Effective Acne Treatment Must Attack the Root Cause

An effective acne treatment must attack the root cause of acne - the excess oil that forms in the skin. That excess oil comes from glands in the skin. Those glands contain the natural chemicals that are needed for the formation of skin oils. An effective acne treatment must either do away with any excess amount of oil or must block the biochemical pathway that permits the natural synthesis of skin oils. At an optimal level, the production of skin oils encourages the creation of a shiny and youthful-appearing skin. When skin contains the proper amount of oil, then a teenager can feel content to look in the mirror, and to see his or her healthful face. When facial skin contains too much oil, then the same individual must often view a pimply face in the mirror. An effective acne treatment puts an end the production of excessive amounts of oil. Literature on the latest acne treatment indicates that it carries out its important function by blocking the enzyme that catalyzes the formation of DHT (dihydrotestosterone). Why does such an action inhibit the formation of excess sebum in the skin? The hormone referred to as DHT is the product of an enzyme-catalyzed reaction. That reaction takes place when testosterone molecules in the blood mix with the 5 alpha reductase in the skin cells. That mixing leads to the production of DHT. The formation of DHT in the skin cells then paves the way for the formation of added amounts of skin oil. When an adolescent has a large amount of testosterone in his or her facial skin, or when he/she has highly active reductase enzymes in the skin, then that teen is apt to have very oily skin. A teenager with oily skin must frequently deal with recurring bouts of acne. That is why teens who suffer from acne flare-ups have reason to give this new acne treatment a careful examination. Such an examination should show the acne-prone teenager that he or she can use that new acne treatment to launch a powerful, three-pronged attack - an attack on the factors that contribute to the formation of acne pimples. The real beauty of the new treatment for acne comes not from the product's effectiveness, but from its ability to deliver a triple punch More importantly, that triple punch comes from a product that does not demand careful and time-consuming product application.
Source: Acne Treatment Consultant

Kids Today: Acne serious problem for teens

Teenage years are filled with new experiences and new choices. Unfortunately, something that also comes with this age is the dreaded pimple.

Pimples, zits, or whatever you call them is an "inflammation of the oil glands, most of which is associated with hormone changes," said Dr. Aloys Tauscheck, M.D., and a board-certified dermatologist at Paragon Medical Center in Sheboygan.

During the teen years, hormones are going haywire. During this time, "hormones are definitely not stable," Tauscheck said.

Stress also has a huge effect on breakouts. During testing and exams pimples are more likely because the stress changes the body's hormones.

Although the 13- to 20-year-old crowd makes up the majority of patients Dr. Tauscheck treats for acne, studies suggest that 15 percent of people over the age of 25 also have acne.

Genetics also plays a huge role in developing acne.

"Acne is much affected by genetics," Tauscheck said. "Eighty-five percent of teenagers have some form or another (of acne)."

Pimples can have a horrible effect on a teen's self-confidence during a time where they are figuring out who they are. Kids often tease each other about it, which lowers confidence.

"They do pick on kids. You can't hide it," Tauscheck said.

Some teens don't let it get to them, though.

Nicole Bartel, 13, said, "I feel fine (when I have a pimple) because I have confidence in myself so it doesn't bother me."

Others take the approach that it's just a part of growing up.

"Everybody gets them," said Sam Van Wyk, 14.

There is a multitude of ways to treat acne, but the best way by far is by preventing it.

"Every night I wash my face," Bartel said.

A common misconception is that dirt causes acne. It is recommended that people only wash their face once a day because washing too frequently can cause irritation and actually make acne worse.

Behavior modification, like keeping yourself from resting your face on your hand, helps keep acne at bay.

If pimples do appear, products with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid may help certain types of acne because they are anti-inflammatory.

To treat blackheads, which are oil-plugged pores, certain types of prescriptions should help.

Pimples that lead to inflammation and infection and also need to be addressed with a topical solution, cream, gel or antibiotic pills. Some antibiotic pills increase chances of depression though.

Another type of acne is "yellow puss jewels," which may have bacteria in them and need to be taken care of because they can lead to cystic or nodular acne — which can get as big as grapes. They are deep and painful pimples which can lead to scarring if untreated.

Tanning does improve your acne because it dries the oils up, but it is not recommended because of dangerous skin cancers.

Wearing sports equipment, like football helmets, a tennis headband or wrestling gear, may irritate acne, so it is important to try to keep that to a minimum and keep oil from building up, because that's partly what causes the acne.

It is extremely important not to pop pimples. That can lead to more infection and long-term scarring.

"It's important to treat acne early and don't pick at it," Tauscheck said.

There are many myths that come with acne, like how a bad diet can make it worse. Studies have shown this is untrue, although some people may find that individual foods may cause flare ups in their acne at times. Eating or drinking milk products has also been said to cause acne, but is untrue.

"If that were true, my kids would have a face full of acne because they have drunk so much milk," Tauscheck said.

Bad hygiene doesn't cause acne either, although it is recommended to keep yourself clean because it will remove the oils.

Sleep deprivation also tends to cause acne, possibly because it leads to more stress. It has also been shown that drinking a lot of water to flush yourself of impurities doesn't make your complexion better, although it can improve the look of your skin.

It is important to control acne not only for the emotional side of it, but the long-term physical effects it can have.

Acne scarring can occur in as short as six months and can't be treated well until the person has grown out of the acne stage, which is usually beyond their teenage years. Facial peels, chemical peels and laser treatments can be used, but they are never 100 percent effective.

Acne scarring can be covered up with a camouflage product, but it can make acne worse. The best way to prevent acne scarring is to prevent acne.

People with untreated acne also have a higher risk of depression than people with treated acne.

Acne doesn't just occur on the face like many people think. It is quite common to develop it on the chest and upper back as well, and still is important to get that treated correctly as well.

Acne, in all its related forms, is very serious and needs to be taken care of right away with either over-the-counter treatments or a by a visit to a dermatologist if necessary. Letting it progress until it goes away will only make things worse physically and emotionally.

There is no "simple pimple."

Source: Acne treatment

Breakthrough cosmetic treatment now in Athlone!

La Belle Femme Beauty and IPL Clinic is pleased to offer a breakthrough technology which is proving to be one of the most popular cosmetic treatments in years!
New Photopneumatic Therapy tm (PPX) is the first FDA approved, painless procedure for the treatment of permanent hair reduction for face and body; pore cleansing acne treatment; acne rosacea and redness; and brown spots and sun damaged skin.
There are several key differences between PPX and other laser treatments:
PPX is effective - it is the first and only therapy to use a pneumatic energy (vacuum) which pulls the skin into the treatment handpiece. This manipulation of the skin increases the effectiveness of treatment as the target, be it hair, or damaged or discoloured skin, is brought closer to the surface, resulting in less discomfort and a stronger and more effective response. PPX is seven times faster than other treatments, so hair removal on large areas such as the back or whole legs can be completed in less than 30 minutes as opposed to up to two hours with other laser and light-based hair reduction treatments.
It is also exceptionally hygienic, providing ‘replaceable treatment tips’ for each client, so the tip that is touching your skin today has never touched another person's skin before, eliminating the risk of cross contamination and infection.
The highly efficient delivery of energy allows PPX therapy to use only a fraction of the energy that other treatments require, making it safer than other treatment modalities.
In a recent study, PPX Pore Cleansing Acne Treatment has even worked for people who have previously tried, but had no results with, topicals, antibiotics, and painful laser treatments.
Renowned clinics such as the Harley Medical Group and the Ailesbury Clinic provide photopneumatic therapy, and now it is available locally!
Call Roisin Collins, proprieter at La Belle Femme Beauty and IPL Clinic, Belhavel, Golden Island, Athlone, at (090) 6450645 and book your free consultation today.
Source: Acne Treatment

New rules loom in cosmetic surgery

Ontario doctors could soon face stringent guidelines preventing general practitioners from performing high-risk cosmetic surgical procedures - including facelifts, tummy tucks and liposuction - after the provincial College of Physicians and Surgeons meets to approve two sweeping regulatory changes today.

The vote comes nearly seven months after 32-year-old real-estate agent and mother Krista Stryland died following a liposuction procedure performed by a family physician who advertised herself as a cosmetic surgeon.

One of the new regulatory amendments would bar doctors from using the title "surgeon" unless they are formally certified as such by the provincial body or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

A second amendment would end the popular practice of doctors advertising medical specializations for which they are not formally accredited.

Contravention of these rules would constitute professional misconduct, which is subject to disciplinary proceedings.

Ontario's plastic surgeons, who train for five years in residency before being certified, have long complained that general practitioners who call themselves "cosmetic surgeons" confuse and endanger patients. The college does not recognize the term as a formal specialty.

In April of last year, the Ontario college heeded those protests and embarked on a review of the booming, and largely unrestricted, field of cosmetic surgery. At a meeting that month, council members admitted that rapid growth in the field had outpaced their ability to regulate it. The body realized it had no way of knowing who was performing cosmetic procedures or whether they were qualified to do so.

In its annual membership renewal survey, the college found that the number of physicians performing cosmetic procedures increased 150 per cent between 2002 and 2006.

After Ms. Stryland's death drew wide media attention to the free-for-all field last September, the college fast-tracked its review.During a November meeting, the college revealed that it was investigating 16 physicians who were routinely performing operations for which they may not have been formally accredited.

Investigations of those physicians are continuing, said Kathryn Clarke, a spokeswoman for the regulatory body.

Critics said the college wasn't acting fast enough.

"In hindsight, you might have wished you moved faster," Ms. Clarke said. "We are now moving as quickly as we can, but in a very thorough fashion."

The regulatory body took its first major step toward clamping down on cosmetic surgery in February, moving ahead with the creation of an inspection system for out-of-hospital facilities such as surgical clinics.

Previously, surgical clinics such as the one where Ms. Stryland underwent liposuction were not subject to any form of regulation, according to the college.

The inspections will not apply to minor "lump and bump" procedures performed under local anesthetic in doctors' offices.

The college has been circulating versions of the proposed amendments since November and is expected to approve them today. They would then be passed along to the provincial government for final assent, a process with an indefinite timeline, according to Ms. Clarke.

"These are very big changes and very positive changes," she said.

Source: www.theglobeandmail.com

Use of brain-boosting drugs reported in survey

One in five respondents to a new survey in the journal Nature say they've used drugs to boost their brain power.

Ritalin is a stimulant approved to treat attention-deficit disorder.

"We were putting our finger in the air to see what our reader response would be. And it was tremendous," said Brendan Maher, an editor with the widely read scientific publication. "What it's suggesting is there are a high percentage of adults using these drugs."

The informal, nonscientific survey, conducted online, polled 1,400 people in 60 countries. Most of the responders, the majority of whom said they worked in biology, physics, medicine or education, reported taking the drugs to improve their concentration.

The drug of choice was Ritalin; use of a similar drug, Adderall, also was reported. The stimulants are approved to treat attention-deficit disorder, but scientists say they would have a noticeable effect on almost anyone.

"It does work. We know that from lab studies," said Martha Farah, director of the Center for Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Pennsylvania. "Obviously they help people with ADHD, but for many, if not all, normal people, they also enhance attention."

Other surveys have found as many as one in four college students have taken prescription stimulants, with or without doctor's orders.

All of this is risky. The drugs can cause cardiovascular problems and can lead to addiction. And no one knows much about the long-term effects.

"I sometimes call this America's uncontrolled experiment in pharmacology," Farah said.

Half of the responders in the Nature survey reported unpleasant side effects, such as headaches, anxiety and sleeping troubles. But 69 percent said the boost was worth the risk.

"People are using them even though they do feel side effects," Maher said.

How people obtain the drugs is less clear. A third of responders said they bought their drugs over the Internet. The majority said their drugs came from a pharmacist, or from a family member or friend.

When asked whether such off-label drug use should be monitored by a doctor, a surprising 23 percent of responders said no. Most thought healthy adults should be allowed to take the drugs if they wanted to, with restrictions for children. But a third also said they'd feel pressured to give the drugs to their children if other children were taking them.

"What it suggests is there is a sense of coercion. You feel a competitive nature," Maher said. "If others are taking them, you might be missing out on something."

Saint Luke's gets award for patient safety

A week after the release of its best-in-market patient-satisfaction scores on the federal Hospital Compare Web site, Saint Luke's Health System has distinguished itself in the area of patient safety.

Health Grades, an independent health care rating company, reported Tuesday that Saint Luke's Hospital was one of 249 U.S. hospitals to receive the company's 2008 Distinguished Hospital Awards for Patient Safety.

The ranking placed Saint Luke's Hospital in the top 5 percent of nearly 5,000 U.S. hospitals in terms of patient-safety outcomes, Health Grades said in a release. Saint Luke's was among only 115 U.S. teaching hospitals and nine Missouri hospitals to receive the award, the release said.

Saint Luke's, which won the award for the fourth consecutive year, also was the only hospital in the Kansas City area so honored this year.

"Saint Luke's is gratified to once again achieve this impressive level of patient safety," G. Richard Hastings, CEO of Saint Luke's Hospital and the Saint Luke's Health System, said in the release. "This honor is evidence of the skill and dedication of Saint Luke's nurses and doctors who care for our patients every day."

If all U.S. hospitals had performed at the level of the 2008 patient-safety awardees from 2004 through 2006, the years examined in the new patient-satisfaction study, an estimated 220,106 patient-safety incidents, 37,214 Medicare deaths and $2 billion in spending could have been avoided, Health Grades said in the release.

Health Grades said its analysis of 41 million Medicare patient records determined that patients treated at the top-performing hospitals had, on average, a 43 percent lower chance of experiencing one or more errors, compared with the poorest performing hospitals.

The overall incident rate was about 3 percent of all Medicare admissions evaluated, accounting for 1.1 million patient safety incidents during the three years examined in Health Grades' fifth-annual Patient Safety in American Hospitals Study.

"With the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services scheduled to stop reimbursing hospitals for treatment of eight major preventable errors, including objects left in the body after surgery and certain post-surgical infections, starting Oct. 1, the financial implications for hospitals are substantial," Health Grades said.

Source: http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/stories/2008/04/07/daily14.html

Scientists develop technique to "clean" stem cells

HONG KONG, April 8 (Reuters) - Scientists in Singapore have developed a strategy to "clean up" embryonic stem cells, which researchers hope can one day be used to replace damaged tissues and for other tailor-made personal treatments.

Embryonic stem cells are master cells that can grow, or "differentiate", into any type of cell or tissue, and are subsequently transplanted into the body.

But some studies have shown that residual stem cells that fail to differentiate can turn cancerous later on.

In the journal Stem Cells, scientists in Singapore said they generated antibodies that successfully killed off these residual stem cells in mice.

"Although human embryonic stems cells are a very powerful source to make differentiated cells, like heart cells, the problem is that you can have residual cells and there is a safety concern because they can form ... a mass of tumour cells," said Andre Choo, senior scientist at the Bioprocessing Technology Institute in Singapore.

"So if you give a product that is 95 percent heart cells, but 5 percent embryonic stem cells, it may be a problem later on," he said by telephone.

The researchers managed to generate antibodies in mice after injecting human embryonic stem cells into the animals.

The antibodies were then harvested and added to cultured embryonic stem cells that had been newly differentiated on laboratory dishes.

"It (the antibody) specifically eliminated undifferentiated cells within 30 minutes but left differentiated cells untouched," the researchers wrote.

The mixture was later injected into a batch of mice, while another batch of mice were given untreated stem cells.

After 6 to 8 weeks, the researchers detected tumours in the mice that received untreated stem cells, but those that received the mixture of stem cells and antibodies were free of tumours even after 20 weeks.

"We made antibodies that can kill them (undifferentiated stem cells) ... it acts as a clean up step for you to remove any of these rogue cells or potentially problematic cells," Choo said. (Reporting by Tan Ee Lyn; Editing by Alex Richardson).

source:http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSHKG297707

No real evidence for 8 glasses of water

Adults have long been told drinking eight glasses of water daily is healthy, but University of Pennsylvania researchers say the evidence is thin.

So the advice goes, drinking all that water is helpful for a range of health benefits from keeping organs healthy to warding off weight gain and improving skin tone.

Dr. Dan Negoianu and Dr. Stanley Goldfarb of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia reviewed the published clinical studies on drinking water and found solid evidence that individuals in hot, dry climates, as well as athletes and those with certain diseases have an increased need for water. However, no data exists for average, healthy individuals.

Studies show increased water intake improves kidney function, however, the studies do not indicate any sort of clinical benefit.

Some propose that drinking more water helps fight obesity, but the researchers say studies on water and weight maintenance were inconclusive.

Headaches are often attributed to water deprivation, but there is little data to back this theory. Water has also been touted as a skin elixir, but no studies have shown any clinical benefit to skin tone from increased water intake.

The findings are published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

source: http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Health/2008/04/03/no_real_evidence_for_8_glasses_of_water/6125/