Archive for the ‘Health & Fitness’ Category

Author: Vicky Massey
Source: ezinearticles.com

Two of the most common treatment options prescribed in the treatment of rosacea are metronidazole cream and finacea gel. Both these topical antibiotics are prescribed for the mild to moderate symptoms of rosacea, but is one better than the other? Based upon research that has been undertaken, I will discuss how effective these creams are and whether one is more effective than the other.

Topical metronidazole was first reported as an effective treatment of rosacea back in 1983 and remains the most popular treatment option today. It is a broad spectrum antibiotic which helps to reduce inflammation and to treat bacterial infections. It’s available in lotion, cream and gel form and is commonly prescribed as metrogel, acea, anabact, metrosa, rosiced, rozex and zyomet.

Studies have shown that it is effective in treating mild to moderate rosacea, significantly reducing papulopustular lesions, but it is less effective in treating redness of the face. The use of this topical antibiotic cream is generally well tolerated and only small percentage of people report side effects such as burning, stinging, dryness and itching. Compared to taking oral antibiotics such as tetracycline, topical metronidazole has been shown to maintain remission from further relapses of rosacea.

Even though metronidazole has been a popular choice for many years, there is now a new kid on the block. In 2003 finacea gel was brought onto the market to also addressing mild to moderate rosacea. Finacea gel contains azelaic acid which is found naturally in wheat, rye and barley. In studies comparing finacea gel and metronidazole, the results have shown that finacea was significantly better in reducing redness of the face, papules and pustules. Finacea also produced a better overall improvement. However, it was found that metronidazole caused far less skin irritation than finacea gel.

In conclusion, both these topical antibiotic preparations have their pros and cons. Metronidazole causes less irritation, but is not as effective in treating redness of the face, whereas finacea gel is significantly more effective in reducing facial redness, but can cause more irritation to the skin.

Both metronidazole and finacea gel are obtained by prescription only for the treatment of mild to moderate rosacea. With the facts in hand, you can discuss the pros and cons of which is the best rosacea treatment cream to use with your doctor of dermatologist.

For further information about finacea gel and other rosacea creams, take a look at my Clear Skin Guide website.

Vicky Massey has a BSc (hons) in Traditional Chinese Medicine and practices as an acupuncturist. She also has qualifications in aromatherapy, massage, nutrition, healing and yoga.

Author: Caroline Richie
Source: ezinearticles.com

Do you want the next skin hydrating products you buy to be safe and effective? After reading this article, you’ll know exactly which skin hydrating products to buy and which to avoid.

Here’s 3 important things that you should know before purchasing skin hydration creams or lotions:

1. You will not find many quality skin hydrating products at your local drug store or pharmacy.

The chances of you finding a quality skin care product at your local pharmacy or department store are very slim. These are the places where people go for cheap treatments. The problem with this is that cheap products are rarely effective, mainly because they are designed and developed poorly.

Your best bet is to look for skin hydration product on the Internet. For one, you have a much bigger selection of items to choose from (many from the opposite side of the world that would never be sold in your country). You can also learn much more about a product than you could reading it’s label at the store.

2. Most skin hydrating products contain harmful ingredients that can actually hurt your skin more than help it.

Most cheap creams and lotions contain cheap ingredients that can damage your skin’s health. For example, many skin hydration products contain mineral oils, paraffin wax, and petrolatum- all of which are byproducts of making petroleum. They are meant to be moisturizers, but they really clog up your pores and strip the natural oils from your skin. On top of this, they can cause premature aging and even leave you prone to acne flareups.

Also try to avoid using any skin care product with parabens, triclosan, dioxins, triethanolamine, and even a fragrance. The term “fragrance” is very vague and can refer to up to 2,000 separate ingredients, many of which are toxin and carcinogenic.

3. The best skin hydrating products contain ingredients that help to preserve the amounts of hyaluronic acid in the skin.

Hyaluronic acid is a substance in your skin that’s responsible for retaining water and moisture. As you get older, the amounts of this substance in your skin decreases. This is mainly because of free radical damage caused by UV radiation. This free radical damage stimulates the activity of hyaluronidase, an enzyme that constantly breaks down hyaluronic acid in the skin.

The best skin hydrating products will contain ingredients like Phytessence Wakame, a Japanese sea kelp extract that actually inhibits the activity oh hyaluronidase. Preserving the amounts of hyaluronic acid in your skin is key to keeping your skin youthful, hydrated and healthy, so make sure you get creams and lotions that do this.

You can get some more helpful tips for finding the best skin hydrating products and learn all about the creams and lotions I use to keep my skin youthful and moisturized by visiting my website listed below.

Caroline Richie is a long time user and passionate admirer of natural skin care. Visit her site now and discover the cutting-edge ingredients and anti aging solutions she recommends and uses after years of research and trial-and-error with all sorts of products —> Go to http://www.skin-and-health-site.com

Author: Franchis
Source: articledashboard.com

Natural mineral based cosmetics are safe, non toxic to the skin, and have the additional benefit of offering healing to skin cells. Everyone can search to find their personal combination of healthy products without excess chemical to bring out their natural glow of healthy skin.

If you want to see your skin glow you should use natural mineral based makeup. If you match the makeup to your skin type your skin will be glowing in no time.

When you are in your 20’s your skin is the firmest that it will ever be. Take a look around your medicine cabinet and start eliminating products that contain any paraben, chemical additives and especially alchohol. Always use natural makeup products that contain a sunscreen to protect your skin from both UVA/UVB rays.

It is important to apply natural skin products into your skin early. By doing so, it prevents damage from occurring and you can see the results on your skin later in your life. Zinc Oxide is a mineral that naturally occurrs in the earth. Skin can benefit from it natually.

Zinc oxide has the ability to absorb ultraviolet light. Many natural makeup formulations include zinc oxide. You will also find zinc oxide as an active ingredient of choice in many suntan lotions.

During your 30’s, you may begin to notice some fine lines appearing on your skin. Consequently, you’ll want to look for a natural makeup which includes moisturizing agents but which leaves out harsh chemicals or additives. Natural makeup should contain ingredients such as Titanium dioxide which not only act as a healing agent but also serve as a natural sun block. Many women mistakenly believe that the only time they need to worry about protecting their skin from sun exposure is when they are at the beach or are planning on spending time out in the sun. But your skin needs sun protection at all times. Since natural makeup includes ingredients in its base formulation which act to protect skin from sun exposure, by using natural makeup on an everyday basis, you will be providing your skin with a constant barrier of protection from the damaging rays of the sun.

If you take care of your skin and eat healthy you can avoid costly cosmetic surgery later in life. When women are in their 40’s they often notice that the skin around their neck begins to droop. This can be helped by doing specific neck exercises and exercising in general. Women in their 40’s you have adopted healthy lifestyles can often delay cosmetic surgery up to ten years.
Pure, entirely natural botanical oils are best used as moisturizers, applied each day to keep the skin firm and supple. These oils are present in natural makeup products. Hazelnut oil is one of the best moisturizers and also serves as an astringent to limit pore openings. Hazelnut oil also contains the important proteins, minerals, and vitamins your skin needs to stay healthy and toned in the long term.

Hazelnut oil like many natural makeup products penetrates the skin quickly, and nourish the skin. It has a mildly astringent action and thus is a base oil of choice for oily skin or skin with acne. Hazelnut Oil acts as a strong sun filter so it would be a valuable addition to a natural sunscreen. Pure natural makeup used in conjunction with a healthy diet regime will guarantee radiant healthy skin.

Author: Karan Naidoo
Source: ezinearticles.com

Acne is a pervasive skin disorder which hinders people worldwide. A lot of time and money is spent on research just to find out exactly how acne develops and how to eradicate it. In the process, so many medicines, treatments, and other products have emerged in an effort to effectively cure acne. Seven popular treatments are being used nowadays to prevent or eradicate acne.

Examples of such acne treatments include traditional antibiotics, Accutane, various herbal medicines, Accutane, Benzoyl Peroxide, Salicylic Acid and Retin-A. Accutane, also known as Isotetinoin, is recommended for cases of severe acne wherein other treatments have been proven ineffective. The patient takes Accutane over a four- to six-month period. Bacteria, a component of acne, can be eradicated by antibiotics.

Antibiotics are usually utilized to purge acne from the root of the skin. Examples of such antibiotics include Clindamycin, which is applied directly to the skin in lotion form. There are also other antibiotics such as tetracycline, which come in pill form. Benzoyl peroxide is another popular treatment which has been proven to cure acne. Alternative herbal medicines, on the other hand, are newcomers in the quest to fight acne.

Herbs have been theorized to control the body’s oil levels plus other bodily factors which may contribute to acne growth. Retin-A, also known as Tretinoin, is composed of Reinoic and Vitamin A acid, and is used to cure acne, prevent sun damage, and smoothen out wrinkles. Dead skin cells are flaked off, and follicles are unplugged. Salicylic acid, on the other hand, helps in slowing down skin cell shedding in follicles. This treatment can be purchased even without the prescription of a doctor.

Karan has been involved with internet marketing for nearly 4 years and is an avid writer who writes on various subjects. Come visit his latest website at http://www.coffemaker.org/ which helps the coffee lovers find and review the best Coffee Maker at the best prices.

Author: Yolande Koy
Source: ezinearticles.com

Herbal treatments are a good way of curing acne. Herbal treatments as an alternative to conventional treatments brings a many benefits, among them being that they are as harsh as chemicals in store bought treatments and sometimes better than the store bought treatments. Their fragrance is more refreshing and typically gives rapid results too. Normally, you are able to see a marked difference with the herbal acne treatment after only a single treatment.

However, it must be stated the herbal treatments may not be effective for everyone. In some acute cases you will have to resort to other types of treatments. You must consider what the best treatment for yourself is and the one which enable the fastest results. It is always wise for you to consult a doctor to get their opinion on what would be the best for your condition. In any situation where you are going to take medication it is advised to consult with a trained professional.

You may obtain the herbal treatments from your herbal retailer. The well-stocked retailer would have what you need on hand or in any case, they could order it for you. There are more than one acne treatments that you can use to treat the acne. Online resources can be utilized to identify the best treatments for your acne.

Please be aware that there may side effects to acne herbal treatments. The most frequent being an allergic reaction to the herbs in the treatment. You should cease using the treatment if you detect any problems and consult your doctor immediately. This is to ensure that you are able to use the treatment safely and cure the acne you have effectively.

Some treatments are in the form of pills. Others might be in the form of lotions or salves. As you do your research, you will find various treatments for you to try and choose from for you to get the beautiful skin you are seeking.

There is little fear in burning your skin or making yourself ill with herbs when used correctly. They are derived from nature’s bounty and you should have no problem taking them. Furthermore, by using the herbal acne treatment you will be able to get terrific looking skin naturally. The foundation of herbal acne treatments would have the base ingredients to make your skin soft and smooth. A better complexion through the use of treatment without the fear of damaging your skin with harsh chemicals you may use now. Not only will your skin be glowing, your inner self will too knowing that you are treating you skin naturally.

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You are about to discover herbal remedy secrets to healing acne and also overall better health! Known only to a select few herbalists around the world, Nature’s Healing Bounty is exposed to the world.

If you are ready to get healthy, naturally and effectively, then you wouldn’t want to miss this one. Click on this link for all you need to know about herbal remedies, 100% guaranteed: Nature’s Healing Bounty

Author: Emily Walters
Source: ezinearticles.com

Even though 75% of the teenagers suffer from acne related problems, they are common among adults too. Acne could be embarrassing and confidence shattering and it is a problem that most of us face at some point. However, for some people, it does not go away no matter what treatment they try. When no amount of expensive ointments and topical medicines seem to be helping, you should perhaps consider another type of treatment.

This is a common belief that acne is untreatable, however, a few people say it is a misconception. According to these people, the anti acne products available in the market like cleaners and acne lotions work only for the surface acne. However, there are many types of acne and not all of them are supposed to be treated topically only. If you have experienced it yourself, you know it better than anybody else that the topical treatments almost never work. The reason is because acne is not just something that you can treat by merely washing and cleansing your face three times a day. Abnormalities like acne appear on the surface of the skin due to internal body imbalance.

So which other way is available for acne treatment? There are a number of natural treatments ranging from face washes to drinkable solutions. However, if you are really looking forward to getting a treatment which you could apply on your face, you are not looking for the right treatment. The reason is because the problem lies inside your body which appears in the form of acne on the surface. Therefore, in order to treat the acne itself, you should look for the root cause instead. Natural treatments are not only effective, they are also quite inexpensive. People report positive results so maybe you should try a natural method of treatment too.

Stop Acne Today and learn how I removed all of my acne in TWO days by reading my blog.

Author: Ian Nuttall
Source: ezinearticles.com

Do you want to transform your red, itchy, acne covered skin into a clean, clear and more confident face? Do you want to save thousands of dollars on ineffective creams, lotions and pills that never seem to work?

You could benefit from using home remedies for acne that work naturally from inside your body.

Here are some quick tips to get you started.

Home Remedy Tips for Acne

Drink plenty of water. You should be drinking about 6 pints of water a day. Yes, you will probably go to the bathroom a lot but this is the absolutely best way to flush all the crap out of your body and have you feeling fresher and healthier. Avoid all those sugar filled drinks that spend millions of dollars advertising to you because guess what? They make acne worse. A LOT WORSE. Stick to water and you’ll notice a difference within a week.
Read your food labels. I’m not one of those people that counts calories and watches carbs or fats intake but reading the label is a really quick way to see if what you’re eating is good for you or not. If it has more than 10 ingredients and you can only pronounce a few of them, leave it on the shelf!! They put so many chemicals in products to increase their shelf life it’s crazy and you don’t know what effect they have on your body. Stick to natural whole foods and your skin will thank you later.
Get your five (or more) a day. This is a follow on from point 2. Greens are important! Try to eat some fruit and/or veg at every single meal. They contain many vital nutrients that you don’t get from other foods. Fruit and veg contain natural sugars, vitamins and antioxidants that the skin clearing and healing process from the inside. Personal favorites of mine are spinach and broccoli! Gotta love the superfoods!
Take your tea green. If you’re still one of the Starbucks fanboys (or girls) it’s time to kick the caffeine to the curb! Switch to a green or peppermint tea and get a big old healthy dose of antioxidants into your daily routine. I personally recommend Liptons as it has been my preference and it really hits the spot. You’ll notice the benefits on your skin really quickly so go get some today!
Get some sun, Casper! Notice how your skin seems to clear up when you head off the beach on vacation? Not only do the UV rays dry up your greasy pores, your skin absorbs vitamin D from the sunlight which aids the skins immune system and naturally corrects any hormone imbalances. In laymans terms, sunshine = clearer skin! Remember to use a good sunscreen though. I recommend one of the thinner, “light” creams because they don’t block the pores so much. You might have to apply a little more frequently though.
Stop worrying about how you look! All acne sufferers worry about how “ugly” they are with their terrible skin. Stop it! Once you get out there and start living your life, you’ll see that other people don’t care as much about it as you do and when you start to enjoy yourself and stop stressing so much, your skin will become much clearer. I’ve seen guys with terrible skin hooking up with really hot girls because they didn’t have a hang up about their skin. They live their life to the full. You should do the same.

About the Author

Ian Nuttall is a blogger from Nottingham, England who has spent many, many years researching and testing pretty much every treatment known to man before he discovered home remedies for acne that actually worked. You can find out more about Ian and how he cured his acne by visiting his site: Home Remedies for Acne HQ

Author: James Dalton
Source: articleage.com

There are many over the counter (OTC) preparations for treatment of acne. Sold as lotions, gels, creams, and cleansers, OTC products can be a precarious buy and consumers should be aware that chemicals applied to the skin can also be absorbed into the body. The potential adverse effects of chemical agents make natural skin care products seem more attractive.
This is especially true for skin conditions such as acne and rosacea as harsh chemicals may only worsen matters. Synthetic chemicals can induce unnecessary inflammation beyond the confines of the sebaceous glands resulting in acne scars. Additionally, some chemicals can even be absorbed into the skin and have varying levels of systemic toxicity.
Benzoyl peroxide, the first topical agent for acne vulgaris, remains the most widely used OTC acne treatment in the United States. It is inexpensive to manufacture and widely marketed. Benzoyl peroxide dissolves comedons and has bactericidal effect by oxidizing proteins of the offending microbe, P. acne (Leyden, 1997). Though it may be effective for mild acne, benzoyl peroxide is not free from adverse effects according to the European Commission.
The most common adverse effect is extreme dryness and premature aging of skin of skin. It can also causes irritation, stinging, burning and peeling of skin. A formulation containing 2.5% benzoyl peroxide was found to have less burning and peeling of skin as compared with 5% or 10% benzoyl peroxide (Mills et al. 1986). Allergic contact dermatitis was found in 1-2% patients using benzoyl peroxide (Ives, 1992). It can cause bleaching of hair and clothing.
Temporary skin discoloration may occur if benzoyl peroxide is used with sunscreen containing para-amino benzoic acid (PABA). Similarly concomitant use of benzoyl peroxide with tretinoin can lead to severe irritation of skin. Benzoyl peroxide should not be used in pregnancy as its safety during pregnancy is not documented. The safety in breast-feeding women and children is also not established.
In animal studies, it was has found to induce skin cancer after 1 year of use (Kraus et al. 1995). Long-term studies are needed to profile its adverse effect in humans. Benzoyl peroxide has been banned for use in cosmetics by the European Union. OTC Acne treatments that contain benzoyl peroxide are included in this ban throughout Europe.
Acne preparations made of benzoyl peroxide may contain various other chemical ingredients. Glycolic acid is a photo sensitizer and may be toxic to gastrointestinal system, nervous system and kidneys. Triethanolamine can form carcinogenic nitrosamine compounds on the skin or in the body after absorption. It may also elicit immune reaction in form of allergic dermatitis or asthmatic attacks. Diisopropanolamine may release carcinogenic nitrosamine compounds.
While, benzoyl peroxide can be used for short-term treatment of mild acne in the US, its long-term use has the potential to damage skin. On the whole, safer options that allow natural resolution of acne are recommended. Natural alternatives to benzoyl peroxide are calendula or tea tree oil (Bassett et al. 1990). Psidium guajava and Juglans regia leaf extracts were found to be beneficial in treating acne (Qadan et al. 2005). Granulysin peptides were also found to be effective against P. acne and may form an alternative therapy against acne in future (McInturff et al. 2005).
If acne are severe and not amenable to benzoyl peroxide treatment, one should consult a dermatologist for prescription drugs like topical retinoids (Tretinoin, Adapalene and Tazarotene), topical antibiotics (clindamycin, erythromycin), oral isotretinoin, oral antibiotics (doxycycline, minocycline).
References:
1. Leyden JJ (1997) Therapy for acne vulgaris. New England Journal of Medicine 336, 1156-62.

2. Ives TJ (1992) Benzoyl peroxide, Am Pharm NS32 (8), 33-8.

3. Kraus AL, Munro IC, Orr JC, Binder RL, LeBoeuf RA, Williams GM (1995) Benzoyl peroxide: an integrated human safety assessment for carcinogenicity, Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 21, 87-107.

4. Mills OH Jr, Kligman AM, Pochi P, Comite H (1986) Comparing 2.5%, 5%, and 10% benzoyl peroxide on inflammatory acne vulgaris, Int J Dermatol 25, 664-7.

5. Bassett IB, Pannowitz DL, Barnetson RS (1990) A comparative study of tea-tree oil versus benzoylperoxide in the treatment of acne. Med J Aust, 153: 455-8.

6. Qadan F, Thewaini AJ, Ali DA, Afifi R, Elkhawad A, Matalka KZ (2005) The antimicrobial activities of Psidium guajava and Juglans regia leaf extracts to acne-
developing organisms. Am J Chin Med 33,197-204.

7. McInturff JE, Wang SJ, Machleidt T, Lin TR, Oren A, Hertz CJ, Krutzik SR, Hart S, Zeh K, Anderson DH, Gallo RL, Modlin RL, Kim J (2005) Granulysin-derived peptides demonstrate antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects against Propionibacterium acnes. J Invest Dermatol 125, 256-63.
James Dalton is a freelance writer specializing in skin conditions including acne, rosacea, and eczema.
Visit http://www.AcneResearchLabs.com for more information regarding natural skin care solutions including effective acne treatment and rosacea treatment for sensitive skin.

Author: Andrew Smith
Source: isnare.com

Many young people as well as older adults suffer from Acne. There is really no “cure” for acne and one can only take measures to help prevent acne. Acne is a condition of clogged pores caused by overactive oil glands. This usually occurs in puberty and can continue into adulthood in some cases. There are some measures you can take to prevent acne or at least keep its severity to a minimum:

? Make sure that you keep your skin clean. Wash regularly. Washing regularly helps to get rid of the excess oil on your skin plus bacteria and dead skin cells that can clog pores and cause outbreaks.

? Get the proper amount of rest. Your body restores and refreshes skin cells while you are resting. Teenagers are notorious for not getting enough rest but it is essential in helping to prevent acne.

? Don’t squeeze or pick at pimples because this has the risk of producing a more severe infection.

? After you exercise take a shower so that the sweat does not contribute to clogging your pores and producing another acne outbreak. This is a very important consideration because many people have a shower many hours after they have finished their exercise, by which time some of the damage will have already been done. The best advice is to exercise at a place where there are shower facilities.

? Wear clean white t-shirts to help keep acne off your back. The white t-shirts tend to absorb the excess oils in your skin and will help to prevent acne on your back at least.

? Take off any makeup before going to bed. Again, the key here is to keep your pores clear of oil and bacteria and help prevent acne outbreaks.

? Don’t use oil-based sunscreen or skin lotions if you have a tendency for acne outbreaks. These will only contribute to the problem.

? After washing, you can also use a cleaning solution on your skin containing what is known as Salicylic Acid. Only use a 2% solution. This can be found in some acne cleaning pad products.

The most important key to preventing acne outbreaks is to keep your pores clear. Clogged pores are the main cause of acne.

Author: Thomas Middleton
Source: ezinearticles.com

Do you want clear skin once and for all? I don’t know anyone who doesn’t. Acne is a serious skin condition that can effect anyone of any age whatsoever. It doesn’t matter how old you are, which ethnicity, or anything else, you are vulnerable. If you are one of the millions of people suffering from any type of acne at all, you should know that there is hope out there for you. You don’t have to just sit back and take it, you can take back control of your own body and finally start clearing up your skin now.

In order to do this, you need to start a regimen or schedule or cleaning your skin, wherever the acne is on your body. A good first step in doing this is to go out and buy a cleanser or cream/ointment to use. You can also buy a moisturizing product or lotion that helps to keep the skin from drying out. It’s important to maintain a balance between oily skin and dry skin.

You can also go to your dermatologist and get antibiotics prescribed to you. These are powerful oral medications that are very effective at destroying the bacteria that hide in the pores of your skin, causing them to become swollen and pimples to appear. A doctor can also give you some useful information, he or she may even suggest you try making your own home remedies from simple and natural ingredients such as oranges and cucumbers. These home remedies have been used for hundreds of years and now you too can benefit from them.

Despite the great things people say about some acne products, I have found that most acne treatments simply did not work for me. But after years of struggling to get rid of my acne, I finally found something that was able to almost completely cure my acne in less than a week. Click below to read my acne story

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Seriously, stop wasting time and money on treatments that just don’t work. It’s not worth it!

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