Treatment for Acne ScarsWritten by Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, Ph.D, ND, DACBN
Acne can be very mild, resulting in a few lone blemishes, or it can be severe when it occurs on face, neck, shoulders, chest, and back. Pustules and deeper cysts occur with very severe acne and scarring may result if condition is not cared for properly. These scars may be visible for a lifetime. Here’s what your can do to prevent these scars from forming, and treat them if they do develop.Preventing Acne Scars Never pick or squeeze acne blemishes. This can lead to spread of acne and development of acne scars. Instead, there are a number of treatment methods that can be used to care for acne and prevent development of scars. Herbs such as chamomile, lavender, juniper, bergamot, dandelion root, Echinacea, poke root, witch hazel, and burdock root can be used to reduce toxicity, improve skin’s condition and treat acne. Vitamin supplements can also be helpful as vitamins A, C, E and B6 are vital for healthy skin. Also, avoid exposing your skin to sun’s rays. Initially, sun exposure may dry out an acne blemish, but over time, unprotected sun exposure can damage skin and further aggravate problem acne. Types of Acne Scars Medical professionals have developed a acne scarring classification system that aids in diagnosis and treatment of many acne scars. Scars may be classified as ice pick, boxcar, or rolling. Acne Scars – Ice pick As their name implies, ice pick acne scars are thin, sharp scars. The skin looks as though it has been sliced with an ice pick. These scars are narrow, but deep, extending into deep dermis or subcutaneous layer. Acne Scars - Boxcar Unlike ice pick scars, boxcar scars do not taper to a point. Instead, they are round pits that have sharp vertical edges. Skin resurfacing techniques such as dermabrasion or laser resurfacing may be used to treat shallow boxcar scars. Deeper scars require full-thickness treatment techniques. Acne Scars - Rolling Rolling scars appear to have a rolling or undulating texture. They are result of folds in skin to subcutaneous tissue below. Rolling scars must be treated by breaking up fibrous bands that are causing skin to fold or roll. Subcutaneous incision is method most commonly used to treat this condition. Acne Scar Treatment Dermal Fillers Dermal fillers such as fat, collagen, hyaluronic acid derivatives, and polytheyl-methacrylate microspheres with collagen can be injected into acne scars to raise surface of skin and give a smoother look. The injection of dermal fillers does not permanently correct acne scars. The results are temporary, so further injections are necessary.
| | Serious Skin Care: Beyond the Basics of SoapWritten by Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, Ph.D, ND, DACBN
Skin care means different things to different people. Some consider merely washing their face on a daily basis to be a good skin care routine. Others would not leave house without cleansing, toning, moisturizing, applying sun block, and concealing blemishes. For those of you who are ready to move beyond basics of soap, this article is for you. Read on to learn more about serious skin care, serious skin care products, and what you can do to solve serious skin care dilemmas.Serious Skin Care Routines Serious skin care doesn’t mean that you have to spend endless hours in bathroom. It means taking time to look at your skin and what products and techniques can keep it looking and feeling great. Here’s a serious skin care routine that can be completed in minutes: 1.Clean Up: Soap may be great for rest of your body, but many dermatologists agree that it can be too drying for even heartiest facial skin. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to find a natural facial cleansing gel or face wash that is specially suited to your skin type. Wash your face twice a day with warm purified water and a facial cleanser to remove any perspiration, pollutants, and debris that may accumulate there. 2.Get Toned: If you have dry, sensitive or combination skin, your skin may be irritated by drying ingredients like alcohol and acetone found in most skin toners. Skip this step if you have a problem with irritation. However, if you have oil or combination skin, you face will likely benefit from extra cleansing and pH restoration of a alcohol and acetone free skin toner. 3.For Your Eyes Only: Eye cream can do wonders to improve condition of delicate skin around your eyes. It can also help imperfections such as dark circles and bags, and it can minimize appearance of fine lines. A good all in one natural eye and facial cream is “Parfait Visage”. 4.Use Protection: Serious skin care means not only washing, but also protecting your skin from potential damage. Moisturizers and sun block provide good skin protection. Moisturizers hydrate your skin and help to keep dust, debris, and environmental pollutants out of your pores. Sun block protects your face from sun’s damaging rays. Ultraviolet radiation can lead to damage such as wrinkles, age spots, freckles, moles, rough spots, and even cancer. To save time, use a moisturizer that contains sunscreen with at least an SPF 15. Serious Skin Care Solutions Even with a flawless skin care routine, you are likely to encounter blemishes and other skin care dilemmas. Acne: Acne is term for a skin condition that includes pimples, blemishes, whiteheads, blackheads, and cysts. The most important rule to remember if you develop acne is that you should never pick or squeeze acne blemishes. This can lead to spread of acne and development of acne scars. Instead, there are a number of herbal, homeopathic, and traditional preparations that can be used to treat this condition. For more information on natural acne remedies visit www.acne-answers.org.
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