How to Treat Acne Fast - 3 Important Steps For Teenagers and Parents

Acne is a problem for many of us, studies show that about 85% of us suffer from acne breakouts at some point in our lives, most of that being in our teen years. These breakouts can cause a decrease in self confidence as well as be distracting from our school work, social life and family life.
Acne is caused from something inside your body, so treatment begins inside, at the source. Then you must also treat the acne itself. Hygiene does play a part in acne, but it is not the cause. Acne is caused by your diet and exercise habits. Poor hygiene only makes the problem worse and prevents or delays healing.
Step 1. Cut back on fatty foods and sweets. Eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. Drink lots and lots of water. And exercise properly, professionals recommend 3 times weekly.
Step 2. Buy a regimen for Acne treatment, such as Murad's Acne Complex Kit, and use it religiously. Every morning and every night, wash your face with a non-perfumed soap and warm water. And follow that with the 3 step treatment recommended in your Acne Treatment regimen. Don't skip a treatment!
Step 3. Have your parent(s) help you stick to this routine, to encourage you to follow the steps properly. A cheerleader, of sorts, that will help to keep you focused on the goal, which is to be acne free.
Having toned, fresh, clean acne free skin is achievable, following those 3 steps. I have a 13 year old son myself that is just getting into the bad acne phase and this works great for him. Lucky for me, he loves fruits and vegetables, so getting him to eat his greens is easy. I do have to remind him often to wash his face and do his 3 steps, and yes, he does get aggravated with me at times, but he knows it's for his own good and it has made a world of difference in his complexion and his confidence.
Additional tips to keep in mind and follow are to never skip treatments. To do so gives the acne time to spread and worsen. Stay on it, day and night. If, during the day your skin gets oily, dirty or sweaty, wash it good with nothing more than a washcloth and warm water. Don't over medicate, but keep the oils and dirt off of your skin. Also, keep you hands off of your face to avoid spreading bacteria.
Also, girls, make up is a must have. But wear it only when you have to. Wash it off with a cleanser/make up remover as soon as you can to reduce the risk of clogged pores. And be careful when purchasing makeup to buy the hypoallergenic and what is best for your skin. Buy cleansers that are made for your skin type.
Follow these 3 easy steps and watch your face clear up more and more each day. And stay clear!
I hope this article helps alot of teens, as I myself struggled with acne as a teenager and still do as an adult. But I am helping my son in ways I didn't help myself. So Parents, help your child stay on routine and on the way to clearer skin in days.
Sarah Elaine is the Mother of 2 sons, ages 13 and 11. And a full time Affiliate Marketer and Homemaker.
Visit to order a Murad Acne Complex Kit that is exactly what you need to get started on the path to clear skin today.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_Elaine

Which Acne Scar Treatment Works For You

If you are seeking acne scar treatment, you should be well informed of the various methods of acne scar treatment and what they involve before proceeding with any treatment. You should also bear in mind that the success of acne scar treatment is dependent on various other factors besides the type and severity of the acne scars.You should consult a dermatologist who will take into account your age, overall health and medical history. He will also discuss with you your tolerance for specific medications, procedures or therapies and even budget. He will then be able to recommend some options taking into consideration your opinion or preference.There are many types of treatment for acne scars which include inexpensive non-surgical and the considerably more costly surgical procedures. Depending on the condition of the scars, you may want to try non-surgical treatment first before seeking more drastic treatment such as laser treatment.Acne Scar Creams and Lotions - Acne scar treatment products contain skin renewal activators and biological enzymes that gently dissolve or "digest" the damaged or worn out cells.Laser Treatment - Laser treatment uses a high-energy light beam to remove layers of damaged skin. This form of treatment is expensive and multiple treatments are often required.Dermabrasion - An abrasive instrument similar to an electric sander is used to resurface the skin by removing the top layer.Microdermabrasion - Microdermabrasion removes only the very surface cells of the skin by using aluminium oxide crystals passing through a vacuum tube to remove surface skin.Collagen injections - A type of collagen derived from the purified bovine collagen is injected beneath the skin to replace the natural collagen of the body lost in the acne condition.Autologous Fat Transfer (AFT) - Fat is taken from another part of your own body and injected in the acne scar skin to fill the holes left by acne scars.Steroid Injections - In this acne scar treatment surgery, elevated scars (keloids) are flattened by injecting small doses of steroids into the keloids.Chemical Peels - A special chemical is applied on the top of the skin and left there for several minutes after which it will be removed together with the top layer of skin.Punch Grafts - Small portions of skin are taken from one part of your body and implanted into the deep-seated scars.Home Made Remedies - Advocates of natural home made acne scar treatment recommend various remedies such as applying a clove of raw garlic or mint juice, and a variety of natural oils on acne scars.While many of these acne scar treatments have reported success for many individuals, for others, it is likely that a combination of these various forms of acne scar treatment may be required to be tested.Also, acne scar sufferers must manage their expectations of success. Non of these treatments offer overnight success in getting rid of acne scars. Time is an important factor in the healing and tissue remodelling process where visible results will be apparent only after a considerable period of time.

Skin Surgery Options and Treatment of Acne

Skin biopsy - Skin biopsies are performed to help with the diagnosis of your skin condition. Sometimes, different skin conditions can look similar to the naked eye so additional information is required. This is obtained by looking at the structure of the skin under the microscope after the cells have been stained with special coloured dyes.

Excision of skin lesions - A common reason why skin lesions are excised, is to fully remove skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma or melanoma. If the cancer is not cut out it may spread to the surrounding skin and to other parts of the body (metastasise).

Curettage & cautery - Curettage and cautery or electrosurgery is a procedure in which your dermatologist scrapes off a skin lesion and applies heat to the skin surface.

Skin grafting - A skin graft consists of skin taken from another part of the body and applied to the site where skin is missing. This might follow surgical removal of a skin cancer or a burn. A skin graft is thus a skin transplant. Skin grafts are performed by surgeons (including plastic surgeons) and by some dermatologists.

Mohs microscopically controlled excision - Mohs Micrographic Surgery, an advanced treatment procedure for skin cancer, offers the highest potential for recovery—even if the skin cancer has been previously treated. This procedure is state-of-the-art treatment in which the physician serves as surgeon, pathologist and reconstructive surgeon.

Laser Skin Resurfacing - A laser is a high-energy beam of light that can selectively transfer its energy into tissue to treat the skin. The laser makes it possible to change tissue without making an incision. So a surgeon can treat birthmarks or damaged blood vessels, remove port wine stains, and shrink facial “spider veins” without major surgery.
Photodynamic therapy - Applying a chemical called aminolevulinic acid to the skin and exposing the skin to a special light source.

Topical chemotherapy - Applying a chemical such as 5-fluorouracil, diclofenac sodium, or imiquimod to destroy pre-cancerous growths and some cancerous lesions.
Radiation therapy - Using x-rays to destroy tissue in certain types of skin cancer, as well as in selected individuals for whom surgery is not possible.
Dermabrasion - Removing the outer layers of skin and softening irregular edges. After the skin is frozen with a spray medication, a high-speed, rotary abrasive wheel is used.
Cryotherapy (liquid nitrogen) Applying or spraying liquid nitrogen onto the skin to freeze and destroy the tissue.

Precautions and care for Skin Surgery

Your skin growth will be removed surgically in the office and sent for microscopic examination to be certain it has been completely removed. Unless otherwise instructed, please eat normally and take all regularly prescribed medications.
After surgery, most patients may resume their usual activities; sometimes, there are temporary restrictions on sports, dancing, or other physical activity.
Aspirin makes people bleed more easily, and we prefer that patients not take it for seven days before surgery and for two days after surgery.

If you are taking aspirin, or a medicine containing aspirin, on your own, please stop it for seven days before surgery.
Antibiotics - People who have had hip replacements, have artificial heart valves, or who have mitral valve prolapse often have to take antibiotics before dental procedures.
In the medical literature, most studies show antibiotics are not needed before and after skin surgery. The best thing to do is to check with the doctor who has implanted one of the above devices or the doctor who sees you for this problem.
Stitches (sutures) are used to close the wound after surgery. The type of stitch we use depends on the surgery and your skin. Stitches that need removal are usually taken out 7 to 14 days after surgery. Stitch removal and takes only a few minutes.