How Can I Have Acne-Free Clear Skin?

You want relief from the embarassment of acne breakouts and you want it "yesterday"!

You need reliable, practical information on how to control and prevent  acne blemishes. What really works to treat acne and what is a waste of time and money or possibly even dangerous?

Healthy Acne Solutions provides information on effective and lasting remedies and treatments for acne skin care to help you find the specific acne products to help you always look your best.

What is Acne and What Causes It?

Acne is a common skin condition that affects about 85% of people between the ages of 12 and 24. While most cases clear in the 20's some people experience adult acne. Lesions such as blackheads, whiteheads breakout on the skin and cysts can form deep in the skin. These acne lesions develop primarily on the face and neck but the chest, back and any area of the body may be affected.

Whatever form it takes Acne Vulgaris is the result of an excess production of sebum and clogged pores as a result of endocrine imbalance. Puberty brings an increase of Testosterone in both girls and boys stimulating sebum production. Also stimulated by hormones, hair follicle cells are developing rapidly and contributing to a buildup of dead cells. The dead cells and the oil from the sebum combine to clog pores. This provides an environment conducive to bacterial growth which results in redness and inflamation commonly referred to as pimples.

Self-image issues including depression and lowered self-confidence are common with teenage acne sufferers. Some may become socially withdrawn or angry

There are many types of acne and many causes. There are also many myths surrounding acne and its origins.

As the largest organ of the body, your skin is affected just as other organs by a complex of factors. Factors causing acne such as age, heredity and gender are givens while other influences such as lifestyle are very much controllable.

Factors such as diet, stress, menstrual cycles, skin irritations can aggravate the condition. In addition, acne can be a side effect of medications such as lithium, anabolic steroids, Tuberculosis drugs, barbiturates and drugs containing iodine.

While diet may be implicated, there are many myths about which foods may cause acne breakouts. There is no evidence that foods such as chocolate, sugary treats or fried foods are involved. In fact, dark chocolate is healthful. However, reducing or eliminating processed foods and transfats while increasing fresh whole foods will be beneficial in treating acne. Dr. Weil reccomends an anti-inflamatory diet with Omega-3 fatty acids (such as from Salmon, flax seeds and walnuts) and green leafy vegetables. Also avoid dairy products which can irritate the immune sytem.

The first step in controlling acne breakouts is keeping the skin gently cleansed and removing excess oils. A variety of over-the-counter products are available for mild to moderate cases of acne and need to be matched to your individual skin type. Severe conditions need treatment by a dermatologist.