Try These Natural Hair Loss Treatments

This article will examine the different types of natural hair loss treatments. Hair loss can be a problem for both men and women alike. Losing your hair can affect many aspects of your life, especially your self confidence as you worry about your personal appearance. There are many types of conventional treatments for hair loss, including surgical procedures. However, there are natural hair loss treatments that may be less expensive and could be just as effective for your hair loss problem.

The use of herbs for hair loss has been proven to be successful in some cases. Herbs may be taken internally or applies externally, depending on the herb. For this article we will list the herbs that can be applied externally for hair loss treatment.

Onion pulp has been a popular remedy for the treatment of hair loss. The sulfur content of the onion stimulates hair growth. Apply an onion paste to the area of the scalp that is experiencing the hair loss.

Safflower oil applied to the scalp has been very effective in stimulating hair growth by giving increased blood circulation to the scalp.

Aloe Vera has been used by Native Americans for centuries to promote healthy hair and prevent hair loss. It protects the scalp by healing it and promoting a balanced PH level. It also can cleanse the pores of the scalp. Preparing a combination of Aloe Vera gel with wheat germ oil and coconut milk and using it as a shampoo, has proven to be very beneficial in hair re-growth and preventing hair loss. You may want to look at your favorite health food store for premixed Aloe Vera shampoo.

Rosemary and sage are two herbs that have shown benefits when used externally. Mix rosemary, sage, peach leaf, nettle and burdock together in a pan of water and boil. Strain the loose leaves from the liquid and use the liquid to wash your hair daily. This can thicken the hair and stimulate the scalp to promote hair growth.

Massaging your scalp with essential oils, lavender in particular, has been shown to increase hair growth in mild cases of hair loss. Blend six drops each of lavender and bay essential oils in a base of four ounces of either soybean or sesame oil. Massage this into the scalp and let it set for about 20 minutes. Once it sets for 20 minutes, shampoo your hair with your favorite shampoo mixed with three drops of bay essential oil.

These are just a few natural treatments for hair loss. It is important to find the cause of your hair loss first to be sure it is not caused by an underlying disease. Other ways to help with hair loss is to start taking a good multi-vitamin and to eat a healthy balanced diet. Get plenty of exercise to stimulate blood flow to all parts of your body, including your scalp. Hair loss can be overcome once you know natural treatments for hair loss.

Helpful Tips On Preventing Hair Loss

This article will give you some helpful tips on preventing hair loss. For some men and even women, hair loss will be hereditary and there is not a lot they can do to prevent it. But if you don't have the hair loss gene, there are steps you can take to keep your hair healthy and prevent it from falling out.

First and most importantly eat a healthy balanced diet. Your hair needs nutrition to grow and be healthy. Try to eat a diet rich in vitamins and minerals. If this is not possible, take a good multi-vitamin everyday that can provide you with the required daily allowance of vitamins and minerals.

Get plenty of exercise and plenty of sleep. Exercise increases the blood flow to every part of your body, including your scalp. Increased blood flow can nourish the hair follicles and keep them strong and healthy. Your whole body, including your scalp and hair needs rest to rejuvenate, so try to get at least eight hours of restful sleep each night.

Avoid hair treatments that can damage your hair. Frequent dyeing, hot curling irons, blow dryers, perms and frequent brushing or combing can all do damage to your hair and result in hair loss. Be gentle on your hair, using a soft bristled brush and letting it air dry whenever possible. Avoid vigorous combing when your hair is wet. It is more prone to breakage at this time.

If you notice excessive hair loss, see your doctor right away. Hair loss can be a sign of an underlying disease that needs treatment. Autoimmune diseases such as lupus can cause hair loss. Also disorders of the endocrine system, such as diabetes may cause you to lose your hair. Any type of hormone imbalance can be a big factor in hair loss also. It is important to find the cause of your hair loss and get treatment to prevent further hair loss and damage to other body organs.

Certain medications can cause hair loss. Talk with your doctor about your medicines and ask about the possibility of them causing your hair to fall out. You may be able to change to another medication that has less of a risk of causing hair loss.

There are a number of myths out there about hair loss. Here are a few of them:

- Wearing a hat will cause hair loss. While it may be true that a lot of bald men may wear a hat to cover their thinning hair, a hat in no way caused their hair to fall out. If wearing a hat caused baldness, everyone in the national baseball league would be bald!

- Standing on your head can prevent baldness. This has never been proven to be true. But if you like to stand on your head, go for it!

- Hair loss in females means that you are not a proper woman with two X chromosomes. This is crazy because hair loss has nothing to do with chromosomes but has everything to do with hormones.

- Hair loss in women is a sign of an overactive brain. There is absolutely no scientific evidence to back this statement up.

Hair loss can be upsetting at any age. Do your best to stay healthy and follow the above tips for preventing hair loss.

Causes Of Hair Loss: Prescription Medications That Cause Hair Loss (Part 2)

Hair loss is not always the result of disease, radiation treatments, or even genetics. In fact, most cases of men and women who lose their hair can be the direct result of prescription drug medications. In this article we will cover three drugs in particular; anti-inflammatory medications, anabolic steroids, and hormone replacement drugs.

Anti-inflammatory Medications: These drugs are used to relieve inflammation as well as reduce pain. Included in this category are ibuprofen and naproxen, both of which can be obtained over the counter. Anti-inflammatory medications (also referred to as NSAIDS) such as these have been reported as a contributor to hair loss in both men and women. Although rare, children's hair loss may also be affected by anti-inflammatory drugs.

If your doctor is going to prescribe you anti-inflammatory drugs, and you are concerned about hair loss, then you may want to discuss if the prescription he is giving you is one of the following: Relafen, Clinoril, Voltaren, Nalfon, Rofecoxib, Celebrex, Lodine, Orudis, & Indocin. All of these drugs have been reported to cause hair loss as a side effect.

Anabolic Steroids: When we hear the term “anabolic steroids” the first thing that usually pops up in a person's mind are bodybuilders who are known to abuse this drug in order to increase muscle mass. Indeed, anabolic steroids do increase a person's muscle mass if taken correctly because they are considered to be a male hormone, otherwise referred to as a synthetic androgen. However, one of the major side effects of taking anabolic steroids is premature hair loss in both men and women who were under these hormones.

Even if these medications are not abused in a way that bodybuilders treat them, just a slight dose of male hormones prescribed by a doctor can cause hair loss in people that are genetically sensitive to DHT.

Such medications that include testosterone and is considered an anabolic steroid prescription drug include the following: Depo-Testosterone, Android, Testred, Winstrol, Danocrine, Halotestin, Virilon, and Metandren.

Thyroid Medications: Last but not least, men and women who have a thyroid disorder have been shown to experience hair loss as a result of the medications given to help their condition. Two examples of these thyroid medications that are linked to hair thinning and baldness are thiouracil & carbimazole.

Causes Of Hair Loss: Prescription Medications That Cause Hair Loss (Part 1)

If you are concerned about future hair loss, or are currently in the process of losing your hair, then consider prescription medications as a possible cause to the problem. There are alarming amounts of reports on the number of prescription drugs that are known to cause hair thinning, as well as baldness. This is a side effect these drugs that everybody should ask their doctor about before taking them.

Before we go on, please make an important note here that not all prescription drugs will cause hair loss, so do not be afraid to take any recommendations from your doctor. And also, many cases of prescription drugs resulting in hair loss is temporary and last for just a few weeks to at most a few months. This is of course in regards to people that go off their medications during this time period.

Other factors should also be taken into consideration, such as the potency of the drug, the dosage amount, and an individual's unique response to the medication. While hair loss may be a side effect for one individual, it may not affect another person's hair follicles at all.

The following list are a few examples of prescription drugs that have been reported to cause hair loss in both men and women:

1. Drugs that lower cholesterol: There are many cholesterol-lowering drugs that pose a danger to cause hair loss as a side effect. One such example medication is called Lopid .

2. Blood Pressure medications: There are a few beta blocker blood pressure medications that have been reported to cause hair loss in some cases. A few examples of these drugs would be Corgard, lopressor, and Blocadren.

3. Parkinson's medications: Not all Parkinson's medications have been linked to hair loss, but one such example drug that has been known to affect a person's hair is called Dopar.

4. Arthritis medications: Some medications designed to relieve arthritis may cause hair loss. For example, naproxen, penicillamine, and methotrexate, are such drugs.

5. Blood thinners: Some blood thinners (anticoagulants) may cause hair loss, such as heparin and inderal.

4 Natural Ways To Help Prevent Early Hair Loss

Hair loss occurs in a progressive nature. Most men have a specific pattern in which hair starts to fall out and then over the years increases down the same route. Women on the other hand, do not typically have the same experience. Unlike a receding hairline, or a particular bald spot forming on a man's scalp, a woman will generally experience broad hair thinning throughout the entire top of her head. In both cases, men and women, the pattern in which air falls out increases in time.

Many people assume that losing hair as we age is just a normal part of life. This same group of people also assumes that we have no responsibility when it comes to the cause of hair loss or the increased of the amount of hair that is lost in time. However, this is a wrong assumption. Below are a few examples of how people can directly cause the loss of their hair, whether they realize it or not.

1. Wearing hats most of the time: It is very fashionable these days to sport head coverings and tight caps. However, because hats can affect the blood flow to the scalp, this may cause hair loss. This is especially true if you wear tight hats. The result of hair loss due to covering your scalp with a hat does take time to make it's effects known, but once it starts, the pattern of loosing your hair speeds up faster than if you had never started the hat-wearing habit.

2. Oily scalp: Here is another example of a condition that can be directly related to the decrease amount of blood flow that is available to your hair follicles. By not washing your scalp enough a build up of natural skin oils can affect your hair. Regular washing can help reduce this problem.

3. Brushing your hair too much: This is one issue that I have personally experienced myself. I was once told by a hairstylist that if I want to grow my hair long then I should brush it with 50 strokes every time I went into the bathroom. Needless to say, after about six months, I noticed severe thinning in the areas that I was brushing. Once I stopped, the hair eventually started to come back like normal. Unfortunately, I set forth in motion a pattern that caused my hair to grow back thinner in that area for the rest of my life.

4. Brushing your hair too little: Opposite of brushing your hair too much, by not brushing your hair enough, you may not be stimulating the right amount of blood flow needed to retain growth in hair follicles. It doesn't take much, but just brushing your hair with a few strokes that hit the scalp will be enough stimulation.

Myths And Causes of Female Hair Loss

This article will look at some of the causes of female hair loss and will also list a few myths associated with female hair loss. If you are a woman and are experiencing hair loss, it can be a very trying time in your life. For centuries, hair has been thought of as a woman's "crowning glory." Some women may feel less sexy or even less of a woman without the long, luxurious hair that they are used to.

There can be quite a few reasons for female hair loss. One type of hair loss that is quite common, but not often talked about is, androgenetic alopecia. This is hereditary and affects roughly 50% of women over the age of 40. It is also called female pattern baldness. Like it's male counterpart, it is permanent.

There is another condition called telogen effluvium. This is the rapid onset of hair loss in a scattered pattern on the scalp and sometimes elsewhere on the body. It is usually a reaction to intense stress on the body's physical or hormonal system. It can occur at any age and usually gets better on its own in about six months.

Another cause of hair loss in women is called alopecia areata. This is an autoimmune disease that causes the hair follicles to be attacked by white blood cells. This will slow hair production down dramatically so there may not be new hair growth for months or even years. This is usually not a permanent condition, and the hair may start to regrow on its own.

Now let's look at some of the common myths associated with female hair loss:

1) Shaving your head will make it grow back in thicker. While it is true that the base of the hair shaft is thicker than the end, it will not grow in thicker when you shave it.

2) Hair dyes and perms can cause permanent hair loss. These chemicals can cause hair loss, but it is not permanent. The chemicals may just make your hair more brittle and easy to break off, sometimes at the scalp. But it will grow back on its own.

3) Hair loss is caused by washing your hair too much. There is absolutely no scientific proof to back this statement.

4) Hair loss is caused by too much brushing and combing. While you may see hair in your brush or comb, this is the hair that is in the resting phase of the hair cycle and was due to come out.

5) Female hair loss means that you are not a "proper" woman with two X chromosomes. Hair loss has to do with hormones not chromosomes.

Whatever the cause of your hair loss there is treatment for it. Minoxidil 2% solution is approved for use on women, but may not be effective for everyone. There are also hair transplants and scalp reduction surgeries. However, if you don't want to go those routes, consider wigs or hair weaves. The most important thing is to know the causes of female hair loss and how it relates to you.

What Is Considered Normal Hair Loss?

This article will teach you about the normal growth cycle of your hair and about what is normal hair loss. Your hair goes through a normal progression of loss and re-growth each year. This is the same principle as shedding old skin cells for new ones.

Hair has a growth cycle. Normally, a hair growth cycle will last for two to six years. This growth stage is called the anagen stage. Each hair grows at a rate of approximately one half inch per month. Ninety percent of all the hair on your head is in the anagen or growth stage at one time.

The other ten percent of your hair is in the telogen or resting phase. This phase will last for two to three months and then that hair is shed. New hair will start to grow from the same hair follicle to replace the shed hair. This cycle repeats itself over and over, year after year.

This is why you may notice hair in your hairbrush or in your sink or shower. Your body is naturally shedding the dead hair to make room for the new hair. It is normal to shed anywhere from 100 to 300 hairs per day.

But what is not normal for hair loss? When you start shedding more hair than you are reproducing, you will start to notice thinning patches or bald spots. However, for men that are genetically prone to get male pattern baldness, this may actually be normal in terms of their genetic makeup.

Temporary hair loss can be normal in certain situations. For example, it is completely normal to loose a large amount of hair after surgery or a major illness. This is a reaction to the stress that your body endured during this time.

It is normal to lose a large amount of hair about three months after childbirth. Being pregnant caused a lot of hormone imbalances in your body. After childbirth, the hormones return to normal which could result in hair loss.

You also have to remember that certain types of hairstyles and styling products may cause hair loss. If you wear a style that causes a lot of pulling traction on the root of the hair, it may result in hair loss. Some chemicals that are found in dyes and perms can make the hair brittle so that it breaks off easily. While this is not normal hair loss, it is easy to rectify.

If you have noticed an excessive amount of hair in the sink or shower lately, and it is not caused by one of the above conditions, see your doctor. Let him know about your sudden, excessive hair loss. He may want to run a series of tests to investigate the cause. It may be a problem that is temporary and easily fixed or your hair loss can be an indicator of an underlying disease or health problem.

Once you know what is normal hair loss and what isn't, you will be able to tell when something is wrong and when you need to see your doctor.

Causes Of Hair Loss: Severe Head Injuries & Child Birth

In today's article we are going to discuss two physical reasons why a person may experience hair loss. This information has been reported to be very accurate and taken from actual studies of men and women who have undergone either severe physical trauma to the scalp area, and women who have experienced hair loss soon after giving birth.

Head Injuries & Physical Trauma To The Scalp

Permanent hair loss can be a direct result of a severe physical injury to a person's scalp. Although in some cases the hair might grow back, the majority of head trauma victims will have a total loss of hair for the rest of their life. Some possible head trauma examples would be chemical burns from acid or other highly flammable substances, severe cutting and damage from a blunt object, and over-exposure to cold temperatures such as freezing from liquid nitrogen or from frostbite.

At times, physical damage that causes hair loss may not come in the form of a severe injury as described above. For example, if a person wears a tight fitting helmet or other headgear that causes continuous pressure, this can lead to permanent hair loss.

Surgical operations that went wrong can cause permanent hair loss, such as cosmetic surgeries like scalp reduction or a face lift. They may even have suffered from an incorrect hair replacement surgery as well.

Hair Loss In Women Who Have Gave Birth

Some women experience a temporary loss of hair soon after giving birth. The term for this condition is called “telogen effluvium”. What happens here is that during the 2nd and 3rd trimester, the hair follicles that a woman has stays in the “growing phase” longer than it should have. So instead of the hair going through the normal regeneration cycle and shedding like it's supposed to, the hair follicles remain active and do not fall to the wayside which results in extremely thick hair.

Many women enjoy this temporary burst of luxurious hair growth. Unfortunately, this hair growth is not permanent. Within 12 weeks after giving birth, the woman's hair follicles will go back into their normal growth cycle. This means that all of this extra thick hair that should have been shedding for the last few months, as everyone's hair sheds normally, will now begin to fall out at a rapid pace, and usually does so all at once. This condition is temporary and is merely the result of a woman's body bouncing back to its original state as it was before becoming pregnant.

Does Stress Cause Hair Loss?

Yes, stress can definitely cause a person to lose their hair! However, it is important to note that the type of stress we are referring to in this article is not the everyday stress experience that most of us go through. In terms of hair loss, the type of stress that causes this condition is the result of sudden emotional shock or a very disastrous physical accident.

This type of hair loss is known as “telogen effluvium”. When an extremely stressful incident occurs, what happens is that the hair follicles that are actively growing are suddenly shifted forward into the “regression phase”. Soon after, the follicles then begin the “resting phase” and when the growth cycle of a hair follicle reaches this resting place, it falls out rather easily.

How soon after a stressful event does person's hair begin to fall out?

When a person goes through a physiological or an emotional event, hair does not begin to fall out anywhere from a few weeks to a few months after the event. But once it has begun, hair loss continues at a fast pace.

And because it takes some time for their hair to start shedding after the stressful event, the person is usually not aware that it is related to that past experience. It never occurs to them that the hair loss they are experiencing is not because of a new “sickness” or anything of the sort, it is simply the aftermath side effect of the stress they went through a few weeks or a few months ago.

What are some examples of severe stressful situations that would cause hair loss?

As we stated earlier, “stress” in terms of hair loss does not mean the standard stress most people experience from work, financial, relationships, etc. Instead, occurrences such as going through the sudden death of a loved one would be an example of a stressful situation that could result in hair loss. Getting a divorce would be another example. Having to take care of someone close to you who has a terminal disease may also fall into this category.

And of course, physical experiences that cause a lot of damage to a person's body will also produce stress at such high levels that hair loss is an eventual side effect. For example,a heart attack or a major surgery may cause a person's hair to fall out. Sickness that keeps a person in a long period of deterioration, such as the flu or malaria, may cause hair loss. And also, accidents such as vehicle crashes or any other similar situation where the body undergoes sudden physical damage, may cause hair loss.

Stop Losing Your Hair Now!

By : Charles Kassotis

Are you tired of finding strands of your hair in the sink, on the counter, or in the shower? No matter what age you are, no one likes to lose hair; everyone would rather keep it implanted on their scalps, where it belongs. Of course, if you have plenty to spare, you may not mind losing a few down the drain. But for those who are concerned about the exodus of their locks, here are some preventative measures to take before resorting to hair transplants or chemical processes.

1. Wash your hair every other day. Some people wash it daily, but as long as your hair remains manageable and not greasy, you can probably switch to alternative days. This will protect weak new hair follicles, giving them a chance to develop more fully. It also means you will be brushing or combing your hair less often, which means less stress on your scalp and strands.

2. Forget the 100 strokes a day. A generation or two ago, women taught their daughters to brush their hair 100 strokes daily. But professionals have come to realize that lengthy brushing may loosen hair strands and pull out excess hair. A dozen strokes or so ought to be enough for most heads of hair, but consult with your hair care stylist if you have questions or feel your hair needs more attention.

3. Use a detangle product. If your hair is long or thick, or for any reason is prone to tangles or split ends, apply a conditioner that defuses tangles or a detangling cream that smoothes them before combing. When you do comb or brush your hair, it will be easier to manage and result in less breakage.

4. Don't overuse hair care products. Too much spray, gel, or mousse, along with too much heat treatment can cause damage over time. Use products like these sensibly. Keep an eye on their effect. If your hair starts looking dry or greasy, or if the ends look dull or split, make an appointment with your hair stylist or try a deep conditioning product at home.

5. Protect your hair from the elements. Avoid too much sun on a hot day. Keep your head covered in pelting rain, cold, snow, or sleet. Humidify your home when the air gets dry. Steps like these will help to keep your hair strong and safe from potentially damaging elements.

6. Comb wet hair gently. Begin with the lower layers and gently comb in the direction the hair takes naturally. Work your way up to the scalp, carefully working through tangles or snarls. Don't use a brush on wet hair, as it can cause breakage.

7. Give your hair extra care after swimming in a chemically treated pool. You may have to wear a swimming cap or give your hair a conditioning treatment afterward.

Taking a few precautions like these can help to reduce the amount of lost hair and broken strands that you will find in the sink from now on.

Helpful Tips On The Cause And Cure Of Acne

Acne is a very common, chronic skin condition, yet its exact cause is still unknown. According to some studies, certain hormones known as androgens trigger the formation of acne as they enlarge the sebaceous glands in the skin. They then cause these oil-producing glands to increase sebum or oil production, which then leads to the formation of plugs and served as more food for the acne-causing bacteria. This fact will explain why teenagers develop armpit and pubic hair, and why boys develop facial hair and deeper voices, other than why acne forms.

Another potent cause of acne is the bacteria that normally thrive on the skin. These bacteria are known as to cause acne, and they are responsible for causing the condition to develop. According to certain studies, acne developed as these bacteria emit substances that trigger redness and inflammation. Estrogens, the female hormones, also play a large role in the development of acne particularly in girls. Some people also believe that acne is caused by some genetic factors. With the genetic factors, many have said that there’s no way for you to stop acne from coming.

Stress and diet, in particular, don’t actually cause it to form, but many have believed that these two will potentially aggravate acne and some other skin condition you have.

As mentioned in medical magazines acne is a serious skin disorder that plagues millions of people anywhere in the world. Certain reports have noted that acne can cause personal anguish and it may even lower the person’s self esteem. For so many years, certain studies have been conducted for the cure of acne. Until these days, there is no one particular magic acne cure that can totally eliminate acne, although some products are claiming that they can. However, the news is not at all bad since a number of acne remedies, known be many as acne cures, are now available on the market. These acne cures largely vary according to the method of application, the severity of the acne condition, and to the type of the acne patient’s skin.

One of the typically used acne cures are those over-the-counter products such as cleansers, moisturizers, astringents, and pimple creams. These acne cures are actually non-prescription products that are to some degree proven capable for unplugging the whiteheads and blackheads. Some of these acne cures encourage the skin to peel off, giving way to the new skin to develop.

The topical antibiotics are also there, known as “prescription only” acne cures. These forms of acne cure generally help fight acne by means of knocking out the acne-causing bacteria that infect the pores. However, there are some instances that acne may become resistant to these forms of acne cure, turning them useless in the end. Among the many side effects of these acne cures, nausea and dizziness are the common.

Is Acne Laser Surgery Right For You?

Acne laser surgery is one of today’s most expensive alternatives for treating acne with some acne laser treatments costing about $200 per treatment. The acne laser surgery greatly works by means of generating a concentrated beam of light that travels in one single path. The acne laser surgery is not an instant cure for acne. You may want to consider home treatment as well for an option on how to get rid of acne.

Although it is deemed so powerful for knocking out acne, the acne laser surgery does not completely get rid of acne, but to some degree, it can significantly enhance the overall appearance of the skin. It takes months and even years for the acne laser surgery to show effects.

The acne laser surgery is now commonly applied for treating the scars caused by acne. There are two major forms of lasers that are employed on an acne laser surgery. One of those is the resurfacing lasers, known as ablative lasers. This type of lasers being used in an acne laser surgery works to heat and eliminate the top skin tissue, which is usually done by burning away the scar tissue.

The other type of laser employed in an acne laser surgery is the non-ablative laser or non-wounding laser. Acne laser surgery today comes in different forms. There are the Smoothbeam and Clearlight, each is FDA approved acne laser surgery device that treat acne into certain degree. Many severe acne patients are now considering acne laser surgery for their skin condition.

The acne laser treatments are especially used for a single purpose, that is, to reduce and eliminate scarring developed from severe acne and to generally treat the active acne.

Since its introduction, the acne laser treatment has gained popularity among many people. Among the teenagers, the acne laser treatment tends to be applied for those who are resistant to other forms of treatments, while among adults, the acne laser treatments are more likely to be employed as a first-line treatment.

As mentioned earlier acne laser treatments can basically be applied in one of two ways, that is, to knock down the acne-causing bacteria or to destroy the oil-producing glands.

Essentially, the tactic involved in the acne laser treatment lies in the concept of using a laser to deliver a yellow light that will destroy the acne-causing bacteria.

One of the factors that encourage further study on acne laser treatment is the fact that acne is such a global problem. After a number of studies conducted to see the potency of acne laser treatment, many experts have claimed that the acne laser treatment to some degree are localized, very secure, and have no systemic side effects observed.

Recently, there is more evidence for lasers to be applied in treating acne scarring, although they have also shown a promising point for active acne.

Now you have all the information you need to decide on typical easy acne home treatment or acne laser treatment with surgery.

What Is The Treatment That Some Experts Are Calling A Cure For Acne?

In order to ‘cure’ acne a drug must aggressively address the root causes of the disease, and stop it in its path. Unfortunately there are so many contributing factors that cause acne, there is never going to be a single miracle cure that is able to address all of these causes. However there is a drug that statistically helps 60% of people treated with it, to effectively be cured from acne, and not require any further treatment.

This drug is called Isotretinoin (Roaccutane), and it works by stopping the driving forces behind acne – the excess production of sebum, and the building up of the ducts, which combine to cause blockages of the pores. The treatment is both very powerful, and at the same time causes a range of troublesome side-effects, including:

1) Extreme dryness of the skin

2) Extreme dryness of the soft mucous membranes such as inside the lips and eyelids

3) Muscle and joint pains

4) Acne can be worsened for the first 8 weeks of treatment

5) Foetal damage if the drug is taken during pregnancy

6) Elevated liver enzymes

Regular blood tests are required during the treatment, which generally lasts 4 months. This is a critical requirement of the treatment, and is part of the licensing of the use of this drug for acne, and should not be ignored. The blood tests will monitor liver enzymes which can be elevated by the use of the drug. This potential adverse effect on the liver may also preclude individuals that already have liver damage (for example from excessive alcohol abuse) from taking the drug.

This drug is very much a doubled edged sword, in that it is both very powerful, but has some serious downsides. It must only be taken under the close supervision of a specialist in this area, and the full implications should be spelt out, at the outset of the treatment. You should insist on a copy of the leaflet produced by the drug company, to make sure you fully understand all aspects of its use. This is not the sort of treatment you buy over the internet, and administer to yourself.

The Causes And Prevention Of Acne Scars

Acne scars are caused by injury to the skin as a result of the acne, and the way in which the body has tried to repair the damage. Different people scar in very different ways, some being much more susceptible than others. However irrespective of how vulnerable you are to scarring, it only happens when you have a severe outbreak of acne, and is rarely associated with the much more common ‘mild’ cases.

Acne scars are classified under two broad headings, one being where extra skin tissue is present and the other being where there is loss of normal skin tissue.

Scars where extra skin tissue is deposited are called raised scars or keloid scars. They are composed of extra collagen which has been laid down under the skin. Sometimes these scars can be bigger than the original spots and often last for years, with darker skin being more prone to this type of scarring.

When skin tissue is lost the scarring is often referred to as ‘sunken’. These are much more common than raised scars and are characterised as ‘pits’ in the skin. There are a whole range of further classifications associated with sunken scars, all of which describe the particular way in which the scar looks. For example ice-pick sunken scars look like wounds from an ice-pick (small with jagged edges and steep sides).

Irrespective of the type of skin that you have, there are some things you can do to reduce the occurrence of acne scars, these include:

1) Proactively seek out treatment for your acne before it becomes severe. See your doctor, start some topical medication, adjust your diet, do something to prevent a few spots becoming severe acne.

2) Try not to squeeze your spots; this single activity will dramatically reduce your chance of developing acne scars.

3) Don’t pick or poke your spots with instruments such as nail files, and tweezers

4) Use a good oil free moisturiser as part of your skin-care regime, to keep your skin supple and flexible.

Following these simple tips will ensure you don’t do long term damage to your skin.

Apple Cider Vinegar: Secret Beauty Potion?

For as long as there have been folk remedies, apple cider vinegar has been touted as a cure-all for all kinds of skin and hair problems. True, the mild acid is natural, preservative-free, anti-bacterial, and about as cheap as beauty treatments come. But does it live up to its rep? We asked RealAge's skin- and hair-care expert, dermatologist Amy Wechsler, MD, about the four most common claims for apple cider vinegar and whether dousing yourself in its powerful (sour-ful!) scent is worth it.

True or False? To speed healing of sunburned skin, apply compresses dipped in cold apple cider vinegar.

False. "Rather than offering relief, this might really sting," says Dr. Wechsler. Basically, you're putting an acid on a burn. Ouch. "Instead," she suggests, "just soak the compresses in cold water or dip them in a mixture of cold water and whole milk -- the fat in milk is a good skin soother."

True or False? To restore shine to dull hair, rinse it in lukewarm water, douse with 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar mixed into a pint of water, then rinse it again with lukewarm water.

True. "The acid in vinegar washes away styling products that can cling to hair despite shampooing. Just be sure to dilute the vinegar in water for gentler action." Colorist Lana Gordon of the Cristophe salon in Beverly Hills seconds the doctor's opinion, but adds one caveat: Since the acid closes the cuticle of each hair strand, tresses are shinier but flatter. Inother words, you're trading a little less fullness for a little more gloss.

True or False? Dabbing on apple cider vinegar with a cotton ball is a good astringent for oily, acne-prone skin.

False. "Vinegar is much too drying to the skin's protective barrier. Plus it stinks!" says Wechsler. "If you want to go the do-it-yourself route, try making your own kinder, gentler toner of 1 part witch hazel to 3 parts water."

True or False? Apple cider vinegar helps control dandruff by killing off the fungus that causes it.

Maybe. "Some reports say cider vinegar zaps the microscopic critters, some say it doesn't. Until we know for sure, why give fungus more growing time when there are so many dandruff shampoos that will quickly solve this itchy, flaky problem? But if you want to try it anyway, use a concentrated rinse of 1 part apple cider vinegar to 3 parts warm water."

The payoff for doing things that really help your skin and hair? Far bigger than you'd think. Feeling good about how you look is essential to your self-esteem, and taking excellent care of your emotional health and well-being can make your RealAge as much as 16 (!) years younger.

5 Tips for Beautiful, Healthy Skin

By : Jamie Clark
Do you want healthy, beautiful skin that glows? Then follow these 5 steps to keep your skin in the best shape possible:

1. Protect your skin from ultra violet (UV) light.

A little bit of sunlight is good for your overall health, but too much exposure to UV rays can quickly cause significant damage to your skin. Overexposure to sunlight actually makes your skin age faster, leading to wrinkles, spots, and even cancer. Be sure to apply a good sunscreen whenever you know you're going to be outdoors for longer than 10 minutes.

2. Stay hydrated with green tea.

You probably already know that drinking lots of water is important for overall beauty and health. But you may not know that drinking unsweetened green tea is much better than water alone. Green tea not only tastes better than plain water (making it easier to drink throughout the day) but it's also loaded with polyphenols. These powerful antioxidants fight free-radical damage throughout the body and help keep your skin, the body's largest organ, young and beautiful.

3. Eat a very "clean" diet.

A clean diet is one based around raw vegetables, fruits, seeds, and nuts. For protein stick with soy/tofu, eggs and small amounts of fish and lean poultry. Always choose organic and/or grass-fed meat when possible. Also, you may want to increase your intake of high-sulfur foods (e.g., garlic, onions, asparagus, and eggs) as sulfur has been shown to help keep the skin smooth and youthful. Obviously, all sugar, flour, and fried foods should be avoided.

4. Eat plenty of healthy fat.

Unrefined, cold-pressed flax seed oil, extra-virgin olive oil, organic virgin coconut oil, cold water fish oils, and avocado all contain super-healthy fats that support optimum skin health. These powerful fats should make up about 20-30% of your daily calorie intake.

5. Moisturize often.

People who moisturize their skin on a daily basis usually have the best looking skin. Fortunately there are many ways to moisturize. Just find a few you like and always choose natural options when possible. A great way to moisturize and nourish dry skin is to mash up an avocado, mix in a few drops of freshly-squeezed lemon juice, and spread over freshly-cleaned skin. Leave it on for about 20 minutes then rinse off, splashing the skin alternately with cold and warm water.
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9 Steps To Cleaner and Healthier Skin

For cleaner, healthier and easier to manage skin just follow this list of nine items:

1) Lower your stress level through prayer and meditation. Stress creates hormones that actually age us as they destroy cells and create toxic biproducts and free radicals. Studies have shown that prayer and meditation can reduce our stress levels. Prayer and meditation have been proven to even alleviate some of the symptoms of cancer and other life threatening diseases.

2) Drink plenty of water. It is a fact that 90% of us do not drink enough water. For your skin cells to function properly and heal properly from cuts, etc... we need to drink 8-12 glasses of water every day. Our skin is one of our most important organs as it protects us from disease, cushions our falls, etc... It needs plenty of water.

3) Get proper sleep. Not getting the proper 8-10 hours of sleep per day will first show in your skin. Broken capillaries, puffiness, circles under the eyes.

4) Eat well. Get proper nutrition. Too many junk foods can cause or worsen skin problems like pimples and acne. A well balanced meal 3 times per day has been proven to help alleviate spikes in skin problems and help to average out the outbreaks in acne vulgaris.

5) Take vitamins to supplement your skin and body. We can't always make sure we get 100% of each vitamin and mineral with the foods we eat, but we can take a multivitamin once a day. They are cheap at Walmart and there is no excuse. People that take multivitamins once a day live longer. Its a proven fact just like persons that smoke take years off their lives.

6) Properly clean your skin. Harsh soaps can dry out your skin and even stimulate further sebum (oil) production which can worsen acne. Use a mild cleanser with 2% salicylic acid. This has been proven very effective in ridding excess oils while maintaining proper hydration and pH. The slight acidity will keep bacteria at bay.

7) Don't smoke. Smoking puts years on you. Literally, smoking can add 10 years to the aged look of your skin. Why would you want to do that? If you must have nicotine then get nicotine gum or the patch - they will cure your cravings and there is no evidence or statistics of anyone developing cancer, lung disease, etc... from these.

8) Wear sunscreen. The skin does have keratonin to protect against the suns rays, but it is no match for UV rays, etc... that we expose ourselves to. Melanoma has several forms and all are deadly. If you don't think you will get skin cancer or think you are invulnerable, just go to your local dermatologist and ask to see pictures of clients with skin cancer, better yet go to the oncology center at your local hospital. You won't think that way ever again. Wear sunscreen.

9) Treat yourself to a spa treatment atleast once a year. Skin peels, TCA peels, deep tissue massage, complete relaxation, aromatherapy, etc... will all energize and heal your skin. TCA peels will actual improve your skins ability to regenerate itself and improve collagen levels.

Remember, follow these nine steps to enjoy healthier skin.

Preventing Acne - 5 Tips

What is Acne - It is a condition in which the skin is inflamed. It occurs because of bacteria that enters into the pores of the skin and breeds. It can happen quickly. But, why it happens is what is important here. There are many causes of acne, but the reaction the body has is the same. Understanding what happens to the body will help in the prevention of additional acne later on.

How it happens - The body normally secretes oil through the skin. This helps to keep the skin healthy. But, sometimes, there are high levels of oils being secreted. On the other side are the pores. The pores can become clogged, so to speak, with dead cells and the oils. The combination makes for a warm, wet location for bacteria to get into and to breed quickly. All of this leads to painful, unpleasant pimples on the skin.

Here are some tips to help you with the prevention of acne:

1. The most important thing to do is to keep your face clean. Your face is normally going to be oily, to an extent. But, you'll want to keep it as clean as possible nonetheless. Washing it with a good, quality soap is essential to keeping the excess oils off and the bacteria away.

2. Consider your needs for exfoliating. Remember those dead cells we mentioned? They too can get in there and help to cause acne. So, pick up an exfoliating cream or cloth and wash your face with it. It will help to remove dead skin cells from the face and therefore keep the zits away.

3. Seek out the help of a dermatologist. If you are facing continuous problems with severe acne or are otherwise concerned about your skin, you should speak to your doctor. They can uncover several things. First, they may find that there is a need to use prescription medication to slow down the production of oils within the body. They can also prescribe antibiotics to help rid the skin of these infections which are what acne really is.

4. Make sure that you are informed. If you educate yourself about what acne really is and why it happens, you can help to prevent it. It is also important to realize that not all acne can be treated or cured and that some of it is inherited.

5. Lastly, eating a well balanced diet and getting regular amounts of exercise really can make a large difference.

DermaPro: Botox Alternative and Foundation Set

Women who wear makeup and want to apply a treatment method for wrinkles are limited in the products available. Many products on the market are oil-based. Using these products with foundation can be messy at best. Most products formulated to treat wrinkles are oil based. It can be difficult to apply foundation over products that are oil based. In addition, the oil can eventually seep through the foundation, giving the skin an uneven appearance. Instead of having to go without foundation, women who use foundation should use an alternative treatment.

The good news about DermaPro is that not only allows women who wear foundation to treat their skin for wrinkles, but it actually facilitates better foundation application. It actually prepares the application process to be smoother. DermaPro is an alternative wrinkle treatment for women who use foundation, but it is also a Botox alternative in general. DermaPro works similar to Botox in that it is formulated to relax the muscles so that wrinkles and fine lines become smoother and less visible to the eye. When you apply DermaPro prior to using foundation, your skin will also appear smooth. So, you can treat you skin while looking beautiful. DermaPro goes a step further and actually improves the way your foundation looks.

It takes a powerful product to treat wrinkles. Most products of this type have a particular ingredient that does all the work. In relation to DermaPro, the active ingredient is Thalassine. There are many chemicals available that can smooth skin afflicted with signs of aging. Although the Thalassine in DermaPro works similar to Botox, it is not a toxin. Dermapro is so light that you
can apply it along with a moisturizer, sunscreen and foundation. A 1-ounce bottle of DermaPro costs nearly 100 dollars, which may be considered expensive. However, you won't use but a minimal amount of the product.

Laser Hair Removal - Is it Right For You?

Laser hair removal is heavily advertised but little is known about this technology. However, that will change after you spend 58 seconds to read every word of this article and become well-informed on permanent hair removal. After analyzing the facts you will be able to make a decision on whether or not laser hair removal is right for you.

How It Works

The laser is used to quickly and gently remove unwanted hairs. , Laser hair removal uses a light wavelength that targets dark colored materials on your skin. This is usually the pigment of the hair. A hand held device is then used to target these areas and remove hair from them. This procedure works best for those with fair colored skin and dark colored hair. With darker skin, it is harder to target these areas. People with darker skin can be treated, but results are slower and more sessions are required. Also, you'll want to find a doctor with greater expertise if you do have darker skin.

Laser Hair Removal must be individualized for each patient.

Different types of hair respond differently to the laser procedure. Coarse dark hair seems to respond the best to laser treatment. Light hair is much more difficult to treat. Blonde or red hair becomes extremely complicated. With lighter hair, results are variable and you must have multiple treatment sessions.

Actually, almost everyone requires multiple treatment sessions for optimal results. This is because hair grows in cycles. Not all of the hairs are in the growth phase at any given time. Additional sessions insure that you catch all of the hairs when they are in the growth phase.

Cost of Laser Hair Removal

The costs of laser hair removal can vary depending on your location. However, they range from $300.00 to $500.00 per session. Because this is a form of medical care, it is always best to seek the clinic with the highest quality rather than the lowest price. Laser hair removal requires many years of training, individual attention, experience, and a trained, caring, and professional staff.

Side Effects of Laser Hair Removal

Most patients do experience some very minor side effects after each session. This is usually in the form of a mild sunburn-type sensation that goes away in 2-3 hours. Moisturizers and cool compresses can help to relieve any discomfort during this time. Any small blister areas that may appear should be treated with a topical antibiotic until resolved. Because you have been exposed to this particular form of light ray, sun block should be used for up to 6 weeks after treatment if you expect to be exposed to the sun. Any further instructions should be given by your doctor.

If you tired of waxing or shaving, laser hair removal may be the perfect solution for you. Now that you know more about it, you should be able to make the right choice for you.