Prevention and Treatment for Acne Scars

While it may sound elementary, the first place to start with acne scar treatment is prevention.
Most people cannot predict when they will have an acne outbreak or how severe that outbreak will be. If you suffer from acne outbreaks, having a good preventive treatment regiment is a proactive way to keep acne minimized, reducing the risk of scarring in the first place. It is as washing your hands to help prevent spreading germs.

Among all of the factors that can contribute to acne outbreaks, heredity is part of the mix. Additionally, heredity plays a factor in the amount of scarring you will receive from acne, or in other words, your ability to heal.

Almost all acne sufferers will develop some form of scarring, from mild to severe. The earlier in life that acne treatment is initiated, the more likely scarring will be minimized.

Acne scarring is the end result of the body's healing process. The decrease of elastic fibers in the skin combined with thickened collagen groups that grow excessively contribute to scar tissue.

There are two types of scar:
Hypertropic Scars are the thick and discolored scars that show above the normal surface of the skin.
Keloid scars are discolored scars at the skin level or below and grow outward from the initial injury similar to a stretch mark.

There are several treatment options available to help reduce or eliminate the visible signs of scarring from acne.

Topical Solutions - Several topical solutions are available. These ointments are applied to the damaged area and are designed to hydrate the skin and remove dead skin cells, which allows for skin cell rejuvenation and replenishment, reducing or eliminating the appearance of scars.

Silicone Sheets - Modern research has shown that silicone is an effective treatment in scar removal. While the science of how it works is not completely understood, several companies manufacture silicone sheets and silicone based treatments that are designed to minimize or eliminate the appearance of acne scars.

Microdermabrasion - In microdermabrasion, a dermatologist uses a hand held buffing wheel and a special abrasive cream to remove the surface layer of the skin. When the new skin grows in, it is healthier and has more elasticity than the old skin, reducing or eliminating the visible signs of scarring.

Chemical Peels - A chemical peel uses a chemical solution of Phenol, Trichloroacetic Acid, and Alphahydroxy acids to remove the outer layers of damaged skin. Similar to microdermabraision and laser resurfacing, new skin cells replace the removed damaged cells, reducing or eliminating the visible signs of scarring.

Laser Resurfacing - Performed by a qualified cosmetic surgeon, a concentrated laser beam is targeted on the treatment area. As the laser energy penetrates the skin, it vaporizes the water and the surface layer of skin, leaving the deeper layers untouched. Laser resurfacing also helps to restore the elasticity of the skin by shortening the collagen fibers that are contained in the skin layers, reducing or eliminating the visible signs of scarring.

Always be sure to consult a dermatologist before undergoing and treatment for scarring. However, all of these treatments have been proven to be effective, so once you find the right one, it is just a matter of time before the scarring is reduced or eliminated!

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Herbal Therapy for Acne Treatment

Because prevention is the best way to protect your skin from the scarring associated with severe acne, many dermatologists recommend that controlling problematic acne through diet, regular cleansing procedures, and herbal remedies, is the most effective way to combat the tendencies of skin that is prone to acne and acne-related scarring.

Treatments that accentuate the regulation of daily habits having to do with diet, physical exercise, mood control, and other activities, are known as holistic treatments. Holistic treatments often include herbal therapies.

Herbalists recommend the following herbal remedies for acne and scarring:

o Black currant seed oil taken in 500-milligram capsules three times a day for three months or until acne is diminished.
o Evening primrose oil taken in 500-milligram capsules three times a day for three months or until acne is diminished.
o Teas made from a combination of echinacea, tea tree oil, goldenseal, nettles, or calendula.
o Teas made from lavender or chamomile, to help reduce acne-causing stress.
o Chinese herbs such as cnidium seed and honeysuckle flower.
o Teas made from cumin, coriander, and fennel, steeped for 10 minutes in hot water and consumed three times a day after meals.

Some alternative medicine practitioners recommend using diet as a way to combat acne and acne-related scarring. These practitioners believe that diets high in beta-carotene help to reduce the factors that contribute to severe acne. Orange and yellow foods such as carrots, pumpkin, and cantaloupe are loaded with beta-carotene and should be a regular part of the diet of anyone suffering from acne and scarring.

Another dietary recommendation for acne-sufferers is to consume many bland foods such as oatmeal, rice, brown grains, and applesauce. These foods should be eaten instead of spicy foods and fried foods, which are believed by some practitioners to stimulate the hormones and glands that aggravate acne conditions.
A daily practice of yoga is commonly recommended as a way to increase the flow of blood to the face. This helps to flush acne-causing toxins and to provide your facial skin with natural nutrients that help to decrease the formation of acne and to heal scar tissue.

People who suffer from acne should also take care to perform some simple daily rituals that can help to reduce the occurrence of acne and scarring.

Dermatologists and alternative medicine practitioners suggest that acne-sufferers should wash the area twice daily with mild soap. Washing should be gentle. Scrubbing or grating the skin will only aggravate the condition and lead to scarring.

Hair should be washed thoroughly and regularly and should be kept away from the face and shoulders.
Acne sufferers should also avoid shaving as much as possible. When shaving, take care not to run the blade over blemishes. Always use a new blade so as not to spread infection.

Avoid wearing make-up and facial cosmetics. If you must, take care to use make-up that is hypoallergenic.
In order to prevent scarring, do not pop or squeeze pimples. Popping and squeezing pimples is tempting, but can easily cause infection and the development of unwanted scar tissue.

While many of these holistic therapies can be easily performed at home, it is a good idea to speak with your dermatologist or alternative medicine practitioner about the best holistic measures to take as a way to help with acne and acne-related scarring.

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A Simple Little Holiday Plan

The Thanksgiving leftovers have all been eaten and the gift-buying season has shifted into high gear. Remain calm and prepare yourself for the most jam-packed month in the calendar year. There are a small percentage of you who may actually have completed your to-do list long before everyone else. (If this is you, then kick back and relax.) The rest of you needn't despair! Just read on for the essential steps in holiday preparation.
The key to preparing yourself for all the craziness is a well thought out plan. Believe it or not, the simple act of putting it down on paper can give you some peace. I am not sure why seeing my obligations and tasks in black and white are more calming than letting them race through my mind, but it really works.

During December, the holiday plan that I depend on is divided into four separate sections or categories. They are:
- Cards
- Gifts
- Social/Community Obligations
- Decorating
(Keep an extra copy of your gift list in the car, because you never know where your daily travels will take you.)

Holiday Cards

This year, if you have not already, transfer all of your names and addresses from your address book to a word processing file so you can easily print labels. My recommendation is to use clear labels, because they go with any choice of envelope color. Tip: if you are mailing over-sized envelopes, go to the post office early to have a sample weighed so you can purchase the necessary postage. (Don't forget about adding those new friends and purging the ones that drive you crazy. I especially like to purge those who can only talk about themselves and their stuff, how boring!!)

Presents, presents, and more presents
Make a list of all the people that are going to be the recipients of your hard work. To minimize some effort, consider different options. If individuals are in the same household, consider a group gift. If you have children to buy for and their parents don't have any suggestions (because Tommy and Susie have every possible toy out there), offer to pay for a special activity or a couple of lessons of their choice. Last year my parents picked up riding lessons for our daughter and it was a great gift for all. Our daughter loved it, my husband did not have to open his wallet, and I did not have house more "stuff".

Social and Community Obligations
'Tis the season to be merry and party - but my suggestion is not to overdo it. Our daily routines are so overscheduled anyway that the extra commitments can make it difficult to juggle everything. Attend the parties and social gatherings that are truly important to you and politely decline the rest. (Sorry, but this does not apply to family functions!). The season is too short and busy to spend an evening watching the clock.
Community or charitable contributions are important during the holiday season. There are many people in your community that are less fortunate, so as a family or as an individual make some extra time for those in need. There are many local organizations that would be happy to guide you as to what is needed. I believe this is a wonderful opportunity for people to make a difference and experience the true holiday spirit.

Indoor/Outdoor Decorating
Last, but not least, make two separate plans for attacking decorating: one for indoors and the other for outdoors; and remember this does not need to be accomplished in one day. My husband and I allow significant downtime between the two tasks. Decorating should be a fun family event and if you get stressed out and exhausted the enjoyment will disappear.

Pick a theme for your outdoor display: all out, Clark Griswold-style or a more elegant approach, such as a simple wreath with a spotlight on your front door. Anything goes, so make it a reflection of how you and your family celebrate the holidays. Have fun with the indoor decorating and remember to take a quick inventory of what you have so there is no duplication. Light a fire and put on your favorite CD and let the decorating begin.

Good luck, relax, check those lists twice and remember what the season is really about.

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Make a Golden Christmas Tree

Several Years ago while I was shopping for Christmas I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw the holiday arrangements at the department store I was in.

I was dazzled by the sight, golden branches wrapped in twinkling white lights. The idea was so simple but yet absolutely beautiful.

Within a moment I decided I would re-create it at home. Once home, I took a walk in the woods to gather the necessary branches and the other materials were easily found at my local craft store.

I created three trees that year and placed them on my front porch; two smaller ones on the left side of the door and a larger one to the right. The effect was just what I had hoped for~ a golden glow that welcomed family and friends into my home for the holidays.

Materials Needed for One Tree:
Large tree branch that "looks" like a small tree
Gold spray paint
Gold fabric
Gold cording
Soil
String of white lights
Plastic garbage bag
1. Find a large tree branch that when held on its end, looks like a small tree.
2. Fill a garbage bag with soil, enough to support the weight of the branch when inserted. Insert the branch and pack the soil around it so it stands upright. Tie the bag securely around bottom of branch. Shape the bag of soil so it looks like the root ball when you buy a new tree from the nursery.
*Note-it will be heavy so work fairly close to where you want your final project so you don't have too far to move it.
3. Spray entire tree with gold spray paint and let it dry.
4. Wrap "root ball" in gold fabric and secure with gold cording.
5. String with white lights.
Since creating my golden Christmas trees I have seen a similar project where the tree was spray painted white and the "root ball" was covered with colorful holiday fabric. Either way, it makes a festive holiday display. Enjoy the holidays!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6214