Saturday, June 20, 2009

Blackhead Removal

I can’t tell you how many hours I’ve spent looking in the mirror squeezing blackheads out of my nose, forehead and chin. I’ll never forget the first time I noticed those horrid blackheads! Not that it was so difficult to see them; my nose looked like the checkered black and white tiled floor in the Beverly Hillbillies. They were everywhere and I was in a panic. With my curious first squeeze these little cork screw white cream tarts with a black top hat released from their cradle. Oh my gosh, what a disgusting sight! I didn’t help matters any with my initial horror and shock!

Over time I learned that blackheads were simply the product of my skin pores not draining properly the sebum oil that’s naturally produced. Before you know it a blockage can occur. The bacteria start to do its thing and viola, the pore gets completely clogged and your new best friend on the tip of your nose is a whitehead or a blackhead.

I don’t care how beautiful your eyes are, it’s not going to distract anyone from noticing anything but the pimple that’s taken up residence on your face.

Now the question becomes how do you get rid of that blackhead? You want it gone, plain and simple.

Blackhead removal: Comedome (Blackhead) Extractors – These little handy devices are a much safer method for blackhead removal than squeezing with your fingers. There are any numbers of cosmetic companies that manufacture these blackhead removers and they can be quite inexpensive, around $5.00 or so. You simply apply a little circular pressure with the extractor over the affected area and that little bit of force will push the comedome to the surface. It’s best to do this after a warm shower or maybe apply warm water compresses to help soften the skin and the affected area. After the offending blackhead has squirted to freedom, use an antiseptic to disinfect the area as well as your new found best friend the black head extractor. A little alcohol and hot water should do the trick.

Now that the blackheads have been removed and are gone, we need to take a proactive approach so they don’t return. A little preventative action to keep the blackheads away goes a long way!

If you are using oil based make-up get rid of it. These products are going to make it a lot easier to clog your pores. They are non-comedogenic (wow listen to me getting all technical and all) what that boils down to is, it will clog your skin, and that’s what you’re trying to avoid! So use water based make-up. It’s that simple.

When washing your face, put down the harsh chemical washes and abrasive pads. They’re only irritating your skin and forcing your skin to produce more problems as it attempts to combat the harsh treatment. Gentle cleanser and warm water washing using your hands should be fine to get rid of and keep those blackheads away. A little Benzoyl Peroxide should be O. K. in helping keep your breakouts at bay. As the anti-bacterial properties should do their job. Blackheads like all types of acne require different methods for their prevention and removal. These all depend on the individual. The trick is to find what works for you and what gets rid of your blackheads.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Best Way to Get Rid of Acne

You know I don’t think a day goes by when someone doesn’t ask me what is the best way to get rid of acne? You would think after all this time I’d have a pat answer or maybe even have a business card with the answer printed on it. But I don’t and if you have any suggestions or better still know the answer, please pass it along.

But, don’t tell me popping pimples and squeezing blackheads is the best way to get rid of acne. Running the risk of permanent acne scarring doesn’t seem like a reasonable trade off. Your acne really isn’t going to be less noticeable and it’s not going to really heal any faster. Besides if that’s the best response mankind has come up with then... well… I have nothing I can say.

I’m not trying to be crass, I’m just frustrated. I wish someone would come up with a best way to get rid of acne so I could do it tonight and wake up tomorrow with clear skin and never have to worry about my blackheads, pimples and zits again. I don’t care if it’s a pill or a cream, an exercise that involves walking backwards on my hands down a crowded street while I whistle Queen’s We Are the Champions. I just want to know the best way to get rid of acne.

Alas, after all these years I know it just doesn’t work that way. What works for me may not have the slightest effect on you and vice versa. We can put a man on the moon, but we can’t get this crater off the middle of a forehead! Little kids are starting to stare and point while they shout “Cyclopes”! Washing my face with cold water and massaging my skin with an ice cube closes my pores and prevents bacteria from accumulating. It works wonders for me and is a technique that I use often. For others closing your pores and not allowing them to drain is just what you don’t need. It’s just so frustrating!

With that in mind I guess I’ll just post some rid acne home remedies that work for me. I hope some of them will work for you too.

The juice of a cucumber acts as an excellent toner and will cool and calm your skin.

Rub a raw tomato slice over your skin. Leave it on for a few minutes then rinse. Tomato has excellent astringent and cooling properties.

Ice cubes rubbed on your skin will tighten your pores and can reduce inflammation.

Cut raw garlic rubbed over blemishes can be very effective. Due to its active sulfur content it makes an excellent and natural antibiotic.

Steep sage in some hot water, allow to cool and apply

Apple cider vinegar is a good skin toner

The above natural tips have helped me over the years and are among my favorites that have produced positive results. I thought I’d pass them along to you. Especially if your outbreak is mild, try these natural treatments and see if you have any success with them. They can’t hurt you and you will nourish your skin in the process; regardless of how your acne is affected. The only repercussion you might have is a strong smell of garlic salad permeating from your skin. . Who knows maybe one or two of them will become your best way to get rid of acne.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

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Friday, June 5, 2009

Home Remedies

Acne is a problem just about everybody “faces” in their lifetime. The desire for clear skin drives a billion dollar industry and people are willing to do anything or pay any price to achieve clear, beautiful skin. I’m someone who’s always thought it’s possible to find a home remedy for just about anything right in your own home or garden; kitchen or medicine cabinet.

Why pay money for something you probably already have sitting in a cabinet or under a sink? Even better, you can probably find the ingredients you need growing in your garden or that of friends.

Interestingly enough, there are probably just as many home remedies for acne as there are acne products lining the shelves of the local drug and discount stores. When you start to learn more about the actual ingredients that actively fight acne and its causes you begin to see they are usually very in-expensive, easy to procure and a natural approach to you fight with acne.

When comparing home remedies to those remedies you will find in the drug store or your local discount store, you will come to see the difference between them regarding the results you will see is minimal. You may even find home remedies rival those of prescription medications in some situations. They will certainly cost you a lot less time and money.

One of the first things to realize is that skin is relatively sensitive and responds quickly to stimulation. Many times people will actually aggravate skin break outs by using harsh medications, scrubs and cleansers. The gentle approach is always best. If you’re not careful, not only will you make a bad situation worse, you will often create new problems. Also it’s always best to find the gentlest approach, using the least amount of medicine to achieve a good result.

One of the best home remedies for breakouts is a product most of us already have in our home. We normally use it to treat minor cuts or abrasions and some people mix it with baking soda as a way of whitening their teeth. I’m speaking of course of hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is one of the best treatments and preventative treatments of acne. It acts as an astringent, a bleaching agent, and a drying agent. Not to be confused with Benzoyl Peroxide, which is also a very good preventative and an excellent tool in the fight against acne, Hydrogen Peroxide is much cheaper and accessible to everyone.

Witch hazel is another home remedy which used to be in everybody’s home at one time. It acts as an excellent astringent and works to fight the bacteria which help cause breakouts. Witch hazel is also an excellent help if you have sunburn and want to sooth the pain. Keep a bottle in the refrigerator and apply liberally to a cloth or paper towels then drape lightly over affected skin. You will gain instant relief. Witch Hazel also helps ease problems with swelling so if you have a particularly irritated skin breakout witch hazel may be the way to go.

Another home remedy in aiding the fight against acne is good old H2O. Water is one of the best things you can use in your fight against acne. We all know humans are mainly made up of water and our bodies are in constant need of hydration. If you’re experiencing problems with skin breakouts try drinking double the amount of the daily recommended quantity. Simply doing that will help flush your system and hydrate your skin which will aid tremendously in your fight against acne. You should see results almost immediately.

Go ahead. Open your kitchen cabinets and find a home remedy that will help in your battle to get rid of acne.