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Monday, April 21, 2008

How To Treat And Prevent Acne Without Spending Money

I honestly think treating acne naturally is very underrated.Most people prefer to some much of their hard earned money on different antibotics and pills which cause side effects or at worst not cure the acne at the end of the day.Treating acne could be very expensive but this article will give you the 4 best , tried and trustable way to treat that acne naturally without spending much money.


1. Watching Your Diet

It is not doubt that we are all what we eat.To get rid of acne you must eat healthily. Eating lots of fruits and Vegetables will help provided the needed vitamins,Minerals and fibers to your system.This method will help you prevent acne and also help in you fight against acne

2. Hygiene

A healthy skin regimen should include no harsh scrubbing or over-washing, because this can cause possible skin irritation or possible over production of oil to replace what has washed off, clogging pores in the process. Products with gentle exfoliation ingredients are OK to use; i.e. not scratchy nut or fruit shell pieces that can tear skin. And skip alcohol products when possible; these can take off the top layer of your skin and cause your glands to product more oil, clogging pores in the process.

3. Tea Tree Oil

In my experience many acne sufferer's skin is very sensitive to tea tree oil. So you need to start out with a very mild dose and experiment with just a small part of your skin.If your skin is aggravated by it then either opt for a lower dose or opt of another acne treatment all together.Here is how I recommend you use it...Get straight tea tree oil and dilute it in pure aloe vera gel. Add only a drop or two to start with per ounce of aloe.



4. Detoxification

Detoxification is one of the best ways to treat acne naturally. By regularly detoxifying your body, your face will be acne free in weeks . This is a proven matter. A lot of people have achieved successes by performing detoxification to treat acne. Fasting is one of the best ways to detoxify yourself. By following a strict and healthy diet that consists of a lot of vegetables and fruits can bring you similar benefits too.


5. Don't play with your spots!

If you pop, pick, scratch or squeeze them, you can cause infection, and even worse, scaring! You definitely don't want that. Instead use a product that contains benzoyl peroxide. Start with a low strength, once a day, and work your way up. And be sure to consult a physician before using a product over 5% strength.

6. Aloe Vera

When those zits are gone, they leave acne marks and scars on your face. To deal with this, simply use aloe vera on your skin. Aloe vera has the ability to accelerate the healing process of the skin. Aloe vera can also be used to treat acne. Although not as effective, aloe vera is very good at making the acne to look a lot better by removing or lightening the redness and marks caused by acne.Getting rid of acne is easy if you just know what works and what works not. If I tell you that it is possible to cure your acne in just two months, without spending any money on medical treatment and products, would you believe me? Well you better do.

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Simple Tips That Will Help You Get Rid Of Acne

many acne treatments out there. Problem is - hardly any of them work! Is there a way to choose an effective treatment that will actually clear your skin? Absolutely - and today we're going to show you exactly what to look for.

The truth is that many people have successfully cleared their skin simply by following one golden rule - they made sure to treat all of the things that actually cause acne.

There's a simple reason that most acne products don't actually work. The creams, lotions and other products you find in the stores typically only try to target zits that have already appeared on your skin instead of actually working to prevent new pimples from forming. There's not much point in "zapping" one zit when another one is just around the corner!

To get rid of acne and be able to get the clear skin we all want, you need to make sure that you use a treatment that attacks all of the things that cause acne. With this in mind, let's look at what the main causes of pimples are:

1) Excess Oil on the Skin

2) Clogged Pores

3) Inflammation of the Skin

4) Acne-Causing Bacteria

Each of the above causes play a factor in your acne. If you don't target all of them, you won't be able to fix the problem. What you need is a treatment that works as a system to make sure that each of these causes is taken care of.

Although most of the treatments out there only touch on partially treating what causes acne, there are treatments that are specifically designed to target all of the causes so that your skin can fully get rid of acne. These treatments don't involve any prescription and usually will have a couple of steps to them.

It's important to understand that you can clear acne even if you have tried products in the past that didn't work. The key is to make sure that the treatment you use attacks acne from all angles and at the root of the problem. You can see extremely fast results once you do - it's a great feeling seeing clear skin when you look in the mirror!

source : http://EzinesArticle.com/?expert=Tom_Mulligan

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Diabetes - Causes and Prevention

Diabetes mellitus (sometimes called "sugar diabetes") is a condition that occurs when the body can't use glucose (a type of sugar) normally. Glucose is the main source of energy for the body's cells. The levels of glucose in the blood are controlled by a hormone called insulin, which is made by the pancreas. Insulin helps glucose enter the cells.

In diabetes, the pancreas does not make enough insulin (type 1 diabetes) or the body can't respond normally to the insulin that is made (type 2 diabetes). This causes glucose levels in the blood to rise, leading to symptoms such as increased urination, extreme thirst, and unexplained weight loss.

Types of Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes (previously known as insulin-dependent diabetes)

Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease where the body's immune system destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. This type of diabetes, also known as juvenile-onset diabetes, accounts for 10-15% of all people with the disease. It can appear at any age, although commonly under 40, and is triggered by environmental factors such as viruses, diet or chemicals in people genetically predisposed. People with type 1 diabetes must inject themselves with insulin several times a day and follow a careful diet and exercise plan.

Type 2 diabetes (previously known as non-insulin dependent diabetes)

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, affecting 85-90% of all people with the disease. This type of diabetes, also known as late-onset diabetes, is characterised by insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency. The disease is strongly genetic in origin but lifestyle factors such as excess weight, inactivity, high blood pressure and poor diet are major risk factors for its development. Symptoms may not show for many years and, by the time they appear, significant problems may have developed. People with type 2 diabetes are twice as likely to suffer cardiovascular disease. Type 2 diabetes may be treated by dietary changes, exercise and/or tablets. Insulin injections may later be required.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)

GDM, or carbohydrate intolerance, is first diagnosed during pregnancy through an oral glucose tolerance test. Between 5.5 and 8.8% of pregnant women develop GDM in Australia. Risk factors for GDM include a family history of diabetes, increasing maternal age, obesity and being a member of a community or ethnic group with a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. While the carbohydrate intolerance usually returns to normal after the birth, the mother has a significant risk of developing permanent diabetes while the baby is more likely to develop obesity and impaired glucose tolerance and/or diabetes later in life. Self-care and dietary changes are essential in treatment.

Causes Of Diabetes

Diabetes can be caused by too little insulin (a hormone produced by the pancreas to control blood sugar), resistance to insulin, or both.

To understand diabetes, it is important to first understand the normal process of food metabolism. Several things happen when food is digested: A sugar called glucose enters the bloodstream. Glucose is a source of fuel for the body. An organ called the pancreas makes insulin. The role of insulin is to move glucose from the bloodstream into muscle, fat, and liver cells, where it can be used as fuel.

People with diabetes have high blood sugar. This is because their pancreas does not make enough insulin or their muscle, fat, and liver cells do not respond to insulin normally, or both.

There are three major types of diabetes:

Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in childhood. The body makes little or no insulin, and daily injections of insulin are needed to sustain life.

Type 2 diabetes is far more common than type 1 and makes up most of all cases of diabetes. It usually occurs in adulthood. The pancreas does not make enough insulin to keep blood glucose levels normal, often because the body does not respond well to the insulin. Many people with type 2 diabetes do not know they have it, although it is a serious condition. Type 2 diabetes is becoming more common due to the growing number of older Americans, increasing obesity, and failure to exercise.

Gestational diabetes is high blood glucose that develops at any time during pregnancy in a woman who does not have diabetes.

Diabetes affects more than 20 million Americans. About 54 million Americans have prediabetes. There are many risk factors for diabetes, including:

1. A parent, brother, or sister with diabetes
2. Obesity
3. Age greater than 45 years
3. Some ethnic groups (particularly African Americans, Native Americans, Asians, Pacific Islanders, and Hispanic Americans)
4. Gestational diabetes or delivering a baby weighing more than 9 pounds
5. High blood pressure
6. High blood levels of triglycerides (a type of fat molecule)
7. High blood cholesterol level
8. Not getting enough exercise

The American Diabetes Association recommends that all adults over age 45 be screened for diabetes at least every 3 years. A person at high risk should be screened more often.

How To Prevent Or Control Diabetes

Diabetes prevention is proven, possible, and powerful. Studies show that people at high risk for type 2 diabetes can prevent or delay the onset of the disease by losing 5 to 7 percent of their body weight. You can do it by eating healthier and getting 30 minutes of physical activity 5 days a week. In other words: you don't have to knock yourself out to prevent diabetes. The key is: small steps that lead to big rewards. Learn more about your risk for developing type 2 diabetes and the small steps you can take to delay or prevent the disease and live a long, healthy life.

Small Steps. Big Rewards. Your GAME PLAN to Prevent

Watch Your Diet

There is no one magic diet that works for everyone. Nor is there a single diet that works best for one individual over a long time. Pay attention to your genetics, and to your ethnic group's traditional foods. If you are African American, that does not mean overcooked vegetables or pork rinds. Such garbage came on the nutritional scene only recently, and is not a true ethnic food. The same is true for Italians who overdose on pepperoni pizza. Being Italian myself as, well as having enjoyed fantastic African cuisine, I can tell you there is a lot more to these diets than the recent introductions often associated with these cultural groups.

Except for Eskimos and a few other highly specialized ethnic groups, all diets must adhere to the same few macronutrient rules. For example:

Eliminate as many processed carbohydrates as possible.
Don't eat carbohydrates 2 hours before bedtime.
Balance your fat/carbos/protein in a roughly 30-40-30 ratio (this is a guideline, not a hard and fast rule--it doesn't work for everyone).
Eat at least 5 or 6 small meals a day.
Always eat a high-protein breakfast.
Did you know that the peanuts offered on airlines are LESS fattening than the fat-free pretzels?
It's true. Stay away from fat-free foods--they make your insulin levels do a yo-yo, and that makes you put on fat. Yuck. Worse, it sets the stage for adult-onset diabetes.

Do NOT eat white flour, bleached flour, enriched flour, or any other kind of wheat flour that is not whole wheat. The glycemic effects of such flours will work against you. Eat whole grain flours, and try to get a variety. Amaranth and soy are two good flours. Eat oat groats instead of oatmeal. In short, get your grains in the least-processed form you can. This holds true for everyone, regardless of genetics (unless you have a malabsorption problem). This one "trick" will help you keep your insulin level on an even keel, and that is paramount to diabetes prevention and management.

What also holds true for everyone is: drink lots of water! Fill a gallon jug twice a day, and make sure you drink all of it. Once you get as lean as you want to be, cut back to a single gallon if you want to. For added fat loss, drink chilled (but not super cold) water. Sodas do not count. Such beverages are extremely unhealthy, for reasons I won't cover here. However, I will say that if you want to get osteoporosis, soft drinks are for you. Soft drinks make for soft bones.

Make sure to eat at least 5 or 6 small meals a day, rather than one big one. Doing so levels out your insulin and your blood sugar. Forget about that full feeling. If you find yourself overeating out of anxiety or boredom, fix the underlying problem -- don't add to it by poor eating!

Stay Healthy.

Monday, April 14, 2008

Dealing With Obesity

Obesity has in the recent year prove to be very serious epidemic and major cause of heart disease ,Cancer , stroke, diabetes and a shortened life expectancy.

Obesity is an abnormally high proportion of body fat.

Major Causes

A person becomes obese when calorie intake is consistently greater than the number of calories burned through activity and basic metabolic processes.

Several factors can influence obesity, including:

though there are so many factors that leads to one being obese but I will only discuss 3 read on :


Overconsumption - A Possible Root Cause

Eating too many calories for our enery needs must be a major candidate for the main cause of the modern obesity epidemic. According to Dr. Marion Nestle, Professor and Chair of the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies at New York University, US agribusiness now produces 3,800 calories of food a day for every American, 500 calories more than 30 years ago — but at much lower per-calorie costs. Increases in consumption of calorie-dense foods, as evidenced by the growth of fast-food chains and higher soft drink consumption, also point to a higher energy-intake.


Genetic Factors

Genes play a great part in how our bodies balances calories and energy. study shows that who have obese parents aslo have a great chance of being overweight. Heredity does not put you at a risk of being overweight but it influences the amount of body fat and body fat distribution which means your genes can make you more susceptible to gaining weight.You cannot change your genetic makeup by willpower any more than you can make yourself taller or shorter by wishing. But you can still achieve your weight loss goals even with a family history of obesity.

Lifestyle

If you spend most of your time at a desk or on a sofa, your risk for obesity is higher. Likewise, the risk is higher for people whose fat intake makes up more than 30 percent of their daily calories. Studies show people who get 20 to 30 minutes of exercise most days are less likely to be obese. Your obesity risk is even lower if you combine an active lifestyle with a low-calorie diet.



Preventing Obesity

1. Good Quality Excerise

Staying active is very important as we age. Walking, swimming and other low impact activities can help keep weight down. Weight training helps keep muscle mass at healthy levels. Seniors with limited mobility may find water workouts/exercise helpful, and exercise programs that can be performed while seated in a chair are also available. Personal health issues and needs determine what form the exercise should take, and all exercise programs should be discussed with a health professional.

2. Only eat when you are hungry. Studies have shown that those who are naturally thin only eat when they are hungry. Only eating when your body signals you to eat can be a great way to prevent obesity.

3. Watch your weight. You should weigh yourself once a week to monitor your health. If you notice that you are starting to gain some weight, you should take appropriate measures to lose that weight. Investing in a scale for the home is recommended.

Friday, April 11, 2008

Weight Loss Tips For Lazy People

Most people who are overweight blame their job for their inability to eat right and get enough exercise. Too much work, too tired after work, too much travel. The list is endless. But losing weight is so important for you career that you should go so far as to cut back on your work-officially or furtively - in order to lose the weight.We've all got a weakness for something brimming with calories. Knowing how to cope with cravings and resist bad menu choices in restaurants can make or break your weight-loss plan. Here's how our successful losers did it:

1) First before the start - make sure you are ready for this

Ask yourself the following questions:

1) Is weight loss your top priority? 2) Is dieting right for you? 3) Do you have the right motivation? 4) Are you able to devote 20-30% of your time to your body? 5) Would you accept the things you can not change? 6) Do your family and friends support you?

If your answer is YES to all the above questions then you are ready.

2. There Is No Miracle Pill

For any one to Loss weight he or she must realise that there is NO miracle pill

3. Workout smartly

Did you know you can actually lose more weight & keep your metabolism fired up longer by doing 3-to-4 shorter 10-minute workouts instead of 1 big 30-to-40-minute cardio workout?

A research study at the university of Pittsburgh found that women who split up their 40 minute cardio workouts into 4 separate 10 minute cardio workout sessions during the day LOST 20 pounds while... the group of women who did one big 40 minute cardio workout only lost 14 pounds and...

The reason why more shorter workouts are better is because you never give your fat burning metabolism a chance to slow down.

4. Push in two fruits or vegetables with every meal you eat. This will fill your stomach and help you cut down on the calories you would take in from the other foods.

5. Reduce carbs. We have found that it's almost impossible to lose weight and keep it off without eating substantially fewer carbohydrates, particularly those with a high glycemic load (GL). As we discussed in "Carbohydrates and the Glycemic Load," consumption of high-GL carbohydrates leads to a desire for more carbohydrates.

6. Eat Breakfast Skipping meals would only pave the way for over-eating.

7. Vitamins are good for you. If you're going to take any pills, let them be natural supplements (like Essential Fatty Acids or multivitamins). Be careful about overdoing it, though - especially with herbal remedies. Too much of anything is a bad thing. You can consult a nutritionist, but always buy on your own - and keep these supplements to a minimum. Remember, too, that specific vitamins are no good without specific minerals.

8. Ignore Ronald McDonald. You don't have to eliminate fast food completely, but you should avoid it at all costs. Most of it is nasty, bad stuff anyway - if you'd even go as far as to call it food. If you're looking for convenience, find a more convenient meal source. Besides, most of what they serve would be considered "food product," not food. There's a gigantic difference as far as your body is concerned. Your bloodstream does not have taste buds, need I remind you?

9. Make chocolates a luxury item! It's important that you keep chocolate only as a luxury item, and don't eat them solely on routine. Chocolate is not very healthy, because of all the sugar and fat they contain, so don't over indulge in them.

10. Track Your Weight Loss Progress

Reward yourself regularly, (don't use food as a reward) buy a new outfit, get a new hair style, even if it's just a grin of approval in the mirror.Don't weigh yourself every day. Instead, get on the weight scales once a week to avoid discouragement. Instead of obsessing over your weight, keep track of your waist measurement, body fat percentage or clothing size. Have 2 pieces of clothing to help you track your progress. ! that's way too tight and one that fits perfectly at the start of your diet. Try them on every 4 weeks.Create a small graph like the one below with one line that shows your weekly target progress and the other that shows your actual progress. Make your target progress very realistic, say 1lb a week so that you can easily exceed it and keep highly motivated.

11. Read

Don't be tired of reading ,the best bet is reading articles online since they are free.Articles on my blog are one of such free Articles you can read.

Loss those weight that are bothering you and stay healthy

Sunday, April 6, 2008

What You Need To Know About Cancer

Cancer is An abnormal growth of cells which tend to proliferate in an uncontrolled way and, in some cases, to metastasize (spread).

Cancer is not one disease. It is a group of more than 100 different and distinctive diseases.

Cancer can involve any tissue of the body and have many different forms in each body area. Most cancers are named for the type of cell or organ in which they start. If a cancer spreads (metastasizes), the new tumor bears the same name as the original (primary) tumor.

The frequency of a particular cancer may depend on gender. While skin cancer is the most common type of malignancy for both men and women, the second most common type in men is prostate cancer and in women, breast cancer.

Cancer frequency does not equate to cancer mortality. Skin cancers are often curable. Lung cancer is the leading cause of death from cancer for both men and women in the world today.

Benign tumors are NOT cancer; malignant tumors are cancer. Cancer is NOT contagious.

Cancer is the Latin word for crab. The ancients used the word to mean a malignancy, doubtless because of the crab-like tenacity a malignant tumor sometimes seems to show in grasping the tissues it invades. Cancer may also be called malignancy, a malignant tumor, or a neoplasm (literally, a new growth).

ORIGIN OF CANCER

All cancers begin in cells, the body's basic unit of life. To understand cancer, it's helpful to know what happens when normal cells become cancer cells.

The body is made up of many types of cells. These cells grow and divide in a controlled way to produce more cells as they are needed to keep the body healthy. When cells become old or damaged, they die and are replaced with new cells.

But sometimes this orderly process goes wrong. The genetic material (DNA) of a cell can become damaged or changed, producing mutations that affect normal cell growth and division. When this happens, cells do not die when they should and new cells form when the body does not need them. The extra cells may form a mass of tissue called a tumor.

COMMON TYPES OF CANCER

A. Bone Cancer

B. Brain Cancer

C. Breast Cancer

D. Endocrine Cancer

E. Gastrointestinal Cancer

F. Gynecologic Cancer

G. Head & Neck Cancer

H. Leukemia

I. Lung Cancer

J. Lymphoma

K. Multiple Myeloma

L. Prostate Cancer

M. Skin Cancer

N. Soft Tissue Sarcoma

CAUSES OF CANCER

some causes of cancer, such as smoking, can be controlled. Others, like a person's age or family history, can't be changed.

Causes

Scientists have found many factors that make a person more likely to get hepatocellular liver cancer.

1.Gender

Men are more likely to get liver cancer than are women. This could be because of the behaviors listed below, such as smoking and alcohol abuse.

There are also some inherited liver diseases that increase the risk of liver cancer.

2. Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis (suh-row-sis) is a disease in which liver cells are damaged and replaced with scar tissue. This can often lead to cancer. In this country, the major causes of liver cirrhosis are alcohol abuse and hepatitis B and C. Another cause is a disease that results in too much iron in the liver.

3. Diabetes

Diabetes can increase the risk of liver cancer. This is more common in diabetics who have other risk factors such as heavy drinking or viral hepatitis.

4. Obesity

Obesity might increase the risk of getting liver cancer.

5. Aflatoxins

These cancer-causing substances are made by a fungus that can contaminate peanuts, wheat, soybeans, groundnuts, corn, and rice. Long-term exposure to aflatoxins can increase the risk of liver cancer. In the United States and Europe, these foods are tested for aflatoxins.

6. Vinyl Chloride and Thorium Dioxide (Thorotrast)

These chemicals are risk factors for several types of liver cancer. They have become much less important since Thorotrast is no longer used and exposure to vinyl chloride is strictly controlled.

7. Anabolic Steroids

These male hormones are used by some athletes to increase their strength. Long-term use of these can slightly increase the risk of liver cancer.

8. Arsenic

In some parts of the world, drinking water contaminated with arsenic increases the risk of liver cancer. This is a concern in some areas of the United States.

Less Certain Risk Factors for Liver Cancer

Birth Control Pills

Birth control pills may slightly increase the risk of liver cancer. Most of the studies linking birth control pills and cancer involve types of pills that are no longer used. Birth control pills are now made in a different way, and it is not known if they increase liver cancer risk. Tobacco

Some studies have found a link between smoking and liver cancer, but the extent of this is not known.

CANCER SYSTOMS TO NOTE

Local Symptoms

Unusual Lumps

Swelling

Hemorrhage/Bleeding

Pain

Ulcers

Jaundice

Systemic Systoms

Weight Loss

Poor Appetite

Fatigue

Cachexia (Loss of weight, muscle atrophy, fatigue, weakness, and significant loss of appetite)

Excessive Sweating

Night Sweats

Anemia

Thrombosis

Hormonal Changes

HOW TO PREVENT CANCER

Food: Eat organic produce, especially fruits whose peels are eaten, and avoid red meat. Eat low on the food chain, choosing more fresh produce and grains and less meat.

Cleaning products: Look under the kitchen sink, and avoid using anything that carries a skull and crossbones. Buy baking soda and vinegar instead - they're just as good.

Cellphones: Limit your calls as much as possible, to lower direct microwave penetration to your brain.

Non-stick cookware and stain repellents: Throw out any old, cracked non-stick pans, since the chemical, PFOA, used to make the non-stick coating has been linked to cancer. It is also presernt in stain-resistant clothing, and waterproof fabrics. Rain-proof gear is OK,, but not next to the skin.

Personal care items: Avoid anything that contains parabens - butylparaben, methylparaben - which in some studies have shown estrogenic activity, and which have also been found in human breast tumours. "We have to create political change so young mothers and fathers don't need to be chemists to decide on a shampoo for their baby." - Devra Davis.

Prevention is the best single opportunity we have to stop the cancer epidemic in The world.I invite you to join Me now!

Friday, April 4, 2008

Lose Weight Now! 7 Everyday Tips

A lot of us are trying to lose weight, and we want to do it fast! However, a lot of us do not have the time to go to the gym or walk for an hour every day. Here are a few tips that will help you lose weight:

1. Count your calories! Make sure you always count how many calories you eat. It's a good idea to have knowledge on how many calories different food items contain. Make sure you read the label on the product you are about to eat.

2. Burn those extra calories at the end of the week! If by the end of the week you realize that you have eaten more calories than you should have, then take the time to burn those calories.

3. Stay away from fried foods! Fried foods are about the worst thing you can eat if you are trying to lose weight. Fried food contains a lot of fat, so stay away from it, it will only add weight.

4. Don't ever skip a meal! When you're trying to lose weight, the worst thing you can do is skip a meal! You should be eating six times a day, that way, you will increase your metabolism, thus, lose weight.

5. Eat fresh vegetables! Fresh vegetables contain a lot more nutrients and vitamins than boiled vegetables. Always try to eat your vegetables fresh, because when you cook them, you take away nearly half of all the vitamins and nutrients. Canned vegetables are also processed, thus, they contain less vitamins and nutrients. When you buy your fresh vegetables, always make sure they are pesticide free.

6. Make chocolates a luxury item! It's important that you keep chocolate only as a luxury item, and don't eat them solely on routine. Chocolate is not very healthy, because of all the sugar and fat they contain, so don't over indulge in them.

7. Say no to alcohol! If you can stay away from alcohol, do it! As we all know beer will give you that special "beer belly", and I don't think you want that. Also, when you get drunk it's much harder to control what you eat.

Make sure you live by these tips, that way, you will stay healthier and lose weight, without making it a long process, that takes up most of your day.

Good luck!

How To Remove Acne Blackheads Fast!

Remove blackheads now!

The blackheads you see on your face will soon turn into painful and ugly acne spots. Over 80% of young adults are affected by this chronic condition. If you want to have clear, radiant & beautiful skin, you must do everything to prevent blackheads from forming in the first place.

What is blackheads?

Blackheads develops when excess oil is clogging the pores that are close to surface of the skin. If the pore is open and the oil is exposed to air and reacts with Oxygen, what you get is a dark colored blackhead. This clog occurs because the excess oil is unable to flow to the skin's surface due to blockage by dead skin cells.

What causes blackheads?

The following conditions usually lead to blackheads:


Excess of oil on the pores - Hormones are the leading cause of increased oil production.
Excess of dead skin cells on the surface of the skin, which blocks the openings of the pores.
Use of skin care and beauty care products on the face that contain too much oil.

As you can see from the above, the main causes of blackheads are oily skin and blocked pores. To prevent blackheads, keep the skin as clean and oi-free as possible. Here are some guidelines on how to prevent blackheads:


If you want to prevent blackheads, stop using oil-based skin care products and make-ups. These oil-based products will clog your pores, increasing the chance of developing blackheads. You should opt for gentle, natural based, oil-free and non-comedogenic (doesn't clog pores) products instead. Dermalise is a good natural skin care products that you can try.


Apply a mask 2 times a week to absorb the excess oil and to tighten the pores.


Cleanse your face in the morning and evening with a gentle, oil-free cleanser to remove excess oil from the face. Blackheads are not caused by dirt, so do not use harsh, abrasive cleanser and do not scrape and scrub the skin harshly as it may damage the sensitive skin and the pores.


Steaming - If you want a good method of deep cleaning the pores, you should try steaming. The steam helps to open up the pores and allow you to remove dead skin cells, oils, blackheads. You can do this 2 times a week. Here's how you do it.

Boil a pot of water. You can also add herbs such as rosemary, peppermint, lemon, or chamomile. Allow to water to cool down a bit to avoid burning your skin. Drape a towel over your head to prevent the steam from escaping and put your face directly above the steam. Do this for 10-15 minutes and then rinse your face with lukewarm water.


Exfoliate to get rid of dead skin cells - Excess of dead skin cells can clog the pores, leading to blackheads and acne problems. Exfoliation helps to clear away the dead skin cells and excess oil. It can be done my mechanical (using liquid scrubs or cloths) or chemical means (using salicylic or glyolic acid). Salicylic Acid is actually the most recommended exfoliation agent, since it also helps to unclog pores whose openings have already been obstructed by oil and dead cells. In this manner, your skin will be pimple-free for a longer period of time. Over-the-counter Salicylic Acid solution should be available in every pharmacy or drugstore. You can safely and easily use these at home to take care of acne flare-ups.


Get enough sleep and rest - Stress is unhealthy and can trigger excess oil production. Getting enough sleep and rest is the best way to control stress and give you energy. Furthermore, sleep helps to rejuvenate the body and nourish the skin cells, giving you healthier and more glowing skin.

Additionally, it is important to exercise regularly and eat a healthy, balanced diet, and drink plenty fluid, all of which improves blood circulation, fights inflammation, and nourishes the skin for a healthy, clear, and radiant skin.

The use of pore strips, metal blackhead extractors and vacuum blackhead removers - These are commercial products that can be effective to remove blackheads if used properly. If not used properly, it can irritate and injure the skin. It is best to avoid using these products.

How To Get Rid Of Acne Scar Using Different Methods

People who suffer from moderate to severe acne are not solely tortured by their current condition, but also by the worry of having scars left behind. Sometimes, the scars are not that serious and will fade or completely disappear after some time. However, there are stubborn scars that will continue to stay there no matter what you choose to do about it.

A question that many acne sufferers will have is, "Is there anything that I can do to prevent scarring or to treat them once they occur?"

Well, there are definitely ways to prevent or treat scarring. Unfortunately, some scars may be unavoidable and too stubborn to be removed no matter what a person does.

Having said that, most scars may be unsightly initially. However, given time, the scars will usually fade such that it is no longer obvious, even though you may not be able to remove it completely. If there are some stubborn scars around, you may want to consider the following option:

1) Laser treatment

This is usually performed by trained and licensed dermatologists. What happens is that the top layer of the skin is being removed, revealing a smoother and unscarred skin. It may take a quite a while to heal and may not be effective for all types of scars.

2) Dermabrasion

Just like laser treatment, the top layer of the skin is also removed. The removal of the top layer of skin is done by a rotating instrument. The procedure itself can take quite some time. You may need to wait for 3 weeks for the effects to minimize.

3) Surgery

Plastic surgeries can be another option. How successful it will be depends on the severity, as well as the type of scars.

4) Chemical peels

This is something that can be done in a salon. It is always good to make sure that the person is trained to perform chemical peels. Just like laser treatment and dermabrasion, the top layer of the skin is also removed. However, instead of using an instrument, chemicals are being used instead.

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Weight Program That Works

Do You want to loss weight , are You concern about your fitness then ? If yes then read on.

Weight Loss Tips You Must Know and Practice :

1 : Have a Goal : The most important tip is to have a goal ,having a goal tells you were you are going and how to get there. When you have a goal you don't get discouraged because you know where you are going and as Les Brown will always say " when the dream is big ,the problems doesn't matter.

2 : Before You start that weight loss program , take a picture of Your present self and keep it for future reference. You should also know your present weight and make sure to keep a record.

3 : Quality Exercise: This is not an entirely new method ,but this step should be taking seriously by any one who intends to reduce weight and have a good shape. Exercise could be difficult but any one who is really interested in losing weight must endure for a minimum of four 40 minutes sessions in a week.

4 : Aerobic/cardio Work out : Aerobic/cardio workout helps in the reduction of fat and metabolic rate. Ensure to engage in serious aerobic/cardio training 2 to 4 days a week will help in the fat burning process and also in metabolic rate. Many believe Calorie are being burnt while engaging in aerobic exercise only but the truth is , you are burning calories during the exercise AND you are conditioning the body to burn more calories even after the cardio session is done. Short cardio sessions ( 10 - 20 minutes ) will help increase body metabolic rate so as to burn off more calories even when sleeping or resting.To see more results fast endure to engage in cardio sessions for a minimum of four 15-20 minutes sessions a week .

5 : Keeping a food diary can be a huge asset in successful weight loss. Devote some time each day to record what you have eaten and how much, your hunger level prior to eating, and any feelings or emotions present at the time. A food diary can provide a large amount of self-awareness. It can identify emotions and behaviors that trigger overeating, foster greater awareness of portion sizes, and help you discover your personal food triggers. Study any patterns that emerge from your food diary and identify where you may be able to make more healthful changes. A food diary provides an added benefit of keeping you focused on and committed to your goals. Start keeping a food diary today by
printing our food diary.

6 : Do not Skip Meals : Eating small frequent meals help to balance your calorie intake throughout the day and also keeps your blood sugar level balanced. Instead of eating 3 big meals, try to eat 5 - 6 smaller meals throughout the day.

7 : To lose weight faster, reduce your intake of caffeine. Caffeine leads to an increase of insulin in your body which retards the burning of your stored fat.This is a simple chemical reaction in your body that you can change. Reduce your caffeine intake by 50% and see what happens. Here is a rough guide to use when looking at the amount of caffeine you currently take in: Brewed coffee (6 oz. cup) - 100mg; Instant coffee (6 oz.) - 70mg; Tea (6 oz.) - 50mg; Soft drinks (12oz.) - (Coke, Dr. Pepper, Mountain Dew) - 50mg; Dark chocolate (1 oz.) - 20mg and Milk chocolate (1 oz.) - 6mg.

8 : Get Enough Sleep : Hold on. If you're thinking "Wait, are you saying I can lose weight just by sleeping? AWESOME!!!!" you'd be slightly mistaken. Sleep alone will not cause weight loss. It will however help. There are a bunch of science-y reasons for this, and if you are in the 1% of people reading this who want to know those reasons, email me and I'll explain. If you're in the other 99%, just know that sleeping enough will indeed help your weight loss. That's not all though. You know what it feels like when you're tired? You become lazy. You don't feel like doing anything. Well, when you're goal is losing weight, you can't be lazy and you can't feel like not doing anything. Sleeping enough will eliminate this problem. Yes, you just read "sleep enough" on a list of weight loss tips. This one is really as easy as they get. You have no excuse.


9 : Never skip breakfast, NEVER! Breakfast is the single most important meal in the day. Your body needs it, and if you don't eat it, you metabolism will suffer and you will find it harder to lose weight. Always eat a high fiber and low sugar breakfast.

10 : Incorporate thermogenic (hot) herbs and spices in your meals. Individuals eating meals "spiced" with cayenne (red) pepper and mustard powder, spicy, grainy mustard and medium-hot salsa display higher rates of calorie burning, due to the thermogenic action of these spices. Try for tasty thermogenic food condiments. Hot spicy food may also temporarily reduce your appetite, encouraging you to eat less.

11 : Fibre is nature’s weight loss power house. There are two types, soluble and insoluble. Soluble is the gummy type that can act like a sponge and is found in foods like oatmeal and beans. Insoluble fiber acts like a broom, sweeping out the debris and is found in things like vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Soluble fiber can help lower cholesterol while insoluble fiber contains fibers that cannot be digested but add bulk to our meal. Both fibers swell up in our stomach creating a feeling of fullness and being high in water and low in calories, are a perfect way to improve both digestive and colon health. High fiber foods are the best tools for anyone wanting to shed some pounds. All of the super foods contain fiber, so that list might be a good place to start.

12 : Passionately kiss your partner 10 times a day. According to the 1991 Kinsey Institute New Report on Sex, a passionate kiss burns 6.4 calories per minute. Ten minutes a day of kissing equates to about 23,000 calories -- or eight pounds -- a year!

13 : Eating too much meat isn’t good for us. We all know if we eat too much it will make us feel run down and tired. Not only that, but there are health risks involved too. A diet in high fatty meats can lead to heart disease and cancer. No one wants that. Some people choose not to eat meat for religious reasons, they believe that it is wrong to kill an animal, or they may want a healthier diet. It is popular with the young crowd. I have never understood it really. Though I suspect that after you get older and bust your ass off for a living, you want to reward yourself with some nice juicy meat. This might come as a shocker, but anyone who has read any of my articles knows that I don’t hold back. I don’t think the vegetarian diet is more healthy. I really don’t. The problem is, most people that I know who don’t eat meat load up on other things. They eat a lot of dairy or eggs. I think they do this because all humans crave animal products.

14 : Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate: When you don’t consume the recommended amount of water each day (at least 8 glasses), your body is not burning calories as efficiently as it could be. All of your tissues need enough water to function at their very best. Without water your blood flow slows and nutrients and energy cannot travel to your muscles as quickly as they should. Therefore your endurance wanes and you will not exercise for as long as you would have if you had gotten enough water.

15 : Look Yourself in the mirror , is there any difference between the person You are looking at in the mirror and the person You saw in the Mirror in step 2. Also check your weight is their a major check ?

16 : Never stop reading and asking questions , no one single person can give You all the weight loss tips You, therefore You must continue reading and learning

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Asthma And Allergies Have Similar Triggers

Asthmas seldom causes allergic reactions in people, but allergies can be a trigger to asthma and allergies caused by air-borne particles sometimes cause a double reaction in certain sufferers. The air in the home and outside is filled with floating particles, many of which are breathed in through the nose and mouth. Some may cause a temporary reaction while others will cause a reaction every time the person is exposed. These allergic reactions can often trigger an asthma attack for an asthmatic person.

There are steps that can be taken to avoid the reactions of certain things on those who suffer from asthma and allergies, among them are simply to stay away from known triggers. However, this is not always possible and learning how to protect the immediate environment from being triggers friendly. While there are medical needs associated with those with asthma and allergies, the need for help can be reduced by taking a few precautions.

Some of the known triggers of asthma and allergies are smoke, cigarette and wood as well as perfumes, paint and hairspray. Others may include allergens such as pollen, dust and pet hair and pet dander. There are many others and new ones are being found every day. Avoiding exposure to these allergens is the best method, but that may entail living in a bubble, which is not feasible.

Control Triggers By Controlling Environment

Triggers for asthma and allergies that are found outside may not always be in the control of the sufferer. However, controlling the environment in which they live is within their power and making sure their home is resistant to hosting their known asthma and allergies triggers, will help them avoid sudden attacks.

Reducing or removing as many triggers of asthma and allergies is the first step in cleaning the home and, if possible, air conditioners and filtering systems can help remove dust from the air. Room temperature of 68 to 72-degrees is recommended and humidity levels of between 40 to 50 percent are ideal. Clothing should never be left on the bedroom floor as dust mites will accumulate quickly and when they are finally moved, the mites will be spread throughout the room.

Vacuum cleaner filters are one of the most important weapons in the fight against dust mites and micro filters that capture particles as small .3 microns are recommended. If a new vacuum is out of the question, filters can be purchased at a hardware store and cut to fit inside the vacuum cleaner to help contain the particles.

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Birth Control and Acne - What You Need to Know Now

For those acne suffers whose acne is hormone related (a dermatologist can determine this), birth control pills can be very effective. Birth control pills are useful in treating acne by reducing the hormone androgen. This hormone makes the skin more oily. Therefore when less androgen is produced -the clearer the skin of acne prone women.

It can take 6 to 8 weeks for any changes in the skin to be noticed. This is because the pill will work first to prevent new breakouts and then heal the acne that is visible on the skin. This acne solution also has proven to work for at least 3 years.

The downside to using birth control pills for acne is the increased chances of developing blood clots, diabetes, gall stones, liver tumors, heart attacks, osteoporosis and breast cancer. Other less severe side effects can be depression, allergic reactions, facial hair growth, migraines, UTI's and vaginal bleeding. Therefore an in-depth discussion with a doctor is very important. Clear skin may not be worth the negative risks involved for some women.

Along with other acne treatments, birth control pills may not work for everyone especially since there are different brands that affect the hormones and body differently. However a newer drug, Ortho Tri-Cyclen has had a much better success for fighting acne than other birth control pills. In fact, 80% of Ortho Tri-Cyclen users have had success for fighting acne. It is also the only birth control pill which has been FDA approved for clearing the skin of acne. See your dermatologist or gynecologist for more information.

Stop! As a licensed esthetician, I am sick and tired of all the false promises, over-hyped nonsense and simply bad information being passed off as fact about YOUR adult acne

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