Man Skin Care

asahi.comAging men lead boom in skin care products - ENGLISH your browser is either not applicable nor ineffective for JavaScript JAPANESE ENGLISH    Nation    Politics    World    Business    Op-Ed    Sports     Arts     LifeStyle Herald Tribune/Asahi Asahi Weekly from SiliconValley asahi.com  >  ENGLISH  >  Business Aging men lead boom in skin care products 01/13/2006 The Asahi Shimbun A generation of dandies is back in the chips. Middle-aged men are spending big on cosmetics, particularly skin care products. In their bachelor days, the same men led Japan's first boom in men's cosmetics in the 1970s. At that time, most spending was on cologne and other products to enhance their masculine appeal. It worked. They married and had children, which also meant no spare cash. Now that their children have grown, the men have the means to pamper themselves. This time the focus is on products to care for aging skin. Shipment of men's skin care cosmetics was 12.6 billion yen between January and October, up about 15 percent from the same period the previous year, according to figures compiled by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Cosmetics manufacturers said they believe middle-aged men are leading the growth. Traditionally, the primary buyers of men's cosmetics have been in their 20s and 30s. In May 2004, Shiseido Co. launched the Shiseido Men skin care brand, including lotions and cleansing creams. It has since increased the number of products under the brand. At Takashimaya Co.'s outlet in Tokyo's Nihonbashi district, 70 percent of the customers are men aged 50 or older. "The percentage of middle-aged men who use cosmetics regularly is still small," an official in charge of the sales floor said. "There is a lot of room for market expansion." About a year ago, a 51-year-old Tokyo office worker started using a lotion after his only daughter graduated from university. He calls it an investment in himself. During his bachelorhood in the 1970s, he used a high-end eau de cologne from Shiseido. After getting married he hadn't been able to afford cosmetics at all--until now.(IHT/Asahi: January 13,2006) Latest Headlines I'll be fine (01/27) Shady Livedoor report tied to hidden affiliates (01/27) Battle brews over 'eco-driving' plan (01/27) Plan in works to deduct health premiums from all seniors' pensions (01/27) Man with 'enchanted harem' accused of death threats (01/27) Vox Populi, Vox Dei Asahi Shimbun's well-known daily column, which deals with a wide range of subjects from history, culture to current events. ASAHI WEEKLY Asahi Weekly is the foremost teacher of English in Japan through news, features and columns. Up-to-date columns and reports on pressing issues indispensable for mutual understanding in Asia. [More Information] Asahi Haikuist Network Why don't you take pen in hand and send us a haiku or two. Haiku expert David McMurray will evaluate your submission. Search Let's Study! ASAHI WEEKLY Tips on English Hungry For Words Don't hold back Column Japan Notebook Subscribe Herald Tribune/Asahi Asahi Weekly NYT Weekly Review Asahi Shimbun English-language Publication Advertise Media Kit online newspaper Link New York Times SiliconValley.com CNN.com The Asahi Shimbun Company Go To PageTop HOME ENGLISH Nation Politics World Business Op-Ed Sports Arts LifeStyle

Lip Gloss .15 oz

Amazon.com: Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm Lip Gloss .15 oz Tube: Health & Personal Care Your Store Health & Personal Care See All 32 Product Categories   Your Account | Cart | Wish List | Help | Browse Brands & Products | Top Sellers | Health Care | Personal Care | Shaving & Hair Removal | Nutrition & Fitness | Baby & Child Care | Sales & Special Offers Search Amazon.com Health & Personal Care Web Search This item is not eligible for Amazon Prime, but over a million other items are. Join Amazon Prime today. Already a member? Sign in . ITEM INFORMATION Explore this item buying info label information customer reviews shipping information rate this item See more by this brand Burt's Bees Share your thoughts write a review write a So You'd Like to... guide tell a friend about this item RATE THIS ITEM I dislike it I love it! 1 2 3 4 5 Edit your ratings Visit the Apparel Store Hue Women's Long Muk Luk Slippers Mind Body Source Price: $0.49 Availability: 1-2 business days Quantity: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering. A9.com users save 1.57% on Amazon. Learn how . The Vitamin Shoppe Price: $2.43 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days 2 new, used & refurbished from $0.49 A9.com users save 1.57% on Amazon. Learn how . Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm Lip Gloss .15 oz Tube Other products by Burt's Bees See more pictures and other information List Price: $2.99 Price: $0.49 You Save: $2.50 (84%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Features: Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm Lip Gloss .15 oz Tube Burts Burt's Natural Beauty Cosmetics Burt's most popular product, chocked full of pain relieving protective ingredients to help soothe cracked, chapped or burning lips. Amazon.com Sales Rank: #316 in Health & Personal Care(See Top Sellers in Health & Personal Care ) Yesterday: #162 in Health & Personal Care Shipping Information: View shipping rates and policies ASIN: B00012NDH4 Date first available at Amazon: December 12, 2003 Average Customer Review: Based on 38 reviews. Write a review . This page was created by a seller. Label Information Burt's most popular product, chocked full of pain relieving protective ingredients to help soothe cracked, chapped or burning lips. Ingredients Coconut oil, beeswax, sweet almond oil, peppermint oil, tocopheryl acetate & tocopherol (vitamin E), lanolin, comfrey root extract, rosemary extract. Spotlight Reviews (What's this?) Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers. Search Customer Reviews 4 of 4 people found the following review helpful: iXnay petroleum! , December 7, 2005 Reviewer: Cynthia Raxter (BYNUM, NC USA)- See all my reviews This lip balm does not contain any petroleum products. It is safe enough to eat. I'd actually prefer it without the mint -- but it does the job without feeling greasy. It really moisturizers your lips, even if your lips are severly chapped. The company hires the handicapped and is very environmentally responsible. They support local charities and help in the community (donating products to homeless shelters). There are frequent stories in the local newspaper about their operation. If you like supporting a good company, this would be one. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) 10 of 22 people found the following review helpful: Plus and minus issues with this... , December 22, 2003 Reviewer: T. Reinhardt "olivia lee" (east coast)- See all my reviews While I like some things about this product there are some negatives to consider. First, there is no sunscreen which is a big issue for me. I very much prefer lip balms with a sunscreen but for someone sensitive to that ingredient not having one would be a huge plus. Second, I like the feel of the minty-ness. It isn't something that bothers my skin but the peppermint in it could be an irritant to some people. Perhaps, it doesnt bother me because I don't use this exclusively, I'm not sure, but I can see this being an issue for some people with sensitive skin. The texture is a mixed-bag for me. While it feels nice once it's on, I find it a bit *pulling* to get it on. I think that it melts a bit at body temp so once its on, it feels good. I find a bit *stiff* in the tube. I like the tube form as lip balms in a tin are a bit messy to get on and this is easy to carry with you. I haven't had any issues with the cap coming off in pocket or purse. It also doesn't look *feminine* in the tube or have a sweet flowery scent so my son will use it. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) All Customer Reviews Average Customer Review: Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers. Ouch! , January 26, 2006 Reviewer: Shannon Andrae (WV, USA)- See all my reviews I love the Lip Balm, but the Mind Body source wants $9.94 for shipping 5 small tubes of Lip Balm that cost .49 cents each? OUCH! I don't think so!! Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) 2 of 2 people found the following review helpful: Terrific Product, Very Invigorating , January 20, 2006 Reviewer: J. H. Sweet - See all my reviews I have used Cherry Chapstick for as long as I can remember, and I still love it, but I will now be periodically switching off with Beeswax Lip Balm. I didn't think anything could ever make me want to add variety to my Cherry Chapstick regimen, but I was wrong. Beeswax Lip Balm is minty and invigorating, and it feels nice. I have always loved beeswax candles. I now love this product as well. J.H. Sweet, author of The Fairy Chronicles, and Burt's Bees Enthusiast Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) 4 of 4 people found the following review helpful: Great Product.. Find another Seller though. , January 13, 2006 Reviewer: G. Szimanski (Michigan)- See all my reviews The vendor "The Mind Body Source" will kill the deal as they want an INSANE amount in shipping. I was going to order 10 of these and the shipping came to $15 for $5 of product. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) Not very moisturizing , January 10, 2006 Reviewer: Justine "Justine" (Pennington, NJ USA)- See all my reviews I personally am not a big fan of Burt's Bees chapstick. It feels cool and everything, but it doesn't really do a good job in moisturing my lips. I would reccomend Chapstick or Softlips, and they are both cheaper than Burt's. Was this review helpful to you? ( Report this ) See all 38 customer reviews... Suggestion Box Your comments can help make our site better for everyone. If you've found something incorrect, broken, or frustrating on this page, let us know so that we can improve it. Please note that we are unable to respond directly to suggestions made via this form. If you need help with an order, please contact Customer Service . Please mark as many of the following boxes that apply: Product information is missing important details. Product information is incorrect. The page contains typographical errors. The page takes too long to load. The page has a software bug in it. Content violates Amazon.com's policy on offensive language . Product offered violates Amazon.com's policy on items that can be listed for sale. Comments or Examples: Examples: Missing information such as dimensions and model number, typos, inaccuracies, etc. Health & Personal Care Disclaimer: Content on this site is for reference purposes and is not intended to substitute for advice given by a physician, pharmacist, or other licensed health-care professional. You should not use this information as self-diagnosis or for treating a health problem or disease. When you receive an item, carefully read all labels, warnings, and directions before use. Actual product packaging and materials may contain more and/or different information than that shown on our Web site. Contact your health-care provider immediately if you suspect that you have a medical problem. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition. Mind Body Source Shipping Information Mind Body Source Returns & Exchanges Contact Mind Body Source Mind Body Source & Your Privacy Where's My Stuff? • Track your recent orders . • View or change your orders in Your Account . Shipping & Returns • See our shipping rates & policies . • Return an item (here's our Returns Policy ). Need Help? • Forgot your password? Click here . • Redeem or buy a gift certificate. • Tax and seller information • Visit our Help department . Search Health & Personal Care All Products for Turn your past purchases into $$$ Learn more about selling at Amazon.com today! 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Lotion for Military to

FDA Clears Skin Lotion for Military to Protect Against Chemical Burns FDA Home | Search FDA Site | A-Z Index | Contact FDA FDA News FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE P03-24 March 28, 2003 Media Inquiries: 301-827-6242 Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA FDA Clears Skin Lotion for Military to Protect Against Chemical Burns The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared for use by the U.S. military a liquid decontamination lotion intended to remove or neutralize chemical warfare agents and T-2 fungal toxin from the skin. The lotion, called Reactive Skin Decontamination Lotion (RSDL), must be applied to exposed skin as soon as possible after exposure to a chemical agent. The lotion is impregnated in a sponge pad packaged as a single unit in a heat-sealed foil pouch. When exposed to chemical warfare agents, the user wipes the exposed skin with the lotion. The lotion removes the agents or the T-2 toxin and also reacts with the chemical agents, rapidly neutralizing them so they are non-toxic. "If used in time, this lotion can help prevent the serious burns and deaths that results from exposure to chemical warfare agents," said FDA Commissioner Mark B. McClellan, M.D., Ph.D. "FDA worked with the U.S. Army to expedite review of this product to make it available to our men and women in uniform as quickly as possible." FDA cleared the lotion for use based on studies conducted by the U.S. Department of the Army that showed it is safe and effective. The Army tested the product's safety by conducting skin irritation, sensitization and photo irritation studies in more than 300 people. It tested its effectiveness by using it to treat animals that had been exposed to chemical agents. The Canadian military and the U.S. military worked together to develop the scientific data on which FDA based clearance of the product. RSDL is manufactured by O'Dell Engineering Ltd/E-Z-EM Canada Inc., Canada. #### Media Contacts | FDA News Page FDA Home | Search FDA Site | A-Z Index | Contact FDA | Privacy | Accessibility FDA/Website Management Staff Web page created by tg 2003-MAR-28.

Retinal Cream

ICE CREAM AND STROKES By Robert Cohen Executive Director A Stroke of Bad LuckFifty years ago, a young medical student performed anautopsy on a 9-year-old girl with golden-blonde hair and aslender athletic body.As the attending physician during her illness (he was asecond-year medical student at the time), Charles Attwoodwas also required to perform a careful dissection of theinternal organs upon his patient's death. A few years ago,he described to me, firsthand, the pain of holding her heartin his hands.What Dr. Attwood found in her coronary artery affected himgreatly, and shaped his future medical career. Bright yellowthickening of the arterial wall indicated heart disease. Herartery was clogged with atherosclerotic placquing fromcholesterol.On Wednesday morning, my dearest friend suffered a stroke. Ispent part of the day with him in the emergency room atEnglewood Hospital in New Jersey while a CAT scan and othertests were performed.The Tuesday night before his stroke, he ate the "steak-special" at Charlie Brown's Restaurant. This was the 24-ounce New York cut that came from a cow and was finelymarbled with delicious saturated animal fat. The meal was sogood, that he splurged a bit and had cheesecake for dessert.When indigestion and reflux threatened to rob him of a goodnight's sleep, he took that one reliable medicine whichalways works to buffer the acid in his stomach, vanilla icecream.During dinner, his stomach immediately went to workdigesting that steak. After dinner, the cheesecakeneutralized the acid in his stomach, preventing that organfrom performing the task it was designed to do. During hispained act of indigestion, the vanilla ice cream neutralizedthe stomach acid once more, and the contents of his stomachsac emptied into his large intestine where the remainingfood containing three extra-large doses of saturated fatwere absorbed into his bloodstream.I have heard Caldwell Esselstyn, a cardiologist at America'spremiere heart hospital, the Cleveland Clinic, describe apint of blood taken from a man who had previously ingested asimilar saturated-fat lunch. An hour after the blood wasdrawn from the man's vein, a thick coating of fat had risento the top of that pint, and had to be skimmed before thedonor's life fluid could be infused into a recipient. Muchlike fatty cream rises to the top of a container of milk(before homogenization), so too did the saturated animal fatfrom the foods he ate coagulate into the arteries and brainof my friend, the man who suffered his stroke.He is a warrior, this friend. He lives by that three-prongedsword otherwise known as a fork. Live by the sword, die bythat sword. The stroke subtracted from the efficiency ofmany of those normal daily functions that we take forgranted. His speech is now slurred. His vision is impaired.His gait is not as lively today as it was on Monday. Thedoctors do expect a full recovery. The stroke was a signalfrom a body under siege. A body fashioned by the mostintelligent of forces, designed to send a series of signals,first subtle and then powerful, when things go wrong.Indigestion, discomfort, strokes, heart attacks. Somesignals are soft, and some are like the crashing of cymbalsat the conclusion of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture. Each oflife's warning signs are designed to alert the mind of thebody to alter an inefficient or improper behavior.We as a society eat meat and dairy products because theytaste so good. Because they are so-called comfort foods.Because the saturated animal fat creates wonderful tastesensations upon our taste buds. Two out of three of us whoeat such food as our body's fuel will die of acardiovascular event such as a stroke or heart attack.It is never too late to reverse heart disease. Day onebegins with a recognition of gastronomy's cruelest joke.That which tastes the best, pizza, barbecued ribs, icecream, hamburgers, does the most damage. The choice is toeither live a life free of heart disease, and not spend tento twenty years dying like the average American does, orgive up those most delicious hard-to-digest foods, and livea longer, healthier, and more active, pain-free life inwhich the body and mind remain true to the initial designplan.My friend will improve. He may or may not return to thatsame diet which causes strokes to occur. The quality-of-lifedecision for him to continue eating delicious fat-filledfoods may result in shortening his life. Some people saythat a meal consisting of steak with ice cream for dessertis "to die for." In the end, it is up to him to come toterms with his future. ---------------------------ICE CREAM AND STROKESThe dairy industry recently featured a milk mustache ad withthe Three Stooges.The advertisement posed Curly with a milk mustache, justafter he had been hit over the head with a crowbar--one ofthe many slapstick routines used frequently by the ThreeStooges.CURLY: Wait a minute. You know I'm temperamental! MOE: Yeah,95% temper, 5% mental.What better role model could dairymen have chosen torepresent them than an out of shape, obese drunk withcardiovascular disease?In the early 1940's, Curly's health began to deteriorate.His eating habits, combined with his constant drinking andsmoking, caused him to gain enormous amounts of weight, andhe developed high blood pressure.On January 23, 1945, Curly was diagnosed as having extremehypertension, a retinal hemorrhage, and obesity. He remainedat the hospital for tests and treatment and was dischargednearly three weeks later.On May 6, 1946, during the shooting of a movie, Curlysuffered a stroke and was rushed to the hospital where hewas placed on a strict vegetarian diet.After Curly left the hospital, he went back to his old waysand suffered several more strokes. In 1949, Curly's healthtook a severe turn for the worse. The latest stroke left himpartially paralyzed and confined to a wheel chair.This time, Curly's doctors placed him on a diet of boiledrice and raw fruits and vegetables. This diet successfullylowered his weight and blood pressure.On January 18, 1952, Curly died at the very young age of 48.His brothers outlived him by many years. Moe died at the ageof 73 and Larry died at the age of 78.Just about the same time that Curly suffered his firststroke, the nation of Japan got their first dairy cows.In Japan, every year since 1946, tens-of thousands ofpersons have been interviewed and their diets carefullyanalyzed. 21,707 persons from 6,093 households were includedin the sampling. The results of the study were published inPreventive Medicine (Yasuo Kagawa, Department ofBiochemistry, Jichi Medical School, Japan, 7, 205-217,1978).According to this study, the per-capita yearly dietaryintake of dairy products in 1950 was only 5.5 pounds.Twenty-five years later the average Japanese ate 117.4pounds of milk and dairy products.While milk and dairy consumption increased from 1950 to1975, cerebral vascular disease (strokes) increased by afactor of 38 percent.Dr. Benjamin Spock wrote about a related medical crisis thatchanged his life. Spock was America's best knownpediatrician, and sold 85 million copies of his book, ChildCare. Spock wrote:"Ever since I wrote my first edition of Baby and Child Carein 1946, I have always put the emphasis on the need foreating lots of vegetables, fruits, and whole grain cereals.But due to the fact that dairy products and meats have beenconsidered ideal foods for so long, I was hesitant to talkabout their hidden disadvantages. In fact, I was notentirely convinced, until recently, that all parents shouldbe alerted, and in some cases made to feel guilty, when theycontinue to give these foods to their children. What changedmy mind was an episode in my own medical history.In 1988, I fainted crossing the lobby of a hotel andspattered the marble floor with blood. After a week'shospitalization it was concluded that my condition waspartly due to the irregular rhythm of my heart (atrialfibrillation), a familial condition I'd had for severalyears. Also, I had a supposed narrowing of arteries in mybrain from arteriosclerosis, which had stopped or interferedwith the heart beat enough to allow blood to clot in myheart. A piece of the clot presumably broke off and pluggedan artery of my brain long enough to cause the faint. Notlong afterward, I had a brief episode of speaking gibberishinstead of English. I was put on a digitalis medication toslow and steady the heart beat and given a pacemaker tosubstitute for my heart if it decided to stop again. Sincemy mother and two sisters died of strokes, that was enoughto remind me that I am mortal like all humans, a fact that Ihad ignored until then.In recent years, we've discovered that a high-fat diet,which means eating relatively large amounts of meat, dairyproducts, and fried foods, is the main cause ofarteriosclerosis, coronary heart disease, stroke, certainforms of cancer and obesity. Experts in these diseasesrealize that the true cause is the excessively high animalfat content of the average American diet including dairyproducts."We should all learn from Dr. Spock's wisdom. My finalmessage: Get well soon, Dad. I am happy to see containers ofsoy-based ice cream and sorbets in your freezer instead ofthat "other stuff." Robert Cohen author of: MILK A-Z (201-871-5871) Executive Director ( notmilkman@notmilk.com ) Dairy Education Board http://www.notmilk.com Do you know of a friend or family member with one or more of these milk-related problems? Do them a huge favor and forward the URL or this entire file to them. Do you know of someone who should read these newsletters? If so, have them send an empty Email to notmilk-subscribe@yahoogroups.com and they will receive it (automatically)!

Acne Cream contains lactic

Acne Treatment, Products, medicine and remedies - Teen to adult acne solutions Search By Brand Birch Trees Belli Cellex-C Citrix Colorescience Custom Derm. Cutanix Estion DDF Donell (Super-Skin) Fake Bake Glycolix Elite Glytone Hylexin Kinerase La Roche-Posay LRS & C2S Serum MaMa Lotion M.D. Forte NeoStrata Neova/ProCyte Niadyne NuCelle PCA Skin (Phys. Choice) Physician's Complex Replenix RoC SkinCeuticals Skin Medica (TNS) Skin Therapy Solbar Sunblock Stephanie Johnson StriVectin-SD Sun Laboratories Ti-Silk TNS Recovery Complex Tocca Topix (Citrix & Replenix) Total Block Sunblock TriCeram TYK Law of Beauty WellSkin Sign In :: Register :: Forums :: View Cart :: Contact Us :: Newsletter :: Home List All Brands Combination Skin Dry Skin Normal Skin Oily Skin Sensitive Skin Acne Acne Scar Treatment Aging Age Spots / Freckles Dark Skin Eczema Keratosis Pilaris Melasma Pregnancy Rosacea Stretch Marks Alpha-hydroxy Acids Bleaching Creams Coenzyme Q10 Copper Peptide Green Tea Growth Factors Hyaluronic Acid Peptides Retinol Salicylic Acid Vitamin-C Bags & Accessories Body Washes Cleansers Eye Creams Exfoliators & Masks Hand & Body Lotions Lip Treatments Men's Skin Care Microdermabrasion Creams Moisturizers Sunblocks Sunless Tanners Full Product List Shipping Information Return Policy Become an Esthetician Cosmetic Laser Section Privacy Policy Acne & Blemish Prone Skin Recommended Skin Care for the Treatment of Acne NuCelle®Rx: Mandelic Marine Complex System *safe on sensitive and dark skin types IV and up* Physician's Choice Acne Cream contains lactic acid and benzoyl peroxide. Blemish Control Bar great for both body and facial acne.Contains Sulfur, and Salicylic acid. Bestseller C2S Skin Balancing Serum *safe on sensitive and dark skin * Will not cause dryness Glytone Acne Treatment Kit not for use on sensitive skin. Great for severe or hard to control acne. Cellex-C Skin Perfecting Pen contains natural anti-viral and antiinflammatory ingredients that effectively banish breakouts. NeoStrata Acne Spot Treatment combines salicylic acid with mandelic acid for quick healing. MaMa Lotion 10% malic acid and 10% mandelic acid. Quickly fades scarring and reduces breakouts. Acne Bulletin Board and Forum Click the above link to view the acne bulletin board and forum, read comments, and find out what works for other people. The Cause of Acne The oil is produced by oil glands known as sebaceous glands. These glands are bigger and more active in the region of the nose than any other areas of the face. This is why the nose tends to be a trouble area. The pores in this area are also larger, in order to accomodate the large flow of oil produced. Other areas on the body where sebaceous glands are most heavily concentrated are the neck, chest, and back-areas where body acne can be common. The amount of oil that an individual makes is determined by genetics. It is affected by hormones and what is called an "end organ response". The oil gland is considered the end organ because it is this gland that is acted upon by hormones. Many people have the same level of hormones, but make different amount of oil because their oil glands respond differently. During adolescence, a surge in the level of sex hormones, known as androgens, creates a problem of oily skin where sometimes there was none. The reason is that androgens enlarge and stimulate the sebaceous glands, causing them to produce more sebum. In addition, there is present in acne patients an abormal desquamation (exfoliation) of follicle epithelium*, which results in altered keratinization. This is known as comedogenesis. This process creates a microcomedone, which is still invisible to the eye. This lesion will evolve into either a non-inflammatory lesion (blackhead or whitehead), or an inflammatory lesion. If the comedo ruptures, the area becomes inflamed and results in either papules, postules, or cysts. If there is a large presence of the bacterium Propionibacterium acnes it will facilitate ongoing infection and inflammation. *Membranous tissue composed of one or more layers of cells separated by very little intercellular substance and forming the covering of most internal and external surfaces of the body and its organs. Caring for Acne The first step towards proper care and treatment of acne partly lies in the diagnosis of the type of acne. There are other skin disorders that may resemble acne, but are unrelated. This includes rosacea and gram-negative folliculitis. This is why it is important to see a dermatologist to get a correct diagnosis. This way, incorrect treatment may be avoided. Acne can be diagnosed either by the age of onset, or the predominant type of lesion: comedonal, papulopostular, or cystic. Examples of comedonal lesions include blackheads "open comedo") or whitehead ("closed comedo"). Lesions that become infected or inflamed become red and raised - the milder and more common ones called papules or postules. The large, painful lesions wich seem to be buried within the skin are known as cysts. these lesions are the ones responsible for most acne scarring. Once the acne is diagnosed, it is then determined as mild, moderate, or severe. In the treatment of acne, the four main factors that contribute are taken into account - Comedogenesis, Sebum production, P. acnes (the bacteria), and inflammation. Acne Treatments and their Targets Comedogenesis Retinoids Benzoyl Peroxide Isotretinoin Sulfur Salicylic Acid Azelaic Acid Alpha hydroxy acid Sebum Production Retinoids Antiandrogens Low-dose oral contraceptives P.acnes Antibiotics Retinoids Benzoyl peroxide Mandelic Acid Inflammation Oral Antibiotics Retinoids For non-surgical treatment of acne, there are two man categories, topical or systemic. Topical treatments include Benzoyl Peroxide, alpha hydroxy acids, topical antibiotics, Retin-A, and other cleansers, soaps, or astringents. Systemic treatments include oral antibiotics, isotretinoin (Accutane), or hormonal therapies. A combination of treatments is usually ascribed in order to target all four of the acne contributors. Keratolytic (Exfoliating) Agents: These products affect the comedogenesis (see table above) process by normalizing desquamation (the exfoliation process). This makes it easier for the proper exfoliation and softening of the follicle epithelium, the tiny tissue covering pore openings. The two most commonly available items in this category are alpha-hydroxy acids and benzoyl peroxide. Alpha hydroxy acids : Glycolic acid, the most well-known of the bunch is a useful adjuvant therapy for mild acne. Mandelic acid, a lesser known one, but one that combines the keratolytic properties of glycolic acid with natural antibacterial properties that help reduce the presence of P. acnes, may be considered a more effective alpha hydroxy acid in treating acne lesions. It is also much less irritating than glycolic acid, a factor that may be very important to those with sensitive skin who are unable to use other agents such as Retin-A, benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, or salicylic acid. It is effective in treating mild cases of acne on its own, and can be used successfully with other therapies on moderate acne. Salicylic Acid : Salicylic Acid is a Beta-hydroxy acid. It's exfoliating action is similar to that of glycolic acid, but it remains on the top of the skin, cleansing out pores. Salicylic acid is particularly effective at decreasing the number of noninflammatory lesions such as blackheads and whiteheads. Benzoyl peroxide : As one of the more potent antimicrobial agents used in the treatment of mild acne, benzol peroxide is available in a variety of formulations and concentrations. There appear to be no differences in the efffectiveness of the different formulations and concentrations in the average acne patient. "Benzoyl peroxide rapidly improves both inflammatory and noninflammatory lesions by reducing the population of P. acnes, and facilitating a decrease in the free fatty acids that ultimately lead to retention hyperkeratosis, and microcomedo formation." - Cosmetic Dermatology April 1999 Sulfur and resorcinol : These older medications tend to work mostly on the surface of your skin to help heal existing blemishes by unclogging pores. Tretinoin: (Retin-A): Tretinoin works on acne by normalizing the exfoliation of the follicular epithelium, drains and promotes healing of existing blemishes, and prevents new ones from forming. Tretinoin also removes microorganisms that stimulate inflammation."...tretinoin may enhance penetration of other drugs, such as topical antibiotics and antimicrobials (Benzoyl Peroxide), by facilitating the unplugged follicle to become less anaerobic and more accessible. This inhibits the growth of P. acnes and minimizes the rupturing of comedones into surrounding tissue. As a results, tretinoin is a first line agent for both inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne." - Cosmetic Dermatology April 1999 Side effects associated with tretinoin are peeling, redness, irritation, dryness, and increased sun sensitivity. Topical tretinoin, applied at acne sites in small amounts does not alter plasma Vitamin A levels, suggesting that it is a safe drug for use during pregnancy. Tretinoin formulas - Tretinoin is available in a variety of formulations such as cream, gel, and liquid. The selection of the formulation is dependant upon skin type,skin condition, as well as environment. More will be said later on on choosing the right type for you. New developments in the tretinoin industry include the introduction of generic formulations as well as a new microsphere formulation. The new micorsphere formulation was developed to help reduce irritation associated with traditional tretinoin. The formulation keep the tretinoin entrapped in a microsponge. Rather than releasing the tretinoin into the skin upon application, the microsponges first attach to the hair follicle, then release the drug. Improvements are seen in as little as two weeks. Including the benefit of decreased irritation, the micosphere formulation was shown to reduce twice the number of inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions as the regular formulation. The first generic version of Retin-A®, known as Avita™, was approved by the FDA in 1997. Both formulations contain the same active ingredient, but the delivery system varies. While a study was made that found the efficacy of the two were comparable, there are some concerns with generic substitutes. The main concern is when a patient is started on the original product, then decides to switch. Differences in innovator products and generic products may lead to allergic reactions (this is a concern in all products and not just tretinoin). Switching to a generic product can result in an unsatisfactory result or treatment failure. Topical Antibiotics: Clindamycin and erythromycin are the two most common of this type of acne treatment. The efficacy of these products, which are clinically equivalent, lies in the reduction of the P. acnes bacteria on the skin's surface and in the follicle. Although they are also naturally anti-inflammatory, they have no comedolytic effects, and thus do not help preexisting blemishes. Topical clindamycin is available in solution, gel, and lotion formulation; Topical erythromycin is available in cream, solution, gel, pledget and wipes. Topical erythromycin reduces lesions by 50%-60%. The addition of zinc to erythromycin ehances the effectiveness of the product, reducing blemishes even further. If improvement with topical antibiotics starts to diminish, then the treatment should be temporarily discontinued. This will prevent a tolerance or resistance to the drug from developing. Oral Antibiotics: Typically reserved for moderate to severe acne, oral antibiotics such as tetracycline, minocyclene, and erythromycin, these medications are prescribed for prolonged periods of time, typically 4-6 months. These agents suppress P. acnes and have antiinflammatory properties. As with topical antibiotics, combined use with Retin-A will enhance results, speed response time, and minimize side effects. Isotretinoin: Also known as Accutane, this drug affects all four of the contributing factors to acne. It increases exfoliation, preventing comedogenesis. It also decreases sebum production (which may also result in dryness in the skin, mucous membranes, and eyes). it also precipitates a diminished growth of P.acnes , resulting in less inflammation. This therapy is resevered mainly for those with severe and/or cystic acne or patients who have not responded positively to other treatments. The length of treatment is typically 4 months, doses varying according the the severity of the acne. This treament is associated with long-lasting remissions, allowing for acne-free skin even after medication is finished. Teenagers with cystic acne are at higher risk of relapse after the course of medication is finished. In this case, another session of treatment will be required. Sometimes it may take two to four courses of treatment before permanent remission occurs. Some other causes for treatment failure are inadequate dosing and interferance of other medications such as lithium and phenytoin. Those with a history of sinus tract disease may also be presented with some minor complications and should speak to their doctor. Side effects of the drug may include dryness of the skin, eyes and/or mucous membranes, headaches, nasal irritation, increased sun sensitivity, hair loss, diminished night vision, and birth defects if pregnancy occurs during the course of treatment. Female patients must not be pregnant when using Isotretinoin. Two forms of reliable birth control are essential during treatment. A safe cushion before becoming pregnant after the therapy is approximately 2 to 3 months. (A New Treatment) Azelaic Acid: Recently approved for use by the FDA, azelaic acid cream has antikeratinizing, antibacterial, and antinflammatory properties. "Azelaic Acid Cream (20%) has been shown to significantly reduce inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne lesions with an efficacy comparable to that of tretinoin (0.05%), benzoyl peroxide (5%), and topical erythromycin (2%), for the management of mild to moderate acne." - Cosmetic Dermatology, April 1999. Anti-Inflammatory Ingredients: There are a number of ingredients that could fit into this category as there are numerous anti-inflammtory ingredients. These help to reduce the size and swelling of infected comedones. They are also usedful for scar prevention. We will list just a few of the most popular and most effective: Vitamin C Green Tea Alpha Lipoic Acid Algae Extract There has been some confusion as to whether algae extract is an appropriate therapy for acne since it is listed on some lists as being very comedogenic and irritating. There are different types and different grades of algae. Most of the extracts found in acne formulations are forms of algae extract that have been tested and shown to be non-comedogenic and very gentle. Unless you have an allergy to marine plants, you should be safe. Other Useful Tips Remember, there is no way to completely prevent breakouts from occurring, but hopefully these tips will help keep the oil and acne under control: Although dirt and oil on the surface of the skin do not cause acne, excessive oil on your skin may exacerbate the clogging of pore openings, so proper washing is often a good way to keep the situation from becoming worse. Washing with very hot water, harsh soaps or cleansers will not improve existing acne or prevent future flare-ups. In fact, these methods can dry and irritate your skin so badly that you will not be able to use effective acne medications in cream or gel form. Most topical acne medications have a drying effect on oily skin. Try a mild cleanser that cleanses without drying. Do not use any oil-based cosmetics, which will only aggravate oily skin and create further blemishes. Use water-based, non-comedogenic cosmetics. Always remove your makeup before going to bed, but avoid cold creams and lotions, which may leave a greasy film on your skin. Watch your diet. However, it is not chocolate or sweets that you need to watch, some doctors believe that an increased consumption of iodine aggravates acne, and they suggest reduction or elimination of fish and iodized salt. Relax! Doctors have seen a connection between stress and acne for a long time. Studies have shown that the body produces more androgens when a person is under stress. The increase may trigger acne flare-ups by stimulating the sebaceous glands to pump out more sebum. Even physical stresses, such as colds, allergies, surgery, or menstration, can trigger break-outs. Skin Care and Topical Treatments for Acne First of all, there are the topical acne medications that most people with oily sin or acne have tried. Here is a brief descripton of those: Benzoyl Peroxide This medication works in two ways. First, it goes after bacteria, which are crucial in the development of acne. Without bacteria, the sebum trapped under the skin would not become the fatty acids that cause all the swelling and inflammation in and around acne blemishes. Second, some studies show that benzoyl peroxide may also peel the dead skin cells from inside your hair follicles, to keep plugs from forming. Check out Physician's Choice Acne Cream and the Glytone Acne Treatment Kit . Sulfur and resorcinol These older medications tend to work mostly on the surface of your skin to help heal existing blemishes by unclogging pores. Check out Physician's Choice Blemish Control Bar . Topical antibiotics These medicines are used by doctors to treat certain kinds of acne, such as postules and papules, but they may not be strong enough to have an effect on larger cysts. Topical antibiotics work by attacking the bacteria that are strongly linked with acne problems. Like other topical treatments, these tend to dry and irritate the skin, so be sure to use proper cleansing and moisturizing. You can also look for over-the-counter topicals with anti-bacterial or antiseptic properties such as mandelic acid, thyme (see SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Gel ), or sulfur . Retinoic acid Also known as Retin-A, this is another topical medicine used by doctors to treat acne. Like benzoyl peroxide, retinoic acid works by peeling skin cells from the hair follicles so that plugs do not form. Be warned that at first it may aggravate your acne, and that it can take two to three months for any real improvement. The vitamin-A also inhibits sebum production, lessening the oil output. Retinol , a milder cousin of Retin-A has surfaced, creating a gentle vitamin A alternative. It won't create dryness and irritation like Rein-A, but it also means it is not as potent. Vitamin A can breakdown when exposed to light and air, so it is important to find a relatively stable formulation, such as the RoC Retinol Anti-Wrinkle Treatment. Beta Hydroxy acids and Alpha Hydroxy acids work by keeping the skin exfoliated. This exfoliation process keeps the dead skin cells from sitting on the skin and clogging pores. Beta hydroxy acids such as salicylic acid are particularly effective at exfoliating within pores. Cellex-C has a line of Beta-hydroxy and alpha hydroxy acid products known as the Betaplex products. The best alpha hydroxy acid for acne though, is mandelic acid , because it works double-time at fighting blemishes. It is a strong exfoliator, stronger than glycolic acid, yet non-irritating, which is important to acne prone skin. It is also naturally anti-bacterial. In the NuCelle Mandelic Marine Complex, the Mandelic Acid is combined with Marine Extracts to further soothe and calm inflamed skin and reduce irritation. Skin Care It is important to maintain a regular skin care routine to keep your skin from becoming too irritated or too dried during acne treatments. A good way to tell if your skin is becoming too dry is whether or not you feel you need a moisturizer after your skincare routine. Oily skin may not need a moisturizer. Unless you are on doctor prescribed medications, you may need to adjust your routine if your skin feels too tight or dry. If you are on Retin-A or Accutane and you need a light moisturizer, I would recommend the LRS Lipid Recovery Serum . It is a hypo-allergenic, non-comedogenic serum that is perfect for abused or treated skin. It reduces inflammation, promotes tissue healing and rebuilds the lipid barrier in the skin. For those without extremely oily-skin, the C2S Skin Balancing Serum is a great acne-fighter that will not overdry the skin. For those with oily skin that need to combat shine, without sacrificing hydration, the NuCelle Mandelic Moisture Shine-Control is the best oil-controll moisturizer we have found. A good, non-irritating skincare for acne is the NuCelle Mandelic Marine Complex (the Mandelic Acid is an naturally anti-bacterial alpha hydroxy acid) that peels and loosens dead skin that clogs the pores, allowing them to be washed away before they cause a problem. It also kills the bacteria that are responsible for infecting clogged pores and causing blemishes. Oily skin types may not need the moisturizers included in the system, the cleanser, toner, and serum should be enough. It is also safe on darker skin types. © 1998-2005 Skin Care Rx, LLC - All Rights Reserved Terms of Use :: Security Information :: Privacy Policy :: Site Map