Lets Talk About skin Care, Beauty And Health Tips

She's tried scrubs for blackheads, three-step skin care (cleanser, toner, oil-free moisturizer) from the department store, extraction, masks, pore strips... nothing seems to help. It's especially noticeable on her nose.

Answer
Do see a dermatologist to remove blackheads. They have the tools and the knowâhow to safely remove blackheads without causing scarring or infection. If you have just a few blackheads, use a comedone extractor, available at a beauty supply store. It's best to remove blackheads after a warm shower or bath, when your skin is soft. And always disinfect any tools with rubbing alcohol before you use them on your face.

Don't pick at dark skin. Picking can leave dark spots on the skin that can take a while to fade away. It can also cause keloid scars.

Do wash your pillowcase every night and always use clean face towels if you have acneâprone skin. Dirty towels and pillowcases can harbor bacteria and germs that can make acne worse.

Don't pick, pop, squeeze, or otherwise mess with your skin. Squeezing blemishes or whiteheads can lead to infection or scarring. It almost always makes the acne you have worse. You should never tangle with a whitehead as they'll go away on their own in a few days anyway. If you have a pimple with a yellow, pusâfilled center and you must pop it,
see How to Pop A Pimple â (On the same page)
http://www.teenmag.com/aboutyou/beauty/articles/0,,639404_643054,00.html

⢠Gently wash the face twice daily with mild soap and pat dry. Do not scrub.Scrubbing irritates the skin
⢠Use "noncomedogenic" cosmetics and toiletries.
⢠Avoid things that aggravate acne such as grease or oils.
⢠Allow acne products enough time to work. With some treatments, it may take as long as 8 weeks for a show improvement.
⢠Some acne products increase the skinsâ sensitivity to sunlight. Use protective clothing and sunscreen.â
http://www.continuingeducation.com/pharmtech/acne/acne.pdf

This site goes on to recommend many of the products I have posted further along in the answer.
http://www.dermadoctor.com/pages/newsletter90.asp?WID=%7B504AFEA9-1308-4646-A67C-33F444424F7E%7D

Large Pores
The first step is to keep the area clean. Daily cleansing and toning are a must. A clay mask once a week will also help to deeply cleanse and tighten the skin (use the time to "think" your pores smaller)!

The good news is skin-care companies are getting the message. http://magazines.ivillage.com/redbook/experts/expert/qas/0,,284485_293192,00.html

There are a few other ways to reduce the appearance of your pores. We recommend that youâ¦
- Eat plenty of fresh fish, vegetables and fruit â especially berries and melon.
- Reduce the amount of processed foods in your diet. Choose âgood fatsâ like avocado over saturated fats.
- Swap your usual moisturiser for one specifically designed for minimising the appearance of pores. Iâve been using Neutrogenaâs Pore Refining Cream for 3 months and the large pores around my nose have definitely become less noticeable.â
http://www.nzgirl.co.nz/articles/3397

Products and Treatments:
Retin-A (tretinoin, a form of vitamin A) or alpha hydroxy acids (glycolic)This helps to unblock pores and decrease the formation of blackheads (comedones) and spots. It may take six to eight weeks before definite beneficial effects on the skin can be seen.â http://www.tiscali.co.uk/lifestyle/healthfitness/health_advice/netdoctor/archive/100002258.html
http://www.nreagan.com/merchant/education/answers_and_advice/skincare/

Glycolic creams are very highly recommended for blackheads removal. It helps in skin peeling, effectively unclogging the pores and smoothening the skin surface.â
http://www.ultimate-cosmetics.com/beauty/skin_disorders/blackheads.htm

When looking for an product containing AHA, keep in mind that it may go by the following names(see the link).
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/cos-aha.html

Some AHA products:
http://www.drugstore.com/templates/brand/default.asp?brand=8227&aid=336064&aparam=xsp76888
http://skincarerx.com/aha.html?x=44.0.30

Other products
âBenzoyl Peroxide, Resorcinol, Sulfur, Azelaic Acid, Alcohol, and Acetic acid are some of the treatments discussed on this site. Prescription remedies are covered as well.â

I recommend you visit a good dermatologist who can prescribe the correct therapy for you. Your doctor may recommend oral antibiotics for a time, or even birth control pills, to be taken along with a topical treatment.
http://www.continuingeducation.com/pharmtech/acne/acne.pdf

âAcne treatments work by reducing oil production, speeding up skin cell turnover, fighting bacterial infection or a combination of all three. http://www.continuingeducation.com/pharmtech/acne/acne.pdf

http://skin-care.health-cares.net/blackheads.php

âHere are ways to loosen the blackheads:
1. Steaming the Pores
Steaming can be done as often as twice a week but for no longer than 10 minutes at a time. This is a great way to clean out pores and loosen blackheads.
2. Combine 1/4 cup boiling water with one teaspoon of Epsom salt and three drops of iodine.
Let mixture cool until it's comfortable to the touch.Saturate a cotton ball with this mixture and dab on blackheads.This will allow them to loosen so they can be easily squeezed with a gauze pad.
3. Combine equal parts baking soda and water in your hand and rub gently on your skin for 2 to 3 minutes. Rinse with warm water.â

Professional Treatments:
âIf the acne does not respond to home and over-the-counter treatments after two months, it is a good idea to see a dermatologist before the condition produces scarring and/or takes an emotional toll.Dermatologists have numerous prescription medications and procedures available.
·Retinoic acids.Available as creams and lotions, these vitamin A acids can help unblock pores and reduce the skin's bacteria.
·Topical antibacterials or antibiotics.These creams and lotions can help reduce acne nflammation and skin bacteria.
·Oral antibiotics.Though not usually the first course of treatment, oral antibiotics such as tetracycline are often used to help reduce the inflammation of acne.
·Birth control pills.Women who use oral contraceptives may notice that their acne improves significantly. In fact, the FDA has approved one birth control pill specifically for acne treatment.
·Isotretinoin.For severe acne that does not respond to other treatments, your dermatologist may prescribe isotretinoin. This medication must be used with care,however, since it can cause birth defects.
·Surgery.It is never a good idea to remove blackheads or whiteheads (both called comedones) or pimples on your own. A dermatologist has the proper equipment to extract them without leaving scars.â
http://www.skindoc.net/acne.html

Additional Information:
Here is a home remedy to try:
http://wiki.ehow.com/Make-a-Natural-Large-Pore-Treatment

Do I have BDD? I Really NEED to know...help!?

Q. If you don't know what that is go here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_dysmorphic_disorder

I've always hated the way i look. I always ask people if i look okay not to fish for compliments but because im ALWAYS worried about my appearance.

I hate my hair, my bangs are too short, i'm chubbyish, i have such a round face, i'm too tall, my arms are flabby, i wear braces, and so much more.

And I know that sounds like any other teenager, but I become depressed almost everyday because I think that I would never look good enough for the world. I know that sounds stupid, but no matter what I do I ALWAYS feel like that.

Every morning I cry when I look in the mirror. At times I've hated my life because of the way I looked...


Do I have BDD? Or just REALLY low self esteem?

Answer
See*. Body Dysmorphic Disorder: Only use a small hand mirror to check appearance, so just a small part of the body may be seen at a time, yet anything wrong will still be immediately apparent; cover (taping over/painting) full length mirrors. Check out http://www.bddcentral/mainpage2.aspx and http://www.ocdla.com/bodydysmorphicdisor... and www.mental-health-abc.com and http://www.psychforums.com/viewforum.php and http://p066.ezboard.com/bbodydysmorphicd... and http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/conditions/bodydysmorphia1.shtml and http://bddvictims.lefora.com/headlines/
Other things worth trying: See self esteem/confidence, in sections 38 & 47, and practise daily, and when needed, one of the relaxation techniques in sections 2, 11, 2c, or 2i, at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris Give the EFT, in section 53, a good tryout: "Even though I have a distorted body image, I accept myself deeply and completely".

All of these things are designed to bolster the central sense of identity, enable emotional centering, and changing the focus from that of a person's appearance, to helping others. A TECHNIQUE FOR REPROGRAMMING NEGATIVE THOUGHTS: (ALSO SEE PAGE L, IN SECTION 2). When you notice something negative, such as: "I'm never going to get over this!" or: "Why am I always so pathetic/useless/such a loser?" or even: "I can't do this/will never get over this!", or a disturbing image, recognise that this is part of the mindset which will hold you back from progress. Having identified and labelled it, visualise a large red "STOP!" sign, and/or possibly a stern faced person wagging an index finger at you in a negative manner, then say to yourself as forcefully as you can, even aloud in a big voice, if alone: "I know this tactic: GO AWAY FOR A WHILE !!!"

You may want to use either: "ruse", "ploy", "game", or "trick", instead of "tactic". In the case of an image, visualise a large "STOP" sign, or your preferred version. Some people go so far as to keep a wide rubber band in their pocket, then put it around their wrist, when they catch themselves backsliding, stretch and release it, as a method of reprogramming their mind sooner, but I don't regard it as being strictly necessary. Remember to remove it, afterwards, if you use this method. It may well be worthwhile going to the Groups, at Myspace, Google, and Yahoo, to find others with the disorder, and see what has worked for them.

Use the WebFerret search engine, your own, the Wikipedia, and Google websites, and Yahoo websearch on BDD. View: http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/board/about... and *take the quiz at http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2... Print the result; take to a doctor, and ask for an appropriate referral. If you are one of the 40% of people who are fairly suggestible, you may wish to consider professional hypnotherapy, or: Body Dysmorphia from: www.hypnosisdownloads.com & Feel Attractive Now &
Overcome Insecurity &
Stop Negative Thoughts & Self Acceptance & Care Less What Others Think, OR www.instant-hypnosis.com has: Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Weight loss methods are shown in section 56, at ezy build. Going to a gym woluld help with the arms, (and chubbyness) and there are hairstyles which suit your facial structure; try the Y!A section on skin & beauty. There are braces which you only wear at night.