How Laser Therapy Can Treat Your Acne

Acne is those painful, red lesions that appear on your skin usually at the worst possible moment. Acne is formed due to blocked oil glands in the skin that became inflamed and the gland or hair follicle ruptures. There are a lot of treatments available for acne, OTC, prescriptions, creams, and medications, oral and topical. For the many who see results, there are plenty who see inadequate results and are still struggling with acne. However, those people may be in luck, because a new acne treatment is available, laser therapy for acne. Although laser and light based acne treatments have been around for over 10 years, it has just begun to gain popularity. That's because it's faster, safer, and has no side effects.

Laser acne treatments, as the title already states, uses laser therapy to prevent, control and cure acne. Laser acne removal is safe and effective, which is something not all topical and oral prescription acne treatments can say. Acne laser therapy can be used to treat mild to moderate inflammatory acne vulgaris and prevent everyday pimples, zits, papules and pustules. It's less effective on non-inflammatory acne such as whiteheads, blackheads, cysts and nodules.

Laser acne therapy works in two different ways. The laser therapy heats up the tissue surrounding the sebaceous glands, which excites compounds, which live inside acne bacteria. When these compounds become excited they damage the bacterial wall effectively killing the bacteria within the glands. Secondly the laser shrinks the sebaceous gland, making it smaller so it can not produce as much oil. This highly effective approach makes laser acne treatment on of the best acne removal systems.

The types of laser used for acne treatment include blue-light, infrared, diode, pulsed dye, KTP, fractional, pulsed light and heat energy, Isolaz, photodynamic treatment (PDT), and CO2. In addition to the laser treatment, some doctors will apply an ALA solution to the skin prior to treatment. This makes the skin more sensitive to the light. The most common laser acne treatment is blue-light therapy. Photodynamic treatment is the laser therapy used in severe acne cases. The CO2 laser is used for deep acne scars and lesions and is more invasive than other acne laser treatment.

Laser therapy for acne is preformed in a doctor's office. Your skin will be cleansed and a topical anesthetic may be applied to the skin for up to 30 minutes then removed. Both the patient and doctor will ear protective eyewear, to protect them from the laser light. The laser will then be passed over the affected areas of skin. A treatment can take a few minutes or up to an hour depending upon the size of the affected area. Several treatments may necessary depending upon the severity of conditions condition. Some people may experience slight discomfort during treatment, however the topical anesthetic and cooling technology incorporated into the laser therapy help to diminish pain. There is no downtime after acne laser therapy except with PDT treatment where one can experience redness for 2-4 days then peeling. Avoid direct sun exposure for 48 hours after laser acne therapy. Follow your doctor's recommendation about follow up treatment and skin care. Normal recommendation is 3 treatments about 1 month apart, however additional treatment more frequently may be suggested.

Laser treatment to cure acne can cost anywhere from $ 300 to $ 500 with PDT averaging $ 1500 to $ 3000 and CO2 $ 4000 and up. Most people use laser acne treatment as a last resort after they have tried all other acne treatment with no results. Although laser acne treatment looks steep it's a small price to pay when OTC and prescription medications do not work. Plus laser and light therapies do not have the added side effects. Laser acne treatment may be exactly what you need to get rid of your acne and acne scars for good.

Are There Foods That Help Prevent Wrinkles?

Foods that help prevent wrinkles? Sounds too good to be true, does not it? But the fact is that there are certain foods which, when eaten regularly as part of a healthy, balanced diet, can have a substantial effect on the condition of your skin. When combined with all natural skin care products made from plant-based materials, these foods can become part of a truly effective anti-aging skin care regimen.

Cause of Wrinkles

Wrinkles are generally caused by a lack of collagen, a protein found in the skin that keeps it elastic and well toned. Collagen depletion happens to all of us as we age, but the process can be exacerbated by the presence of free radicals, harmful toxins which result from exposure to irritants like smoke, sun and air pollution. Foods that prevent wrinkles contain specific nutrients which directly combat free radicals and help to promote collagen growth.

So what exactly are foods that prevent wrinkles? Basically, anything which contains vitamins and other natural antioxidants or which contain fatty acids which allow for natural lubrication of the skin. Among the best foods for preventing wrinkles are tomatoes, red and orange peppers and winter squash. All of these foods contain high levels of Vitamin A and Vitamin E, two of the most powerful natural antioxidants.

As important as nutrients are natural lubricants, which is why seafood, eggs, nuts and olive oil are all foods that prevent wrinkles. Each of these foods contains fatty acids which help to balance moisture levels in the skin for a smoother, softer look.

Skin Care Products – Which Ones Are Best?

While eating well is a key to maintaining healthy skin, so too is treating your skin with all natural products. Anything that you put on your skin is going to be absorbed into your bloodstream, which effectively means that any skin care product you use is absolutely eating. Therefore, it is essential that the products you use contain only all-natural, plant-based ingredients which will work in much the same way as foods that help prevent wrinkles.

Safe Ingredients Are Vital

Skin care products which contain ingredients such as antioxidants, natural proteins, vegetable-based waxes, natural moisturizing oils and certain plant extracts are the safest and healthiest alternative for your body. Like foods that prevent wrinkles, these plant-based ingredients contain important nutrients and natural emollients and allow you to avoid loading your body with harmful synthetics.

Shea butter and macadamia and other plant-based oils can help to balance hydration levels naturally, while proteins like keratin promote collagen growth and restore elasticity. Just like foods that help prevent wrinkles, skin care products which contain Vitamin E and other natural antioxidants can help rid the body of harmful free radicals and help it to heal itself from within.

They say you are what you eat. When it comes to skin care, this is literally true. What you put onto and into your body can have a direct effect on the appearance of your skin, which is why you need to be extremely careful when it comes to choosing skin care products. Make the natural choice for your skin care and help your body to look and feel better inside and out! The bottom line is: Eat a Healthy Diet. Use only Skin Care Products that are "Safe Enough to Eat".