Friday, July 13, 2007

Cystic Acne in Women: Ways to Make the Healing Process Faster

Cystic acne denies personal privacy. It's like wearing a
billboard that screams, "Yes, something is wrong with my
skin!" Acne poses multiple cosmetic and emotional problems
for women, and as researchers Christina Williams and Alison
Layton found, transforming a nodule infested face into
flawless skin takes time and a serious patient commitment.
But no one wants to, or should, have to wait indefinitely
to "look better".

To ease the burden of cystic acne, a qualitative study of
women with acne presented in Canadian Family Physician
found that many females get cosmetic relief from supportive
family members, using makeup to cover acne lesions and
trying self help methods.

When isotretinoin is not enough

Women may also soothe away acne pain using isotretinoin, a
drug released in the 1980s to treat severe acne that does
not respond to three months of moderate acne medications.
Since its arrival to pharmacies, examiners have
consistently tested the efficacy of isotretinoin.

Though isotretinoin stands as a superior acne preventing
agent, according to a recent historical review of
isotretinoin published in Dermatology, patients can
experience cystic acne relapses after a course of
treatment. For instance, if the first prescription of
isotretinoin is too low, patients may endure severe acne
again-sometimes within three months to a year after having
used isotretinoin.

Laser treatments to make the skin look better

When oral medications do not provide cosmetic improvements
fast enough, women can opt for in-office doctor treatments.
Now, lasers are replacing quick-fix acne treatments like
steroids injections that reduce the inflammation cystic
lesions can induce. And unlike temporary injections, lasers
seem to impart lasting results.

For example, in a study presented in the Journal of
Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, scientists treated women
suffering with severe acne with the LaserPeel (2940nm
ebium: YAG laser). During the investigation, patients
received three laser sessions over the course of three
months and witnessed satisfactory improvements in their
inflamed acne lesions.

Similarly, investigators using a Glass laser (1540nm
ebium:Glass laser) found that this treatment elicited an
isotretinoin-like effect on the skin- it shrank the oil
follicle size. Moreover, patients noted that the
oil-reducing effect and minimal acne incidences lasted for
at last a year after the laser treatment.

Even though laser treatments are pricey, it's hard to put a
price on dramatically improving the way you look and feel.

Sources:

Angel, Sylvie; Dominique Boineau, Serge Dahan & Serge
Mordon. Treatment of active acne with an Er:Glass (1.54 µm)
laser: A 2-year follow-up study. Journal of Cosmetic and
Laser Therapy; December 2006, vol 8, no 4 , pp 171-176.

Magin, Parker et al. Psychological sequelae of acne
vulgaris: Results of a qualitative study. Canadian Family
Physician, August 10, 2006; vol 52, no 8, p 979-986.

Zaniewski, Michelle; Sukhbir Inder & Paramjit Basra.
Erbium:YAG laser resurfacing in patients with inflamed
cystic acne. Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy,
December 2006; vol 8, no 4, pp 163-166.

Zouboulis, Christos. The truth behind this undeniable
efficacy –Recurrence rates and relapse risk factors of acne
treatment with oral isotretinoin. Dermatology, 2006; no
212, pp 99-100.


----------------------------------------------------
Naweko Nicole Dial San-Joyz pioneered the acne trigger
approach to naturally controlling moderate to cystic acne
in her internationally published book, "Acne Messages".
San-Joyz continues to serve the acne community by
developing customized acne scar dermabrasion treatments for
the face and body. If you want free tips for removing acne
scarring, visit http://www.Noixia.com .

10 Safe-Sun-Tips

If you are looking to find skin cancer screening in your
area, you can log onto www.aad.org where you can type in
your city and state to see if there is a free cancer
screening in the area where you reside. This organization
also states on their site that they update their listings
weekly.

Here are Safe Sun Tips that the American Academy Of
Dermatology has put out to help keep you and your family
safe in the Arizona sun.

1. Use sunscreen to all exposed skin using a Sun Protection
Factor (SPF) no less than 15. The higher the number, the
better. This will provide a broad spectrum protection from
both ultraviolet A (UVA) as well as ultraviolet B (UVB)
rays. Reapply the sun protectant lotion at least every two
hours. You should also use sunscreen after swimming or
sweating.

2. Wear protective clothing and don't be afraid to wear
long-sleeved shirts and pants. In areas where the sun is
consistently a daily issue such as Arizona, many people
wear long-sleeved shirts and pants whose profession
requires them to work in the sun, along with a wide brimmed
hat and sunglasses. This is extremely important especially
between the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM, when the sun's rays
are the strongest.

3. Safe Sun Tips include taking breaks from the immediate
sun and seeking shade when possible. Remember that the
sun's rays are strongest between 10 AM and 4 PM. If you
are near the sun, water or sand, this will greatly increase
your chances of getting sunburned.

4. Don't forget the kids when thinking about Safe Sun Tips.
Set a good example of Safe Sun Tips. If you have kids,
remember to protect them from sunburn, too. Apply
sunscreen lotion to them frequently.

5. Don't seek the sun for your vitamin D source. You can
easily get vitamin D through a diet rich in vitamins.
Vitamin D source examples include: mushrooms, brewer's
yeast, eggs,fish, fish oil and wheat bran. A good high
quality vitamin will also supply adequate vitamin D, too.

6. Avoid tanning beds! Tanning beds have Ultraviolet light
that can cause skin cancer and wrinkling. There are
alternative lotions that you can buy, some better than
others, that can be applied to give you the appearance of a
tan, if so desired.

7. Pay attention to your skin. If you see any changes, such
as a growth that was not previously there, or if you see
something on your skin that is bleeding, see a
dermatologist sooner than later.

8. Remember that skin cancer is very treatable when caught
early so seek a doctor if you question anything that looks
unfamiliar to you. It is better to be safe than sorry.

9. Remember that anyone can get sunburned. While Caucasians
are at a greater risk for skin cancer, no matter how
naturally dark your skin may be, you can still cause damage
to your skin caused by too much sun. Just a few serious
sunburns can greatly increase your chances of getting skin
cancer later. Take care when in the sun and use your
Safe-Sun-Tips.

10. Make sure that you apply sunscreen on cloudy days, as
you can still get sunburned on cloudy days and keep your
Safe Sun Tips fresh in your mind at all times when in the
sun.

Here is one final note. Don't forget the most forgotten
areas such as your arms and the legs. People usually
remember to protect their face, but many people forget to
apply sunscreen to areas such as their ears and behind
their knees and the tops of the feet.

Remember that skin cancer is not immune to certain areas on
your body. It has been known to be found on areas that you
might think would never show up, such as the scalp or
hairline. Make sure that you massage sunscreen deep into
your roots. Always make sure that you remember to apply
sunscreen onto these areas as well as your lips. You
should apply at least a SPF of 15, preferably a stronger
SPF, if possible.

It is also advised to use a color gloss rather than a clear
lip protectant because the color gloss will actually
protect your lips even more. And, since everyone looks
stylish in sunglasses, pick out a pair that blocks all UVA
and UVB rays. Also be advised that exposing your eyes to
the sun may result in eye damage such as vision loss.


----------------------------------------------------
Cecilia Valenzuela is a full time entrepreneur and advocate
for Arizona business owners. Cecilia Valenzuela works
with other entrepreneurs wishing to become successful with
their own business. Cecilia Valenzuela is a successful
online business entrepreneur who encourages others to
follow their own online business dreams. Find out more
about staying safe in the sun along with Arizona
attractions at:
http://www.My-Arizona-Desert-Living.com

Cheap Plastic Surgery: 5 Ways to Save A Fortune on Face Lifts, Nose Jobs, & Liposuction

Needing a career change, divorcing a spouse, looking older
than you feel: These are just a few of the primary reasons
men and women opt for plastic surgery. Yet sometimes, the
old bank account is not luxurious enough to cover the cost
of getting a new look. No worries though. We live in an
expanding and creative world that allows almost anyone with
an imagination and desperate drive access to cosmetic
enhancements once only reserved for the McMansion buyers.

1. Be a guinea pig:

Plastic surgeons have to test their skills on someone, why
not let that person be you. Medical schools often offer
substantially reduced prices for otherwise costly medical
treatments varying from dental implants to nose
realignments. While working with an inexperienced surgeon
may scare you, fear not because medical school operations
are typically monitored by physicians with world-class
experience and may even coach your practicing doctor to
give you a face lift any Hollywood socialite would envy.

You can find local medical schools offering plastic surgery
by looking at the web-pages of nearby universities.

2. Get friendly with the newly arrived doctors

When a doctor sets up a new practice, unless she's buying
clients from a retiring physician, she needs to go out and
round up some paying customers. To get these new clients,
doctors may be willing to give you a discount. You can find
incoming physicians by checking out your local news reader
or Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, you can offer to let
your doctor use your before and after surgery photos in
exchange for a price cut.

3. Get surgery done in groups

What does a plastic surgeon like more than one paying
client- three paying clients. With that, do you have a
friend, relative or co-worker that might desire a little
plastic surgery? Perhaps you can arrange to have your
surgeries done on the same day. You may be able to share
the hospital room and recovery suite.

Although, this arrangement may not work for more
complicated surgeries, coordinating multiple surgeries will
save your physician time and money and he should be willing
to pass a bit of the savings along to you. Anyway,
negotiating a price for plastic surgery for three or more
people as opposed to just one, should give you
price-reducing leverage.

If your surgeon dismisses the operating room orgy, shoot
for a discount on routine aesthetic treatments like laser
resurfacing, dermal fillers or Botox injections. Whatever
the cosmetic prick you and your comrades seek, always ask
for a group discount.

4. Use cash

Who doesn't love green. While we live in a world of buy
today pay tomorrow, cash still has its
advantages-especially in doctors' offices. To avoid extra
paperwork and prickly fees that snort up profits, more
physicians offer cash payment discounts. Ask your plastic
surgeon if a cash payment will slash some fat off your
medical bill.

5. Leave the country

If the doctor's office down the street is too high, go to
the office across the ocean. Brazil, India, Mexico, the
Philippines and several other countries provide excellent
medical services that don't leave the patient bankrupt. If
you have foreign consulate offices in your town, call an
office or arrange for a meeting with a representative and
discuss your desire to have plastic surgery abroad. The
consulate representative should be able to inform you about
the medical standards, pricing, licensing requirements and
governing boards for physicians in the foreign nation.

Alternately, you can contact the national tourism office of
the country where your are considering traveling to for
surgery. This office should provide you with details about
visa requirements and information about the medical
structure of the country you plan to visit.

In short, before you let anyone get fancy with a knife
using your body as a cutting board, do your research and
verify everything you are told with a second source. This
way, you can save money and save yourself from
conspicuously sloppy plastic surgery.


----------------------------------------------------
Naweko Nicole Dial San-Joyz pioneered the acne trigger
approach to naturally controlling acne in her
internationally published book, "Acne Messages". San-Joyz
continues to serve the acne community by developing
customized acne scar removal treatments for the face and
body. If you want free tips for naturally removing acne
scarring, visit http://www.Noixia.com .