What Are the Best Treatments for Oily Skin? Avoiding It in the First Place!

If oily skin is getting you down, you're not alone. Excessive oil is, unfortunately, one of the most common complains of not only teenagers but also adults. But before you give up and start looking at the vast array of oily skin treatments, let's first look at a few of the more common culprits so that you better understand what is causing your oily skin.
First, it just might be in your genes. Heredity is one of the more common culprits for oily skin. If one or both of your parents have oily skin, odds are that you will too. And while you certainly can't change your genes, it may make you feel better to know that it's nothing that you're doing to cause it.
Next, it could be your diet. There are a number of foods that are known to stimulate oil production in people who are prone to it. And there is something you can do. Avoid foods that are fried, foods that are high in sugar, and foods that are over-processed. These are probably the most common culprits. As your mother told you, eat your vegetables. Drink your water. And above all, eat foods that are rich in nutrients. They will not only help your skin but they may help you shed a few pounds and feel a lot better in the process.
Hormones could be playing a role. That is why many teenagers suddenly come down with a case of shiny skin as their bodies begin producing more hormones and, more specifically, a specific type of testosterone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Unfortunately, there is not a lot you can do to treat this since your body will do what your body will do. This is an area where most oily skin treatments prove ineffective and cause more frustration than good.
For those of you who are either pregnant or who have been pregnant, you probably experienced a nice burst of oil. Hormonal changes during pregnancy will very commonly lead to over production of sebum and cause oily skin. Is that the beautiful glow of pregnancy or simply shiny skin? Many times the two go hand in hand. What are you using on your skin?
Various cosmetics can contribute to oil production and either cause it or simply make it worse. So watch what you're using and make sure to only use products with high quality ingredients designed specifically for people with sensitive skin.
Humidity or just hot weather in general can lead to increased perspiration and often then to too much oil. If you live in an area that is humid, try and get out of the humidity once in a while and it might help improve your skin.
A little too much stress? Emotional changes and a stressful lifestyle can also lead to oily skin because of the effects that stress can have on your hormones. So take a little breather now and again and it might actually help control that oil.
Finally, are you washing your skin too much? Aggressive washing of your skin or simply washing it too frequently can actually trigger production of oil and make your skin look worse. Two times a day is plenty to keep your skin healthy and glowing. So these are a few of the more common reasons for that oil.
Next time you see that unwanted shine, think about a few of these things and see if there are any ways that you can naturally cut back on the oil. The most effective oily skin treatment is prevention. Your skin will be glad you did!

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Avoiding the Acne Scar

Avoiding the Acne Scar. While most leave acne behind with their teenage years, some carry the scars of their acne through their adult life. Since these scars can have an affect on the bearer's self confidence and self image, it is important to learn to deal with these scars.
Perhaps the first step in dealing with acne scars is avoiding them in the first place. Once acne scars exist, it is extremely hard to get rid of them. Here are some tips to help avoid the acne scar, information on different types of scars and removal methods for the acne scar.
The first line of defense against the acne scar is to properly treat breakouts of acne when they first appear. Without acne, it is impossible to have an acne scar. With the number of acne medications now available there is no reason for acne sufferers not to receive proper treatment.
Another note for acne sufferers who don't wish to live with scars - resist the urge to pop your pimples. This action can cause more damage to the skin and can actually make scars worse.
When dealing with the acne scar, there are two main types of scars. These are the ice-pick type scar and the keloid scar. The ice-pick scar is a depressed area that looks like damage that may have been done by an ice-pick. Keloid scars are raised areas caused by the build up of collagen in the skin resulting in a raised mass. Staining of the skin by acne is often confused with acne scars. Unlike scars, however, staining fades over time and may even disappear completely.
Removal of an acne scar can be a complex and costly procedure. Some of the more well known methods include dermabrasion, laser resurfacing, chemical peels, punch techniques and augmentation.
Dermabrasion, which is a surgical scraping of the skin, works well on shallow acne scars. However, this procedure will set you back about $1,500 per treatment. In laser surgery, layers of damaged skin are removed using a laser. This procedure can cost $3,000 or more per treatment. Chemical peels are a less expensive option, coming in at $750 each treatment. These peels, however, are only effective on the most minor acne scar.
Two options for ice-pick scars include punch techniques and augmentation. In the punch techniques, the acne scar is surgically "punched" out using an appropriately sized biopsy tool. The remaining skin is stitched together resulting in a smaller scar that is more receptive to dermabrasion or other resurfacing techniques.
In augmentation, a substance, either collagen or the person's own fat, is injected under the scar to bring it to level with the rest of the skin. Again, this procedure is costly and the results are only temporary, repeated procedures are required.
Although acne scars can be removed, the procedures are costly and the results may not be the same as undamaged skin. The best way to avoid the acne scar is to get proper treatment for your acne as soon as possible. Also don't pick at, squeeze or attempt to pop your acne as this can make scarring worse.

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