Skin Problems, help?

I've recently broken out with some bad skin.


Basically acne i guess.


Does anyone know some remedies or home-made soloutions i could make/use?


Also im from Sydney, Australia, so if anyone could recommend some decent products that would be really great.


I'm 15 and have normal/sensitive skin. More so oily than dry.


But anything would help.


Even suggested foods.








Thanks.

Skin Problems, help?
Acne is an inflammatory disease of the skin, caused by changes in the pilosebaceous units (skin structures consisting of a hair follicle and its associated sebaceous gland). Acne lesions are commonly referred to as pimples, spots or zits.





The condition is most common in puberty. It is considered an abnormal response to normal levels of the male hormone testosterone. The response for most people diminishes over time and acne thus tends to disappear, or at least decrease, after one reaches his or her early twenties. There is, however, no way to predict how long it will take for it to disappear entirely, and some individuals will continue to suffer from acne decades later, into their thirties and forties and even beyond. Acne affects a large percentage of humans at some stage in life.





Exactly why some people get acne and some do not is not fully known. It is known to be partly hereditary. Several factors are known to be linked to acne:





- Hormonal activity, such as menstrual cycles and puberty


- Diet


- Stress, through increased output of hormones from the adrenal (stress) glands.


- Hyperactive sebaceous glands, secondary to the three hormone sources above.


- Accumulation of dead skin cells.


- Bacteria in the pores, to which the body becomes 'allergic'.


- Skin irritation or scratching of any sort will activate inflammation.


- Use of anabolic steroids.


- Any medication containing halogens (iodides, chlorides, bromides), lithium, barbiturates, or androgens.


- Exposure to high levels of chlorine compounds, particularly chlorinated dioxins, can cause severe, long-lasting acne, known as Chloracne.





Traditionally, attention has focused mostly on hormone-driven over-production of sebum as the main contributing factor of acne. More recently, more attention has been given to narrowing of the follicle channel as a second main contributing factor. Abnormal shedding of the cells lining the follicle, abnormal cell binding ("hyperkeratinization") within the follicle, and water retention in the skin (swelling the skin and so pressing the follicles shut) have all been put forward as important mechanisms. Several hormones have been linked to acne: the male hormones testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), as well as insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-I). In addition, acne-prone skin has been shown to be insulin resistant[citation needed].





Development of acne vulgaris in later years is uncommon, although this is the age group for Rosacea which may have similar appearances. True acne vulgaris in adults may be a feature of an underlying condition such as pregnancy and disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome or the rare Cushing's syndrome. Dermatologists are seeing more cases of menopause-associated acne as fewer women replace the natural anti-acne ovarian hormone estradiol whose production fails as women arrive at menopause. The lack of estradiol also causes thinning hair, hot flashes, thin skin, wrinkles, vaginal dryness, and predisposes to osteopenia and osteoporosis as well as triggering acne (known as acne climacterica in this situation).





Misconceptions about causes


There are many misconceptions and rumors about what does and does not cause the condition:





Diet


Diet. One study [specify] suggested that chocolate, french fries, potato chips and sugar, among others, affect acne. A high GI (glycemic index) diet that causes sharp rises in blood sugar worsens acne. This, however, has been refuted by dermatologists as myth. If this study's conclusions are verified then a low GI diet may help acne, but a recent review of somewhat dated scientific literature cannot affirm either way. A recent study, based on a survey of 47,335 women, did find a positive epidemiological association between acne and consumption of partially skimmed milk, instant breakfast drink, sherbet, cottage cheese and cream cheese. The researchers hypothesize that the association may be caused by hormones (such as several sex hormones and bovine IGF-I) present in cow milk. Although the association between milk and acne has been definitively shown, the ingredient in the milk responsible for the acne is still unclear. Most dermatologists are awaiting confirmatory research linking diet and acne but some support the idea that acne sufferers should experiment with their diets, and refrain from consuming such fare if they find such food affects the severity of their acne.





Seafood, on the other hand, may contain relatively high levels of iodine. Iodine is known to make existing acne worse but there is probably not enough to cause an acne outbreak.[8] Still, people who are prone to acne may want to avoid excessive consumption of foods high in iodine.





It has also been suggested that there is a link between a diet high in refined sugars and other processed foods and acne. According to this hypothesis, the startling absence of acne in non-westernized societies could be explained by the low glycemic index of these cultures' diets. Others have cited possible genetic reasons for there being no acne in these populations, but similar populations shifting to Western diets do develop acne. Note also that the populations studied consumed no milk or other dairy products. Further research is necessary to establish whether a reduced consumption of high-glycemic foods (such as soft drinks, sweets, white bread) can significantly alleviate acne, though consumption of high-glycemic foods should in any case be kept to a minimum, for general health reasons. Avoidance of 'junk food' with its high fat and sugar content is also recommended. On the other hand there is no evidence that fat alone makes skin more oily or acne worse.





Available treatments


There are many products sold for the treatment of acne, many of them without any scientifically-proven effects. Generally speaking successful treatments give little improvement within the first week or two; and then the acne decreases over approximately 3 months, after which the improvement starts to flatten out. Treatments that promise improvements within 2 weeks are likely to be largely disappointing. Short bursts of cortisone, quick bursts of antibiotics and many of the laser therapies offer a quick reduction in the redness, swelling and inflammation when used correctly, but none of these empty the pore of all the materials that trigger the inflammation. Emptying the pores takes months.





Modes of improvement are not necessarily fully understood but in general treatments are believed to work in at least 4 different ways (with many of the best treatments providing multiple simultaneous effects):


normalising shedding into the pore to prevent blockage


- killing P. acnes


- antinflammatory effects


- hormonal manipulation


A combination of treatments can greatly reduce the amount and severity of acne in many cases. Those treatments that are most effective tend to have greater potential for side effects and need a greater degree of monitoring, so a step-wise approach is often taken. Many people consult with doctors when deciding which treatments to use, especially when considering using any treatments in combination. There are a number of treatments that have been proven effective:


Cotton pads soaked in salicylic acid solution can be used to exfoliate the skin.





Exfoliating the skin


This can be done either mechanically, using an abrasive cloth or a liquid scrub, or chemically. Common chemical exfoliating agents include salicylic acid and glycolic acid, which encourage the peeling of the top layer of skin to prevent a build-up of dead skin cells which combine with skin oil to block pores. It also helps to unblock already clogged pores.[citation needed] Note that the word "peeling" is not meant in the visible sense of shedding, but rather as the destruction of the top layer of skin cells at the microscopic level. Depending on the type of exfoliation used, some visible flaking is possible. Moisturizers and anti-acne topicals containing chemical exfoliating agents are commonly available over-the-counter. Mechanical exfoliation is less commonly used as many benefits derived from the exfoliation are negated by the act of mechanically rubbing and irritating the skin.





Hygiene


Deficient personal hygiene. Acne is not caused by dirt. This misconception probably comes from the fact that comedones look like dirt stuck in the openings of pores. The black color is simply not dirt but compact keratin. In fact, the blockages of keratin that cause acne occur deep within the narrow follicle channel, where it is impossible to wash them away. These plugs are formed by the failure of the cells lining the duct to separate and flow to the surface in the sebum created there by the body.





* Hope these will help you more understand the cause of your problem, it not only need heel from external but as well as internal, life style and your diet.
Reply:cut out the junk food, and drink gallons of water. the water clears your skin %26amp; junk food is waht causes breakouts.





i really like shisheido's line of face stuff ... i especially love the shisheido pureness pore purifying warming scrub. it works really well %26amp; always makes my pimples smaller right after i use it. it also makes then less red %26amp; makes my skin feel really soft %26amp; clean but not dry.
Reply:eat lots of freash fruits.avoid oily creams n foods.it will help u.best of luck.
Reply:Aside from examining your diet and drinking lots of water. Make sure you wash regularly with a good cleanser (2x a day) and moisturize. You want a cleanser that does not dry out your skin too much and a moisturizer that will do the job but will make your skin greasy. I personally really love the kiehl's products, however, they can be a bit pricey.
Reply:you have to start with a healthy diet.. eat alot of fruits and veggies.. you should exercise, this will contribute to having a great skin.. don't touch your face with hand or atleast avoid touching your face w/ your hands.. tame your hair, avoid getting it on your face because you might pass germs that will further augment the acne prob.. use gentle cleansers, or you can try proactive solutions...





hope this helps!
Reply:Try taking capsules of the herb Burdock, available for $5.00 per bottle at www.hcbl.com. They have done wonders for me.


Also avoid drinking soda pop.

broadleaf