How to Get Rid of Acne

Backne To School

noreply@blogger.com (Tuesday) — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 21:19:00 +0000

Whether you're the parent of a grade school child or a returning student yourself. Everybody is dealing with the stress of returning back to school. The bedtimes, class schedules, school supplies and the hundred million demands involved in preparing for a new school year.

Is your skin showing any signs of the additional stress this time of year inevitably brings? I know mine is. Consequently it's not always written all over my face, either. I've been experiencing a real problem with back acne lately, too. How about you?

Back acne or backne as some call it is the zits or pimples that pop up on our backs and across our neck or shoulders. It can be a real problem and sometimes really painful. Often bacne is cystic acne. Pimples deep under the skins surface.

So tell me, how is the "bacne" to school season affecting you?

Here's a back acne treatment tip I laid on y'all a while back.

I'd love to hear from you guys and the steps you take and the routines you follow during your journey to beautiful, clear, healthy, skin.

Something else I'd like to talk about; video is a great tool for communicating and learning and I want to start offering video tutorials here for your benefit. That being said, I don't want to put just anything up here. What would you like to see regarding skin care? What special problems do you need solutions for? Let me know and I'll work on getting answers for you.

Here's hoping your back to school isn't filled with nasty breakouts or any backne! Don't forget to stay well rested and hydrated and redirect that stress into some healthy exercise or long walks in the evening. Find something you love doing and make sure you enjoy your days. One thing is for certain, none of us is getting out of this alive so live big and make your dreams come true!

Till next time this is Thursday with Tuesday :)

Summer's Back & So Am I!

noreply@blogger.com (Tuesday) — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 23:08:00 +0000

Hi Everybody,

I know it's been some time since I posted here and I sure have missed you all! But, out of sight has not been out of mind and I've been thinking about you and all kinds of great new ways to help you with your skin care.

Now that the summer heat is in full swing I thought we'd get started talking about what it takes to keep your skin looking beautiful in the oppressive heat! Lets begin by going over some basics for good summer skin care.

1. Hydrate! I can't stress enough how important it is to stay hydrated! If there is ever a time to walk around with a water bottle summer time is it! Drink constantly even when you're not thirsty. If you wait till you're thirsty it's too late and your body is already dehydrated. You really want to avoid this during the summer. Allowing yourself to get dehydrated could actually be dangerous for you. The better hydrated you are will not only improve your overall complexion, but it will help keep you from being overcome by the heat!

2. Sunscreen! There have been some recent changes in the way the FDA regulates the labeling of sunscreen products. The changes are not set to go into effect till next summer but here are some of the guidelines to help you know what to look for:

Broad Spectrum products that protect against both UVB & UVA rays will be labeled broad spectrum.

3. Cancer & wrinkle claims: Sunscreens that have an SPF of 15 or more and are broad spectrum will be allowed to state that they reduce the risk of skin cancer & early skin aging when used according to manufacturer’s directions. Other broad spectrum products with SPF between 2 & 14 cannot say they reduce those things.

4. Water resistance times: Product labels will have to state how long you can expect the SPF factor to last during wear and while swimming or sweating. The time limits are either 40 or 80 minutes. Products are no longer allowed to read "waterproof" or "sweat proof". There will also be a limit to the SPF value. The limit is now 50 SPF. Evidently findings are that there is not much difference or much additional protection after 30 SPF and they believe 50 SPF is a sufficient limit.

Also, don't forget your poor head and cover up or stay under cover when you're going to be out in the sun for a while. Many times we forget the skin on our heads gets sunburned too and is susceptible to skin cancer as well so be sure to shade yourself!

Remember most skin cancers are linked to overexposure in the sun. Not only should you re-apply sun screen regularly you need to remember to limit your exposure to the sun, not only for your complexion, but for the protection of your skin and yourself from the heat. This is especially true for young children and the elderly.

I’m excited to speak with you again and I’m working on some new ideas to share with you! Please comment below and let me know what you’d like me to write about and I’ll be happy to do anything I can to share all that I know.

Till next time!

Caffeine Acne

noreply@blogger.com (Tuesday) — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 13:30:00 +0000

I don't know about you, but I am a huge fan of coffee. Not that gourmet stuff you get at places like Starbucks or some other joints that require you to take out a signature loan for a cafe latte or mocha whatever. No, just give me a simple cup of Joe, keep them coming throughout the day and I am good to go. No sugar, no creams, just a strong black beverage that has some kick to it that will get me up and keep me going. I know I picked up the habit from my dad and cherish our memories and moments we had over a morning cup of coffee.

Unfortunately, my predisposition to acne also seems to benefit from the black nectar. While I avoid other caffeinated beverages like sodas and energy drinks (I just don't like them, too sweet, syrupy and expensive) I have no intention of giving up my coffee. So what's a person to do?

Well, the way I see it, if caffeine is going to play havoc with your acne, you have three choices. You can resign yourself to the fact that pimples are going to be a part of your daily life and wear those bad boys with pride and determination. You can cut out the coffee (caffeine) and feel sluggish and deprived. Or you can find a remedy that will offset the negative effects and allow you to enjoy this simple pleasure in life. The choice is yours. What's it going to be? Do you hear the Jeopardy theme song in the back ground? Can't you see Bob Barker telling you to pick a door?

Well, when I was younger I though there were only two choices. Cut out the coffee or enjoy and live with the acne. Like I said, my dad hooked me up with my taste for coffee (I don’t know why he didn't pass on his flawless complexion gene) and I would be dammed if I was going to miss out on those precious moments that I shared with him over a cup. It wasn't going to happen, no way no how. Acne was just going to have to be the price I paid.

Well, one day our morning ritual changed. After we finished our cup of coffee, my father got up from the table, grabbed a lemon from the refrigerator and ran it under some hot water. He then proceeded to roll it on the counter with the palm of his hand, applying slight pressure. He got two glasses of ice and water. Then cut the lemon in half and squeezed the juice from each half in their respective glass. At the time he said something about having an upset stomach and the lemon cutting the acidity of the coffee. But looking back, I realize that it was his way of noticing the effect the caffeine was having on my acne and his attempt to help. His upset stomach was a cockamamie story.

I don't know where he learned that lemon juice can get rid of caffeine acne. But from that day forward, my acne improved and every other day or so, our morning cup of coffee was followed by a half of a lemon squeezed over a glass of ice water. God, I miss that man.

Fruit Natures Acne Food

noreply@blogger.com (Tuesday) — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 22:29:00 +0000

Way too often, when most folk's think of acne and food, their first though is to the foods they think they have to avoid. Tastes like chocolate and French fries; donuts and cookies; and colas and coffee. Well, since I noticed my son's complexion looked a little dull and I went out and spent a fortune at the supermarket on fruit. Today, I thought I'd bang away on my keyboard and talk about the foods that not only taste great and are good for you and your acne, but are also unprocessed and natural. That's right kids, fruit natures acne food. The trifecta of what's good for you – FRUIT. What follows are a list of fruits you should most definitely include in your diet, particularly one that is geared towards getting rid of or preventing acne. The reason I have included them is because these actually are the fruits that I purchase at the market.

Apples - It may sound like a lot but you should try to eat two or three apples every day. Apples are great for a healthy complexion. Wash them well and don't be afraid to eat the skin as this is where most of the pectin resides which relieves constipation and is an excellent natural antioxidant. Apples are high in fiber and ascorbic acid, as well as minerals like; calcium, iron and potassium and vitamins A, B and C.

When I was young I hated apples. As a matter of fact I hated apples and potato chips. Those actually were the only foods that I disliked and it all was due to a pig out day I had when I was about 4 or 5 years old. The binge consisted of you guessed it; potato chips and apples. Well after getting sick and seeing the regurgitated mess on the floor. I never wanted to see, much less taste another apple or potato chip ever again. So I guess I missed out on the acne benefits of apples when I was a teen. But that was probably evened out by the fact that I never ate greasy potato chips. However it's amazing what a couple of decades will do, as I enjoy both foods today and get the acne food benefits of apples.

But I digress.

Apricots – These summer stone fruits are a great source of vitamin B complex and E, minerals, fiber and beta-carotene which is converted to vitamin A. They are helpful in the alleviation and reduction of constipation. Additionally the anti-inflammatory properties of this fruit also make its juice a great topical acne treatment. Particularly when applied to cystic lesions.
Bananas –This probiotic fruit has been shown to help your body regulate the balance between good and bad bacteria, especially when it comes to the beneficial bacteria necessary to maintain optimal colonic function. By keeping this balance in check the bad bacteria are inhibited, thereby reducing the toxins which produce acne. Because this fruit contains live bacteria you should be careful not to overdo it and consider one banana a day a sensible limit.
Blackberries – another great source for beta-carotene and natural antioxidants. Additionally it is one of the few fruits that contain vitamin E, which greatly enhance you immune system. These berries are a natural source for salicylate. They also contain the photochemical; ellagic and lycopen which prevent damage to and promote healthy skin cells.
Blueberries – The healthful benefits of blueberries have been used in medical treatments for thousands of years. Is it any wonder? This fruit has probably the highest levels of antioxidant of any known food (the acai berry is giving it a run for the money). Research is also suggesting that one of the active elements of blueberries, Pterostilbene is a natural anti inflammatory. While it is more advantageous to eat fresh blueberries, frozen can be substituted.
Cantaloupes – An excellent source of vitamin A, C, and a lot of other proteins and minerals which places it high on any list of fruits to improve acne or your complexion. As a matter of fact the high level of vitamin A in these melons makes it a no brainer for inclusion on this food for acne list. But it doesn't stop there since it is also loaded with potassium. This allows injury to the skin caused by acne to heal much faster and its high folate content is beneficial in the maintenance and production of new cells.
Cherries – These are my favorites, although they can get a little pricy. Like all the other acne foods we have discussed so far. Cherries are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals that are necessary for proper health and fitness. But what makes cherries special, is they are one of the few sources of food known to have melatonin. Melatonin which is naturally produced in your body's pineal gland is an antioxidant that is necessary for the regulation of your biorhythms and sleep patterns. Which in turn insure proper regenerative rest and reduction of stress and the stress acne associated with it when an imbalance occurs.
Figs – Have been around round since the time of Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden. This fruit was most likely the first dried and stored by mankind. They are extremely high in fiber; beneficial to digestion and pureed makes an excellent sweetener for cooking as well as a substitute for sugar. While they are low in vitamin C they are a great way to get B6. As a nutrient, B6 is probably necessary for more bodily functions than any other and is not a place where you want to be caught short.
Grapefruits – Like most citrus fruits, grapefruit is loaded with vitamin C. But unlike its citrus cousins, it contains a phytonutrient lycopene. This antioxidant combats free radical damage in its quest to preserve your skins health, combat acne and ward off cellular damage due to aging. This fruit also contains Naringin, this phytochemical assists in the reduction of toxins in the liver, thereby leading to a better complexion. On the down side, Naringin can interfere with the livers ability to break down some drugs; divalproex sodium and aspirin just to name two. It's a good idea to speak with your doctor and or pharmacist about grapefruit if you are taking any medications, either prescription or over the counter.

While this list of foods that fight acne is by no means all inclusive. It is a good start. I would of considered including; grapes, plums, strawberries, mangoes and raspberries. While the supermarket had them, I didn't care for the way they looked, so they have been excluded. Of course, if you want to talk about them or any other of natures acne foods. Feel free to use the comment box.

Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Products

noreply@blogger.com (Tuesday) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:12:00 +0000

Ever wonder what all the fuss is about benzoyl peroxide acne products? Well, just walk down any acne products isle in any drug store in any city, and you'll see row after row of acne products. A universe unto itself of acne lotions, potions, creams and ointments, now pick up a product, it doesn't matter which one. It can be Clear and Clean, Neutrogena Acne, PanOxyl, Benoxyl or whatever, it doesn't matter. Ok, check out the back ingredient panel and I'll bet you dollars to donuts that benzoyl peroxide is an active ingredient. Now if you are a real betting person. I'll double down and wager you that the level of concentration of the benzoyl peroxide is between 2.5% and 5% but could go to maximum strength 10%, the most you can have without a prescription. I'm not trying to show off. What I am attempting to do is show you how myopic the acne products industry is. BP (benzoyl peroxide) has been in use since the 1920’s as an acne treatment and for a host of other uses from hair bleaching to teeth whiting products. It was originally used in the garment industry as a fabric bleacher.

So what makes benzoyl peroxide popular as an acne product? There are a couple of things. First, it is an excellent killer of the P acnes infection. It is this bacteria that is a leading cause of acne. While the bacteria are very common they usually don’t cause a problem. That is until sebum gets backed up in the sebaceous glands. This in turn, creates an ideal host situation for the P acnes to thrive resulting in the pain redness and swelling of pimples, zits, blackheads and cysts. Benzoyl peroxide is an excellent killer of P acnes and works by introducing oxygen into the skin pore. The bacteria are unable to survive in this environment and dead skin cells are simultaneously flushed from the pores. It’s actually a two for one process that is very effective at getting rid of acne.

However, benzoyl peroxide's ability to kill these bacteria and act as a peeling agent is also one of the chief negative side effects of the product. You see, it can be rather harsh on your skin. Stripping the natural oils and leaving your skin dry, irritated and inflamed and on particularly sensitive skin can actually lead to chemical burning and swelling.

While I no longer have a need for benzoyl peroxide. As a teen it was a staple in my acne arsenal. When I first tried it, I found that it irritated my skin somewhat, but was informed that my body would develop a tolerance for it. The first couple of days there was some stinging and itching but sure enough, 3 day in and it was like using soap and water. I never had a problem with benzoyl peroxide again and had a good bit of success with it treating certain conditions as they arose. Benzoyl peroxide is definitely a product that shouldn't be over looked as you looks for ways to get rid of your acne but don't put blinders on either. While benzoyl peroxide acne products can work wonders, they aren't the only way to get rid of acne.

Dog Acne

noreply@blogger.com (Tuesday) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:14:00 +0000

Acne conditions and treatments; I've been writing about them for some time now and I thought I'd covered most every angle and possible form of skin malady and irritation. The truth is I have only begun to scratch the surface.

Something important I've stumbled upon based again on personal experience is perhaps something none of you have ever heard of or encountered before. I know I hadn't, dog acne!

This actually started for me almost five years ago and while most of my posts have referenced my skin and my own face, this involves another member of my family. This particular family member is actually quite hairy and small. No, I didn't give birth to or adopt a feral child; the creature to which I'm referring is our little pet dog and his dog acne. Now I'll bet you’re thinking exactly what I thought the first time I heard this expression, "dog acne" there's no such thing! Well, you'd be wrong, as wrong as I was! Dog acne does exist and my little guy suffers from it in a big way.

Let me back up a bit and tell you a little about my experience and what it taught me. As I said, this odyssey began years ago and to be honest, I had no idea what I was dealing with at first. Neither did several Veterinarians across the state where I live. In fact, I could have saved myself a lot of time, trauma, frustration and a couple of thousand dollars because frankly and ultimately, I was the one who diagnosed the problem and found a solution that worked.

The first sign of dog acne was relatively small and began as tiny patches of dry skin across his coat. This eventually spread and became worse. The second stage resulted in hair loss where the patches of dry skin originally were. The third and worse stage resulted in large areas of hair loss characterized by extremely flakey skin and matted, greasy short hair that grew then subsequently came out in small clumps over two thirds of this tiny dog's 4 pound body. Needless to say it was horrible and he looked pitiful! He was also miserable and scratched and bit at the areas as I am sure they itched like crazy! All the time, I'm working to find not only a cure but what the heck this may be. He was checked for everything from mange to vitamin deficiencies but nothing seemed to help and none of the doctors ever seemed able to offer a diagnosis.

I researched online looking for a solution but couldn't find anything that quite fit this problem. Then one day I’m watching a show on television featuring several doctors and dermatologists. They're talking about a wide variety of health subjects and skin conditions. One of the dermatologists begins to speak and I notice the skin condition he's describing sounds exactly like the condition my dog is suffering from. I listen intently to his description and his recommendations. He talks about the sebaceous glands and how they can be over productive. The over production of sebum can cause several problems; many which we've covered and I've discussed with you here on this forum; acne, blackheads, pimples, etc. It can also create the greasy, matted hair environment my dog was experiencing. His suggestion was applying salicylic acid as this dries up and decreases the production of the excess sebum.

The problem with my dog wasn't stress, his problem was dog acne!

I had already purchased several topical treatments for my dog. Some containing conditioning ingredients and some of them contained medicated ingredients like benzoyl peroxide. None made significant difference. Once I heard this information I began to search hoping to find a dog shampoo containing salicylic acid and eureka, I found one! I looked specifically for a shampoo made for dogs as I wanted to be certain it was safe and wouldn’t harm my little guy should he lick his coat. Shampoo made for humans may work too, but I haven't tried that yet. Anyway, after ordering the shampoo it arrived and I began using it immediately. The difference has been remarkable. Our little guy now only has a couple of small stubborn areas where his skin still shows signs of a problem. The majority of his skin and coat is vastly improved and I learned that we're not the only ones who suffer from acne. Our pets can suffer from acne too!

Apple Cider Vinegar Acne Cure Move Over Apple AcneApps Is Here

noreply@blogger.com (Tuesday) — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 20:26:00 +0000

In the past I used to wake up in the morning with the fear of going to the mirror and discovering a new pimple. Today, while my acne is under control for the most part, I wake up and discover some new development in technology has just set me back two steps even though I gained a step yesterday. If you are confused let me try to explain.

When I was young, if apples and acne were mentioned in the same breath, it would have immediately brought to mind an image of the apple cider vinegar bottle that was the main ingredient in my number one treatment for bacne. Unfortunately, vinegar having the acidic content that it does, made it too harsh for my facial acne. Oh, sure I could have diluted it with water down to a 9 to 1 solution but at that cut it was just ineffective for me.

As I got a bit older and began to understand that my acne is really the result of an imbalance that is taking place within my body. I started to learn what foods to avoid and more importantly those foods that were beneficial in my acne fight. The lowly apple came to my attention for its content of vitamins and minerals and especially the natural antioxidants that are packed in its peel.

Then the other day, I stumble upon an NYT article that professes a new apple acne cure in the form an Apple i Phone app. That's right, you heard me. No need to continue popping pimples or spending tons of cash for some over the counter acne treatment. For $1.99 you can get rid of your acne while talking on the phone. According to the AcneApp description you can use the antibacterial blue light and or the anti-inflammatory red light to cure your acne. Of course not everyone is jumping on the bandwagon, according to Dr. Alexiades-Armenakas "In studies we've done, data has shown that both blue and red light have a low efficacy range in acne treatment," I tend to agree, but as always will keep an open mind and would love to hear your comments on Apple's AcneApps.

Tips for Getting Rid of Acne - My Top Ten

noreply@blogger.com (Tuesday) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:54:00 +0000

It seems everywhere I turn someone is always imparting their idea of what are great tips for getting rid of acne. I guess around the neighborhood I am becoming known as the Acne Pro and get stopped to discuss the topic no matter where I am. Well after watching Letterman last night I have decided it's time for me to add my 2 cents and do my own top ten list. So without further adu allow me to present my Top 10 List: Tips for Getting Rid of Acne

10.) Wear loose fitting cloth that allows your skin to breath.

9.) Avoid wearing makeup whenever possible and when you do try to stay away from oil based cosmetics. They are more prone to clogging pores.

8.) Get enough Zinc in your diet. Zinc is an effective antibiotic for preventing acne and a necessary element for the proper functioning of the sebaceous glands of the skin. Low levels of zinc can actually account for acne breakouts.

7.) Have a carrot. Carrots are great for your well being. You can add it to your diet raw, cooked or juiced and even use it as a facial mask for your complexion. They are high in vitamin A which is necessary for your skin but also an excellent antibiotic to help fight off acne.

6.) Use clean towels every day and change your pillow case every other day. Ok you caught me, this is really 2 tips for getting rid of acne in 1. But the point should be fairly obvious. Anything that comes in contact with you face should be clean. Reapplying yesterday's bacteria by drying you freshly washed face with a soiled towel doesn't make a lot of sense, nor does resting that face on a pillow case that hasn't been laundered in days.

5.) Don't over wash. The point of washing up is to remove the dirt, bacteria and grime of the day off your skin. Using harsh detergents and too much cleansing, does nothing more than dry out your skin, stripping your complexion of necessary oils and moisture which makes your condition worse.

4.) Properly exfoliate. It's imperative to remove the dead skin cells from your skin so as not to allow a condition where the pores become clogged and bacteria is allowed to fester. But like tip number 5 for getting rid of acne, moderation is the key, once maybe twice a week.

3.) Keep your hair clean.

2.) Drink more water. This liquid is the secret fountain of youth.

And the number one tip for getting rid of acne is?

1.) Don't pop your pimples. There really isn't any good that can come from this practice so why indulge. For a little refresher see popping pimples.

Well there you have it kids, my top ten tips for getting rid of acne.

Olive Oil Acne Face Wash

noreply@blogger.com (Tuesday) — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 17:17:00 +0000

"Hum, olive oil acne?" The look of confusion was priceless, as he mustered up the courage to continue. "I'm sorry Ms. Tuesday. But, I just don't see how adding more oil to my face is going to help me get rid of my blackheads? You just said oil was the cause of my acne."

Yep, that was the response from my adorable anonymous high school teen acne author who "volunteered" for the previous post. Bless his heart. He's the spitting image of Zac Efron only better looking. Bangs over his forehead, flawless complexion and an ever present skull cap under a hoodie that I guess makes a seventeen year old boy "fit in" nowadays. Anyway when he came by after school and dropped off my teen acne request. We made some small talk (I was dying to see what he had written. But it was sealed in an envelope so I left well enough alone figuring he would have been embarrassed by me to read it in front of him) and while I thanked him as we walked to the door, he drew back his hoodie, removed his skull cap and whispered "how do you get rid of a blackhead" as he brushed back his hair.

What stood before me was a child with a porcelain complexion from the temples down and a forehead that resembled a pair of dice rolled box cars on a Las Vegas craps felt, there were so many blackheads. Fortunately, the cause of his forehead acne was a classic example of self induced hair acne aggravated by a skin hugging skull cap. I explained to my young friend that he was walking around with a pimple Petri dish for a forehead. The bacteria, grease and oil from his hair was fermenting under the dark, unventilated cover of his form fitting cap.

But not to worry because there was a quick acne fix for his self induced environmental condition. First, he needed to always make sure his hair was squeaky clean. If it wasn't, then get it off the forehead until it was. Next, he needs to stop sleeping in the skull cap. Like any other part of the body. The skin needs good old oxygen, air, it needs to breath. Trapping the toxins and holding them against the skin by way of a skull cap and hoodie was a zit train wreck in the making. The cause of his blackhead problem was really as simple as that. I didn't need to spend 4 years at the University of Acne, Pimples and Blackheads to see the solution to his problem. And if he simply pays attention to these two factors he would virtually do away with the growth of any new blackheads. Now, all we need to do is to get rid of the blackheads that are there now.

Enter the olive oil acne face wash. Once my Zac Efron look-a-like heard those words in the same sentence he responded in the manner in which I opened this post, "hum, olive oil acne". I have to admit, I was not totally surprised. I fully understand the stigma that is attached to using olive oil to get rid of acne. We have been conditioned to think that some things are just downright nutty. It seems perfectly logical to think that if one of the cause of acne is the over production of oil by your sebaceous glands, then how in the world is adding more oil to your face (and olive oil at that) going to help? Of course your natural response to an olive oil acne face wash is going to be "don’t be ridiculous! That’s almost as stoopid (sic) as using chocolate to get rid of acne".

Yet open your eyes and look around. There are thousands of commercial skin care products that are made from and promoted because they contain the oil of olives. Everything from soaps to creams to facial regiments and they charge an outrageous price to boot. Why olive oil helps particularly with the removal of black heads is beyond me. I heard the theories that like most things in the natural world "like things attract". When viewed in that light it makes perfect sense. This would also explain why the first time I ever used olive oil; my blackheads were literally drawn to the surface of my skin right before my eyes.

There are many ways to apply olive oil. But the one that has always worked best for me and the one I relayed to my young acne patient was simply this. Pour about a quarter sized portion of olive oil in the palm of one hand. Dip two fingers from the other and apply to the face in a circular motion. Don't be afraid to use as much oil as you feel is necessary. It's great at removing dirt, grime and even make up. If your face was fairly clean to start with you can leave it on for a half hour or so and enjoy the benefit of an olive oil acne face mask. Or simply rinse with plenty of warm water and pat dry with a clean towel. If your skin still feels oily repeat the rinse. That's all there is to it. No need to spend big money on some fancy high priced commercial products. Chances are you have some olive oil in your kitchen right now. If you feel wrong using such an inexpensive acne product, splurge and buy (EVOO) Extra Virgin Olive Oil. It really won't make a difference when it comes to your acne. But your salads and other dishes will taste better.

That's pretty much my olive oil acne face wash. And that's pretty much how I explained it to my teenage acne student.

That night my phone rang and low and behold before I could say hello, it was “Ms. T, Ms. T, that's the best acne advice anyone has ever given me. When I was applying the olive oil to my forehead it felt gritty as the blackheads started pop n to the surface. Thank you, Thank you and oh yeah I am going to do the other things you told me about too"!

God, life sure is great when enthusiasm comes back at you like that.

Guess there is nothing else to say about that but - Tah-dah another acne problem solved, this time with a whole lot of common sense and the tried and true acne olive oil trick. Next!

Teen Acne: A Teenagers Perspective

noreply@blogger.com (Tuesday) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 19:59:00 +0000

Life sure can be a funny thing. When I started this "getting rid of acne" info blog, which has now taken on more of an acne community sounding board, I would have bet you dollars to donuts that my very first post would have been something about teen acne. I mean really, if I am honest with myself, kids and teenagers were and are where my passion has been all along. When I think how acne affected my teenage years and how fast the world changes today. It breaks my heart picturing what teens with acne must go through.

The heads of kids in high school have to be spinning like a top, social pressures that come at them from all angles on top of a relentless sophisticated media/advertising behemoth that pitches those manipulated images of who the cool kids are. And they can sell you anything you need to be cool too. Should you happen to be prone to acne they have just the right teen acne treatment to take you to nirvana.

But somehow life just got away from me and the acne topics that seemed appropriate at the time just got my attention while teenage acne issues got put on a back shelf. I could always justify to myself that as long as I was staying on topic I didn't need to get age specific.

But a couple of days ago my conscience got the better of me and I had made a determination that come hell or high water I was going to write something about teen acne. But when I sat down to bang it out on the keyboard, I had nothing. Well maybe a little more than nothing but it wasn't anything new. It was the same old tripe that you can find on a thousand sites about teen acne treatments and cures for teenage acne that are nothing more than jump pages to retailers. So what's a person to do?

Well it occurred to me since I am some years removed from my teen years and hanging out at high school football games and pep rallies would be too embarrassing. I would just find a teenager and let them tell me about their view of teen acne.

So what follows is a response from a 17 year old boy. He is a junior in high school and since he wishes to remain anonymous. I'll just say he is an attractive doll. The question I put to his is "tell me about teen acne", that was it, nothing more nothing less.

Here's his reply;

I'm 17 and was asked the other day what my take on teen acne was. It took some time for me to think about, but I think I have finally come up with a response to the question. I dislike it, greatly. Although I do not have severe breakouts with acne, I still have problem areas from time to time. My worst problem area is my forehead. Every now and again my forehead will break out, either due to stress from school or the things I have been eating or not eating. Even when the pimples and blemishes cease I still always seem to have a constant problem with black heads there. I hate blackheads! I have tried absolutely everything known to man to rid my face of this pest, but alas I haven’t come across a remedy for the situation. From my experience with them I found that they seem to become immune to whatever regimen I use. For a while I used a mix of a prescription ointment I had had and a Clearasil brand spot remover (I would mix the both of them in the palm of my hand). It worked for about a week until the blackheads came back in stronger force, not to mention that my forehead had become dried out and flakey. So to remedy the dry skin, I reverted to bar soap and a moisturizer, and then after that I would make sure to wipe away and excess oil in hopes to keep my pores from clogging. Alas this helped my skin. My skin was back to normal, nice and smooth, but during the course of the week my black heads stayed. So my point is this. If anyone knows of or can come up with a black head annihilating regimen please share it. The world will thank, I know I will.

Well there you have it kids, a teenage perspective on teen acne. After reading what he had to say I realized high school and kids really haven't changed that much. Oh sure, they have game boy, X box, cell phones and instant messaging. But they are really the same kids that we were. Learning who they are. I realize I don't need to go back to high school to remember teen acne. I lived it and have the acne scars to prove. I think teen acne better watch out; cause if I have anything to say about it will soon be relegated to the dust bin of history.

Acne Device

noreply@blogger.com (Tuesday) — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 23:37:00 +0000

I want to take this time to wish all a belated Merry Christmas and an on time happy new year.

Well it's official. I now own just about every acne device known to mankind. Christmas morning when I got up, there were more presents than usual under the tree. Holidays in my house are most of the time dedicated to the kids who make out like bandits. But this year there were many presents tagged with my name from Santa under the tree. Not really giving it much though. I unwrapped my first present and low and behold it was a Zeno zapper. Well, since that zit zapper post is still fresh in my mind and you guys have not been very forth coming with your experiences. I figured I'd use the good fortune to check out this acne clearing device and report back to you guys with my findings.

As I unwrapped my second present I could see it was a Thermacare acne zapper. Well it became real obvious, real quick that my better half was up to some shenanigans and being the quick to the point person I am. Opening presents came to a screeching halt till I got some answers as there was some 'splain to be done.

It's seems someone saw my acne fight rant and must of taken pity on me or something. Anyway, I had been thinking of pulling down that acne post as I regretted pushing the publish button the moment I posted it. I don't usually get down on myself and stress over my zits but sometimes the beast just gets the better of me. However, at the very least I wanted to apologize to you guys. But like my desire to pull the post, I just never got around to it. So consider this my apology to you as I will try to not let my acne get the best of me again.

That being said, the post seems to have become the impetus for a Christmas filled with acne device presents. Seems someone thinks I am a T- Rex when it comes to the latest, greatest pimple inventions that technology can come up with. Evidently, remedies for pimples like swimming in salt water to get rid of acne are passé. Finding and sticking with the right acne soap is something that only your grandma does. And if you want that flawless movie star skin you have to be using some sort of acne device. Never mind about the soft filters on the camera lenses or the airbrushed photography. If you aren't dropping a ton of cash on the latest acne device you just aren't with it. If it doesn't heat or flash colors like a traffic signal it can't possibly be doing anything to help your acne.

Well, far be it from me to be the proverbial rid of zit stick in the mud. I am determined to try every acne device that presently sits under my tree. That Quasar acne blue light treatment, watch out here I come. That Panasonic pore cleanser with mist is mine. Same goes for that Lightstim led light therapy shower handle looking thingy.

I won't bore you with further details of the acne devices that have just come into my possession. Rest assured that there are plenty to keep me busy for a very long time. Just glancing over the acne device light selections, it's very likely that I could be exposing myself to enough acne fighting rays that I could quite possibly turn into the Hulk. But that is a risk I am willing to assume as I continue on my quest to find the best way to prevent and get rid of acne. My pledge to you is that I shall leave no acne device unturned.

Bacne

noreply@blogger.com (Tuesday) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 23:34:00 +0000

Last night a dear friend of mine called to thank me for helping her 15 year old get rid of her bacne. She had called about 3 weeks ago because her poor child was getting teased pretty well by the other kids and mom was at her wits end. For you guys that may not know, bacne is just a slang name for back acne or back zits, pimples or whatever you may want to call them. While it is really no different than any other type of body acne, it's probably more severe and cystic in nature. This can make them especially difficult to get rid of. I know because I have firsthand experience with it.

You see, a great deal of my teen acne issues revolved around bacne. While I got a good dose of face acne I also had a good face treatment in my arsenals that actually keep my face blemishes to a minimum. But those back zits, well that was a different story.

None of the pills or potions that my dermatologist prescribed (today it's most likely tetracycline or minocycline) and suggested offered any relief. And it was the same negative response with the topical ointments and washes (Retin-A, benzoyl peroxide etal.). So there I was left to fend for myself. It took me awhile, but sure enough after some trial and error with various acne fighting solutions I stumbled upon a bacne natural treatment that worked for me many years ago which I was more than happy to impart to my friends 15 year old and now I guess I'll relay to you.

Because the back is difficult for most people to reach by themselves you should invest in a long handled very soft bristled brush. This brush is used to exfoliate your back once or twice a week with a sugar scrub. If you want or feel you need to get a tad more aggressive, you can do a salt scrub, but don't go nuts. When you are not exfoliating to remove dead skin wrapping your face clothing around the brush and using castile soap or your favorite acne cleanser makes an excellent every day cleansing instrument for your back or your whole body for that matter.

Wear loose fitting cotton garments whenever possible. If you don't believe that tight fitting clothing and sweating are a cause of bacne, talk to some football players and ask them about forehead acne from tight fitting helmets and chest and bacne from shoulder pads. I saw it first hand with my son when he played football. So lay off the spandex and other tight fitting clothing that don't allow your skin to breath.

You guys know how I feel about pimple popping. Don't do it. I almost didn't bother to even bring this up because the back is that one place that's just about impossible for someone to do any self zit popping. But with all the You Tube acne video's that I've seen on the net there doesn't seem to be any shortage of accomplices willing to have at those nasty pimples wherever they may be. Besides bacne has a nasty habit of leaving scars and while they may not be as noticeable to you like face acne scars would be. A pitted and scared back is not a pleasant sight.

Now, here's the secret to my bacne remedy. In a spray bottle mix 2 ounces of vinegar to 6 ounces of water and approx 1/32 of an ounce of tea tree oil. And after every shower spray a light mist over your back. While I have no scientific explanation why this acne home remedy works, I can say. It worked wonders for me, my friend's 15 year old and my own son. Everyone reported their bacne was gone in 2 weeks.

Zit Zapper Dilemma

noreply@blogger.com (Tuesday) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:47:00 +0000

Over the weekend I attended a kind of Tupperware pimple party. Well it was more like a popping zit extravaganza (I'll have more in a later post). Anyway there were all types of acne info, devices and products that were being displayed, demonstrated and sold. One acne device that caught my eye was something called a zit zapper. I am not talking about skin doctors overnight zit zapper solution.

No, this is a "device" that is about the size of a slim cigarette lighter and according to the promotional material it's getting rid of zits by zapping them with "thermal heat", whatever that means. There were two manufactures represented. One was made by Zeno and the other by a company named Thermaclear.

Rebecca the rep that was demonstrating the devices had a zeal for these two things that reminded me of a high school kid bragging on her first boy friend. You would have thought that if wasn't for these two inventions we would have never discovered water on the moon. According to Rebecca, either zit zapper was the best thing since sliced bread. She was having wonderful success with them on her acne and just couldn’t say enough good things.

My only problem with her presentation was that Rebecca didn't appear to be having a lot of success with anything as it pertained to her acne. Now granted, I have no idea how she looked before she started on her home acne treatment that included a good dose of zit zapper. Nor did our conversation turn to what her cure for pimples consisted of. But god bless her, she appeared to be an honest person so I can only assume she had some big acne problems if this was wonderful success.

I put my apprehension aside, thinking I may write about this on my blog and gave Rebecca 100% of my attention, becoming her acne guinea pig. Immediately she informed me that these devices were the best treatment for adult acne and perfect for those blemishes that were just under the skin. I'll give this to Rebecca, her skin may not be perfect but she has the eye sight of an owl. Although I didn't expect her to mistake me for a teen, I had on my best acne makeup and thought it was doing a good job of hiding those blemishes. I was stunned with how easily Rebecca zeroed in on my imperfections.

She then proceeded to touch the Zeno zit zapper to my face and held it in place for two minutes (actually there were 4 beeps that came at 30 second intervals) during this time I felt a kind of warmth that was not at all unpleasant. As a matter of fact it was somewhat soothing.

She then picked up the Thermaclear zit zapper and placed it against another blemish. This time the device gave me a quick zap. She couldn't have held it in position for longer than 2 seconds and yippie kay-yay the thing gave me a zap. Rebecca did give me a bit of a warning that it may sting, but I wasn't prepared for the sting that came. Now it wasn't a make you want to cry zap but you defiantly felt the difference from the Zeno device.

She proceeded to explain that both zit zappers are battery operated and work on the principle of using heat to destroy bacteria thereby helping pimples to disappear faster. As a matter of fact, she said I should see my zits gone overnight.

While I like the idea behind the products I got quite a bit of sticker shock when informed their cost was in the $150 to $200 dollar range. You guys know there isn't much I won't do for the sake of this blog and you. I gave urine acne therapy a try for you guys. But two hundred dollars! Then on reflection, if the zit zapper can do what it claims, the price isn't bad at all. So here's my dilemma.

I didn't fork over the money to buy one of the zit zappers and my only exposure to the devices is what was just explained to you. Now both of the blemishes that I had that day are gone and it's two days later. But am I giving credit to the zit zapper or were these two under the skin blemishes running their natural course and would be gone anyway. I'd really like to get some input from you guys that have used these things over a period of time. Tell me about your experiences; tell me what you think of the zit zapper?

Acne Home Remedy Milk of Magnesia

noreply@blogger.com (Tuesday) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 22:27:00 +0000

When putting together an acne home remedy supply list; a must have in your house at all times products list. Milk of magnesia needs to be right up there at the top. You know, that stuff you grandmother had in her medicine cabinet for upset stomachs and constipation. Well it turns out this little gem can go a long way in helping with getting rid of zits and blackheads as well as that tummy ache.

Now if you are one of those bright people that actually listened and learned things from you elders I am probably not telling you something you don't already know. My grandma, bless her heart, always had an ample supply in her home. I can close my eyes and vividly picture it, bright as day. A heavy blue glass bottle with the name Phillips Milk of Magnesia embossed in raised letters across the front. The bottle was never empty and always reached for whenever I had a rash or pimple outbreak of any sort, as well as the occasional upset stomach. She would slather it on the affected area and send me back out to play. Isn't it funny the things you remember as a child.

Now while the primary purpose of milk of magnesia may be to make you poop. (Its active ingredients; magnesium hydroxide - Mg (HO2), Brucite in its rock form - and sodium hypochlorite – NaCIO, you know it as bleach.) There are beauty professionals that swear by its antibacterial properties . Its ability to draw impurities from the skin drying out excessive oil leaving skin smooth and tight. Making it a perfect acne home remedy.

A Great Acne Toning Mask

Simply apply a thin coat to the face or other affected area and allow to dry. While you may experience some tightness, that's to be expected. To wash off, simply rinse with warm water and pat dry with a clean towel.

Acne Spot Treatment

Put a couple of drops of milk of magnesia on a cotton ball and dab on the afflicted area. You can apply makeup after.

Mild Acne Cleanser

Use like you would body soap in the shower.

While the manufactures of milk of magnesia say it will keep for three years in an unopened bottle. Once opened, it will probably retain its potency for six to nine months and should never be refrigerated. Give milk of magnesia acne home remedy a try. It may be just the natural acne cure home remedy that's right for you.

Fighting Acne

noreply@blogger.com (Tuesday) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:16:00 +0000

It's 5:15 am and I find myself pounding on this keyboard because I can't get the thought of fighting acne out of my head. I don't know why but it is there. That notion that my life has been spent, no not spent. My life has been dedicated to a condition that at times seems to consume my very being. It is sometimes a gig that requires 24 hours a day 7 days a week 365 day a year, that for the most part I have under control. But still it's a fight that can be exhausting at times. I know what a beast this thing has been and usually don't let it get me to the mental point that it has gotten to tonight. But as I work through my thoughts, I am realizing what is really bothering me. It's a realization that for some time now I haven't had an exit strategy for my war. I've been fighting acne for so long that it has become a skin condition that I no longer see as defeating but as one that I keep under control and maintained. I've gotten complacent with winning battles. Comfortable with the troops maintaining an advantage and haven't gone for the kill. And that's what’s got me up. That realization!

My fight with acne is a war and I need to regroup and have the general's marshal up a troop surge so I can win this thing once and for all. I don't want to be complacent and learn to live with acne, no matter how successful I have been. I need to rededicate myself to being rid of this cancer. Have it out of my body completely and accept nothing less than a total victory, which can only be accomplished by getting rid of my acne forever with its total annihilation. No more fighting acne. The solution is curing acne, finding that lotion, potion or pill that will wipe my acne seed from the face of the earth. Why aim for anything less? That will just assure the continuation of the condition. And I am no longer just fighting to fight, I'm fighting to win.

Get Rid of Stress Acne by Getting Rid of Stress

noreply@blogger.com (Tuesday) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 09:18:00 +0000

A couple of posts back; we had a little discussion about the validity of stress causing acne. Since that acne debate is considered closed. It's now time for us to focus on the ways to get rid of the acne we discussed. It just so happens, that of the numerous areas of my expertise. Reducing stress is right at the top of the list. Well that is right at the top, below the number one area, how to get rid of acne. So much like having fresh mint and whiskey on hand, makes the task of mixing the perfect mint tulip possible. We would appear to have the necessary ingredients to get rid of stress causing acne. But before we begin, allow me to add one caveat as it relates to the type of stress we are discussing here. This tome is addressing the everyday; everybody gets it at one time or another common garden variety issue stress. Those self induced pressures we allow ourselves to sacrum to. If you happen to have the: I need a lobotomy, Billy Bibbit type of stress in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest then this post isn't for you. You need immediate medical attention and getting rid of your acne probably shouldn't be your first concern.

Now let's begin.

There isn't a week that goes by where I don't run across a reduce your stress, relax and unwind article in some magazine while I am standing in the checkout line at the drugstore or Winn Dixie. While I find many of the stress reduction techniques to be useful, I don't recall ever seeing an article on ways to keep stress from entering your life in the first place? Ways to catch the horse after someone left the barn door open may make a good read but I am much more interested in not letting the horse out of the barn in the first place. I want to get to a point in my life where stress doesn't even enter the picture. In order to reach that goal I have to eliminate the sources of stress in my life. It's that plain and simple.

Don't misunderstand, I am not dreaming the impossible dream of living a completely stress free existence. Just the simple act of living is going to entail some level of stress. Think about it. Stress is just a natural response to the challenges that life throws at us every day. Living stress free would be living challenge free and how much fun would life be without challenges, risks and taking chances, without even considering the rewards that go with conquering that unknown. No there is a certain amount of stress that comes with just living. I accept that fact; as a matter of fact I welcome and embrace it. What I don't welcome is that stress that is unnecessary. Stress that is brought on by certain triggers that most people don't even realize are happening. Triggers that are fully predictable and controllable yet we allow them to operate and creep into our lives.

Allow me to set up a fictitious situation to illustrate my point.

My husband over sleeps and is now in a hurry to get out the house and off to work. In his haste he nicks himself saving and must now change his shirt because some blood has stained it. This sets his clock further back and adds to an already stressful situation. He heads out the door without giving me a kiss goodbye or having a piece of toast to put on his stomach. Before he gets to the car he realizes he has left the keys on the hook next to the door so he's back in and out again. As he drives off he realizes he has forgotten to put on his gold and stainless Ebel wrist watch but doesn't feel he has the time to turn around to get it. I know it's kind of silly but he feels naked without that watch and he decides it will just be a day he'll go through without knowing the time. The it dawns on him the cell phone has a clock, but when he looks down at the console he realizes he forgot to plug the phone into the charger and it's battery is going to be low. It's about at this time he reaches the interstate and finds himself backed up in morning traffic and things go downhill from here. He's starting to think about the unfinished work that is waiting for him at the office. The calls he didn't return or the emails that went unanswered. That 10 am sales presentation he's got set and how his boss is questioning his dedication to the company. And here he sits backed up in traffic getting more frustrated because he doesn't think the car in front of him is being aggressive enough. He wants to get in the next lane because he thinks it is moving faster and when he makes an attempt someone cuts him off. Now he's honking and cursing and those little veins in his forehead are turning purple and about to explode as he pulls into the company parking lot. The day at the office goes about as expected. He limps through the sales pitch and closed the deal but the order is for less than expected. His boss congratulated him for the new business but makes a crack about maybe next month they'll submit a bigger order. More phone calls and emails will go unanswered and it's off to the late evening traffic and home. Home where the main conversation with his kids will revolve around him almost killing himself tripping over the toys they left lying around. Where he'll wolf down a dinner so he can position himself in front of the TV where he'll spend the remainder of the evening. Then it's off to bed so he can get up in the morning and do the same thing over again.

Ok, I admit. I took a lot of literary license in the example above. But it illustrates the point I want to get across. Most of the stress in an individual's live is unnecessary stress that is brought on by one's self. When you see it in a scenario like above it becomes quite obvious. It also becomes obvious how to get rid of that stress.

Identify things that trigger stress in your life. There probably is no more important step than this. I can't even begin to imagine getting rid of stress without knowing what the things are that are causing it in the first place. Sit down and find a place where you can get in touch with yourself and discover what those stress triggers are for you. Are there certain people or relationships causing stress in your life? Do certain tasks or activities bring the added costs of stress when you under take them? Find the triggers you can eliminate from your life and do it. With those triggers you may not be able to eliminate try to find a way to reduce their stress level. Do what you can to make those triggers less stressful.

Stop procrastinating. Take care of matters when they arise. Putting off even small easy tasks has a way of weighing on your mind. Before you know it all those little annoyances can add up and start occupying a stressful place that is larger than their sum.

Be on time. And allow yourself adequate time. I don't know about you. But whenever I feel the constraints of time bearing down on me my stress level elevate in direct proportion. I can't stand being late and realized a long time ago that by allowing me plenty of time the issues caused by stress never has a chance to get a toehold.

Start something and finish it. I don't know who started this whole idea that multitasking was a good idea but whoever it was needs to be committed to the asylum for the hopelessly insane. The idea of taking you focus off one task so you can totally refocus on another and then another has got to be out of their mind. These have to be the same people that are telling our kids the heroin junkie as in heroin chic is an attractive look they should be striving for. Look, start a task, finish it and move on whenever possible.

Stop trying to control everything in your life. Its impossibility and the perfect receipt to remain stressed out for life. Live life recognizing you can't control every situation or other people and trying to do so is a lost cause. Learn to accept situations and others as they are. The sooner you realize the sooner you will find a whole lot of less stress in your life. It also a good time to examine your relationships with others, get rid of associations that make your life more difficult. Identify people in your life that are a drain on your energy and happiness and just cut them out of your life. I have a brother that I haven't really spoken to in ten years. Many people when apprised of this fact think it's absolutely awful. "He's your blood you really need to talk, that's horrible." But the fact is when I assessed our relationship those many years ago I realized that he was adding nothing but stress to my life. I may not be able to choose my family but I certainly choose how I spend my time and live my life. I have never regretted the decision.

Try to live a simpler life. Today we are under constant bombardment to acquire things. More is better, he who dies with the most toys wins. This is utter foolishness promoted by advertisers to sell their clients products. If you have fallen under the spell of the American consumer treadmill, that fact alone has added enormous stress to your life. Have you noticed all the self storage places that have sprung up over the last two decades? Americans now have so much stuff that they have to rent places to store it because there isn't enough space in their homes for it. How important is something to you that you lock it up in some dank dusty storage unit.

Relax, take it easy. Stop trying to rush through your life at warp speed. Savor the moments and mark the occasions. I attended a wedding some time ago where it was obvious that a great deal of time, planning and expense had gone into the affair. The happy couple was off in a side room where the photographer was taking pictures when I overheard the bride tell the groom "we're missing our own wedding". She was right, the reception had been going on for at least forty minutes and there they were still in picture mode. I grabbed three glasses of champagne delivered them to the couple and photographer. My parting words on my departure were" you guys sure are missing a great wedding". They weren't far behind me and to this day that lovely bride thanks me for those words of wisdom. Her exact words to me were"its one thing to mark the moments and quite another to live the moments", I know I couldn't say it better.

Stop trying to schedule every minute of every hour of everyday. Create more free time in your life. It's not necessary to plan your life in such detail. One of the greatest most unforgettable adventures of my life was taking a trip to see a Rose Bowl game in Pasadena, California. It was totally last minute spur of the moment deal where some tickets were given to me and a place to stay once I got there. I pretty much packed a couple of things and my husband and headed west. I have been all up and down the east coast but the west was unknown territory as far as I was concerned. The first day my husband and I traded off driving. We traveled about a thousand miles when we arrived in Albuquerque New Mexico very late in the evening and secured a hotel room. The next morning when I went out to load up the car I witnessed one of the most spectacular sunrises over the mountains I have ever seen. Since we were a couple of days from Jan 1, actually it was Christmas Eve we decided to see the Grand Canyon and made the only reservations we made the whole trip at the El Tovar. It shouldn’t have taken us too long to hit our destination but the weather was not going to cooperate. I remember diving out of Flagstaff, Arizona and how the snow was blowing sideways. We reached a peak were the visibility was zero and all I could think of was that scene in the Shining with Jack Nicholson. Anyway what should have been a simple drive turned into an adventure where you really don't see the road you basically follow the tail lights of the truck ahead of you and if there aren't any tail lights in sight you drive in the ruts. We got to the El Tovar late that night and had no idea of the spectacular beauty that awaited us that Christmas morning. We bought each other some native jewelry in the gift shop but the sight of the canyon that day was beyond anything we could have bought for any amount of money. As I write this I realize that I have no pictures of this entire trip. Yet I can close my eyes and see it as if it were happening as I type. I don't want to short change any of the rest of the trip because it was just as fabulous as what I have described to you so far. We saw The Rose Bowl Parade, the Game, took a trip up the Pacific coast highway to San Francisco, saw the wine country. It was fabulous. But this is a blog about getting rid of acne, what are the best ways to get rid of pimples, zits and blackheads and I find myself going on and on relaying a story about a fantastic memory of a once in a lifetime trip. What's really important here is for you (as well as me) to realize that great things can happen when you don't live your life by a schedule. When you allow yourself to be free, slow down and instead of rushing through life, enjoy and savor where you are. Enjoy the moment, the food the company the fact that you are alive. Do these things and your stress will just fade away.

Finally be thankful. I don’t want to sound like a preacher but be thankful for all that you do have. I understand that in the world in which we life today it's real easy to feel inadequate. The media constantly brings stories of people that are fabulous, rich and popular. Athletes that make millions of dollars and politicians that are loved by all. Recognize it for what it is. It's a sales pitch. We live in an advertising age. Don't get sucked into the pitch. Money doesn't bring happiness. Neither does fame nor any of the things that are being sold. Happiness comes from a definition you create for yourself not one that is sold to you by others.

So there you go kids. If you are looking to get rid of acne caused by stress you need to remove as much stress from your life as possible. If you follow the stress reduction techniques that I've outlines above, you will find your life becomes less stressful and you acne problems and issues decrease in unison. If there is one thing that will always remain consistent with this site How to Get Rid of Acne, the best way to get rid of acne will always be the natural way to get rid of acne and one of the touchstones principals of that idea is reducing stress will not only allow you to live a healthier more productive life. But it will also help you get rid of acne. Peace

Acne Clear Free Skin Treatment

noreply@blogger.com (Tuesday) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:11:00 +0000

With teen acne outbreaks popping up left and right, Americans are beginning to take notice and becoming more conscious with what they eat and how it affects their bodies. Acne clear free skin treatment is giving way as expensive acne fads rage. Everything from chocolate skin care to Kangen water. Despite everything we know, some people still just can't seem to make the effort to get back to nature and start living a truly natural chemical free acne free life. While not only beneficial in helping alleviate acne it can transform your life in a manner that can be rich beyond measure.

To help you, I've decided to give you a starting point on your road to your acne clear complexion.

Quit smoking and if you don’t smoke great, don't start. Smoking is an addiction, there is no truth to the rumor that people can pick up the habit just for a little while and quit whenever they want. Once cigarettes get you hooked. That's it, it's not that easy to let go. Look you have seen all the studies that tell you how bad tobacco is for you. There is really no need to rehash what you already know. But let me leave you with this little tidbit. Scientific studies have shown that 42 percent of smokers suffer from acne while only 10 percent of non smokers do. You do the math.

Stop eating that fatty, greasy, sugary; over processed stuff you call food. How can you expect to look your best when you are running you body on a fuel that consists of chips and candy. You have to come to that corny realization that you are indeed what you eat. Give your body what it deserves; fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains .Get your proteins from dairy and fish instead of red meat that is more difficult for your body to process. Enjoy foods like beets, almonds and cashews that are high in oxalic acid. Many people believe oxalic acid to be God's poison with a purpose and have attributed its beneficial properties to nothing less than a cure for cancer. While I don’t know about curing cancer a lot of folks swear by the foods that are high in oxalic acid when it comes to helping to get rid of pimples. The idea is to consume foods that help your body remove toxins and not allow it to become a platform that is conducive to acne, pimples and zits getting a foothold. And the only way to find those foods is to educate you.

Drink water and then have some more water. It's unbelievable the amount of soda pop, coffee and energy drinks we here in America consume. I am not suggesting you cut these things out all together. Life is meant to be enjoyed and savored. But it's also an endeavor that requires us to make choices. So expand your choices. Try Kombucha tea, it will increase you energy and helps with acne by being an excellent bodily detoxifier. Get yourself a juicer and drink fresh juices right from the source. Nothing processed or altered. Next time when you look in the mirror and that third eye pimple on the end of your nose winks at you. Realize you are an active participant in your life. It is an accumulation of the choices and paths you decide to follow.

Get plenty of exercise and be active. This is your life. It's not a dress rehearsal. Do you want to be an active participant in it or are you willing to watch it pass you by while you sit on the couch watching others live theirs on television? Studies conclude that exercise not only is good for your complexion but is beneficial in your over health and is a giant factor in the reduction of stress in your life. Get up move. How's that Nike commercial go? Just do it.

Look, I realize I am not breaking any new ground here. You know all this stuff and know it to be true. Yet day in and day out people continue to ignore what is right in front of them and head off on a search for an expensive acne magic pill that hasn't yet been discovered. Why not spend your time educating yourself on matters that can make a difference in the way you look and the life you live. Life is a journey not a destination. Acne clear skin is the destination. But the journey of getting to that destination is the experience of your life. I've been dealing with acne in one form or another my entire life. It wasn't until my last post that I ever dreamed urine curing acne was even a remote possibility.

Maybe next time you look in the mirror. That third eye on the tip of your nose won't just wink at you. Maybe it will have the same conversation with you we are having right now. And maybe just maybe, you can also put the free back in acne clear free skin treatment.

Urine Acne Treatment

noreply@blogger.com (Tuesday) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:27:00 +0000

The things I don’t do for you guys. If when I was a teen, someone would have told me urine was a good way to get rid of acne and pimples. Well, let's just say it might be time for them to up their medication. Even with the present day hyper awareness to alternative approaches and applying natural substances as they relate to medical conditions. Urine and acne just don't seem to belong in the same sentence. Acne and chocolate I can at least understand the connection. Although it seems to be a counter intuitive connection. But urine to treat acne?

I really was not sure where to begin my search. What far away, hidden tribe in the Amazon rain forest, that had never had contact with the outside civilized world, thought urine was a good acne treatment? So like all good researchers I decided to start with a phone call to an expert on culture and customs.

Brad is my go to guy when I have a question that at first sight seems bizarre. He has an uncanny knack for explaining to me how something is not as crazy at it may first appear. He will also fill me in on the people that practice it and how long they've been doing so. But I have to admit. I was a bit surprised when I called, told Brad my question and he explained that urine therapy has been used to treat and prevent all kinds of illnesses and enhance beauty for a very long time.

It's been used buy the holy men of India who have been drinking it for thousands of years. It's rich in vitamins and minerals that are necessary for the human condition and although considered dirty, it is in fact sterile. Stop right there!

Unless my plane crashes high on a mountain top and survival is at stake. There are two things that I don't ever consider indulging in. One is eating human flesh and the other is drinking my urine. It's one thing to pat a little golden fluid on a couple of zits if it's going to help get rid of them and give me a great complexion and nice glow at the same time. But I didn't sign up to partake in the first morning midstream cocktail.

Brad told me I didn't need to drink it straight, “There's a benefit in mixing a couple of drops in your juice in the morning”. He went on about how people of the world think it can cure almost illness. Things like AIDS, smallpox, broken bones, constipation, fatigue, hepatitis, and the list goes on and on. I remained on the phone another hour and though I may not be an expert on all the urine treatments known to mankind. I have a pretty good idea how urine can help us in our search for the best way to get rid of acne.

So here's where I come down on the issue. Look. if you want to splash some wee wee on a cloth and give it a shot on your zits. I really can't see any harm. Who am I to buck thousands of years of acne and beauty research conducted by ancient civilizations . If you have followed this blog, you know I am a big believer of what may work for you may not have the slightest impact on someone else. That's what makes us individuals. So who am I to say urine is not your magic acne cure.

But when it comes to drinking urine to get rid of my zits, I'll take a pass. And here's why. I don't doubt Brad and his sincerity. That people world wide believe that drinking urine can cure and prevent all kinds of conditions. And acne may very well be one of them. Brad and others make a strong case that urine contains all types of vitamins and minerals that are beneficial and necessary for a strong properly functioning body. But this is also where their argument falls short. The way I see it. Anything that is contained in urine is something that you body already excreted. It didn't need it or it would have used it. Simply drinking your urine is giving you body something it doesn't need. It will just excrete it again. Seems to me that after everythig is said and done. The one thing your body needs now to get rid of pimples is a nice tall glass of water. Enjoy.

Stress Acne

noreply@blogger.com (Tuesday) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:32:00 +0000

Does stress cause acne? While some people seem to think there is no correlation between stress and acne. I prefer to take the Al Gore global warming, the discussion is closed approach, and believe there is such a thing as stress acne. Back in 2002, Stanford University did a study which showed that stressing over exams worsened acne. While it was a fairly small study, I am attracted to it like a moth to a flame.

I first recognized my stress acne while in college. Sure I had been fighting to get rid of my acne all through my high school years. But I was basically a happy go lucky kid in the stress department. Academically it wasn’t much of a problem and socially I was a typical well liked kid. So if being up tight or worrying has anything to do with any biological function, in high school I just wasn’t going to be affected by it.

Well, along comes college and yep you guessed it. Stress for me is everywhere. Whether it was being on my own for the first time not knowing what to expect, or just plain fearing that I was going to flunk out, whatever the reason, stress and I were formally introduced, I was under a great deal of It and It was starting to show its effects on my skin. I was getting a whole lot of new zits and pimples as well as a worsening of the acne I was always trying to get rid of. As if that weren’t enough. It wasn’t until my second semester that I realized what was happening and the relationship between my acne and stress was explained to me in an off chance conversation with my dorm advisor.

It was a Friday afternoon and I was going home for the weekend. I had a friend that was coming up to see a basketball game and was going to leave a key with my advisor Kit. Well when Kit opened the door it was obvious she had been picking at her face. She was complaining that the stress of school was driving her acne nuts and she was at her wits end. Well like the proverbial light bulb going off over your head in a cartoon. I had a moment of clarity and realized what was making my acne go nuts too. Of course Kit mistook the look on my face as a look of confusion and proceeded to explain to me how stress can affect your acne in two ways.

First, stress stimulates your adrenal glands to secrete male hormones which in turn stimulate the Sebaceous gland which produce more Sebum which causes acne pimples.

Second, stress reduces the capacity of your body to mend it’s self by weakening your immune system.

So, not only is stress going to cause acne, it’s going to make it harder for your body heal or get rid of acne you already have. And you didn’t think God had a sense of humor.

Anyway after leaving the key with Kit I am sure you know what was on my mind as a drove home for the weekend. Yep that’s right, what was I going to do to get rid of the stress in my life so I could get rid of my stress acne.

Privacy Policy

noreply@blogger.com (Tuesday) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 21:15:00 +0000

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Getting Rid of Acne in 12 Steps

noreply@blogger.com (Tuesday) — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 19:04:00 +0000

I was surfing the net looking for some inspiration when I ran across an article styled 12 Steps to Getting Rid of Acne. For today’s post I fully intended to write about urine as a treatment (I am sure you can understand the natural progression after just writing about chocolate) and was just hesitant about approaching that topic. Americans have enough hang ups and suggesting urine as an acne treatment just seems like something that didn’t quite have the right timing. Hence, my internet escapade, hoping to find something to get me inspired writing about getting rid of acne. Usually a quick look in the mirror will suffice.

Anyway, when I ran across the 12 step meme, for some reason my mind flashed to the actor Robert Downey Jr. and his battle with his addictions that have played out in the media over the years. I was making a connection between a drug rehab program and a regimented approach to acne success. After all these years of struggling with my acne, searching for answers, untold doctor’s visits, phone calls to 1-800 get rid of acne. After all that, the years of wash wash, scrub scrub, how did I miss a 12 step program for getting rid of acne? When I lost my last baby tooth and placed it under my pillow, did the tooth fairy sprinkle me with some sort of witch hazel magical dust that put me in a deep stupor for the last couple of decades? And why now was I being awakened with a Christopher Walken, here’s your dad’s wrist watch moment from Pulp Fiction? I was torn between the two emotions of finally finding the secret for getting rid of acne and what took you so long.

As the digital images danced off my computer screen, my heart began to race. The ideas that acne is an imbalance that occurs internally and is a manifestation externally by the presence of acne were validating my deepest held convictions. If you have known me for anything longer than 5 minutes you would understand how difficult it was for me to contain myself as I read. And wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if you found me screaming at my computer “what are the steps, what are the steps”.

Now just imagine my elation when I discover step 1 to getting rid of acne was keeping your face clean and Castile soap is an excellent choice of product for the task at hand.

Well, now I am in Nirvana. Castile soap is what I’ve used all these years. When I try other products its breakout city for me, so I always return to good old Castile. I don’t remember what lead me to Castile but for my money if you are looking for a quality natural product, this is it.

Step 2 use Scotty’s Acne Face Cream. Uh Oh, this is beginning to sound like an advertisement for a really off brand acne product. This stuff doesn’t appear to be cheap, I’ve never used it and couldn’t comment on its effectiveness but my hopes for finding the 12 step program for getting rid of acne are beginning to fade.

Step 3 is relieving constipation with something called a tree day liquid diet. Now I am really worried. Maybe this is a misprint and it’s a three day liquid diet for getting rid of acne. As I start researching on the internet I begin to realize I’ve run across a PLR article that has been reproduced at a whole lot of sites. I don’t know why I’ve never seen this before but I am sure you can understand how devastated I am.

What started as great hope of discovering something new has turned into a sales pitch for getting rid of acne that doesn’t much materialize past a product someone is pitching? I am now totally devastated and feel cheated. And to think, before I ran across this great idea I was planning on writing on the uses of urine in getting rid of acne; guess that will be my next post.

Chocolate a Way to Get Rid of Acne

noreply@blogger.com (Tuesday) — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 14:28:00 +0000

It could not have been more than five minutes after I posted best way to get rid of acne, that I received an email from my friend Clark who was writing to tell me about chocolate as an acne treatment. Since it wasn’t a good time for me and Clark is somewhat of a practical joker I didn’t pay much attention and put it off to the side to take a look at later. Clark lives in Hershey Pennsylvania so my first thought was this is his way to boost chocolate sales in a downturned market. Well today I finally around to following up (actually it totally slipped my mind) and clicked on some links in the email that takes me to information for a company in England called Frutel’s. I poked around some of the company literature and sure enough they are pitching chocolate as a way to get rid of acne.

Let me preface myself here. I am by nature a very critical person. It probably started when I was a little kid and took thinks apart for no other reason than to put them back together. As I got older and started to see things through more educated eyes, it didn’t take long for me to realize that I was living in a world where people were constantly selling and being sold to. When I developed acne issues I got a front row seat on the consumer roller coaster.

Initially I thought I’d go to the doctor and bada bing I would get rid of my acne. When the results were unsatisfactory to say the least the Doc tinkered around with some more pills and potions, told me to lay off the fried foods and candy and my mom and dad were now making the doctor’s car payments. It was starting to appear the doctor was not trying to cure my acne as much as setting me up on the acne product purchase plan. I just wanted to let you know a little something before I get back to the Willie Wonka acne chocolate bar.

From a promotional advertising point of view I love the idea of a chocolate as a way to get rid of acne. With the exception of all fried foods, I can think of no other food that is more associated with the cause of acne than chocolate. To take that perception and twist it as a way to get rid of acne is brilliant in my humble opinion. I also can appreciate what appears to be their company philosophy that acne has to be treated from the inside out. Pimples and zits are the symptoms of an out of whack hormonal and dietary system. Acne isn’t the problem it is the result. The question becomes whether adding vitamins and minerals to chocolate is the solution.

While chocolate will not cause acne I am at a loss to find its nutrition specific acne fighting benefit. Without getting all technical on its molecular structure and its nutritional value there really isn’t a specific reason to include this food per the discussion of this post. While I grant eating chocolate has a certain emotional and euphoric benefit it would appear that in the case of getting rid of acne, its main reason for being are promotional and commercial. The other aspect of these products is vitamin and mineral supplements. While vitamin and mineral deficiencies can and do causes hormonal change as well as a host other problems. Is it really necessary to put it in chocolate and charge a premium? Can’t I just run down to the corner and grab the latest Flintstone chewable’ and be done with it. Also I would be interested in how the heat in the processing of this chocolate delectable affects their potency.

All in all it seems to me to be a big waste of time and money. The best way to get rid of acne is to get your vitamins and minerals by eating a healthy diet. If you want chocolate there is always the Hershey bar.

Popping Pimples

noreply@blogger.com (Tuesday) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:25:00 +0000

You know that getting rid of pimples by popping them is a no no. Everything you know goes against that urge. But you have it in your head that that pimple has to go and you are going to take it upon yourself to pop that bad boy.

Well let me take a stab at changing your mind. Why not head over to the dermatologists’ office and let him/her have a wack at popping the pimples for you. Those guys have the experience and proper tools to do those zits justice. Most important, they know which pimples to leave alone when popping. I mean how expensive can it be. When you are talking about permanent acne scaring. When it comes to getting rid of pimples, these guys are professional pimple poppers.

Ok. So you are still determined to pop you pimples. Please keep these common sense tips in mind.

If the pimple hasn’t made it to your skins surface and have a “head” leave it alone. Whiteheads and pustules are candidates for self popping but papules should are in a category all by themselves and self popping should not be attempted.

If you are going to squeeze be clean. Get rid of the dirt and makeup on your skin with a good wash before you go to town. Make sure your hands and any instruments are clean and disinfected.

Never use your fingernails or just your fingers alone. Use a Kleenex or better yet gauze pads to apply gentle pressure on the pimple and to remove the pus from a successful squeeze. If the gentle pressure doesn’t get the pimple to pop it’s probably too imbedded in your skin. Squeezing should be discontinued as this is a high risk candidate for acne scarring. You can try mixing a salt water solution (½ tsp salt per ½ cup water) apply to the area and leave on for about 10 minutes then wash off. You can reattempt another round of gentle pressure in a couple of days.

I n closing, popping pimples is not a recommended course of action to getting rid of your pimples but I fully understand the desire and urges to do so. If you decide it’s a course you want to pursue please err on the side of caution and use gentle pressure and no more. Good luck

Blackhead Removal

noreply@blogger.com (Tuesday) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 09:51:00 +0000

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.

Best Way to Get Rid of Acne

noreply@blogger.com (Tuesday) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:22:00 +0000

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.