How to get rid of brown spot on your face

Do you have unwanted brown spots, melasma, dark spots or dark patches spreading on your face or other places that are bothering you?

Brown spots, is also known as age spots, dark spots, sun spots, liver spots, lentigines, lentigos are concentrations of melanin trigged by unprotected exposure to the sun over a long period of time. They may also appear on the face and neck because of hormonal changes (which often due to pregnancy) and also appears after cuts and blemishes heal on darker skin.

In fact, a lot of dermatologists prefer to use the term skin sun spots, as these brown spots on skin because they are directly associated with skin damage from sun exposure. Because sun radiation is one of the responsible for most of the unpleasant skin conditions as appearance of brown spots, appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, sagging of the skin, premature aging, enlargement of blood capillaries on the face.

Why most people see brown spots as old age spots, actually it is because older people had more time exposed to the damaging rays of the sun, and are more likely to have harmed their skin that is why brown spots may appear on the face, back, neck, chest, shoulders, and hands of the older peoples.

And do you know that those darker skinned people have higher melanin production and, therefore, suffer less sun damage. People with light skin, that easily burn, are more likely to need to get rid of age spots. If you have light skin, you are likely to suffer from sun spots much younger than most of your peers.

The Cause of Brown spots:

    * Sun exposure (sun damage, much like a freckle that appears after a summer in the sun.)

    * Aging

    * Genetics

    * Hormones and Menopause (Hormonal changes during menopause also can play a role in discolored skin)

    * Pregnancy (Hormonal changes during pregnancy play a role in discolored skin)

    * Stress

    * Improper skincare (some over-the-counter skin lighteners can actually darken certain skin)

    * Weak liver function (The liver helps filter your blood, removing harmful chemicals that contain free radicals, if your liver isn't doing its job, several external signs revolve around your skin: rashes, itchy skin and brown spots)

    * Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (Hyper-pigmentation is characterized by pockets of discolored skin that remain even after pimples or skin bumps have disappeared.)

    *A lack of vitamin C or B12

    * Smoking

    * Birth control pills

    * Result of acne (picking of pimples or zits can result in permanent scarring because after blemishes heal the skin become darker.)

   

The prevention:

1.       Wear protecting clothing, sunglass or use an umbrella while outdoors.

2.       Use sunscreen (with SPF 15 or higher) to your hands, arms, face, daily whether you plan to go outside or not. - As you should protect yourself from the sun that darkens your skin.

3.       Wear clothing that is both light-colored. The light color reflects the sun’s ray, rather than absorbing it.

Treatment:

A cream prescribes by a dermatologist with a higher concentration of lightening agent.

Laser therapy is the fastest and easiest way to get rid of brown spots, red spots and age spots. A laser generates and intense beam of light. This beam brings energy to a specific site, through a small hand piece connected to the laser. The laser light is absorbed by oxyhemoglobin (bright red blood cells carrying oxygen) and melanin/pigment (black or brown pigment found in the skin) causing decomposition or destruction by heat of unwanted cells while leaving healthy cells intact. Treatment with the laser is more comfortable and requires less recovery time than some other treatment methods. In 70 percent of the cases the brown spots are completely removed after only one treatment.

Chemical peel also works great for those with many brown spots. A chemical peel is another safe and effective form of treatment for many pigmentation problems. An acid is used to remove the surface layer of the damaged skin with light peeling. After the treatment, the dead skin peels away, allowing healthier, clearer skin to emerge. The acids typically used in this type of peel are natural fruit acids, otherwise known as alpha hydroxyl acids. The chemical peel will lighten brown spots and even out other irregularities in pigmentation to give the skin a more uniform color.

Microdermabrasion is another way to remove brown spots. The microdermabrasion procedure uses highly controlled vacuum and pressure to move microscopically abrasive aluminum oxide crystals over the surface of the skin. It gently abrading the skin with ultra-fine crystal particulates, microdermabrasion can reduce unwanted pigmentary changes and age spots. Microdermabrasion is absolutely painless. The face, neck, chest and hands are the most popular areas to treat. A progressive series of 5-8 treatments are gently performed 2-4 weeks apart. It can also benefit our acne patients.

Home treatment:

The best over the counter product with ingredients such Hydroquinone, Glycolic acid, and Kojic acid can be effective in reducing the appearance of lighter-colored age spots.

Use a skin lightening product - Skin lightening products offer a very effective and safe method of treating dark spots, aging spots, and skin decorations

Use a creams that contain an antioxidant called coenzyme Q10 may help lighten dark skin spots caused by the sun. Research has shown that creams containing COQ10 reduce general sun damage by about 30 percent after six weeks of use.

Use a cream that contains cyperus rotundus or nut-grass extract. Inhibiting melanin production will lighten dark skin spots, but it will also lighten the surrounding area. Women often use it to lighten their faces. It works in just a few weeks.

Application of Vitamin E oil, coconut oil, olive oil, sandalwood oil or almond oil is known to be very beneficial in curing the black spots on skin. Massage it well over the affected area.

DIY 1:

½ tsp of olive oil,

A drop of lemon essential oil,

1 tsp of warm water

1. Pour about half a teaspoon of olive oil, one teaspoon of water, and a drop of lemon essential oil into a small bottle and shake it vigorously. This will allow the oils and the water to combine to form a milky emulsion.
2. Apply to your face, neck, and arms.

DIY 2:

1. Buttermilk

Dab buttermilk on the spots. The lactic acid and other ingredients in the milk are beneficial to the skin. Buttermilk has been used for generations as a skin cleanser and as a beauty aid.

DIY 3:

1. Aloe vera juice or gel

Rub fresh aloe vera juice or gel on spots twice a day for a month or two. Aloe vera gel is famous for promoting great looking skin and, if used twice per day, will gradually fade dark spots.  Aloe vera is excellent for healing burns and is also beneficial as a general healing agent.

Avoid:

Avoid skincare products contain petroleum-based alcohols, which can cause uneven skin tone like *Ethyl *Methyl *Isopropyl *Denatured alcohol

Avoid all processed foods. Also steer clear of the beer - the hops in beer is known to cause dark spots on your skin.

Avoid sweets, caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, and junk foods.

Avoid midday sun.

Stop smoking.

Diet:

Improve your diet to include fruits and vegetables, especially in raw form. 

Drink 8 eight ounce glasses of water daily.

****The most you can do on your own is to prevent further sun damage with skin protection and sunscreen. So consult a dermatologist to determine the best advice because a dermatologist can recommend more effective ways to deal with them.

Ways to stop ageing

Keeps steady weight

As we get older, we need fewer calories and metabolism slows down with our sedentary lifestyle. We should stick to a sensible eating plan and avoid fast weight lose or gain. Without exercise adults lose about 2 to 3 kg of muscle every decade. This leads to a drop in metabolic rate which cause weight gain.

Enough of sleep

Having enough sleep is good for your looks and health. Woman who slept for six to seven hours a night had a lower death rate than those who sleep less. Getting enough sleep may even help to prevent cancer. Those who sleep around eight hours a night have lowest rate of getting cancer. Sleeps helps to strengthen your immunity, boosts your attention span and also helps to banish stress.

Keep mind occupied

Increase mental activity can protect against age related memory loss and impaired brain function. Keep the mind occupied can help to prevent the loss of brain stimulation and keep your brain building new spines of dendrites in your brain cells. Dendrites received impulses from nerve cells. They can be damaged by ageing. Exercising can make them grow.

Manage stress

Stress causes ageing too. Stressed people were have 20 times more likely to develop heart disease. A prolonged tension also reduces the number of the immuse system and also reduces the number of the immuse system and robs the body’s antioxidants thought to help prevent premature ageing and cancer.

Healthy sex life

Couples with a healthy sex life can look seven years younger than those who don’t. Improving sex life can help one look about four to seven years younger. It’s because sex reduces stress, improves relationships and leads to greater life contentment and sleep better.

Quit smoking

Smoking or even passive smoking contributes to ageing too. Spending over four hours a day in a smoked filled environment can add seven years to your age and increase your risks of heart disease and emphysema. Women who smoke are three times more likely to have lined leathery skin. The toxins diminish the skin’s oxygen supply, affecting its tissues, elastin and collagen.

Home Remedies for Acne

If you know the cause of your acne and you are looking for home remedies that others have tried and found to work, here is a list of some that you can try. The acne home remedies listed here have worked for many people but it does not guarantee for some people. Verify if you are allergic or overly sensitive to the following items: garlic, papaya, glycerin, eggs, orange, or lemons before using.

1. Apply some toothpaste on the acne spots. Don’t apply on skin because it will make it dry. Make sure it is the paste not the gel.
2. Massage the face with the peel of lemon, orange or grapefruit directly to acne spots. Wash with lukewarm water after 10 – 20 mins.
   
3. Rub raw crushed and dabbed garlic on the acne spot gently. Garlic is very beneficial for acne sufferers. Garlic reduces the inflammation and is also very effective in fading away the scar that is generally left after the acne vanishes.
4. Place ripe tomato pulp on your pimples and keep the tomato pulp up to one hour; then wash off.
5. Apply fresh lemon juice on the affected area overnight. Wash off with warm water next morning.
6. Apply Aloe Vera juice twice a day can greatly speed up the healing of acne lesions. Aloe Vera is not only a great anti-inflammatory agent; it also has anti-bacterial properties which makes it an ideal home remedy for acne.
7. Apply mixed mint juice with turmeric powder on affected area. Leave for 15-30 minutes and wash off with lukewarm water.
8. Apply blended cucumber on your face and leave it for 1/2 hour and then rinse. This refreshes your skin and prevents acne from breaking out.
9. Apply juice of raw papaya (including the skin and seed) on swelling pimples or acne.
10. Mix 1 tablespoon of yeast (dried or fresh) with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. Apply it on the face and wait until it gets hard (try not to move), peel or wash with warm water.
11. Mix the vinegar and salt together, before rubbing the mix over the pimples. Leave it there for some 10 to 20 mins before removing with lukewarm water.
12. Blend some nutmeg with milk into paste and apply on affected area. Wash it off after 20 minutes. Pimples disappear like magic without leaving a mark.
13. If you have oily skin apply a paste made by mixing sandalwood and few drops of rosewater on the acne affected area for about an hour and then wash off gently.
14. If you have dry skin, take a piece of sandalwood and rub it on a smooth stone and make a paste using a few drops of raw milk. Apply the mixture on the acne and keep it for an hour and thereafter gently wash with water.
15. Apply fresh mint juice over the face every night for the treatment of acne, pimples, insect stings, eczema, scabies, & other skin infections.
16. Apply grated potatoes as poultice to treat skin blemishes, wrinkles, boils, pimples, blackheads and whiteheads.
17. Apply a paste of ground sesame seeds with water as poultice for inflammation of the skin due to allergies, skin rashes, and pimples.
18. Mix 1 teaspoons of groundnut oil with 1 tablespoon of fresh lime juice apply on pimple to prevent formation of blackheads and pimples.
19. Apply a mixture of lime juice and rose water on face and leave it for 15-20 mins. Rinse off with lukewarm water.
    

Discontinue use immediately if a rash occurs and consult a qualified dermatology professional.

Wrinkles Prevention

Prevention

Our skin begins ageing in our mid twenty’s although the signs are usually not visible. Genetic factors greatly determine the skin’s quality over time. The skin’s rate of ageing is also influenced by genetically predetermined cessation, hormone depletion and immune suppression. We cannot turn back the clock and change the fact but we can avoid further damage and prevent wrinkles.


Protect your skin from prolonged exposure to the sun. Wear protective clothing such as wide-brimmed hats and long sleeves or use an umbrella. Apply a broad spectrum sunscreen that offers both UVA and UVB protection that should be applied at least 20 minutes before going outdoors, even in winter. Select skin-care products with a built-in sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15.

Quit smoking because smokers are also more prone to wrinkles than non-smokers. You can improve your skin tone and texture and prevent future wrinkles by quitting smoking.

Get enough sleep because when you don't get enough sleep, the body produces excess cortisol, a hormone that breaks down skin cells. With enough rest and you'll produce more HGH (human growth hormone), which helps skin remain thick, more "elastic," and less likely to wrinkles.

Use moisturizers though they can’t prevent wrinkles but they can temporarily mask tiny lines and creases. Because dry skin turns plump skin cells into shriveled ones, creating fine lines and wrinkles long before you’re due.


A balance diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains, consume at least 8 glasses of water daily (to hydrate and moisturize your skin) are important and cannot be undermined.

Keep a healthy lifestyle by exercising, good diet, and a positive mindset to reduce stress and tension. Use anti-ageing creams with vitamins A, C, E and glutathione which boosts internal supply of anti-oxidants to skin cells.

Don’t over-wash your face as tap water strips skin of its natural barrier oils and moisture that protect against wrinkles. You will be washing away protection if you wash them too often. Use a cleanser instead of soap unless your soap contains moisturizers.

What causes wrinkles?

You can't iron wrinkles nor can you wish that you don't have them, whether you like it or not they are there. Wrinkles are a natural part of ageing. As you grow older your skin starts to lose collagen and Hyaluronic Acid. Your skin gets thinner, drier and less elastic. As a result, wrinkles, lines and creases form in your skin, they showed up with your facial expressions and appear deeper. Everything we do eventually will show up on our face, they show that we have lived and it all adds up.

What causes wrinkles?

• As you get older, your skin naturally gets thin and loses collagen and elastic fibers. The sweat and oil glands becomes less in number and decrease in size causing the skin to lose moisture and become dry. There is a decline in the quality and quantity of major structural proteins such as collagen and elasticity, and a decline in healthy cell renewal, the layer of the skin known as the dermis thins. Fat in the deeper layers of the skin, which gives the skin a plump appearance, starts to lessen. Because of persistent gravitational force, sagging and drooping of the skin occurs. They are also the result of a reduction in the mass of facial bone and cartilage due to ageing. They are cause by gravitation effects and due to loss of collagen, this causes loose, saggy skin and more pronounced lines and crevices.

• Exposure to ultraviolet light such as UVA and UVB speeds up the natural aging process and cause early wrinkling. They appear because of chronic exposure to UV lights, for example sun or solarium. UV light breaks down the skin's connective tissue such as the collagen and elastin fibers, which lie in the deeper layer of skin. Without the supportive connective tissue, the skin loses its strength and flexibility. UV rays also prompt the formation of free radicals, which when in excess, can contribute to wrinkles and even skin cancer. The effects of the sun cause the collagen fibers to break down such that abnormal elastin proliferates and pigmentary changes occur. As a result, skin begins to sag and wrinkle prematurely.

• Wrinkles occurred when we form facial expressions, especially when we smile or frown, our facial muscles contract causing our skin to wrinkles, as in the case of eye wrinkles, as in the case of eye wrinkles that appear when we smile, and vertical lines between our eyebrows when we frown. As we age, repetitive facial expressions or movements lead to fine lines and wrinkles because it loses its flexibility and is unable to return to its original state. Every facial expression causes the contraction of underlying muscles, the result of which is a groove that forms beneath the surface of the skin then become permanent features on your face.

• Smoking is another cause of wrinkles; it can accelerate the normal aging process of your skin, contributing to wrinkles. It produces free radicals that induce the breakdown of collagen and elastin fibers. Smoking reduces blood flow to the skin due to the constriction of blood vessels and also reduces moisture level. Smoking also reduces the production of new collagen, leading to the development of wrinkles. In addition, repeated exposure to the heat from burning cigarettes and the facial expressions you make when smoking. As pursing your lips when inhaling and squinting your eyes to keep out smoke could cause wrinkles.
  

• Other causes could be rapidly weight loss because it can cause wrinkles as the volumes of the fat cells (which have a cushioning effect) are drastically reduced. This causes the skin to sag and crease. Depletion of vitamin E can cause the skin quality to deteriorate.

Treatment for Acne

There is a range of treatment options to help you tackle the problem. Acne can be treated with medications that are either applied to the skin or taken by mouth. Barring an underlying medical condition, most cases of acne can be effectively controlled with acne therapy. While some mild acne can sometimes be controlled by washing the affected area twice a day with unperfumed cleanser or can be treated with over-the-counter medications. The skin needs a certain amount of oil to maintain its natural condition, so avoid aggressive washing with strong soaps. Acne treatments work by reducing oil production, speeding up skin cell turnover, fighting bacterial infection, reducing the inflammation or doing all four.

Topical Treatments

There are a number of anti acne cream, lotions, solutions or gel available at pharmacies to treat mild acne. Topical medications usually contain antibacterial agents such as benzoyl peroxide , sulfur, resorcinol, salicylic acid or lactic acid as their active ingredient. This Benzoyl peroxide has its antibacterial effects and can dry out the skin and encourage it to shed the surface layer of dead skin which make it harder for pores to become blocked and for infection to develop. But benzoyl peroxide can cause redness and peeling but this tends to settle down if you reduce the number of times you use it. Then you can build up your use gradually. Azelaic acid (Skinoren) is an alternative to benzoyl peroxide and may not make your skin as sore as benzoyl peroxide Tretinoin (Avita, Retin-A, Renova) and adapalene (Differin) are examples of topical prescription products derived from vitamin A. They promote cell turnover and prevent plugging of the hair follicles. Others topical antibiotics also are available. They work by killing excess skin bacteria. Often, a combination of such products is required to achieve optimal results.


A topical retinoid is often used to treat the small bumps under the skin and blackheads. Some are available over-the-counter. Retinoid are the only medication believed effective for battling the microcomedone — the lesion that precedes acne. Retinoid (e.g. Adapalene) are medicines based on vitamin A, which are rubbed into the skin once or twice a day. Prescription products derived from vitamin A work by promoting cell turnover and preventing plugging of the hair follicles. When using a retinoid, dermatologists recommend that you apply sunscreen daily before going outdoors. A topical retinoid increases the risk of sunburn. A benefit of using a topical retinoid is the product’s which are able to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

If your acne doesn't respond to these treatments after two months, or you have severe acne, do not get discourage. You may want to see a doctor or dermatologist to get a stronger prescription lotion. Depending on the severity of your acne, your doctor may choose to treat you or refer you to a dermatologist. Your doctor or dermatologist may recommend a prescription medication you apply to your skin or take by mouth. Oral prescription medications for acne should not be used during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester.

No treatment will completely heal your acne or work immediately. It may take weeks, or even months to see significant effects and your skin may get worse before it gets better. Once acne clears, treatment should be continued to prevent new lesions from forming.

Oral Treatment

As adult acne often involves hormonal swings, an oral medication may be necessary to minimize these fluctuations and control the acne. An oral antibiotic also may be part of an adult’s acne treatment. It can be used to help get the acne under control. Taking an oral antibiotic and using a topical retinoid for a few months and then stopping the antibiotic can be effective. Topical retinoid alone often can maintain the results over time.

People with severe inflammatory acne, long-term treatment with oral antibiotics such as tetracycline or minocycline (eg Minocin), combined with one of these medications may be helpful. But Tetracycline antibiotics are not given to pregnant women, women who are breastfeeding and children under 12 years of age.


Adult women with severe acne may benefit from treatment with contraceptive pills containing anti-androgens, e.g. Dianette. Women must use an appropriate contraceptive method during treatment, and for a full month after the treatment stops. Oral contraceptives, including a combination of norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol (Ortho-Cyclen, Ortho Tri-Cyclen), have been shown to improve acne in women. A combination of the usual pill hormone called ethinylestradiol with cyproterone acetate (eg Dianette) suppresses male hormone activity so is often used in women with acne. Isotretinoin (eg Roaccutane) is a medicine known as an oral retinoid, which also exists in a topical form Isotretinoin works by drying up oily secretions. But Isotretinoin is not suitable for people with liver or kidney disease and women should neither be pregnant, nor get pregnant, while taking Isotretinoin, as it is very dangerous to an unborn baby. Isotretinoin has several severe side effects which are why it can only be prescribed by a dermatologist, but it also has a high success rate in acne.


When oral medications are prescribed for acne, it is important that the patient consult a dermatologist because oral contraceptives may cause other side effects.

Acne scar Treatment

Scars caused by acne can be removed; dermatologist or a plastic surgeon may be able to use certain procedures to diminish scars left by acne. These include fillers, abrasion (dermabrasion,) intense light therapy and laser resurfacing. But dermabrasion may cause pigmentation changes for people with darker skin.

Laser and light-based therapies reach the deeper layers of skin without harming the skin's surface. In laser resurfacing, a laser beam destroys the outer layer of skin (epidermis) and heats the underlying skin (dermis). Laser treatment is thought to damage the oil (sebaceous) glands, causing them to produce less oil. These therapies can also improve skin texture and lessen the appearance of scars. Light therapy targets the bacterium that causes acne inflammation and radiofrequency devices don't injure the epidermis. These treatments heat the dermis and cause new skin formation. As the wound heals, new skin forms. After several treatments, acne scars may appear less noticeable, this treatment typically needs to be repeated more often and results are subtle.

Collagen or fat can be injected under the skin and into scars to fill out or stretch the skin, making the scars less noticeable. These treatments are temporary, so you'd need to repeat the injections periodically.

Microdermabrasion may be helpful in controlling acne. This newer acne scar treatment involves a hand-held device that blows crystals onto skin; the crystals will gently abrade or "polish" the skin's surface. After that, use a vacuum tube removes the crystals and skin cells. These cosmetic procedures which have traditionally been used to lessen the appearance of fine lines, sun damage and minor facial scars and are effective when used in combination with other acne treatments. However, results are subtle and scars may still be noticeable, even after several sessions.

The information posted here should not be considered medical advice, and is not intended to replace consultation with a qualified dermatology professional.

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Acne Prevention

Prevention

• Wash acne-prone areas only twice a day with a gentle cleanser and use oil-free, water-based skin-care products to removes excess oil and dead skin cells. But too much washing can irritate the skin.
• Use an acne cream or gel containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid as the active ingredient to help dry excess oil.
• Always remember to remove makeup before going to bed. Sleeping with cosmetics on your skin can clog tiny openings of the hair follicles (pores). And be sure to throw out old makeup and clean your cosmetic brushes and applicators regularly with soapy water.
• Avoid hairstyles in which the hair is constantly touching your face. Shampoo your hair regularly.
• Avoid exposing your skin to too much cold, heat and sunlight. Too much exposure to sunlight can lead to burning and skin cancer.
• Avoid greasy or oily creams and foundations block the pores and may cause pimples. Choose powder or water-based moisturizers over cream products because they're less irritating.
• Choose a sensible, varied diet, drink lots of water and exercise regularly. If you feel good, your skin will feel good too
• Shower after exercising or doing strenuous work because oil and sweat on your skin can trap dirt and bacteria.

The information posted here should not be considered medical advice, and is not intended to replace consultation with a qualified dermatology professional

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What make Acne Worse?

• Changing hormone levels in adolescent girls and adult women 2 to 7 days before their menstrual period starts.
• Picking and squeezing the spots may cause further inflammation and scarring.
• Stress or emotional tension. Stress can make acne worse in some people.
• Oil from skin products (moisturizers or cosmetics) or grease encountered in the work environment (for example, a kitchen with fry vats).
• Environmental irritants, such as pollution and high humidity.
• Discontinuing birth control pills. Some women get acne when they stop taking birth control pills. The pills may have been keeping their acne at bay.
• Steroids can cause acne as a side-effect.
• Certain medicines and chemicals.

The information posted here should not be considered medical advice, and is not intended to replace consultation with a qualified dermatology professional.

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Acne

Acne can be distressing and annoyingly persistent and also cause significant emotional distress as well as physical discomfort. Acne is also called Zits. Pimples. Blemishes. Acne is a common skin disease that causes pimples. Its the term for plugged pores (blackheads and whiteheads), pimples, and even deeper lumps (cysts or nodules). Pimples form when hair follicles under your skin clog up. Most pimples form on the face, neck, back, chest and shoulders. Acne affects most teenagers to some extent, however, the disease are not restricted to any age group; adults in their 20s - even into their 30s, 40 and 60s can get acne. Acne can be upsetting; disfiguring, decreased self-esteem and self-confidence can lead to social withdrawal and even depression. Left untreated, severe acne can lead to disfiguring scarring, which itself can be difficult to treat.

What causes Acne?

No one knows exactly what causes acne. Acne can be caused by the over activity of the sebaceous glands that secrete oily substances onto the skin. The sebaceous glands of people with acne are especially sensitive to normal blood levels of a hormone called testosterone, found naturally in both men and women. Testosterone in people prone to acne triggers the sebaceous glands to produce an excess of sebum.

Hormones likely play a role in the development of acne, making the condition most common in teenagers. During puberty, the production of male sex hormones (androgens) increases in both girls and boys, which can stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum. In some people, the sebaceous glands are extremely sensitive to androgens. These people, mostly men, get acne so severely that they need medical treatment. Some adult women experience mild to moderate acne due to hormonal changes associated with pregnancy, their menstrual cycles, or starting or stopping birth control pills.

Direct skin exposure to greasy or oily substances, or to certain cosmetics. A family history of acne, if your parents had acne, you're likely to develop it too. Irregular shedding of dead skin cells resulting in irritation of the hair follicles of your skin. Friction or pressure on your skin caused by items such as telephones or cell phones, helmets, tight collars and backpacks. There is also the case with environmental irritants such as pollution, intense heat, humidity or cold.

Types of Acne

When you read about acne or other skin diseases, you encounter words or phrases that may be confusing. For example, the words used to describe the lesions of acne

• Comedones (whiteheads and blackheads). Comedones are created when the openings of hair follicles become clogged and blocked with oil secretions, dead skin cells and sometimes bacteria. When comedones are open at the skin surface they're called blackheads because of the dark appearance of the plugs in the hair follicles. When comedones are closed, they're called whiteheads — slightly raised, skin-colored bumps.
• Cysts. These are painful, pus-filled lumps beneath the surface of the skin. These boil-like infections can cause scars.
• Nodules. These are large, solid, painful lumps beneath the surface of the skin. They're formed by the buildup of secretions deep within hair follicles.
• Papules. These are small raised bumps that signal inflammation or infection in the hair follicles. Papules may be red and tender.
• Pustules. Similar to papules, pustules are red, tender bumps with white pus at their tips.

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The information posted here should not be considered medical advice, and is not intended to replace consultation with a qualified dermatology professional.

Eyebags

Do you appear older than your age simply because of the eye bags under your eyes? Eye bags can make you look tired, unhealthy and older than you really are and less attractive. Eye bags and dark circles are most commonly caused by lack of sleep, but in addition, ageing, heredity, fatigue, allergies (like eczema and asthma), sun exposure and stress can darken the pigment around the eyes as well. In some cases, bags under the eyes are a sign of kidney problems.Poor diet plays a major role to make bag under eyes. An excess of sodium in the diet will cause the body to retain water, causing puffy bags under the eyes and puffiness in the legs, feet, ankles and abdomen, illness, hormonal issues, thyroid conditions, and bending the head over for several hours during the previous day are other causes of eyebags.

The tissues under the eyes have a flat gently tense tone in youth. Age and other factors can let the muscles sag and fat bulge. Some call this protrusion blepharochalasis and more commonly called under eye bag or baggy eyelid. Nobody looks good with puffy bags under their eyes.

When seen in a young person, particularly someone that squints from myopia, this could be due to over-activity of the eye muscles (orbicularis hypertrophy). Such eye bags are usually well defined and more obvious when the person squints. The eye bag is also closest to the eyelid. Such eye bags respond well to Botox, which has an added effect of widening the eye aperture, resulting in larger eyes!

As a person gets older, the quality of facial circulation and lymphatic drainage reduces. The skin of the eyelid ages, it loosens, becomes less elastic, and begins to sag and lose tone. As the eyelid loses tone it cannot hold the fat within the bony orbit or eye socket beneath the eyeball, and the fat pushes forward against the undersurface of the weakened eyelid and creates the eye bag , puffy eye, or eyelid bag. The stagnation of toxins and fluid produces puffy eye bags. The size changes from day to day and also varies at different times of the day. As the situation tends to worsen with time, the extra fluid collection stretches the skin in the delicate eye area.

Eye bags have a lot to do with bad food habits. Extra salt-intake is one of the severest causes of bags under the eyes. Also your water intake is very important to solve eye bags problems. Relax your eyes as much as possible.

Vitamins for eyebags:

Vitamin A

This ingredient is associated with having anti-wrinkle properties. The actual active which gives the anti-wrinkle activity is Tretionin which is a derivative of Vitamin A. It improves elasticity and increases the collagen content of the skin when applied daily. Vitamin A is known to have topical benefits such as thickening the epidermis. It also has a regulating effect on keratin formation and reduces UV induced wrinkle formation.

Vitamin E (a Tocopherol).

Vitamin E’s main activity in Herbal Eye Bag Doctor is as an antioxidant. Vitamin E also has other topical benefits such as protecting cells from damaging environmental pollutants or helping in wound healing.

Vitamin K

Vitamin K for example has been proven to inhibit bruising of the skin, and this is why it is suspected to help counteract common and pesty dark shadows in the sensitive eye skin care area. The others, Kojic acid hydroquinone are known and effective skin whitening ingredients, common place due to their effectiveness in things such as bleaching and age spotting creams and treatments. Apply an eye cream containing vitamin K and retinal. Dark circles may be caused by a deficiency of vitamin K. Regardless of the cause, however, recent research has shown that skin creams containing these two ingredients reduce puffiness and discoloration significantly in many patients. Long-term daily use seems to have the greatest effect.

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)

Vitamin C to the skin, it can actually stimulate the production of collagen, a protein that helps form the skin’s supporting structure. Normally as we age, collagen levels diminish; as a result, our skin wrinkles. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin which is necessary in the body to form collagen in bones, cartilage, muscle, and blood vessels, and aids in the absorption of iron. Dietary sources of vitamin C include fruits and vegetables, particularly citrus fruits such as oranges.

Massage and exercise for the eyes:

1. Put your hands over the eyes, with the base of your palm resting over the cheeks and the fingers on the forehead. Your palms create hollows over the eyes. Look into the darkness for a minute. This is very relaxing.


2. Press the base of your palms gently on the eyes. Release the pressure and repeat. Do this three to four times.


3. Open the eyes wide and look at the four corners of the room. Close the eyes and repeat, going the other way.


4. Do the same exercise by rolling the eyes in a circle. Repeat going the other way around.


5. Hold a pencil in front of the face. Look at it. Slowly extend your arm, taking the pencil further and further away from the face, while you are still looking at it. Bring the pencil back slowly and repeat.


6. Look out of the window as far as you can see. This itself is a very good exercise for the eyes.


7. Take time off from your work and look at green plants and trees. Green is supposed to soothe the eyes.


8. Extra Pillows: Propping your head higher while you sleep will also reduce puffiness by encouraging fluids to drain away from the eye area.

Home remedies for eyebags:

1. For an instant fix, place two spoons in the freezer for about 15 minutes and set them over your eyes.


2. Raw potato slices will help tighten baggy eyes.
3. For reducing the puffiness under eye bags, One can apply cotton dipped in ice water or very cold milk directly over our closed eyelids and leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes. This will cool and rest the eyes. The cotton should be placed on the eyes for 10 to 15 minutes.
4. Honey can reduce under eye puffiness because honey has warming properties and the trick to reducing puffiness is to cool the eyes, not warm them.
5. Get around half a basin of water and add a drop of rosemary oil extract, a drop of rose extract to the water. Soak a towel in the water, then dry it and lay it on your eyes. Keep the towel there for 15 minutes.
6. Apply a compress of iced water or cold milk directly over closed lids and leave on for 15 to 20 minutes. Sometimes, an eye wash of tepid water also helps.
7. Take cotton wool and make two thick square pads. Soaked in cucumber juice. Lie down, close your eyes and put the soaked pads on them. Keep them on for about 15 minutes.
8. Used tea bags can also be used as eye pads.
9. Either that, apply one of the many different eye treatment creams available in market.

Kitchen ingredient that this how-to calls for—it’s not a cucumber, and you’re sure to have one on hand. Find out the secret!

To Make:
1. Slice 1/4 potato to fit over your eyes.2. Cut
2 slices or, if you prefer, 5 to 10 very thin slices, several for each eye. Either method works.

To Use:
1. Spritz eye area with water.
2. Lying down, place the potato slices on your eyelids and leave in place for at least 10 minutes for best results.

Things to avoid:

1. Avoid using anti ageing or anti wrinkle creams around the eyes.
2. Do not apply rich moisturizers in the eye region at night.
3. Too much of salt-intake
4. Don't drink too many fluids right before going to sleep.
5. Staying away from fast food and processed foods and drinking plenty of water flushes the excess sodium out our system and helps contain dark circles.
6. Avoid rubbing your eyes. The rubbing irritates the skin and can break tiny capillaries beneath the skin, causing both puffiness and discoloration.
7. Smoking causes vascular (blood vessel) problems that can not only threaten your life, but also make your blood vessels appear more prominent and bluer beneath the skin.
8. Do not apply ice or extremely cold water directly to the skin around the eyes for more than a couple of seconds.
9. Cut down on the caffeine, alcohol and salt, especially the night before an event. These promote water retention that can settle in your face as you sleep causing puffy eyes.

Relax your eyes as much as possible. Things are not going better if you put a lot of tension on the eyes. On the contrary, things are going much better if you let go. And when you look into the mirror and see for yourself that your eye bags are reducing, it will give you satisfaction and self confidence.

Dark eye circles

Dark Circles under eyes

Dark circles under eyes make us look exhausted and ill. They are very obvious and annoying. They are difficult to cover up and even harder to get rid of. Dark circles under the eyes have various causes, such as: lack of sleep,iron deficiency,diet deficiencies, allergies, prolonged sun exposure,smoking, heredity etc. As a genetic flaw, the shadowy circles can appear as a result of bone structure, hyper-pigmentation or vascular inflammation.

The color of your undereye circles can tell a lot about the cause of it. Bluish dark circles are a result of poor microcirculation , often cause by eye strain and lack of sleep.Brownish dark circles are probably due to too much sun exposure. Too much sun exposure can trigger excessive melanin production.

Such nutrients as iron and vitamin c are commonly found deficiencies in people with fast paced or stressful lifestyle, and most commonly associated with dark circles relating to nutrient deficiency. Another common nutrient culprit is over excessive intake of potassium or sodium. Sodium in particular is found in most of today's fast and packaged food, and extra large intakes of salt contributes to the retention of fluids near the eye area.

Allergies, however, and the circles come and go, so try to figure out what allergies you might have from foods, drinks, sprays, environment, chemicals, gases, or soaps, etc. If you cannot, try to get tested by an Allergist.

Vitamin K

Vitamin K is involved in the carboxylation of certain glutamate residues in proteins to form gamma-carboxyglutamate residues. These proteins have in common the requirement to be post-translationally modified by carboxylation of glutamic acid residues (forming gamma-carboxyglutamic acid) in order to become biologically active. These proteins include the vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors II (prothrombin), VII (proconvertin), IX (Christmas factor), X (Stuart factor), protein C, protein S, protein Zv and a growth-arrest-specific factor (Gas6). Menadione is a fat-soluble vitamin precursor that is converted into menaquinone in the liver. The primary known function of vitamin K is to assist in the normal clotting of blood, but it may also play a role in normal bone calcificaton. Without vitamin K, the carboxylation does not occur and the proteins that are synthesized are biologically inactive.

Vitamin K is the best vitamin for dark circles. It allow your blood to clot normally,help protect against osteoporosis and prevent oxidative cell damage. Any eye cream or treatment containing vitamin K is considered to be good for dark rings under eyes as this vitamin repairs the blood vessels and mildly bleaches the skin to help fade darker pigments around the eye.

Excellent sources of vitamin K include: spinach, Brussels sprouts, Swiss chard, green beans, asparagus, broccoli, kale and mustard greens. Very good sources include green peas and carrots.

Adults need approximately 0.001 mg per kg of body weight a day. So someone who weighs 65 kg would need 0.065 mg per day of vitamin K, while a person who weighs 75 kg would need 0.075 mg per day.


Vitamin C

To minimize the appearance of bags, plump up skin with moisturizer, one that contains vitamin C, an antioxidant that protects skin cells from damage, supports collagen production and keeps them healthy; licorice (or fennel) extract, an anti-inflammatory; and stabilized oxygen, a form of hydrogen peroxide that promotes circulation. Vitamin C also helps the body absorb iron from food

Excellent source of vitamin C include: oranges, lemons, grapefruits, and limes. Other often overlooked excellent sources of vitamin C are strawberries, kiwifruit, cantaloupe, and sweet peppers. Potatoes also supply vitamin C in significant amounts since they are widely consumed by people. Rose hips from the rose plant used to prepare rose hip tea are rich in vitamin C.

You should be able to get all the vitamin C you need from your daily diet. Adults need 40 mg a day.


Vitamin A

Vitamin A is a family of fat-soluble vitamins. It is also known as retinol because it produces the pigments in the retina of the eye. Vitamin A has a number of important functions. It helps maintain the health of skin and mucus linings (in the nose for example), helps strengthen immunity from infections and helps vision in dim light.

Excellent source of vitamin A include: liver and eggs and in some fortified food products such as cold cereal. Other source of vitamin A are apricot, cantaloupe, dried apricots,mango, watermelon, carrot, collards,leaf lettuce,mustard greens, romaine lettuce,spinach,sweet potato, tomato and almonds.

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin. This means you don't need it every day because any of the vitamin your body doesn't need immediately is stored for future use. You should be able to get all the vitamin A you need from your daily diet. Vitamin A for men will be 0.7 mg a day for women 0.6 mg a day.


Iron

Iron plays a key role in oxygen transport. When exercising the blood carries oxygen to the working muscles. The components in blood that make this possible are the red blood cells, which contain a protein called hemoglobin which binds to oxygen. Iron is essential to maintaining adequate hemoglobin levels. Iron is an essential mineral.

Excellent sources of iron include: liver, meat, beans, nuts, dried fruit (such as dried apricots), whole grains (such as brown rice), fortified breakfast cereals, soybean flour and most dark green leafy vegetables (such as watercress and curly kale). Some people think that spinach is a good source of iron, but spinach contains a substance that makes it harder for the body to absorb the iron from it.

Eating food containing lots of vitamin C at the same time as you eat food containing iron from non-meat sources might help the body absorb the iron. So you could have fruit juice or fruit with your fortified breakfast cereal, or vegetables with your beans, nuts or rice.

But do becareful when you take iron, too much iron can increase the risk of heart disease. Take iron with vitamin C as vitamin C help the body absorb iron, especially one form of iron called "non-heme" iron.

You should be able to get all the iron you need from your daily diet. For men 8.7 mg a day and for women 14.8 mg a day.


You can try some of the DIY remedies.

1. Use parsley leaves to make eye masque, you need to make it like a paste-like, leave on for about 15 mins , and rinse off. You can put the masque on everyday till you see some lightening.


2. Paste of almonds mixed with few drops of milk, it did help with dark circles.


3. Cut a raw white potato and place it over your eye (10-15 minutes), it naturally bleaches the under eye area. The coldness of potato feels cool and refreshing to your skin and its not harmful, unless your allergic to potatoes.


4. Apply a paste of turmeric powder with pineapple juice for dark circles under the eyes.


5. Boil the egg until it is cooked thoroughly. Take out its shell and wrap it with a soft towel. Lie down and close your eyes. Use the hot egg to massage around the eyes. It helps to accelerate the blood circulation around the eyes. Does this a few times till the dark eyes circles have faded away.


6. Cut some juicy apple rings and spread the rings around the eyes for approximately 15 minutes. Repeat it few times till the dark eyes circles disappeared.


7. Dip the gauze with some yogurt and spread it around the eyes. Do this each time for ten minutes.


8. Grate a cucumber, squeeze to take out its juice and refrigerate. Make a mixture of lemon juice , lanolin cream and cucumber juice and apply around the eye for 10-15 minutes
   

Use a cold compress to get rid of dark circles under the eyes.

• Cold teaspoons applied on the skin under the eyes also do wonders. Put two clean teaspoons in the fridge and when they are cold lay on your back and put the spoons on the dark circles. They will refresh both the area and the eyes.


• Cool empty teabags on the skin under the eyes are also a very efficient remedy they calm the skin and prevent it from swelling. Of the full herbal teabags the most recommended in treating dark circles are the ones that contain chamomile. Chamomile tea is a natural anti-inflammatory that will leave your face brighter and less swollen.

Besides the remedies applied on the skin under the eyes there are also simple massage techniques that can be performed on your own at home.

For example, place the ring fingers at the inner corners of the eyes and press gently for a few times; then move the fingers towards the outer corner of the eyes (the temples). Mildly press the skin with the middle fingers all the way from the inner to the outer corner of the eyes. This will calm down the inflamed areas under the eyes.

Here is a recipes which help with dark circles.

Ingredients:

250g carrot

1 orange

1/2 tsp honey

Method:
Place carrot and orange into a blender and blend well. Add honey and blend well.
Drink once a day in the morning with an empty stomach.

Acne Myths Uncovers

When those evil spots first started making their appearances on your complexion, you swore you heard at least a hundreds different tales on how they came about and how to rid them off your once flawless skin. But what's the truth behind all these tales?

The top seven acne myths uncovered?

It's our hygiene habits. Since young, we've been inculcated with the thought that bad hygiene is the root of our skin problems. This is not the case. Excess oil and dirt is not the main culprits for those zits on your face, and excessive cleansing and scrubbing is not going to help much. It’s good to note that which kind of skincare products you normally use. For example, many people often have the misconception that exfoliating must be rough and coarse in texture. However, the friction between the exfoliating bits and your skin will cause the latter to tear and in turn, increase your chance of infection. The best way to clear your acne problem is to wash it twice daily with a suitable facial cleanser and apply acne treatment afterwards.

It's just another phase. You'll grow out of it. This is not true. Acne is a problem that plagues everyone. Given the correct treatment and the wide variety of skincare products in the market, it is possible to cure your acne problems. Remember that caring for your skin is a lifetime responsibility, even after your complexion has gotten better. Acne is capable of leaving permanent physical scars and in the long term, do emotional harm to your self-esteem.

It's the stress. Stress does give you the occasional breakout. But other than that, stress is still considered one of the minor causes of your skin problem. As you experience stress, your body will stimulate more cortisol which causes the sebaceous glands to produce more oil. Even good stress like waiting for your wedding day, will trigger a breakout on your complexion. So the best way to combat acne is to relax and be at peace. In some cases, medication used to relieve stress or depression might contain some ingredients that list acne as one of their side effects. If you are worried about the side effects of any drugs that you are taking now, do consult your family doctor.

It's our diet. Actually, there is no scientific proof to show that there is a direct link between our diet and skin problem. This means that chocolates or even oily food may not be the cause of acne. However to some beliefs, these foods still have a tendency for your body to produce more sebum and in turn aggravate the acne problem. This aside, it still does not give your an excuse to sink your teeth into the chocolate fudge brownie with the thick sugar coating, as a balanced diet is one step closer to healthier and flawless skin.

Get tan and rid the scars of acne forever. In the initial stages of tanning or bronzing, your skin will become darker, making your blemishes seem less visible. Most people do forget that prolonged tanning promotes rapid exfoliation of dead skin cells, thus causing more clogged pores. Also as your skin gradually loses its tan, your acne scars will turn darker. Most of all you risk the chance of getting skin cancer.

Perspiration cleans your pores. Although exercising regularly is often a good way to a healthier lifestyle, this may also cause some to experience an acne breakout. The perspiration and the vigorous exercise can stimulate oil production. Two ways to minimize your chances of getting acne is to wear loose cotton clothing and to bathe almost immediately after you have cooled down. Perhaps swimming is the best solution, so long as you do not sit around under the hot sun in your swim suit. It will cause breakouts on your back.

Make-up causes acne and spot treatment works. Most of the cosmetic products today are non-comedogenic, which means that they do not clog up pores. It is also good to pick up those that are oil-free, water-based a hypoallergenic. Before hitting the gym, remove all traces of makeup as even with good cosmetic products, there's still the possibility of a breakout. Over-the-counter creams boats its capability of clearing your acne problem just by dabbing the product on your affected skin areas. And even if your acne did clear up, the root of the problem is not yet solved. There is a high chance of acne re-occurring on the same spot. The best and most effective way to stay clear from acne is to cleanse your face daily.

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