Acne Cures, Causes and Myths
Microdermabrasion
Eye Treatments
Adult Acne — You are Not Alone
Selina's Weekly Beauty Tips
Iced Water
By drinking ice cold water you use up more calories to drink it than it actually contains. The body uses over 100 calories just to warm itself up to room temperature to absorb the water.Over 50% of adult women now suffer from acne, and over 25% of all adult men. These figures are rising. But why?
What was once a common teenage complaint is now affecting adults in their late 20s, 30s and even 40s. It doesn't matter how old you are, acne will still affect you in the same way, often triggering a feeling of self consciousness, low self esteem, social anxiety and even depression. Acne is not so simply about how it makes you look, but also about how it makes you feel. It's not about over sensitivity or even vanity; acne can make you feel dirty, ugly and depressed and although millions of people suffer from acne all over the world spanning all ages and gender, it still doesn't receive the attention it deserves. There is no cure, but acne is treatable.
What Causes Acne?
Healthy Skin Follicle
The pores in your skin create sebum (the oil to keep your skin smooth). As your skin renews itself, it sheds old cells to make way for fresh new skin. This is a normal process but sometimes the old cells become sticky and cause a plug or comedo in your pores that trap dirt, oil and bacteria.
Puberty and Hormones
Puberty, the menstrual cycle and sometimes pregnancy cause the body to produce hormones called androgens.
Blocked Skin Follicle
These hormones can over stimulate the glands that produce sebum and while sebum travels to the skin's surface carrying with it dead cells and bacteria, too much sebum can cause blockages. So your pores are blocked but continue to produce sebum.
Blocked Pores
Everything mixes together (sebum, dead cells and bacteria) and then your pores begin to swell. The dead cells then create the plug which causes trapped bacteria to multiply, subsequently resulting in inflammation of the skin.
An Inflamed Spot - Acne
The body then produces extra white blood cells to fight these bacteria and this causes the pimple. This whole process takes about 2-3 weeks even before the pimple has actually appeared.
Acne Myths
Acne is caused by trapped dirt: False
It doesn't matter how many times you wash your face, it will make no difference on the extent of your acne. In fact, by washing too much or by using harsh cleansers, your face will become dry and subsequently produce more oil to compensate. This simply aggravates acne and can make it worse.
Spot treatments work: False
The spot is the last part of the acne cycle. We have already seen that it takes two to three weeks for a blemish to appear. What needs to be treated is the cause and to stop acne occurring in the first place.
Plate of Burger and Chips
Chocolate causes spots: False
Chocolate does not cause acne — neither does chips, cake, other fried foods and any other fatty foods that you can think of. There has been no proof that there is a connection between diet and acne however, a healthy diet will ensure a healthy body. A healthy body is more equipped to fight infection and bacteria so a person who eats a balanced diet will be better off. Just don't feel guilty indulging every now and then!
Makeup causes acne: False
Most make up on sale today are non-comedogenic, which means they don't clog your pores. However, vigorous exercise can make you sweat and this will mix with your make up and clog your pores anyway, so just be careful. Acne causes low self esteem; make will help to disguise acne so you can feel better about yourself. There is no harm in that.
Take it Easy in the Sun
Sun exposure helps acne: False
Although a sun tan helps disguise the appearance of acne, it doesn't help clear it up. In fact, as you tan, your skin cells shed more rapidly so they are more likely to clog your pores. Then of course you have the risk of cancer, so just be sensible and take it easy in the sun.
Stress causes acne: False
Although stress does not cause acne, it can trigger flare ups. When you suffer from stress, your body produces cortisol which stimulates extra sebum production. Even good stress can do this - a big night out usually does it for me!
So now we know what causes acne What can we do about it?
I was blessed with clear skin during my teenage years but at 26 years old I began suffering from adult acne. My doctor wasn't too much help but he put me on a course of antibiotics. I became so desperate to regain my clear complexion I tried every skincare range on the market to no avail. They made all the promises and I believed all the hype but the promises didn't deliver. I tried the expensive stuff - one time spending over £80 on cleansers, toners and moisturiser - I didn't care, I just wanted it to work! It didn't.
Then I discovered Karin Herzog. And it changed my life.
Karin Herzog and Acne
Oxygen creams in the Karin Herzog range are vital in the treatment of acne and they really do work. Oxygen normalises the secretion of sebum and kills bacteria. The creams do not leave behind an oily residue like some and leave your skin clean, refreshed and more radiant. I began using Karin Herzog and saw results within weeks!
At Beauty of Bedford we have devised an Acne Treatment Programme. A teenage acne programme will follow shortly aimed at 13- to 16-year olds.
Acne Treatment Programme
The Bodicial concentrates on lymph drainage to flush out all those toxins from your body. It is combined with the Pore Draw facial that helps to eliminate bacteria by flushing it out internally so you don't get a fresh breakout after your treatment.
The Acne Treatment Programme includes one Bodicial per week for four weeks, then alternates between a monthly Bodicial and a Pore Draw for maintenance.
The Acne Treatment Programme is complemented and enhanced by the Acne Homecare. Call in to Beauty of Bedford for a consultation and more details.
Why not take up the Acne Treatment Programme. Prices are as follows:
Four Bodicials at £60 = £240 but now available at a special price of £200.
All subsequent treatments booked individually and paid for in the normal way.
— Maria
Selina's Weekly Beauty Tips
Repair Damaged Hair
Mash a ripe banana and mix with a few drops of almond oil. Massage into your hair and scalp, leave on for 15 minutes then rinse thoroughly. Perfect damaged hair repair!I am living proof of the results that can be achieved using Karin Herzog products. This was also one of the main reasons we decided to use this range of skincare in our salon (the other reason was the fact that we can now have gorgeous chocolate facials!).
You will not be disappointed by the results.