What's Wrong With My Face?

The term acne refers to whiteheads and blackheads (skin pores that get clogged) and nodules or cysts, which are deep lumps. These are found on a persons face, chest, neck, back shoulders and sometimes the upper arms. Most teenagers are affected by acne to some degree although folks in other age groups can experience acne as late as into their 40's. It's not life threatening but can be disconcerting to your view of yourself and can even be permanently disfiguring if severe. A person with acne can end up with permanent scars. In fact, it doesn't even have to be severe at the outbreak to end up scarring forever.

Acne's causes go back to hormonal changes at the onset of puberty, with oil glands producing in abundance. These oil glands, known as sebaceous glands, are primarily affected by male hormones known as androgens. Females have androgens as well, though they don't have as many as males.

A hair shaft inside a sebaceous gland make up what is known as a sebaceous follicle. While going through puberty, the skin cells lining these follicles shed more quickly than in past years. In those who experience acne the cells shed but stick together more than in those who don't get acne. When these cells stick together this overabundance of sebum (oil) probably will end up plugging the follicle's opening and because the sebaceous gland doesn't stop producing its sebum the follicle simply swells up.

What also happens is that a bacterium called P.acnes, that is normal to have in skin, start to quickly multiply in the hair follicle that is clogged. The substances produced by these bacteria are irritating and cause inflammation. The follicle sometimes bursts and then the inflammation spreads to skin surrounding it. This is the way that acne's lesions - whether pimples, blackheads or nodules - form.

There are several myths about acne that we'd like to dispel. The first is that your poor hygiene causes acne. People who believe this myth ended up scrubbing their faces and other skin parts harshly and too often, which often makes the acne condition even worse. Acne does not happen because your surface skin is covered by dirt or oil. While you don't want to leave dead skin, dirt or excess oil on your skin you don't want to vigorously scrub it away either, or you'll exacerbate the acne problem. What you should do instead is wash your face gently twice each day and then put it dry. You may also want to use an acne treatment - over the counter or prescribed.

The second myth about acne's cause is that stress brings it on. Ordinary stress is not related to acne at all, although if you suffer from stress that becomes severe enough to warrant the care of a physician and prescribed medications those medications might produce acne. If you're taking drugs for depression or other stress related symptoms and you have an acne breakout you should see your doctor.

The third myth about acne is that your poor diet choices cause it. Your mother probably told you to avoid chocolate or fried foods or even pizza and it would help your acne. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Food intake doesn't affect acne. A balance diet is a good choice for your overall health, of course, but it just doesn't affect acne.

Another myth is that acne is just a cosmetic problem - in other words, not a big issue. People who think this way disregard the effect it can have on the way people - especially teenagers - feel about themselves. The other issue is that it can permanently scar.

Worry To Look Older Than My Age?

I found that recently my skin becomes dry and loses its flexibility, fine lines are visible especially on the forehead area, skin loses its natural glow and looks very dim and dull. I guess this is common among ladies at my age, this is especially true for those who stay up very late at night and staring at computer screen at least 12 hours a day like myself. But for the fear of looking older than my age, I start googling for some beauty maintenance tips. Here's what I got:

It seems that different skin types have their different way to maintain. So, it is obvious that the first thing I need to do is to find out my skin type and its appropriate way to maintain. There are basically 4 types of skin:

1. Moist and oily skin
This skin is basically normal, but it tends to change with environment, climate and diet. For example, hot season will cause excessive sebum and this leads to acne. So the best way to maintain this type of skin is to keep yourself in good condition with healthy diet.

2. Oily and water-lack skin
If your skin tends to get oiler whenever you forget about protection, you shall be more focus on retaining the moisture of your skin. The pores on this type of skin is obvious to be seen, making it to appear constantly oily. So, while you are busy removing the excess oil from your face, do keep in mind to replenish the skin with proper moisturizer. When skin is moistured adequently, less oil will be produced. You can combine the usage of Oil-control + moisturizing products together.

3. Moist, oil-less skin
This skin type will be the perfect skin type if much attention is given to moisture and oil-resistant. Although this skin may be the best, but lack of oil will result to the loss of moisture easily too especially when one is in air-conditioned setting or during cold windy days - skin gets dried up quite easily. Therefore, skin-care products with adequate oil is crucial. In addition, you should also pay more addition to the eyes area to avoid early fine lines as

4. Water-lack, oil-less skin
This skin type is the most fragile type that requires super extra care. This type of skin tends to get dry easily and is prone to fine lines. So, you have to be gentle with your face during the cleansing routine. Try to avoid stimulating the skin too much. Concentrate on supplementing sufficient moisture and adequate oil to this delicate skin type will do good to keeping yourself youthful.

For Skin Like a Peach

If you're keen to look after your face but blanch at the cost of skincare products, you can make cleansers, toners and nourishers from fruits, vegetables and other food stuffs.

Many fruits have a nourishing, revitalising and astringent effect. Some vegetables fight inflammation and contain Vitamin A.

Here are some recipes that you must try:

Cucumber Cleanser

1. Peel, seed, puree and sieve one-quarter of a small cucumber.
2. Stir two tablespoons of honey into two tablespoons of the juice and add a tablespoon of full-fat milk.
3. Apply to the face and neck for 20 minutes, then wash off with luke-warm water.

Banana Anti-ageing Face Mask

1. Mash a small banana.
2. Stir in two tablespoons of fresh double cream, one tablespoon of honey and one tablespoon of potato flour.
3. Apply for 30 minutes and then rinse off.

Lemon Toning Mask

1. Beat one egg white until stiff.
2. Fold in the juice of half a lemon.
3. Apply to the face for 20 minutes, then wash off.

It's super easy and simple right? And the best part is that you got to save some big chunk of your hard-earned money while still able to radiant and youthful skin. @ wink ;) wink @

Little Secrets To Great Skin

* Stress, be gone!

Stress is everywhere! From work to relationships, it can cause premature ageing, fine lines and wrinkles among others. Learn to manage your stress, even daily - just take about 15 to 20 minutes to sit quietly by yourself and breathe deeply.

* The magic number 8

We all know it but we may not practise it. You need to drink eight to ten glasses of water a day to flush toxins out and keep skin hydrated. However, try not to gulp down too much right before bed time. Water retention may occur, which causes puffy eyes.

* Watch what goes in

A diet with fresh fruits and vegetables contribute to great skin, but there's another vital intake. Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are building blocks of cell membranes which improve moisture, elasticity and firmness of the skin. EFAs such omega-6 are found in plant oils such as evening primrose oil.

Laser Hair Treatment

With special mention to the various technologies of today, the usual unattended abnormalities for human features are slowly being given emphasis, one of which is Hair Removal. Excessive hair in various parts of the human body have become a bane for most people, especially the females, who have to resort to the traditional ways of taking out unwanted hair from their bodies. With the fruits of technology vastly being developed, such issues have been given the proper study and treatments have become numerous and welcome to people who consider such discomforts something critical in their daily lives, especially for people who are very much particular about their appearance.

Hereditary Growth Issues and Abnormal Growth
People expect to land some hereditary traits passed on from their genes, and hair growth is something that goes along with this. All people, from teenagers to the adults consider such traits as a bane, having to attend to them regularly and take out these unwanted hair growth. Many have tried various techniques presented, largely manual means and taking medically developed chemicals to be able to prevent excessive hair growth, but these have not proven to be effective, especially for people who are quite particular about time consumption from their daily lives. They have to allot a certain period of their day towards doing these manual and temporary ways of hair removal just to be able to satisfy what they want to project when they interact daily.

Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal has provided the consumers with a technology-developed means of being able to answer one of their bodily concerns. There is no control that such hair growth issues can be answered through the use of the manual means of medication or practices. At first glance, laser removal may be considered as a painful process to the clueless people of today, but in reality, laser hair removal is truly a pain-less procedure. Perhaps the only painful thing about it is the costs that are involved but the benefits after undergoing such a procedure will help most consumers use that small time for something more worthwhile.

The procedure itself depends on the part of the body, which it shall be made. For example, an entire back can be done in 1 to 2 minutes or an upper lip in less than 10 seconds. Not bad considering that a lifetime of grief can be treated in such a short span of time.

People who seek Hair Removal
Teenagers are in the period of transition where they are becoming more aware and conscious of their physical appearance. This especially holds true towards the female population. While some hormones may find some women having excessive hair on their legs, armpits and lips, these can be solved with laser hair treatment.

Ordinarily, all males would prefer to have excessive hair in most parts of their body to retain that macho man look. For some however, the definition of excess hair may not sit well. The male population as well, seeks laser hair medical treatment for one reason or another, like for athletes; comfort is their most common reason for having such excessive hair removed to be able to perform up to par in the competitions they participate in.

Not to be left out, pregnant ladies can expect excessive hair growth during their time of pregnancy. This is not an abnormal occurrence; it is natural in the sense that the sex hormones known as androgens are increased in the first trimester of the pregnancy periods. Applying laser hair removal is considered safe, but however painful at this stage due to the load that they already bear while they are in this stage. However, all these excessive hair growth are expected to disappear three to six months after giving birth.

Permanent Hair Removal
For most people who are tired of having to concern themselves with the excessive and abnormal growth of hair in various parts of their bodies, a permanent solution would be their immediate choice. Painless but costly, such a procedure would rid them of such problems and this would in turn be something worth their investment. Instead of having to rely on the temporary means of being able, to remove these unwanted hair growth in various parts of the body. Most people look towards permanent hair removal, and this is something that is really more realistic, especially for people who don’t want to be able to be burdened by minor problems as having to be bothered by hair growth. Permanent laser hair removal, expensive as it may seem but less painful serves as the logical answer to most people, who consider abnormal hair growth an issue for them.

Eczema Care: Dermaveen

I remember sometimes ago, when I were visiting my doctor again for my itching legs which made me awake all night long, he advised me to apply lotion every time after shower, which I hate to. I don't like the greasy feel of lotion / moisturizer on my legs nor my body. I hate the feeling of getting the legs or hands wet after applying those lotion. I just don't like it.

So, the doctor recommended another brand of lotion named 'Dermaveen' to me. According to him, it is not greasy and is easily absorbed by the skin, and above all, it is proven to soothe skin condition that is associated with eczema. I have never heard of this brand before, but I still have about a bottle of Palmers' Cocoa Butter. So, I guess I will try this out when I have finished my cocoa butter.

Palmers' Cocoa butter did clear my eczema few years back, but it seems to lose its effectiveness recently. That was about 5-6 years ago when I was pregnant with my first baby. Eczema flared up on my whole body and the itchiness was getting worse day after day. My gynea recommended me to use Loofah sponge to exfoliate the dead skin cells, and after which after a layer of non-perfumed cocoa butter to lock the moisture. I followed the instructions and it did help. But this time, I'm getting lazy and hate the smell of cocoa butter all over my body. So, maybe it's time for me to switch to Dermaveen!

Some information of Dermaveen (source from TalkEczema):

What is DermaVeen?
DermaVeen is Australia's best selling therapeutic range of skincare products and is ideal for use on the dry, itchy and sensitive skin that is associated with eczema, psoriasis, ichthyosis, rashes and other dry skin conditions.

What is different about DermaVeen?
Dermaveen contains two natural ingredients, colloidal oatmeal and sodium pca. The combination of the two natural ingredients effectively soothes and hydrates even the most sensitive dry skin.

• Colloidal Oatmeal has an anti-itch action that eliminates the sensation of
itch, thus reducing the 'desire to scratch'

• Sodium PCA is the skin's natural moisturiser. It is a very efficient, natural
moisturiser and much more effective at retaining moisture in the skin than
other moisturising agents

DermaVeen is also formulated at pH5 - 6, which is the skins optimum pH. This prevents the skin from drying and helps retain protective oils and moisture

DermaVeen is non greasy and rapidly absorbed into the skin

Is DermaVeen suitable for me / my family?
DermaVeen can be used by all the family, from the youngest, including babies, to the oldest. All products have a low allergic potential as they do not contain any fragrances, colourings or additives.

The range of DermaVeen products as shown below provides effective relief from dry sensitive skin from head to toe.

DermaVeen has become the leading dry skin range in Australia because people have tried it for themselves and found that it works. We have received many testimonials such as the one below, but we prefer you to try DermaVeen and then make your own mind up!

Why Acne Shows Up Again !!

Acne, one of the most common skin problem that ails the human kind irrespective of the age, caste, colour, gender etc. Acne is a tremendously embarrassing and burdensome problem. Acne can be defined, as red eruptions on the skin some time filled with a white substance, is itchy and also painful. It is a problem on which we do not have our control.

There are different ways to treat acne. One can opt for medication from a skin specialist or one can also try home or natural remedies. Natural remedies are less time consuming, less costly, and have no side effects. It only requires a little more patience because the routine has to be followed diligently to get rid of the problem once and for all. A natural remedy for acne is just as effective as medication.

Here are a few natural remedies to cure your acne:

To start with, your daily consumption of water should be minimum of eight to ten glasses. This helps us to detoxify our system and kill harmful bacteria that cause acne. Too much of oily food also leads to acne, so fried and spicy food should be strictly avoided. Including chromium in your diet also helps to cure acne. There should be a combination of right nutritional balance and proper skin care.

A mixture of nutmeg powder with unboiled milk when applied on the affected area regularly also helps to cure acne. Cinnamon powder mixes with honey is equally effective in curing acne. Boiled neem leaves when applied on acne acts as a disinfectant. The infected area should be washed with anti acne soap at least three to four times a day.

Makeup should be strictly avoided when one is suffering from acne. Makeup makes the acne conditions worse. Acne should never be squeezed as it may spread and become worse. Squeezing your acne may also lead to permanent mark on your skin, which leaves your skin, looking ugly.

Avoid your hair to fall on the acne-affected area. Hair should be kept tied to avoid contact with acne. Pillow covers should be washed on daily basis to avoid the germ to spread. Regular cleansing of your skin should be done to keep it free from germs.

Apart from all these a healthy lifestyle should be followed, with proper balance of food, exercise and sleep. Remember if you take proper care of yourself no ailments can trouble you leave apart a small thing as acne!