's a quick listing of the most | | | | stimulate the thyroid gland in patients with low |
| common products used to treat acne - click on | | | | thyroid function. Large amounts of iodine, which |
| the links that interest you for more information | | | | also helps to regulate thyroid function, can also |
| on that course of acne treatment. | | | | cause breakouts. |
| - Benzoyl Peroxide: Kills the bacteria that causes | | | | Kerwin Chang writes for where you can find out |
| acne. | | | | more about acne and other skin care topics. |
| - Proactiv(R) Solution: A dermatologist formulated | | | | Kerwin Chang writes for where you can find out |
| Combination Therapy(R) acne management | | | | more about acne and other skin care topics. |