Acne Hyperpigmentation
Dark spots on the skin are also known as acne Hyperpigmentation. This is caused by a condition known as “post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation” (PIH). PIH causes skin discoloration. It usually happens when the skin gets injured and then there has been an excess production of melanin either in the upper or lower layer of the skin. This excess melanin will then turn either brownish or bluish in color.
Acne Hyperpigmentation can happen to both sexes of any skin type. The color tends to be more intense and persists for a longer period for dark-skinned persons. This discoloration caused by acne usually clears with time. Preventing actions that can irritate pimples can help a lot in lessening the chance of developing hyperpigmentation caused by acne. But for some who just can’t find a way to get rid of it, there are available treatments for this.
In treating PIH, the cause of the discoloration should be known first before proceeding to the treatment of the PIH itself. The cause of the acne hyperpigmentation should be the first one to be treated, and then the PIH can be treated next. There are many acne scar treatments available that can help in getting rid of discoloration caused by acne marks. Hydroquinone, for instance, helps lighten the skin by obstructing the formation of melanin. It should be carefully applied to darkened areas only. Retinoids are commonly used in treating dermatological conditions. Acne scar treatment using Retinoids are proven effective in the treatment of both acne and PIH. Retinoids aid in the epithelial growth of cells. Glycolic acid is usually used by dermatologists in chemical peeling. This acid helps in reducing acne scars by peeling the outer skin layer thus revealing the underlying skin.
Acne scar treatments come in different methods and different products can be used. Just be reminded that before using any products, it is advisable that dermatologist should be consulted first to properly assess the condition of the skin to prevent further damage.
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African American Acne Treatments
African Americans have more melanin than white people. That is one of the main differences of the skin features between these groups of people with different skin color. This means that for skin care and African American acne treatments, not all products can be used by both. It is because some products may be made especially for white or black people, and using it by the other can cause irritation to the skin.
On the other hand, even though African Americans have different color skin, it does not mean that they are free from the skin irritations or problems that are being experienced by most white people. Thus, if white people get acne, black people do too. This is the irritating fact of acne; it can infect just anybody – even everybody. Seeking to find the best African American acne treatments will take a little research, time, and possibly a dermatologist.
Thus if you do not have a white skin, it is important – really important that you keep in mind that different types of skin require different types of treatment; what is good for the other may not be as good for you. Thus if you have had acne problems that have left some scars and you want to get rid of acne scars, consider whether the product or the procedure that you will use will not have a bad effect on your skin.
There are different products available to get rid of acne scars; some may be used by person of any skin color, while some are not. In buying one, just keep in mind that buying a product for your skin that does not suit your skin type may cause further damage to your skin. Consulting a doctor regarding the use of skin products would be a good help.
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Best Way to Clear Acne
Acne affects a large group of people and can be embarrassing. There are a few simple things you can do to help clear acne. What is the best way to clear acne? Well there is not one cure all best acne treatment. Each person is different and their skin and body will react different to certain kinds of acne treatments. After trying out different acne treatments, only you can decide what the best way to clear acne is for yourself. Here are a few examples to get you started. Drinking more water and sunlight, which contains healthy vitamin D, will help you clear acne.
Drinking more water, the skin stores 12% water, its important to maintain this amount with the correct amount of good fat to keep your skin clear of acne and help you clear acne that may already exist. Drinking water helps rid your blood of toxins, and by drinking water you will urinate more and more toxins will be eliminated. The cleaner your blood the healthier your skin will be.
To help you drink more water and make that water healthier add some nutrients. Squeezing lemon juice to the water and adding up to one teaspoon of powdered MSM will buff up your water and make it taste better. MSM is excellent for skin and helps to clear acne. This makes the skin cells more flexible, allowing more nutrients go in and out of the cells.
Using natural light is one more thing you can do for your skin and clear acne. Expose your face to plenty of sun and air, doing this will help your skin heal faster. Using indirect sunlight is more effective then damaging direct sunlight. Being in the shade and in the open outdoors gives you plenty of sun and air, at least 20-40 minutes a day is necessary for you to get sufficient vitamin D to fill your daily needs. Using water and sunlight is a quick and easy way to help you clear acne.
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Types of Acne Scars
Some acne, when not treated properly, leaves annoying marks – acne scars. And sometimes, even though we have tried our best to prevent them from leaving scars – in the end, when acne heals, they still leave some marks in our skin.
Acne scarring can be categorized into two: hypertrophic scarring and atrophic scarring. Hypertrophic scarring is a result of growth in tissue; this is what causes Hypertrophic Scars. Whereas atrophic scarring, which is more common, is a result of loss of tissue and may result to different types of acne scars such as ice pick scars, boxcar scars and rolling scars.
Hypertrophic Scars – look like a raised, firm mass of tissue. These are thickened scars which are usually associated to some severe types of crystic acne. For treating the scar, Steroid (cortisone) creams, tapes, or injections are used to help shrink and flatten the scar; interferon injections are also used to soften scar tissue; while for serious cases where the scar is deep, laser treatment can be used to removed the scar.
Ice Picks Scars – as it is named, these are sharp scars that make the skin appear to have been pierced with an ice-pick. These are deep, very narrow and extend into the dermis. These are usually caused by an infected cyst which worked its way to the surface. The best treatment for this type of acne scars is an Excision treatment.
Boxcar Scars – have a similar appearance with chickenpox scars which is usually wider than ice picks scars. These are caused by an inflammation of acne lesion which destroys skin tissue.
Rolling Scars – have a wave-like appearance. These are best treated with Subcutaneous incision which is also known as Subcision.
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Acne Scars Treatment
There are a number of treatments available for acne scars offered through your dermatologist that may involve surgery. The type of acne scars treatment selected should be a decision that will work best for you in terms of your skin type, your financial options, and what you want your acne scars treatment to accomplish. With any surgical treatment there is a possibility of additional scarring if you are susceptible to scar formation. Keep in mind that treatment takes time to see full results of the acne scars treatment.
Before committing to treatment of acne scars, you should have a discussion with your dermatologist regarding any questions you might have on the treatment options. You need to be honest about how you feel about your scars. The dermatologist needs to conduct a full examination and determine whether treatment should be undertaken.
The objective of your acne scars treatment is to give the skin a more acceptable physical appearance. Complete restoration of the skin, to a point that it looks the same before you had acne, is often impossible, but choosing the right acne scars treatment for you- usually improves the appearance of your skin.
The top acne scars treatments that are currently available include the following:
- Collagen injection. Collagen is injected under the skin to stretch or fill out certain types of superficial scars. The cosmetic benefit from collagen injection usually last 3 to 6 months, and additional collagen injections to maintain the cosmetic benefit are done at an additional cost.
- Dermabrasion. This is thought to be the most effective acne scars treatment. While under local anesthetic, your dermatologist will use a fraise or brush to remove the surface skin and alter the contour of the acne scars. Superficial scars may be removed altogether, and the reduction of deeper scars may be noticeable.
- Microdermabrasion. This is a new technique and is a form of the afor mentioned dermabrasion. Microdermabrasion uses aluminum oxide crystals passing through a vacuum tube to remove the surface skin. The surface cells of the skin are removed and cause no additional wound.
- Laser Treatment. Various wavelengths and intensity of the lasers may be used to recontour scar tissue. It reduces the redness of the skin around the healed acne scar. Acne scar tissue may actually be removed with more powerful instruments. In some cases, a single treatment is all that is necessary to acheave permanent results.
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