To get rid of acne, you have to understand what causes it in the first place. All in all, the formation of acne pimples a pretty complicated process that even scientists and dermatologists don't fully understand. What is known though, can be summed up in a fairly simple manner ? Acne bacteria (p. acnes) get trapped inside a pore (hair follicle). The bacteria then feed upon the sebum (oil) trapped inside the pore, and multiply, causing an infection. The body spots this infection, and tries to protect itself from it, leading to inflammation, which makes for a huge, red, inflamed "spot".
Using this basic information, we can come up with three to-the-point ways to combat acne.
1.) Kill the bacteria. If there's no bacteria to cause an infection, then there will be no acne.
2.) Reduce the oil on the surface of the skin. Since oil can clog pores, and gives "fuel" for the bacteria to thrive off of, less oil means less acne.
3.) Stop the pore from getting clogged in the first place. If you can keep dead skin cells from clogging up a pore, you'll reduce the number of spots.
With that said, we'll move on to the basic regimen.
Step 1 ? Washing your Face
In this step, we will be trying to accomplish two goals ? Removing excess oil from the surface of the skin, and killing the bacteria on the skin.
To do this, we will need a gentle, non-comedogenic, non-irritating antibacterial cleanser. These are few and far between, and I have only found one cleanser that can do the job: Noxzema "Triple Clean" Cleanser. This is a gentle cleanser that contains an antibacterial ingredient called "triclosan".
First of all, splash your face once or twice with warm water. Then, squeeze about a dime sized amount of the cleanser into your hands. Work into a rich lather, and then apply to the face, being extra careful to be gentle. There is no need to scrub or rub it hard, as this will NOT help with acne, it will only make it worse. With that said, very gently, using no pressure at all, and only the tips of your fingers, rub it onto your skin for one minute straight. This is to make sure that all of the bacteria are killed off. Then rinse the cleanser from your face, and gently pat the skin dry with a clean towel.
Step 2 ? Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl Peroxide is a very common over-the-counter acne treatment product. BP works by creating an oxygen rich environment within the skin, interrupting the metabolic process of the p. acnes bacteria, causing it to die off. It is also antiinflammatory, helping to reduce redness.
Avoid anything that is 10% BP, unless it won't be staying on your skin for long. Go for 5%, or better yet, 2.5%. The two products I recommend are Neutrogena's "on-the-spot" acne treatment cream, and Stridex's BP pads. Both contain 2.5% benzoyl peroxide.
No matter which product you choose, apply it gently to your skin after cleansing.
Step 3 ? Salicylic Acid
Salicylic Acid is a beta hydroxy acid ? meaning it is an exfoliant, and will help your skin to shed dead skin cells faster. This prevents the dead skin cells from forming a clog inside pores, trapping bacteria and leading to a pimple.
The salicylic acid product I recommend is Clean & Clear's "advantage" acne spot treatment. It is a sort of gel, that contains 2% salicylic acid. It goes on smooth, is invisible once it has dried, and stays on all day to provide protection against acne.
After the benzoyl peroxide has dried, gently apply the salicylic acid. I use about a quarter sized amount for my face, but if your skin isn't "used to it" yet, start with less.
And that's it! You're now protecting your skin from three major causes of acne, and hopefully your skin will begin to clear up!
This regimen is meant to be done twice per day ? once in the morning, and again at night. Since both benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are irritating to the skin at first, don't jump right in. Your skin has to get used to the products before you can use them to their fullest extent. Be patient, and at first, only apply benzoyl peroxide, and only apply it once per day. Then work up to twice per day. Once your skin is used to that, add in the salicylic acid slowly. Eventually, you should be using quite a bit of both products. Definitely remember to wear a sunscreen if you'll be venturing out into the sun.
by Ryan Bauer - Acne Elimination: Acne Information
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
'Light' Cigarettes Don't Help Smokers
Smoking low-tar and low-nicotine — or "light" — cigarettes may actually make it harder for smokers to kick the habit.
A new study shows that people who smoke light cigarettes are more than 50 percent less likely to quit smoking than those who smoke regular cigarettes.
"Even though smokers may hope to reduce their health risks by smoking lights, the results suggest they are doing just the opposite because they are significantly reducing their chances of quitting. Moreover, as they get older their chances of quitting become more and more diminished," says researcher Hilary D. Tindle, M.D., MPH, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, in a news release. Tindle conducted the research while at the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston.
Source
A new study shows that people who smoke light cigarettes are more than 50 percent less likely to quit smoking than those who smoke regular cigarettes.
"Even though smokers may hope to reduce their health risks by smoking lights, the results suggest they are doing just the opposite because they are significantly reducing their chances of quitting. Moreover, as they get older their chances of quitting become more and more diminished," says researcher Hilary D. Tindle, M.D., MPH, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, in a news release. Tindle conducted the research while at the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston.
Source
Weights on children's toys 'can boost their fitness'
ADDING weights to children's toys may help them improve their fitness during playtime, according to new research in the US.
The study included five boys and five girls, who were an average of seven-and-a-half years old and were randomly assigned to carry either large, cardboard toy blocks that weighed less than a quarter of a pound or blocks that weighed about 3.4 pounds.
The children picked up the blocks and carried them over approximately 26 feet. Days later, the children were assigned to the opposite type of toy block and repeated the activity.
Overall, after an average of ten minutes of carrying weighted blocks, the children experienced greater increases in heart rate, oxygen uptake and energy expenditure than they did after carrying the lighter blocks, findings indicate.
"This study provides one intervention to the current trend of declining fitness in America's youth," Dr John C. Ozmun, of Indiana State University said. "This will not be the answer to childhood obesity, but it could make a positive contribution."
Source
The study included five boys and five girls, who were an average of seven-and-a-half years old and were randomly assigned to carry either large, cardboard toy blocks that weighed less than a quarter of a pound or blocks that weighed about 3.4 pounds.
The children picked up the blocks and carried them over approximately 26 feet. Days later, the children were assigned to the opposite type of toy block and repeated the activity.
Overall, after an average of ten minutes of carrying weighted blocks, the children experienced greater increases in heart rate, oxygen uptake and energy expenditure than they did after carrying the lighter blocks, findings indicate.
"This study provides one intervention to the current trend of declining fitness in America's youth," Dr John C. Ozmun, of Indiana State University said. "This will not be the answer to childhood obesity, but it could make a positive contribution."
Source
Weight Loss Secret: Thinking Thin
Your struggle with weight might have begun while you were a child, as you attempted to find out just how many cookies you could eat at one sitting. Or it might have occurred shortly after you arrived on a college campus for the first time. Those late nights of studying might have led to late-night binging sessions. Or you might have gained weight after the birth of your first child, and have been unable to shed the weight ever since. No matter what the cause, weight gain is a serious matter. It can affect your energy level, your stamina, and your overall health. Obesity has been linked to a number of diseases, including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
Once you determine that you are overweight, you have to make a commitment to bring your weight under control. This can be a daunting venture. You have turned overeating into a habit, and reversing that habit can be difficult. In essence, you have taught yourself to “think like a fat person.” In order to reverse this trend, you need to learn to think like a thin person.
What exactly does this mean? To begin with, it means that you must throw away your preconceived ideas about food and eating. Eating might have become a social event for you. As a result, you’ll need to learn to be sociable without food. This is similar to the struggle that alcoholics face when they must learn to socialize without beer or liquor. Just because this is hard lesson to learn doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try.
Thinking like a thin person also means that you need to develop new coping strategies. You might be viewing food as your friend, the one you turn to when things are not going your way. You may even be eating in secret because you’re ashamed at how much you’re eating. You need to realize that your public persona needs to be the same as your private persona—and your diet should match both.
A number of thin people exercise without even noticing it. Activity has become a normal part of their day. The same thing needs to be true of you. You need to exercise as much as possible. It should ultimately become second nature for you. It should not be a chore—it should be a fun part of your week. Take an inventory of your preferences. Whether you like tennis or bowling, badminton or running, choose the activity that best represents your style. Then exercise diligently—preferably six times a week. This will speed up your metabolism so that you will burn fat more quickly. Also, you need to overcome any fear you have of exercising. As an overweight person, you might find exercise frustrating—and you might fear what other people will think of you as they watch you exercising. You need to realize that chances are no one cares about your exercise routine. Don’t let fear get in the way of your progress.
Thinking thin also means controlling portion sizes. This can be difficult, especially when eating out. However, the key to effective weight loss often lies in limiting your food intake, and that begins with portion control. You might try putting your dinner on a smaller plate in order to ensure that your portion sizes are not too large.
You have to realize that thinking as a thin person does not happen overnight. You have had years to develop your thought patterns and changing them can be a challenge. The important thing to remember is to take one day at a time and keep in mind that your weight loss will not happen instantaneously. It will take months of hard work to reach your ideal weight. However, the good news is that once you get into the habit of thinking thin, it’s a trait you can carry with you for life. The difference between a fat person and a thin person is not just a matter of the body, but of the mind as well. Once you realize that, you will be well on your way to accomplishing your weight loss goals, both your immediate goals and your future goals.
Once you determine that you are overweight, you have to make a commitment to bring your weight under control. This can be a daunting venture. You have turned overeating into a habit, and reversing that habit can be difficult. In essence, you have taught yourself to “think like a fat person.” In order to reverse this trend, you need to learn to think like a thin person.
What exactly does this mean? To begin with, it means that you must throw away your preconceived ideas about food and eating. Eating might have become a social event for you. As a result, you’ll need to learn to be sociable without food. This is similar to the struggle that alcoholics face when they must learn to socialize without beer or liquor. Just because this is hard lesson to learn doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try.
Thinking like a thin person also means that you need to develop new coping strategies. You might be viewing food as your friend, the one you turn to when things are not going your way. You may even be eating in secret because you’re ashamed at how much you’re eating. You need to realize that your public persona needs to be the same as your private persona—and your diet should match both.
A number of thin people exercise without even noticing it. Activity has become a normal part of their day. The same thing needs to be true of you. You need to exercise as much as possible. It should ultimately become second nature for you. It should not be a chore—it should be a fun part of your week. Take an inventory of your preferences. Whether you like tennis or bowling, badminton or running, choose the activity that best represents your style. Then exercise diligently—preferably six times a week. This will speed up your metabolism so that you will burn fat more quickly. Also, you need to overcome any fear you have of exercising. As an overweight person, you might find exercise frustrating—and you might fear what other people will think of you as they watch you exercising. You need to realize that chances are no one cares about your exercise routine. Don’t let fear get in the way of your progress.
Thinking thin also means controlling portion sizes. This can be difficult, especially when eating out. However, the key to effective weight loss often lies in limiting your food intake, and that begins with portion control. You might try putting your dinner on a smaller plate in order to ensure that your portion sizes are not too large.
You have to realize that thinking as a thin person does not happen overnight. You have had years to develop your thought patterns and changing them can be a challenge. The important thing to remember is to take one day at a time and keep in mind that your weight loss will not happen instantaneously. It will take months of hard work to reach your ideal weight. However, the good news is that once you get into the habit of thinking thin, it’s a trait you can carry with you for life. The difference between a fat person and a thin person is not just a matter of the body, but of the mind as well. Once you realize that, you will be well on your way to accomplishing your weight loss goals, both your immediate goals and your future goals.
Lose Weight by Eating for Your Blood Type – Fad or Fact?
Several years ago, a very interesting new idea with regard to weight loss became all the rage: eating for your blood type. This concept answered the age-old question of why not all eating plans work for all people. That much seems undeniable - people are very different with regard to the types of food that works for them, as well as the type of exercise program. A weight loss regime that works for one person won't necessarily work for someone else - that much we know.
Some experts started to link this to blood type. There are four main blood types, and according to this way of thinking, each type represents a body type. If you eat the food that is right for your type, you will lose weight effortlessly. Conversely, most weight problems are the result of eating the food that's wrong for your type. As well, there are types of exercise that are suitable for some types and not for others.
Though mainstream science ridiculed this idea, thousands of people followed the eating plan for their blood type and many had excellent results. This is the theory: the different blood types evolved at different times in human history, and even nowadays people with those types have traits that are specific to humans at that stage of evolution. This may sound confusing, but it's clearer with an example: According to this theory, 'o' type blood, because it's the simplest type, evolved first. At that time in human history, people had not yet developed agriculture. They were primarily hunters, and ate meat and greens; they ate no wheat, and no dairy, because those foods developed later on with the advent of farming. Humans at that time in history also exercised vigorously.
So, if you have 'O' type blood, your body is similar to this early human physiology. If you eat a lot of carbohydrates and don't exercise vigorously, you will have weight problems and other health problems, because you are not eating and exercising in the way that is right for your blood type and body type. To lose weight and be healthy, if have 'o' type blood, you have to eat plenty of red meat and vegetables, and very little wheat or dairy. You should also have a strenuous physical activity, like running or weight lifting, that you practice several times a week.
But if you are a type 'A' or 'B', for example, that advice would be all wrong for you. These types developed somewhat later, after agriculture was established, so these individuals can and should eat more fruits, vegetables, and grains. People with 'AB' type blood are lucky; their type evolved last, after humans had incorporated all types of food into their diet. So 'AB's can basically eat anything - within reason - and not gain weight.
Over the past six or seven years, many people have followed this plan and lost a lot of weight. There are a few problems with it, though. First of all, as mentioned before, there is no hard scientific evidence that shows that people with different blood types are physiologically different. It's an appealing idea, but it can't be proven as yet. Also, some of the blood type diets (particularly the diet for type 'O') are very restrictive. In fact, the type 'o' diet is rather like Atkins at its most restrictive, and some nutritionists feel that this might lead to problems with high cholesterol in the long run. On the other hand, proponents of the diet argue that type 'O' people are precisely those who can afford to eat a lot of meat without negatively affecting their cholesterol level. If someone with a different blood type ate in this way, it might be a problem, but not for 'O's'. And it is certainly true that some people develop or don't develop cholesterol problems seemingly regardless to their dietary intake.
If the theory has no basis, though, how would we explain the weight loss that so many people have experienced? It may be simpler than you think, actually. Any one of the four blood type eating plans, if followed correctly, would have you eating healthier, more natural food. Some, like the 'O' diet, are also quite restrictive. It seems likely that these diets make you lose weight in and of themselves, regardless of what blood type you are!
Some experts started to link this to blood type. There are four main blood types, and according to this way of thinking, each type represents a body type. If you eat the food that is right for your type, you will lose weight effortlessly. Conversely, most weight problems are the result of eating the food that's wrong for your type. As well, there are types of exercise that are suitable for some types and not for others.
Though mainstream science ridiculed this idea, thousands of people followed the eating plan for their blood type and many had excellent results. This is the theory: the different blood types evolved at different times in human history, and even nowadays people with those types have traits that are specific to humans at that stage of evolution. This may sound confusing, but it's clearer with an example: According to this theory, 'o' type blood, because it's the simplest type, evolved first. At that time in human history, people had not yet developed agriculture. They were primarily hunters, and ate meat and greens; they ate no wheat, and no dairy, because those foods developed later on with the advent of farming. Humans at that time in history also exercised vigorously.
So, if you have 'O' type blood, your body is similar to this early human physiology. If you eat a lot of carbohydrates and don't exercise vigorously, you will have weight problems and other health problems, because you are not eating and exercising in the way that is right for your blood type and body type. To lose weight and be healthy, if have 'o' type blood, you have to eat plenty of red meat and vegetables, and very little wheat or dairy. You should also have a strenuous physical activity, like running or weight lifting, that you practice several times a week.
But if you are a type 'A' or 'B', for example, that advice would be all wrong for you. These types developed somewhat later, after agriculture was established, so these individuals can and should eat more fruits, vegetables, and grains. People with 'AB' type blood are lucky; their type evolved last, after humans had incorporated all types of food into their diet. So 'AB's can basically eat anything - within reason - and not gain weight.
Over the past six or seven years, many people have followed this plan and lost a lot of weight. There are a few problems with it, though. First of all, as mentioned before, there is no hard scientific evidence that shows that people with different blood types are physiologically different. It's an appealing idea, but it can't be proven as yet. Also, some of the blood type diets (particularly the diet for type 'O') are very restrictive. In fact, the type 'o' diet is rather like Atkins at its most restrictive, and some nutritionists feel that this might lead to problems with high cholesterol in the long run. On the other hand, proponents of the diet argue that type 'O' people are precisely those who can afford to eat a lot of meat without negatively affecting their cholesterol level. If someone with a different blood type ate in this way, it might be a problem, but not for 'O's'. And it is certainly true that some people develop or don't develop cholesterol problems seemingly regardless to their dietary intake.
If the theory has no basis, though, how would we explain the weight loss that so many people have experienced? It may be simpler than you think, actually. Any one of the four blood type eating plans, if followed correctly, would have you eating healthier, more natural food. Some, like the 'O' diet, are also quite restrictive. It seems likely that these diets make you lose weight in and of themselves, regardless of what blood type you are!
Pomegranate Juice to Slow Prostate Cancer Progress
Study shows that drinking pomegranate juice may benefit men to slow the progress of prostate cancer. Pomegranates contain a cocktail of chemicals which minimise cell damage, and potentially kill off cancer cells.The presence of prostate cancer cells is monitored by measuring levels of a chemical they produce called prostate-specific antigen (PSA). The average doubling time of the PSA is about 15 months, but in patients who drank pomegranate juice this increased to an average of 54 months. This will help to delay the therapies such as hormone treatment or chemotherapy, both of which bring with them harmful side effects.
The study, by the University of California in Los Angeles, appears in the journal Clinical Cancer Research.
Previous research had indicated that pomegranate juice could have a beneficial effect on prostate cancer in tests on mice.
But the latest study has shown that humans can potentially benefit too.
Besides the ability to slow prostate cancer progress, pomegranate juice may also protect human body from the damage by particles called free radicals because the anti-inflammatory effects and high levels of anti-oxidants in it.
Source
Dermagenetics DNA UltraCustom Face Cream to Banish Wrinkles FOREVER!!
The Hollywood is going DNA crazy recently. It's the Dermagenetics DNA UltraCustom face cream, the object behind the craze that claims to be able to banish your face wrinkles F-O-R-E-V-E-R! No surgeries, lasers, or any injections needed. It's face cream product that is especially made to suit your skin conditions, based on DNA testing, so, it's unique and personalised.
The DNA testing idea behind the product is that every human has unique DNA and general face creams in the market have wrong ingredient proportions. If the creams we are using on our face are not suited to our genetic requirements, skin is unable to metabolise the ingredients and they are left to build up as unwanted toxins in the skin.
Every Dermagenetics clients are sent a kit, which includes two cotton swabs and a return envelope. Clients are asked to rub the swab along the inner cheek ten to 12 times before leaving it to dry and sending it back to Dermagenetics for testing. From these skin cells, experts measure the client's genetic propensity for collagen breakdown; photo-ageing; wrinkling; skin ageing; their skin's ability to tolerate environmental pollutants and their overall skin health. Then, clients will receive a tailor-made night cream with client's name on it, containing various minerals, enzymes, herbal extracts and acids specifically balanced to suit them within two weeks of taking the test.
The company also have the DNA studies on their record so that follow-up courses of creams can be bought without the need for further tests.
John Souzais, the spokesman for Dermagenetics said,
Dermagenetics official website: www.dermagenetics.com
Source
The DNA testing idea behind the product is that every human has unique DNA and general face creams in the market have wrong ingredient proportions. If the creams we are using on our face are not suited to our genetic requirements, skin is unable to metabolise the ingredients and they are left to build up as unwanted toxins in the skin.
Every Dermagenetics clients are sent a kit, which includes two cotton swabs and a return envelope. Clients are asked to rub the swab along the inner cheek ten to 12 times before leaving it to dry and sending it back to Dermagenetics for testing. From these skin cells, experts measure the client's genetic propensity for collagen breakdown; photo-ageing; wrinkling; skin ageing; their skin's ability to tolerate environmental pollutants and their overall skin health. Then, clients will receive a tailor-made night cream with client's name on it, containing various minerals, enzymes, herbal extracts and acids specifically balanced to suit them within two weeks of taking the test.
The company also have the DNA studies on their record so that follow-up courses of creams can be bought without the need for further tests.
John Souzais, the spokesman for Dermagenetics said,
'Everyone is so used to going after the ingredient of the week, but the problem is they don't know if their skin is capable of metabolising that ingredient. The only way you can know is if you have a genetic test. There are no secret ingredients in our skin-care and, in fact, we basically use the same ingredients as other companies.Are you the one who are also following Goldie Hawn, Meg Ryan and Teri Hatcher to in effort of banishing wrinkles? If yes, get ready to spend £135 (about $255) for DNA test and £125 (about $235) for a bottle that lasts six to eight weeks.
'The difference is that we re-proportion the ingredients to precisely suit the individual's requirements.
'Every few months, major cosmetics houses single out a new active ingredient and make it fashionable.
'Most people have no idea what these ingredients even do but they are encouraged to buy them because their favourite movie star looks great in the billboard campaigns.
'We've proved in two different studies that our active ingredients can regulate genetic functioning to give optimal balance to the skin.
'We analyse your genes and find out which ones are disadvantaged and give those genes what they would need to make them function if they were perfect.'
Dermagenetics official website: www.dermagenetics.com
Source
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)