She was the only reason I came to this dingy pub week after week. Each time hoping that this would be the night when I would finally pluck up enough courage to introduce myself to her.

My self-confidence had taken a battering over the last few years. But now it was steadily growing stronger, The light at the end of the tunnel was no longer an oncoming train.

During those occasions when our fleeting glances crossed paths, my heart raced as a tidal wave of excitement and longing flowed throughout my body.

I looked at my watch it was 22:45 the pub would be closing soon, it is now or never I said to myself. I took a deep breath and started walking over to her, rehearsing in my mind what I was going to say. Suddenly a bright light pulled me out of my trance and a distant voice shouted, Time to drink up ladies and gentlemen.

I looked into the place where she had been standing, the gentle glow of candles had been extinguished by the bright light of electric bulbs. She had gone! I kicked myself for being to slow. Once again, my Cinderella had left the ball before 11 and I glanced at the ground almost expecting to see a glass slipper.

She felt a sigh of relief as she stepped into the brisk cold night. She hated the bright lights. She felt secure in the dark shadows. Im just like a modern day vampire she thought as she sadly walked home.

She switched on the light and dimmed it to a murky glow. She walked over to her dressing table where the mirror seemed to gloat at her in disgust. She sat down and stared into it, hating what she saw and began the nightly ritual of stripping off the layers of makeup that attempted to conceal her acne.

She reached into the drawer which revealed an overwhelming collection of tubes and bottles of various acne treatments that worked so well when she was a teenager. But now years later for some unexplained reason her acne had returned and these brands no longer worked. Why dont they? She angrily thought as she slipped into bed.

She cried herself to sleep and drifted into the same dream that she had every night. In her dream she saw the mystery man in the pub gently caressing her soft silky cheeks as she tasted his sweet breath as he kissed her lips. She felt so secure in his warm embrace, a wonderful happiness only to be destroyed by the alarm clock.

During the night more spots had broken out, she new that these were caused by her make up, but without it she would be to self-conscious to leave her apartment – a miserable catch 22 situation.

Who knows, my skin my be better before next Friday, a positive thought that lasted only a fraction of a second as she prepared herself to face another miserable day.

To be continued…br
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The problem is acne.

As a teen, you know that poor skin makes you feel absolutely terrible. It makes you miserable. It leads to low self-esteem. You think that people are looking at you funny because your skin is covered with various spots and marks.

It just isn’t fair.

On top of the obvious external problem, acne causes you to internalize negative feelings. Your friends and your parents don’t understand that acne makes you feel dirty. It makes you feel greasy. It seems like your problems are the result of your skin problems.

I know that some teens really have it rough. They get picked on and ridiculed by everyone else. I remember this too and I once felt ugly and alone because of acne.

Acne is serious for teens exactly because it makes people angry, frustrated and depressed. If you’re a teen, you know exactly what I’m taking about. If you’re not, just remember that poor skin gives you anxiety. It fills you with shame.

Finally, consider that really bad acne can cause scars. These scars are often permanent and can cause long term self-esteem issues. So, prevention is really important. And obviously, it is easier to prevent acne than it is to deal with scars after the fact.

Why is It Important to Take Care of Acne?

Acne really isn’t your fault. You don’t deserve it and you can get rid of it. You can prevent it. That’s the good news.

It is important to prevent acne for a few reasons. Like it or not, better skin will help you interact with other people. This is because you feel better about yourself. So, it has less to do with how you look and more about how you feel. That’s definitely the key.

When you feel better about yourself you will have better social relationships. You’ll have an easier time attracting other people. Also, importantly, you’ll be healthy in other areas of your life. There is a spillover effect.

Vibrant skin with a healthy glow will make you feel more sexy, plain and simple. You also do not have to worry about spending money with treatments month after month if your skin is healthy.

Fortunately, there are healthy and low cost ways to prevent acne. For teenagers, this is obviously important. Freedom from the pain and sores is worth almost any price, but having some extra money is certainly nice as well.

Acne cures by the dozen fill up drugstore shelves, and an Internet search on “acne treatment” yields approximately 20 million results. However, there is still plenty of acne to be seen, so obviously many people still have not found the right cure for themselves. This article will present an overview of the most common prescription treatments, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of each.

Acne occurs when skin cells on the face, back and chest react to testosterone or its metabolite, dihydrotestosterone, and grow too fast, a process known as hyperkeratosis. The overgrowth of skin cells clogs sebaceous glands, which develop a secondary infection from usually innocuous skin bacteria such as Propionibacterium acnes, causing a pimple or cyst.

Prescription acne treatments are available if over the counter remedies are insufficient.

Birth control pills tend to improve acne by shutting down the body’s own production of hormones, not just estrogen and progesterone but testosterone as well, and reducing levels of free testosterone . As long as the synthetic hormones in the BCP are not themselves androgenic (and some synthetic progestins are) the acne should subside. Of course, this is only an option for female acne patients. Some birth control pills such as Yasmin are marketed specifically for acne treatment; your doctor can tell you more about these medications.

Spironolactone (usually prescribed as 50mg twice a day) is helpful for acne. This drug is normally used to treat high blood pressure, however it also acts as an antiandrogen and is used in the treatment of androgen related disorders such as female pattern baldness and hirsuitism.

Antibiotics such as tetracycline or minocycline are a standard treatment for acne, but are often ineffective in the long term or if used by themselves. You may have to switch from one antibiotic to another periodically as the skin bacteria develop resistance. All antibiotics cause an imbalance in normal intestinal flora, and can cause gastric irritation.

Topical clindamycin lotions and gels are often more effective than oral antibiotics. However, longterm use can be hazardous, since this antibiotic is absorbed through the skin and linked to a potentially deadly imbalance of gut bacteria called pseudomembranous enterocolitis. Clindamycin is three times more likely to cause this disorder than any other antibiotic.

Azelaic Acid has gotten mixed results in Europe. It provides a broad spectrum of activity in acne cases, but provides slow onset of action.

Retinoid, a vitamin A derivative, helps skin exfoliation just as fruit acids do, but its effect is much stronger. Several related related retinoid medications such as Retin-A, Tazarotene and Adapalene all have slightly different effects. Also, these products come in various strengths and formulations, so you may have to experiment to find the formulation that helps the most while causing the minimum amount of irritation.

Another vitamin A derivative, Accutane, is an oral drug as opposed to a topical preparation, and due to its side effects, is usually reserved for severe or persistent adult acne. It shuts down skin oil production and hyperkeratosis quite effectively, but its effects are felt throughout the body, potentially resulting in dry skin, joint pains, dry eyes, cracked lips, hair loss, depression (not surprising since the brain is composed mostly of fatty compounds called phospholipids), liver and kidney failure. It has been linked to an increased risk of suicide. Blood tests for liver and kidney function are mandatory at the beginning of treatment. The drug is usually taken for several months at a time, sometimes for 2 or 3 courses.

The drug causes severe birth defects if taken by pregnant women, and conscientious birth control is mandatory for female patients.

The effects of Accutane are often permanent : it is a true cure for acne. However, some users have found the side effects permanent as well, and there are several lawsuits pending against the manufacturer. There is no known way to reverse the effects of the drug after taking it; that is, there is no antidote if the user finds the side effects persistent and intolerable after a course of the drug. Many websites can be found full of complaints by ex-users who wish they had never taken the drug. Due to the risks, this is a medication of last resort, and is not recommended for mild teenage acne which can be treated by other means.

The problem is acne.

As a teen, you know that poor skin makes you feel absolutely terrible. It makes you miserable. It leads to low self-esteem. You think that people are looking at you funny because your skin is covered with various spots and marks.

It just isn’t fair.

On top of the obvious external problem, acne causes you to internalize negative feelings. Your friends and your parents don’t understand that acne makes you feel dirty. It makes you feel greasy. It seems like your problems are the result of your skin problems.

I know that some teens really have it rough. They get picked on and ridiculed by everyone else. I remember this too and I once felt ugly and alone because of acne.

Acne is serious for teens exactly because it makes people angry, frustrated and depressed. If you’re a teen, you know exactly what I’m taking about. If you’re not, just remember that poor skin gives you anxiety. It fills you with shame.

Finally, consider that really bad acne can cause scars. These scars are often permanent and can cause long term self-esteem issues. So, prevention is really important. And obviously, it is easier to prevent acne than it is to deal with scars after the fact.

Why is It Important to Take Care of Acne?

Acne really isn’t your fault. You don’t deserve it and you can get rid of it. You can prevent it. That’s the good news.

It is important to prevent acne for a few reasons. Like it or not, better skin will help you interact with other people. This is because you feel better about yourself. So, it has less to do with how you look and more about how you feel. That’s definitely the key.

When you feel better about yourself you will have better social relationships. You’ll have an easier time attracting other people. Also, importantly, you’ll be healthy in other areas of your life. There is a spillover effect.

Vibrant skin with a healthy glow will make you feel more sexy, plain and simple. You also do not have to worry about spending money with treatments month after month if your skin is healthy.

Fortunately, there are healthy and low cost ways to prevent acne. For teenagers, this is obviously important. Freedom from the pain and sores is worth almost any price, but having some extra money is certainly nice as well.

We All Get Acne

We have all had it. Red, sore, oozing, tender, pock-marked blemishes on our face, neck, back and chest. Acne is the bane of almost all teenagers and many adults. Let’s face it, this is a condition that we could do without. Modern science has come up with some wonder drugs, namely Accutane and related products that may be prescribed for the most severe cases. But is there relief for milder outbreaks? You bet there is!

What the Heck is Acne?

Acne is a generic term for pimples whiteheads, blackheads, cysts and other skin blemishes that occur most commonly on the face and frequently on the back and chest. Technically, it is an infection that occurs when your sebaceous glands become clogged by nasty stuff like dead skin cells and undesirable oils. Sebaceous glands surround your hair follicles and are supposed to release a helpful oil called sebum that is beneficial to the health of your skin. When sebum cannot be released it backs up and becomes inflamed and infected. The plugged and infected pores become red and tender and, voila, there is your acne.

Who Gets Acne?

Almost everyone gets zits and pimples at one point in their life. Although facial blemishes predominantly affect adolescents and teenagers, about 20% of all cases occur in adults. Cases can be as mild as an occasional isolated pimple or as severe enough to cause deep permanent scarring.

Avoid Bad Oils

Undesirable oils are one reason your pores can get clogged. These oils can come from oil based cosmetics for the face and hair. They also come from cooking oil and grease that is contained in food products. You may want to consider putting the kibosh on fast food and cheese curls for awhile. To keep things short, pay close attention to the gunk you are slathering on your face and stuffing into your mouth.

Gently Clean Your Face

Cleaning your face is important, but don’t go crazy. Mild soaps are the way to go. Avoid harsh products that promise to rip away facial oils. Remember, your body produces oils that are beneficial to your skin and you want these oils to continue to flow through unclogged pores. Overzealous cleaning can irritate and damage the sebaceous glands that produce the good oils and make a bad situation even worse. The best washing strategy calls for gentle cleaning on a regular basis.

Refrain from Popping

No matter how much you want to, use some self control and do not pop your zits. In fact, do not even touch them. Your hands and fingers contain dirt, grime oil and other contaminants that will simply add to your facial blemish problem. Pimple popping may provide short term relief from the occasional whitehead, but in the long run you are more likely to cause damage to your glands by introducing infection.

Ask a Professional

Acne is a very real medical condition that affects everyone in a different manner. A lot of acne can be controlled using over-the-counter medications. You could try the “hit or miss” method or you could show a little common sense and visit a trained dermatologist. Remember, you can easily create a very bad situation explode on your face by using ill-advised products and treatments. You may be surprised at how wonderful a knowledgeable practitioner can be.

You Can Get Rid of Acne

Acne is a generic term used to describe pimples, whiteheads, blackheads, cysts and other skin blemishes. It is caused by clogged pores that get inflamed, impacted and infected. Proper skin care and gentle cleaning is the first line of defense against acne. Unnatural oils from cosmetics and foodstuffs should be avoided. Avoid touching your skin in acne affected areas and never pop your pimples. You should seriously consider consulting trained medical personnel if acne persists or becomes a serious problem.

Important Note:

Ted is Not a Doctor (and he doesn’t play one on TV)

Please know that I have no medical degree. All the suggestions made in this article are based on research of generic skin acne problems. You should be aware that every person has different conditions and you should consult trained medical personnel before you embark on any campaign acne treatment.

Ted Curtis writes Get Rid of it All. Ted treks around the globe accompanied only by his dog Skip and his trusty laptop. Read about Ted’s travels at Half of Nothing at All. Please visit Ted’s sites, learn something new, and be entertained and educated.

Cheers and happy traveling,
Ted

Acne is a problem that affects not just teenagers but adults also. If you are in need of relief, there are a multitude of products, remedies, potions, etc. on the market help you. The first trip should be to your local boxmart (Wal-Mart, Target, etc) or local grocer. Why? Each of these locations typically has a licensed pharmacist on staff. They usually, key on the word usually, are more than willing to help you identify products that work well vs. those that do not. If the pharmacist at one location is not helpful, try another. You can do this from you own home via the phone. No need to drive all over the place. Another solution to check out are so called natural remedies. These “natural” remedies are usually natural items such as everyday foods, plants, chemicals, etc. The claim is that certain combinations of these ingredients act in such a way that the effect will reduce acne.

Before you run off and do these items, there are other things you should check into. Although doctors and scientists cannot say for sure what exactly causes acne, there are several things that are at the top of the list of suspects.

Medications – Many believe that Acne can be a side effect of some drugs, including barbiturates, seizure medication and steroids. Interestingly enough some believe that birth control pills cause acne while others prescribe birth-control as a medication for acne.

Chocolate – Many now believe that chocolate cannot cause acne outbreaks. Still, there are those who are staunch believers that chocolate causes outbreaks. The debate rages on.

Stress – While stress may not be a cause of acne, many people believe that stress can aggravate acne. Exercise is a great way to relieve stress.

Washing your face too often – While acne sufferers should keep their face clean, too much washing or harsh scrubbing will actually aggravate the skin causing acne to occur

Using greasy skin care products and oily cosmetics. Acne occurs when the pores become plugged up. Therefore, one can assume that any product that covers up the face in anyway may block the pores and the natural release of sebum may help cause acne flare-ups.

Environmental Irritants – Think of it, pollution is an unnatural containment. Being in a high pollution area can cause several reactions in the body, including acne. It is also thought that high humidity can cause acne outbreaks. High humidity can cause the skin to swell thereby blocking those pores.

Your Diet – Your diet, (what you eat) can have significant impact on acne outbreaks. Excessive dairy products, fatty foods, etc. are thought to have an impact on acne breakouts as well as a lack of zinc in your diet. Zinc supplements are often prescribed to treat acne.

As always, each person is different. You may have noticed that certain foods seem to have more of an impact on your acne than others. If you are unsure, pay closer attention to your diet and keep track of your acne outbreaks.

Of course, you should always consult with your dermatologist/doctor.

Back Acne

Back acne is another form of facial acne – in fact it’s caused by the same inflammation of the sebaceous glands as facial acne. Even if you don’t – or didn’t -have facial acne as a teen, you may find yourself facing zits on your body.

Located just below the skin, sebaceous glands produce and secrete oil (sebum) through skin pore openings. When the pores become blocked (for whatever reason), infection sets in and inflammation/pimples result.

As in most forms of acne, breakouts on the body are more prevalent in teenage boys, but can occur in anyone, of any age, gender or ethnicity. It’s easier to hide zits on the body but that doesn’t mean they aren’t there.

“Bacne” can be on the back or possibly go all the way down and cover the buttocks. Sometimes the lesions are large, extremely painful and sore to the touch.

Causes
It used to be thought that wearing tight clothes or carrying backpacks contributed to this problem, however there doesn’t seem to be any correlation. Many people do these things without developing this skin problem.

Treatment
Treatment of back acne is pretty much the same as treatment for other forms of acne. Cleanliness routines for your skin type are generally the most recommended way to alleviate this problem.

Bottom Line
You really hope it doesn’t get on your bottom because it can be quite uncomfortable. If it gets that far, remember that cleanliness is critical as is a prompt attention and a treatment regime.

Mayo Underwood writes a website at http://www.best-mens-skin-care.com More articles about this acne treatment for men can be found at http://www.best-mens-skin.care.com/acne-treatment.html