Acne is a relatively common skin condition that typically starts around puberty, in fact about 80-85% of people will suffer from some degree of acne during their teenage years and this frequently continues into adulthood. Unfortunately we are not yet aware of the precise causes of acne and there is no single cure which works for everyone. There are however a variety of tried and tested treatments which can help or even completely eradicate the condition.
The symptoms of acne are spots, redness and inflammation of the skin. Most commonly affecting the face and neck, the spots can also extend to the chest, back and upper arms of the sufferer. Most people have a combination of whiteheads, blackheads, red spots and hard red nodules just below the skin which are often painful. Acne is caused when the sebaceous glands, located just below the surface of the skin produce too much of an oily fluid called sebum. The excess production of sebum blocks up the tiny pores of the skin which contain the hair follicles. This leads to the formation of whiteheads and blackheads. Bacteria begin to thrive in these conditions and the bodies immune system kicks in to combat this. It is the bodies immune response which causes the redness and inflammation found in acne.
Acne can be affected by things such as hormones, especially the hormone testosterone high in both both boys and girls during puberty; genetic factors as acne seems to run in families; stress, possibly because stressed people tend to touch their face more often and so spread bacteria;and some chemicals. Contrary to popular belief acne is not caused by eating chocolate or being dirty and it is not infectious.
There are a number of treatments available for acne and your doctor will be able to advise you of these. In addition there are things you can do yourself to help improve the condition. Cleansing the skin is obviously very important as this helps to reduce bacteria levels. You should use a gentle cleanser twice a day and a facial steamer two to three times per week.
Steaming the face or other affected parts can be a useful addition to your acne treatment programme. Steaming opens up the pores and at the same time increases sweating and so helps to flush impurities out of the skin.Since sweat is salty, it can also act as an antimicrobial agent, killing some of the bacteria found on the skin. Steaming also increases blood circulation, bringing greater amounts of oxygen and nutrients to the skin.
Adding herbs and essential oils to your steamer just before use, can bring many additional benefits for your complexion. Lavender is held to aid relaxation and can a very effective way of reducing stress, which is a known contributor to acne outbreaks. Mint too can be used to dissolve the grime clogged in facial pores and make it easier for it to be flushed away. Other herbs and oils provide more general benefits, like rose hips which is great for skin regeneration.
While it is possible to steam your face at home over a bowl of very hot water, there are a number of facial steamers available to buy which make the job less messy and are often more effective to use. The come in a variety of designs and price ranges, so you should be able to find one which suits your needs. Portable steamers, for example, are relatively cheap to buy and very convenient to use - you just fill up the reservoir with water, add a few drops of essential oil if required and turn the control to mist or steam. Other facial steamers can be used with a gas called ozone which dries and acts as as antibacterial agent on the skin. Facial saunas too are an effective way of improving your complexion.
For those with problem areas on the back or chest, using a steam room in addition to a facial steamer can bring noticeable benefits, although you will need to regularly use the steamer for a few weeks to see the best results. Which ever kind of steam treatment you choose, it is vital to wash your face or shower immediately afterwards, in order to remove all the dirt and grime which has been drawn out by the steaming process. If left on the skin this can actually make the condition worse. - 16083
The symptoms of acne are spots, redness and inflammation of the skin. Most commonly affecting the face and neck, the spots can also extend to the chest, back and upper arms of the sufferer. Most people have a combination of whiteheads, blackheads, red spots and hard red nodules just below the skin which are often painful. Acne is caused when the sebaceous glands, located just below the surface of the skin produce too much of an oily fluid called sebum. The excess production of sebum blocks up the tiny pores of the skin which contain the hair follicles. This leads to the formation of whiteheads and blackheads. Bacteria begin to thrive in these conditions and the bodies immune system kicks in to combat this. It is the bodies immune response which causes the redness and inflammation found in acne.
Acne can be affected by things such as hormones, especially the hormone testosterone high in both both boys and girls during puberty; genetic factors as acne seems to run in families; stress, possibly because stressed people tend to touch their face more often and so spread bacteria;and some chemicals. Contrary to popular belief acne is not caused by eating chocolate or being dirty and it is not infectious.
There are a number of treatments available for acne and your doctor will be able to advise you of these. In addition there are things you can do yourself to help improve the condition. Cleansing the skin is obviously very important as this helps to reduce bacteria levels. You should use a gentle cleanser twice a day and a facial steamer two to three times per week.
Steaming the face or other affected parts can be a useful addition to your acne treatment programme. Steaming opens up the pores and at the same time increases sweating and so helps to flush impurities out of the skin.Since sweat is salty, it can also act as an antimicrobial agent, killing some of the bacteria found on the skin. Steaming also increases blood circulation, bringing greater amounts of oxygen and nutrients to the skin.
Adding herbs and essential oils to your steamer just before use, can bring many additional benefits for your complexion. Lavender is held to aid relaxation and can a very effective way of reducing stress, which is a known contributor to acne outbreaks. Mint too can be used to dissolve the grime clogged in facial pores and make it easier for it to be flushed away. Other herbs and oils provide more general benefits, like rose hips which is great for skin regeneration.
While it is possible to steam your face at home over a bowl of very hot water, there are a number of facial steamers available to buy which make the job less messy and are often more effective to use. The come in a variety of designs and price ranges, so you should be able to find one which suits your needs. Portable steamers, for example, are relatively cheap to buy and very convenient to use - you just fill up the reservoir with water, add a few drops of essential oil if required and turn the control to mist or steam. Other facial steamers can be used with a gas called ozone which dries and acts as as antibacterial agent on the skin. Facial saunas too are an effective way of improving your complexion.
For those with problem areas on the back or chest, using a steam room in addition to a facial steamer can bring noticeable benefits, although you will need to regularly use the steamer for a few weeks to see the best results. Which ever kind of steam treatment you choose, it is vital to wash your face or shower immediately afterwards, in order to remove all the dirt and grime which has been drawn out by the steaming process. If left on the skin this can actually make the condition worse. - 16083
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Fed up of your spots? Find out about the amazing benefits of using steam for acne and how it can really improve the condition of your skin at http://steamforacne.com
