SUPER SKIN IN FOUR SIMPLE STEPS

While we can all appreciate a good concealer or botox, ignoring the underlying problems by covering them up is no answer. Truly beautiful skin can only come from a good basic skin care routine.Clear, beautiful, healthy skin doesn’t just ‘happen,’ it comes effort and a good skin care routine. Surprisingly, many women today rely on cosmetics and surgical procedures to hide or repair the damage that has occurred from years of improper skin maintenance.

Most dermatologist and skin experts recommend consistently following a daily skin care routine. This does not have to be complicated or time-consuming.  Your daily routine can be performed in as little as five to ten minutes.

Four Simple Steps

* Cleanse
* Tone / Treat
* Moisturize
* Protect

A typical skin care routine includes the following steps: washing/cleansing, toning / treating (optional depending on skin type), moisturizing and sun protection.

Optimize for your skin type
The steps of the basic routine should be adjusted to fit your skin type. Your skin type may change with the season, diet and age. Skin tends to be oilier in the summer and drier in the winter. Menopause often brings about a change from oily or normal to dry skin. Conversely, a shift from a low-fat diet to that rich in certain fats (particularly essential fatty acids) may turn dry skin to normal. Skin pigmentation affects the degree to which you need sun protection. While sun damages any skin, the damage is far less in dark-skinned people. Conversely, fair skinned people need to be particularly meticulous about sun protection by minimizing sun exposure, choosing an effective sunscreen and applying it frequently and consistently.

Depending on your skin type, you may want to use your routine once in the morning and again before you sleep. Those with dry and/or sensitive skin may do better with once a day washing/cleansing while moisturizing two or more times a day. Exfoliation, to remove excess oils and prevent acne or blackheads, is also recommended in some cases, but exercise caution as daily exfoliation may be excessive and can lead to chronic irritation. Exfoliation once or twice a week is usually sufficient. Younger skin, like that in your 20’s and 30’s will have a fast natural epidermal turnover may need little to no exfoliation.

Cleansing
Cleaning facial skin is even more important than cleaning your body. Your face, unlike your body, is exposed to elements all day long. Dirt, pollution and oil from hands all accumulate on the epidermal layer and can clog pores and cause acne eruptions or inflammation. Like all skin care products, the best cleanser for you will be determined by your skin type. If you suffer from oily or acne-prone skin, you may benefit from an oil-free gel cleanser or one containing salicylic acid. Mature or dry skin will do best with a cream cleanser to help retain moisture. Once your face and neck are cleansed, rinse with lukewarm water and pat your skin lightly with a towel.

Toning / Treating
Toning can consist of using a store-bought toner, astringent or simple Witch Hazel. Toning or treating will balance the ph level of the skin and remove any residual dirt or oil not picked up from your cleanser. For those over the age of thirty, adding a well-selected treatment or two with scientifically proven active ingredients can further improve your results. Treatment can mean anything from skin rejuvenation products, skin discoloration items and oil absorbing agents to applying medicines for acne or eczema. If you suffer from multiple skin conditions, select an initial treatment aimed at the broadest improvement and then fine tune things from there.
Be aware of applying products to un-cleansed skin as the penetration of active ingredients will be greatly reduced. If you cleanse, moisturize and then apply advanced products, the penetration of active ingredients may still be reduced because the moisturizer has blocked some the entryways.

Moisturize
Moisturizers are essential to keep skin cells plump and hydrated. Hydrated skin will show fewer lines, wrinkles and imperfections. Even if you have oily or acne prone skin, you may still need some hydration. Look for gel-based moisturizers or lightweight formulations. Many medications and treatments appropriate for dealing with acne or oily skin automatically are drying. Don’t make the mistake of drastically drying out your skin until it is a challenge to repair. During the fall and winter months your skin may be even more vulnerable thanks to reduced humidity from indoor heating and excessive hot showers or baths.

Apply your moisturizer when your skin is clean, warm and still slightly moist. Since many active treatments have moisturizing ingredients, you may be able to skip a separate moisturizer. If you feel that you need additional moisturizing, wait a few minutes for the active treatments to absorb, and then apply your favorite moisturizer over it.

Protect
Wearing sunscreen or sun protection EVERY DAY is the proven best way to block harmful UV rays and diminish formation of wrinkles, skin discolorations and to reduce your chances of developing skin cancer. A good UVA+UVB sunscreen should be applied on top of your moisturizer or other treatments as a final step of your routine whenever sun exposure is expected.  Sunscreens come in a wide variety of bases, from those meant for oily skin to hydrating versions. Those with sensitivities to chemical sunscreens can choose natural Zinc Oxide formulations. Protective clothing can also now be improved thanks to new laundry treatments with UV protectant for widespread areas of the body mistakenly thought to be protected by your clothing.

Some skin care products or cosmetics contain added UV blockers, but they may not be enough, using a separate, specially formulated sunscreen is proven to be more effective.

And that’s it! Cleanse, Tone / Treat, Moisturize and Protect. Use these four simple steps to achieve beautiful, healthy skin. For a lifetime of skin care that can help leave your skin looking its very best, see your healthy skin as a clean canvass upon which to paint any improvements.

Author: Rachelle Dupree
Vivoderm Natural Skincare

Technology Comes To Aid Of Acne Skin Treatments

The best acne skin treatment  is highly personalized as it is different for each person.  The same treatment may not work for some other person.  It depends a lot on the type of skin and the root cause. There are numerous treatments for such conditions.  It may occur due to hormonal imbalance during puberty or due to excessive secretion of oil by sebaceous glands. At times the pimples, dead skin, blackheads or white heads clog the pores and turn it into an acne problem.

Acne skin care treatments are absolutely necessary. Usage of substandard cosmetic or exposure to sunlight for longer periods can harm the skin.  One of the effective home remedies is a mixture of garlic solution and milk. Sandal wood paste and turmeric mask is one that exfoliates as well as nourishes. Fruits acne skin treatments are very effective are highly effective in rejuvenating the skin.  Pulp or juices of orange, apple, papaya, banana or lemon is found to be effective on acne prone skin.  Acne skin care with facial masks has made combating the problem relatively easy.

The acne skin care products either reduce the visible marks or they arrest the new ones from appearing. Surgical and laser acne treatments are also available.  The photojuvenation treatment is a painless process which fights acne very well. Under this acne treatment light of different wavelength is used to treat the affected area.  Similarly there is an acne blue light therapy. It is believed to be a path breaking technique. It removes the acne causing bacteria. There is no use of chemical and it is a natural way to treat acne.  Each session may last for not more than 15 minutes.  It is always better to use natural products to get rid of skin problems.  The daily skin care routine has to be followed to keep the skin in glowing and radiant.

Treating Acne is Easy with Natural Skin Treatments

Acne vulgaris is a severe health problem faced by most individuals. People believe that it occurs only during teenage years. However, this is not true. It can occur at any age which can cause distressing marks and skin blemishes. Number of reasons account for such problems like hormonal changes, secretion of sebum from skin, stress, improper diet and many others. Despite so many causes, a good thing is that these problems can safely be cured with natural skin treatments.

Proper acne skin care is the foremost step to avoid all kinds of acne related problems. A skin care basically involves four steps which include cleansing, exfoliating, toning and moisturizing.

These steps have to be followed in a systematic manner to gain maximum benefits. To ensure adequate skin care routine, varied herbal facial products are available in market. These products are really amazing and provide wonderful results. Since, they are chemical free items, no side effects are involved. They are gentle on your skin and really effective that can be used for any skin type.

A good thing about natural facial masks is that they can be conveniently prepared at home. Among such masks, natural fruits are mostly used to ensure invigorating of the skin. Papaya, orange juice, banana, tomato are some of the commonly used natural ingredients that provide a soft and glowing skin. Basil oil is another natural herb which is considered best for treating acne such as white heads and black heads. If you have a sensitive skin, you can use these items without any fear as these are naturally composed products, free from any adverse reactions.

In order to get rid of acne, you must go only for natural acne skin treatments. These are truly wonderful masks prepared with plant oils and fruits. In order to get desired results, you must choose a product according to your skin type.

Identify The Best Acne Treatment

The definition of ‘Best acne treatment’ varies from person to person. Some people might have undergone a laser treatment and benefitted from it. There must be others who swear by Botox injections. There may be some others who will owe their clear skin to anti-acne creams. There may be yet others who are indebted to herbal acne treatments. So, there is no as such one ‘Best acne treatment’. An acne treatment may work for one. The same may not work for another. The person on whom the treatment worked will definitely call such a treatment the ‘Best treatment’. As simple as that!

The working of the treatment depends on a lot many factors. One such factor is severity of acne. In the most intense acne cases, it is a skincare expert only who can suggest the best acne treatment. One must avoid going by hearsay and rush to see a dermatologist as soon as possible. For a person with chronic acne, a course of antibiotics or skin grafting may prove to be the ‘Best acne treatment’. Likewise, for somebody who has not had acne anytime in life but has developed it now, the problem may be solved by acne facials alone. Similarly some people may have benefitted from yoga. So, these people will undoubtedly consider yoga to be the ‘Best acne treatment’. Homeopathy also offers a solution to the problem. Some people vouch for the effects of homeopathy.

Facial masks are held to be very beneficial in treating bad skin. Herbal anti-acne creams are tried and tested ways to make the pimples disappear. There are many under-knife treatments to boot for instance zeno acne treatment, laser treatment, vacuum treatment etc.

Ultimately, it is a dermatologist who can suggest the ‘Best acne treatment’ to any person. A dermatologist can relate with the problem well, identify the cause and accordingly suggest a prescription.

Four Step Skin Care for Men

Today more than ever, men are concerned with skin care and taking care of their skin. Most skin care lines are geared toward women and concerns that women have with skin health, while few are geared towards men’s skin health. The following are easy and fast tips for men to follow to start taking care of their skin, without the confusion of too many products or steps. Men’s skin care should include a daily face wash, a mild facial scrub, proper shaving techniques, and a moisturizer containing sunscreen.

Face Wash

Men should cleanse their skin with a mild facial cleanser morning and night. Cleansers should contain cleansing agents and be mild with moisturizing ingredients that help balance skin ph levels. Cleansing, morning and night, will remove excess oil and dirt, keeping pores clear and skin less prone to break outs.

Facial Scrub

A mild facial scrub that contains micro beads or exfoliating components such as papaya seeds can aid in over all skin health and shaving irritation. A facial scrub can be used a few times a week. A good tip is to leave the scrub in the shower and use on days following shaving. Scrubs help to shed dead skin and keep pores free of debris. Using a scrub a few times a week will also reduce ingrown hairs.

Proper Shaving Techniques

Whether you choose a wet shave or electrical, the skin should be cleansed prior to shaving. If using the traditional wet shave techniques, cleanse the skin first and use a shaving gel or cream to reduce irritation, cuts and skin snags. Shaving gels aid the blade over the skin causing the razor to catch the hairs and not the skin. For electrical shavers, cleanse and dry the skin and be sure that the blades of the electrical shaver are properly cleansed and sanitized. Electrical shavers can harbor bacteria that can then be transferred to the skin, causing irritation. An after-shave or mild facial moisturizer should always be applied after shaving. . After shaves often contain ingredients that will help reduce irritation and sooth the skin, while a moisturizer will sooth and hydrate the area.

Moisturizer with Sunscreen

As men tend to have more oily skin than women, a morning moisturizer containing a sunscreen is usually enough to properly moisturize men’s skin. However, if moisturizing at night is preferred, choose a light moisturizer that does not contain sunscreen. A day time moisturizer with sunscreen will protect the skin from the harmful effects of the sun, while moisturizing and hydrating the skin, leaving it healthy and smooth. A night moisturizer would follow a night cleanse and would be beneficial for older men or men that have a drier skin type. The same moisturizer can be used day and night if it does not contain sunscreen, however a sunscreen should then be applied over the moisturizer during the day.

While it is widely known that most men will not take the same amount of time women may to take care for their skin, these tips are the basics to a great complexion for any man. With a little bit of discipline, any man can have younger-looking, smoother skin too.

By Tiffany Oney

Tiffany Oney is a licensed esthetician, professional makeup artist and natural skincare authority.  She is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in Communications Studies California State University, Long Beach and interning with Vivoderm Natural Skincare in Los Angeles, California.

Acne Causes and Best Skin Treatments

Acne is a problem but not an insurmountable one. Today, there are fast, safe and effective acne treatments available online. The most effective ones are natural treatments.

What Is Acne?

There’s a reason it’s called “common acne” — nearly everyone suffers from outbreaks of pimples at some point in life.

It starts when greasy secretions from the skin’s sebaceous glands plug the tiny openings for hair follicles (plugged pores). If the openings are large, the clogs take the form of blackheads: small, flat spots with centers darkened by exposure to air. If the openings stay small, the clogs take the form of whiteheads: small, closed, flesh-colored bumps. Both types of plugged pores can develop into swollen, tender inflammations or pimples or deeper lumps or nodules. Cysts associated with severe cases of acne (cystic acne) are firm swellings below the skin’s surface that become inflamed and sometimes infected.

Although acne remains largely a curse of adolescence, about 20% of all cases occur in adults. Acne commonly starts during puberty between the ages of 10 and 13 and tends to be worse in people with oily skin. Teenage acne usually
lasts for five to 10 years, normally going away during the early 20s. It occurs in both sexes, although teenage boys tend to have the most severe cases.

Women are more likely than men to have mild to moderate forms into their 30s and beyond.  Acne lesions are most common on the face, but they can also occur on the neck, chest, back, shoulders, scalp, and upper arms.  Acne isn’t caused by a harmful diet, poor hygiene, or an uncontrolled sex drive. The simple truth is that heredity and hormones are behind most forms of acne. Swearing off chocolate or scrubbing your face 10 times a day won’t change your predisposition to this unsightly, sometimes painful, and often embarrassing skin problem.

What Causes Acne?

The cause of acne is not fully understood. Though stress can aggravate acne,  it clearly does not cause it.  Hormones. Common acne in teenagers starts with an increase in hormone production. During puberty, both boys and girls produce high levels of  androgens, the male sex hormones that include testosterone. Testosterone signals the body to make more sebum, a waxy substance that helps the skin retain moisture.

Bacteria. Excess sebum clogs the openings to hair follicles — especially those on the face, neck, chest, and back. Bacteria grow in these clogged follicles. This makes blackheads or whiteheads form on the skin’s surface — a condition called non-inflammatory acne. Sometimes the follicle wall breaks under the pressure of this buildup. When this happens, sebum leaks into nearby tissues and forms a pustule — this is called inflammatory acne. This can create cysts.

Ruptured cysts can leave temporary or permanent scars.  Depending on the type of pill, oral contraceptives may trigger acne in some women but suppress it in others. Steroids taken by some bodybuilders and other athletes can also lead to severe outbreaks.

Acne has many subtypes. Acne neonatorum and acne infantum occasionally affect newborns and infants, usually boys. A pimply rash appears on the face but usually clears within weeks with no lasting effect. People who escaped their teen years almost pimple free may develop persistent adult-onset acne as they get older. Despite the normal increase in androgen levels during puberty, some doctors believe that flare-ups of acne have less to do with androgen levels than with how a person’s skin responds to an increase in sebum production. The bacteria Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis occur naturally in healthy hair follicles. If too many of them accumulate in plugged follicles, they may secrete enzymes that break down sebum and cause inflammation. Some people are simply more sensitive than others to this reaction. Sebum levels that might cause a pimple or two in one person may result in widespread outbreaks — or even acute cystic acne — in another person.

What causes acne?

No one factor causes acne. Acne happens when oil (sebaceous) glands come to life around puberty stimulated by male hormones from the adrenal glands of both boys and girls. Oil is a natural substance which lubricates and protects the skin, and under certain circumstances, cells that are close to the surface block the openings of sebaceous glands and cause a buildup of oil underneath. This oil stimulates bacteria, (which live in everyone’s skin and generally cause no problems), to multiply and cause surrounding tissues to become inflamed.

If the inflammation is right near the surface, you get a pustule; if it’s deeper, a papule (pimple); deeper still and it’s a cyst. If the oil breaks though to the surface, the result is a “whitehead.” If the oil becomes oxidized (that is, acted on by oxygen in the air), the oil changes from white to black, and the result is a “blackhead.”

Some factors that don’t usually cause acne, at least by themselves are:

* Heredity: With the exception of very severe acne, most people do not have the problem exactly as their parents did. Almost everyone has some acne at some point in their life.
* Food: All over the world, parents tell teens to avoid pizza, chocolate, greasy and fried foods, and junk food. While these foods may not be good for overall health, they don’t cause acne or make it worse.
* Dirt: Some individuals have more “oily” skin than others (as mentioned above, “Blackheads” are oxidized oil, not dirt). Sweat does not cause acne, therefore, it is not necessary to shower instantly after exercise for fear that sweat will clog pores. On the other hand, excessive washing can dry and irritate the skin.
* Stress: Some people get so upset by their pimples that they pick at them and make them last longer. Stress, however, does not play much of a direct role in causing acne.
* Hormones: Some women break out cyclically, but most women (and men) don’t. Some oral contraceptive pills may help relieve acne, but unless a woman has abnormal menstrual periods and excessive hair growth, it’s unlikely that hormones play much of a role in causing acne.
* Cosmetics: Most cosmetic and skin care products are not pore-clogging (“comedogenic.”) Of the many available brands, those which are listed as “water-based” or “oil-free” are generally a better choice.

In occasional patients, contributing factors may be:

* Pressure: In some patients, pressure from helmets, chinstraps, collars, and the like can aggravate acne.
* Drugs: Some medications may cause or worsen acne, such as those containing iodides, bromides, or oral or injected steroids (either the medically prescribed prednisone or the steroids bodybuilders or athletes take.) Most cases of acne, however, are not drug-related.
* Occupations: In some jobs, exposure to industrial products like cutting oils may produce acne.

Natural anti-acne treatments can include topical tropical treatments, such as cleansers, creams and facial masks. Facial masks can be used once or twice a week. Anti-acne masks will contain natural ingredients with astringent properties like rosemary, tea tree or lavender and can control excess sebum and inflammation. Look for a product that is close to natural or herbal as possible.

Anti-acne masks will reduce the amount of inflammation and pimples and help prevent future outbreaks. Simply find the mask that is best for your skin type, apply it in a thin layer to cover the face and neck area - wait the allotted amount of time - 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse off with lukewarm water.

Dispelling Acne Myths

Acne. It can be controlled. With a combination of a daily skin care routine and regular consultation with your physician, you can be on your way to clean and healthy skin.

Simply put, acne is the term for plugged pores (blackheads and whiteheads), pimples and even deeper lumps (cysts or nodules) that can occur on the face, neck, back, shoulders and even the upper arms. It can affect girls and boys during adolescence and can even affect men and women in adulthood.

It’s time to sort out acne myth versus fact once and for all.

Myth #1: The more you wash your face the fewer breakouts you’ll have.
Fact: It’s important to maintain a consistent skin care regimen, but over-washing can cause dryness and exacerbate the condition.

Myth #2: Acne is caused by eating candy and greasy food.

Fact: This is a common belief, but there is no concrete evidence to back it up.

Myth #3: Popping pimples will make them go away faster.

Fact: Actually, popping pimples could potentially spread the problem deeper into your skin and may cause permanent scarring.

Myth #4: Don’t wear make-up if you want clear skin.

Fact: In fact, wearing make-up is fine, providing it’s oil-free and non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores) and it is removed in the evening before bedtime.

Myth #5: If breakouts persist, it helps to use more acne medication until the breakouts stop.

Fact: Like over-washing, over-use of acne medication will only irritate your skin by causing more breakouts and drying out the skin. It is important to follow a consistent daily skin care routine that cleanses, treats and moisturizes skin. While there is no quick fix to treat acne, consulting with your physician to determine your best treatment options is the first step.

- News Canada

Acne Treatment: Women Pinpoint the Trigger

From the occasional pimple during times of stress to the familiar breakouts before menses, acne affects almost all women at some time in their lives.

While acne commonly develops during the preteen and early teen years, it can also arise in young adulthood and persist for years. Studies show women feel more frustrated by acne than men do—adult women even more so than teenage girls. Why? Dealing with a chronic disorder typically associated with puberty can lead to great frustration. But don’t despair if you have acne, effective treatment is available.

How acne happens

Your skin is studded with thousands of oil glands that produce sebum to moisturize and enhance the skin’s ability to act as a protective barrier. Sebum within each gland is carried to the surface through pores. The highest density of oil glands is found on your face, especially at the nose, forehead and mid-cheek areas. The largest oil glands are found on the back and mid-chest. This explains in part why acne appears mostly on the face, chest and back.

But what actually causes acne is still unknown. Researchers suspect hormones play a role in pore blockage and increased oil production. A blockage creates the build-up of oil within the pore to form blemishes such as blackheads and whiteheads. “Zits” appear when acne bacteria multiply within the blocked pore, resulting in inflamed red bumps or pustules. Some of these large sacs of oil may rupture leading to large red lumps (also called nodules).

Unfortunately, you may inherit acne-prone skin—particularly the type susceptible to the more severe, scarring forms of the condition.

Prevention

For some patients acne can be aggravated by:

* Thick, pore-blocking creams
* Clothing, hats, helmets or pads that retain sweat or moisture
* Long hair that brushes the skin on your back, neck, and face
* Hair gels and sprays where they may touch your skin
* Sleeping on damp hair

While diet has not been conclusively shown to be an acne trigger, some women may notice certain foods aggravate their skin. Try excluding these foods for two or three weeks and see if your skin improves.
Treatment

Fortunately, therapy can reduce acne, minimize the risk of scars and improve your skin’s appearance. Treatment begins with discovering your acne triggers and learning what treatments will help you control the condition. Choosing cosmetics appropriate for your skin is important, too.

Acne treatment ranges from cleansers, topical gels and creams for mild acne to antibiotic or hormonal pills for moderate cases. Accutane may be prescribed for severe cases. Acne staining can be treated with exfoliating creams and facials while scarring may require the use of fillers, dermabrasion or laser treatments. Full compliance with a treatment program is the key to success.

About the author:
Jerry K. L. Tan, MD, FRCPC is an Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Medicine, University of Western Ontario, Windsor, Canada. He is also Director, Acne Research and Treatment Centre, Windsor, Canada. Dr. Tan’s area of specialty: acne and rosacea.

Vitamin Rich Diet to Reduce Acne

Do you know you can treat your acne by filling  your diet with vitamins specifically to help reduce acne?

Both teens and adults suffer from acne.  While everybody will experience the occasional acne outbreak, for the most part, acne is preventable.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you didn’t have a raft of blemishes show up just about the time you’re going to a party? Nutrition is all important in the fight against acne breakouts.  And the best vitamins for acne conditions are found in natural fruits and veggies.

Excess oil in the skin is a major culprit for those pimples and blemishes. This doesn’t mean that avoiding fat altogether is the answer. There are good and bad fats. Fats should comprise about 20% of your total intake of calories each day. Generally, animal fats and trans fats are the ones you want to avoid. Olive oil, flaxseed oil and organic fish oils are the best for a healthy cardiovascular system.

Now, to keep acne outbreaks to a minimum, lets take a look at those good  vitamins for acne. Vitamins A, C, E and zinc should be in good supply in your daily diet. This means lots of fruits and veggies. Include lots of salads. A variety of greens, fresh parsley, all of the citrus fruits and red, orange or yellow vegetables are all high in vitamins A and C. Avocados are loaded with vitamin E. The ready to drink vegetable juices supply many of these vitamins. If you don’t care for the taste, try a squirt of lemon juice or one of the spicy versions, ice cold, as this beverage is so beneficial to the health of your skin.  All this nutrition will keep your skin at it’s optimal best and prevent or reduce further acne breakouts.

When you make a salad, which makes an excellent lunch or dinner, make it a chef’s style with healthy additions like sliced chicken breast or shrimp (prawns). Vary your selection of dark green, leafy vegetables in your salads so you don’t get bored with this meal. Spinach, mesclun or spring mixes are good choices. Dice in a sweet red or orange bell pepper for a good dose of beta-carotene, the most beneficial form of vitamin A. Organic, locally grown fruits and vegetables also contain more of these nutrients than veggies that have been picked in an under ripe state and shipped hundreds of miles. Look for salad dressings made with olive or soy oil.

Don’t forget, an “anti-acne” fruit smoothie makes a great, quick breakfast that’s filling and good for your skin.

Teens especially need these vitamins for acne treatments in greater abundance as compare to adults. Talk to your doctor to see if vitamin supplements are a good addition to your healthy eating program. Remember too, that caffeine washes all these vitamins, particularly vitamin C, out of your system before your body can readily absorb them.

If you can incorporate these healthy, vitamin rich foods into your daily diet, you can be assured of a gorgeous, radiant, acne-free skin.

Blue Light Therapy for Healing Acne

By Van Le | After trying countless of potions and lotions to no avail, some acne sufferers are turning to technology and hoping that blue light therapy, a new scientific advancement, will pave the way for acne-free skin. Considered a form of laser treatment, the procedure involves emitting a blue light source (with visible spectrum of 406 to 426 nm) to the affected areas. The high-intensity light kills the bacteria that can cause acne breakouts. Blue light therapy is approved by the U.S. Food and Drugs Administration as a legal and safe procedure for the treatment of mild to moderate acne vulgaris. As a result, it is a widely advertised and highly popular form of treatment among acne sufferers.

Unlike creams and ointments that treat acne on a topical level, blue light therapy targets bacteria underneath the skin, eliminating the problem from the root. It works by adding oxygen to skin cells, which leads to a chemical reaction inside acne bacteria, causing the bacteria to self-destruct. With fewer bacteria, the number of buildups and acne lesions begin to decrease. The treatment stems from the belief that sunlight reduces acne, but also emits dangerous UV rays that can lead to premature aging and cancer. Since blue light does not contain any UV rays, it provides all the benefits without any of the damage. Most patients report little to no negative side effects, and the treatment can be used on several parts of the body including the face, back and chest. In conjunction with blue light, some dermatologists recommend undergoing red light therapy since it helps nourish damaged tissues and speed up the production of acne-free skin.

Like other laser treatments, blue light therapy is most effective when administered in multiple sessions. Although the length and time of treatment varies, most patients undergo treatment sessions that typically last for 20 minutes and normally done twice a week for at least four weeks. The cost for blue light therapy can range from $50 to $150 for a single treatment, and up to $3000 for a full treatment package. Due to its cosmetic nature, it is not covered by most insurance plans.

Van Le is a staff writer for the CSU Daily Titan and writing intern for Vivoderm Laboratories in Los Angeles, California. She is currently pursuing a Journalism degree at California State University, Fullerton.

For the latest findings on natural skincare you can also link to http://naturalantiagingproducts.net

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