Determine Your Skin Type

Determining your skin type is easy, and the information will help you when buying moisturizers, cosmetics and facial cleansers.

Step One
Wash your face with a skin cleanser, then rinse and pat dry.

Step Two
Wait one hour.

Step Three
Note whether your skin feels “tight.”

Step Four
Press a separate piece of tissue onto each area of your face: chin, center of cheeks, outer cheeks, center of forehead, outer forehead and nose.

Step Five
Examine each tissue and look for oily residue or flaky skin residue.

Step Six
Interpret the results. Oil on each tissue indicates an oily skin type, while oil on only some tissues (specifically those on the T-zone, which is the center of forehead, nose, chin and center of cheeks) indicates a combination skin type. Flaky skin residue on all tissues – without oily residue – or a tight feeling in the skin indicates a dry skin type. No oil and no flaky residue on any parts of the tissue indicates a normal skin type.

Tips & Warnings
Pore size is another indication of skin type; small pores generally indicate dry skin, while large pores mean oily skin. Remember that there are many factors that affect your skin type, such as weather, emotions, hormones and stress, and this will cause your skin type to be in a constant state of fluctuation.
“Combination skin” products that claim to serve different functions on different parts of the face are suspicious. You’re better off using different products on different areas.

Overall Things You’ll Need
Hand or Wash Towels
Mild Facial Cleansers
Oil-free Facial Cleansers
Oil-free Moisturizers

Topical and Prescription Treatments for Acne

Acne is most commonly due to an increased production of oil within pores and the presence of Propionibacterium acnes, causing pores of the skin to become occluded or infected. During the process, an inflammatory response occurs and produces the characteristic red, swollen and pustular appearance. There are various types of treatments for acne, which vary depending on the severity of the acne; some include topical treatments for mild to moderate acne, antibiotics and Accutane for severe cases.Examples of topical treatments include, but are not limited to, Proactive, which uses Benzoyl peroxide as the active ingredient, Retin-A

topical skn creams

or retinoic acid, and Differin or adapalene. All of these products use different mechanisms of action to treat acne, but all have similar side effects associated with their use. The most common side effects associated with the use of topical acne treatments include: redness, burning, scaling and dryness. Less common side effects are sunburn due to an increased sensitivity to sunlight and desquamation, which is the shedding or peeling of the outer layers of the skin.

Antibiotics are another source of treatment for patients with acne that have not been controlled with topical acne treatments. Propionibacterium acnes is a common bacteria found on the skin and obtains its nutrients from oil produced in pores. Therefore, people that produce large quantities of oil have an overgrowth of bacteria within the pore and have an increased susceptibility to acne. Antibiotics decrease the amount of bacteria and inflammatory response produced within the follicles improving the amount and appearance of acne.

The most common antibiotic treatments for acne include Minocycline, Tetracycline, Doxycycline, Erythromycin and Clindamycin, all of which are associated with mild to severe side effects. Antibiotics are not selective to bacteria they eradicate, and can decrease healthy bacteria necessary for proper balance within the body. The digestive system is most commonly affected; severe imbalances of normal bacterial required for proper digestion can occur, resulting in diarrhea, indigestion as well as yeast infections. Other side effects include: birth defects, sensitivity to sun exposure, tooth discoloration and liver toxicity. Less severe side effects are nausea and vomiting.

Accutane is a potent treatment used in patients with severe acne that have not responded to other topical or antibiotic treatments. Accutane is

Severe Acne

a form of Vitamin A. In high doses, it has been found to decrease the production of oil from glands. Although the use of Accutane can result in the resolution of acne, it is associated with a long list of serious adverse effects. In some instances, symptoms have been reported to persist after Accutane was discontinued. Many physicians do not recommend Accutane and many patients are not willing to take the risk of serious Side effects associated with this medication. Birth defects are the number one major side effect associated with patients using Accutane and pregnancy is contraindicated for women during its use. There has also been cases of serious birth defects in children of women who had stopped taking Accutane. Other commonly associated major side effects include depression with suicidal ideation. All patients should be screened and counseled prior to starting treatment.

Psoriasis 101 Information on Skin Disease

Top Five Psoriasis Myths

1. Myth: Psoriasis is contagious.

Fact: Psoriasis is not contagious. It is a life-long, immune mediated skin disease.

2. Myth: Psoriasis is caused by poor hygiene.

Fact: There is no link between hygiene and psoriasis. Psoriasis is a disease that no amount of washing or scrubbing can remove the scaly areas, or ensure they don’t come back.

3. Myth: Psoriasis is just an annoying skin rash.

Fact: Once thought to be a skin condition, research has shown that psoriasis is actually a disease of the immune system that causes abnormal growth in skin cells.

4. Myth: Psoriasis can be cured.

Fact: Psoriasis is a chronic disease for which there is currently no cure. Once symptoms appear, patients have psoriasis for life.

5. Myth: Psoriasis only affects patients physically.

Fact: There is a significant emotional impact experienced by psoriasis sufferers including feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, anger, frustration and even depression.

Several factors are thought to aggravate psoriasis. These include stress and excessive alcohol consumption. Individuals with psoriasis may also suffer from depression and loss of self-esteem. As such, quality of life is an important factor in evaluating the severity of the disease. There are many treatments available but because of its chronic recurrent nature psoriasis is a challenge to treat.

Plaque Psoriasis

About 80% of people living with psoriasis have plaque psoriasis, which also is called “psoriasis vulgaris.” “Vulgaris” means “common.”

How to recognize Plaque Psoriasis:

1. Raised and thickened patches of reddish skin, called “plaques,” which are covered by silvery-white scales.

2. Plaques most often appear on the elbows, knees, scalp, chest, and lower back. However, they can appear anywhere on the body, including the genitals.

3. Plaques vary in size and can appear as distinct patches or join together to cover a large area.

In the early stages, the psoriasis may be unnoticeable. The skin may itch and/or a burning sensation may be present.

Plaque psoriasis usually first appears as small red bumps. Bumps gradually enlarge, and scales form. While the top scales flake off easily and often, scales below the surface stick together. The small red bumps develop into plaques (reddish areas of raised and thickened skin).

Now that you know abit more about psoriasis, we urge you to find out more about this!

About the author: Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition and CAN be cured! We urge you to find out more about Psoriasis at http://Psoriasis.eask.info

Psoriasis by Camry James

Why Natural Acne Skin Treatments are Best for You

Our skin is the largest organ of the body and protects the rest of our organs from outside elements and harm. We have all been taught to take care of our skin not only to look good, but also to be healthy.

The benefits of eating natural, whole foods have been getting a lot of press in recent years. If you want beautiful skin, a healthy inside will reflect a healthy outside. Today, natural and organic skin care is the fastest growing area in the skin care and beauty industry.  That holds true for acne treatments as well.

Why natural, anti acne treatments?  Beauty products have been known to contain many chemicals such as parabens, to preserve their shelf life. Parabens are actually harmful to the skin, and overall health. Natural, anti acne skin care products and facial masks are all natural and do not contain any chemicals or preservatives. The key ingredients used to make these products contain few if any toxins or chemicals.

You may then ask, “Do natural  acne treatments expire more quickly than others?” The answer is no. In order to extend the product’s shelf life, manufacturers recommend you use something sanitary–such as a spatula–to remove products from containers and always close containers directly after use. It is widely agreed upon that once skin care products of any kind are opened and exposed to air, they should be used or thrown out after 6 months.

When natural or organic skin care products are used to treat skin disorders such as eczema and acne, they are much less likely to cause irritation to sensitive skin. Choosing natural anti acne masks are a beneficial and safe way to take care of your skin and overall health. Today there are many natural anti acne skin care treatments and products to choose from, including cleansers, toners, moisturizers, make-up and even anti-aging serums.

Some natural products you may already have at home are: essential oils like ginger and tea tree, natural anti aging plant oils such as grape seed and almond oil, and herbs such as lavender and green tea. You can use these in your bath or make fabulous natural facial treatments. The internet or your local library has hundreds of great recipes to choose.

Natural, fruit extracts such as papaya, apples, citrus and cucumbers are proven to have a healthy effect on the skin, due to the absence of toxic pesticides. As you can imagine, there are many great natural anti aging skin care lines available for retail, if you’re not interested in making your own home remedies. However, “natural, anti aging” doesn’t always mean organic or pure and labels can be deceiving; do some research on ingredients that seem skeptical.

The intent of this article is to help you be aware what you are putting on your skin and what harmful ingredients may be looming in your favorite skin care products. Now that you know more about natural, anti acne face masks follow the below home recipe for a great glow!

Make sure that your at home ingredients are certified organic or all natural.

FOR NORMAL / COMBINATION SKIN / ACNE

Why buy acne products when you use strawberries? Strawberries are a natural source of salicylic acid which is found in most over-the-counter acne medicines.

Ingredients:

* 1/4 cup strawberries (fresh, not frozen please)
* 1/4 cup sour cream or non-flavored yogurt

Preparation:
Mash together the strawberries and yogurt or sour cream. Spread on face and wash after 10-15 minutes.