Get Rid Of Acne

 Acne, medically known as Acne Vulgaris, is a skin disease that involves the oil glands at the base of hair follicles. It commonly occurs during puberty when the sebaceous (oil) glands come to life - the glands are stimulated by male hormones produced by the adrenal glands of both males and females.

           Acne is not dangerous, but can leave skin scars. Human skin has pores (tiny holes) which connect to oil glands located under the skin. The glands are connected to the pores via follicles - small canals. These glands produce Sebum, an oily liquid. The sebum carries dead skin cells through the follicles to the surface of the skin. A small hair grows through the follicle out of the skin. Pimples grow when these follicles get blocked, resulting in an accumulation of oilunder the skin.


        The word acne comes from the word acme meaning "the highest point", which comes from the Greek akme meaning "point" or "spot" - it was originally mispelt, with an 'n' rather than an 'm' in 1835. 


        In humans, pimples tend to appear on the face, back, chest, shoulders and neck.


Simply put - skin cells, sebum and hair can clump together into a plug, this plug gets infected with bacteria, resulting in a swelling. A pimple starts to develop when the plug begins to break down.

        Scientists from the Washington University School of Medicine found that there are good and bad strains of bacteria which determine the severity and frequency of developing acne. They explained in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology (March 2013 issue) that not all acne bacteria trigger pimples - in fact, one strain they identified can actually help keep the skin pimple-free.

There are various types of pimples

  • Whiteheads - remain under the skin and are very small.

  • Blackheads - clearly visible, they are black and appear on the surface of the skin. Remember that a blackhead is not caused by dirt. Scrubbing your face vigorously when you see blackheads will not help.

  • Papules - visible on the surface of the skin. They are small bumps, usually pink.

  • Pustules - clearly visible on the surface of the skin. They are red at their base and havepus at the top.

  • Nobules - clearly visible on the surface of the skin. They are large, solid pimples. They are painful and are embedded deep in the skin.

  • Cysts - clearly visible on the surface of the skin. They are painful, and are filled with pus.Cysts can easily cause scars.

How common is acne?

          Dermatologists (skin specialists) say that approximately three-quarters of 11 to 30 year-olds will get acne at some time. Acne can affect people of all races and all ages. It most commonly affects adolescents and young adults, although there are people in their fifties who still get acne. According to Brown University, USA, approximately 17 million Americans are estimated to have acne at any one time. 

Although acne affects both men and women, young men suffer from acne for longer - probably because testosterone, which is present in higher quantities in young men, can make acne worse.

What causes acne?

        Nobody is completely sure what causes acne. Experts believe the primary cause is a rise in androgen levels - androgen is a type of hormone. Androgen levels rise when a human becomes an adolescent. Rising androgen levels make the oil glands under your skin grow; the enlarged gland produces more oil. Excessive sebum can break down cellular walls in your pores, causing bacteria to grow. 

       Some studies indicate that susceptibility to acne could also be genetic. Some medications which contain androgen and lithium may cause acne. Greasy cosmetics may cause acne in some susceptible people. Hormone changes during pregnancy may cause acne to either develop for the first time, or to recur. 


       A study published in February 2013 has suggested a link between a diet high in glycemic index foods and dairy products.


What causes acne - diagram






Looking after your skin if you have acne (or are prone to acne)

  • Wash your face about twice each day. Do not wash it more often. Use a mild soap made especially for people with acne, and warm water. Do not scrub the skin. Experts advise the use of an OTC lotion which contains benzoyl peroxide.

  • Don't try to burst the pimples. You may push the infection further down, causing more blocking and worse swelling and redness. Popping pimples makes scarring more likely.

  • If you have to get rid of a pimple for some event, such as a wedding, or public speaking occasions, ask a specialist to treat it for you.

  • Try to refrain from touching your face with your hands. When you are on the phone try not to let the receiver touch your face - there may be sebum and skin residue on it.

  • Keep your hands clean, wash them regularly.

  • Always wash your hands before touching your face. This includes before applying lotions, creams or makeup.

  • Glasses should be cleaned regularly. They will collect sebum and skin residue.

  • You skin needs to breathe. If your acne is on your back, shoulders or chest try wearing loose clothing. Tight garments, such as headbands, caps and scarves should be avoided - if you have to wear them make sure they are cleaned regularly.

  • Don't go to sleep with makeup on. Only use makeup that is nonceomedogenic ornonacnegenic - you should be able to read this on the label. If you cannot find it, ask the shopkeeper or pharmacist. You should use makeup which does not have oil and does not clog up the pores.

  • Hair collects sebum and skin residue. Keep your hair clean and away from your face.

  • Too much sun can cause your skin to produce more sebum. Several acne medications make it more likely that you will be sunburned.

  • If you shave your face, do it carefully. Use either an electric shaver or safety razors. If you use a safety razor make sure the blade is sharp. Soften your skin/beard with warm soapy water before applying the shaving cream.

What can make acne worse?

  • Menstrual cycle - Girls and women with acne tend to get it worse one or two weeks before their menstrual period arrives. This is probably due to hormonal changes that take place. Some people say they eat more chocolate during this time and wonder whether there may be a connection. However, experts believe the worsening acne is not due to chocolate, but rather to hormonal changes.

  • Anxiety and stress - mental stress can affect your levels of some hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline, which in turn can make acne worse. Again, stress can make some people binge-eat. Experts believe the culprits are most likely the hormone levels, rather than the binge-eating.

  • Hot and humid climates - when it is hot and humid we sweat more. This can make the acne worse.

  • Oil based makeups - moisturizing creams, lubricating lotions, and all makeup that contain oil can speed up the blocking of your pores.

  • Greasy hair - some hair products are very greasy and might have the same effect as oil based makeup. Hair products with cocoa butter or coconut butter are examples.

  • Squeezing the pimples - if you try to squeeze pimples your acne is more likely to get worse, plus you risk scarring.
Information collected from Medical News


Natural Remedies for ACNE 


1. Tomatoes/Tomato Pulp: The acidity in tomatoes helps skin dry up acne. Not only this, but inside of the tomato are vitamins (A,C and K) and lycopene, which can be found in many acne healing medications. For a simple take on the tomato for clear skin, slice one open and simply place it on the problematic areas of your face. You can also grind or mash up the tomato into a pulp consistency and apply like a facial mask, repeating the process regularly and you'll see the difference.

2. Honey and Cinnamon: Honey is an unprocessed antibacterial agent that kills bacteria and eliminates acne. Cinnamon has beneficial properties from essential oils in cinnamon bark, allowing it to be an anti-clotting and anti-inflammatory agent to the skin. Combine the two and create a face mask to aide your skin in repairing damage.


3. Potato: One potato can provide 70% of vitamin C (which boosts collagen production in the body and helps prevent and heal damage from the sun, stress and environment) and vitamin B (for healthy DNA production, skin cell regeneration and it actually penetrates the epidermis rather than sitting on top). Plus, potatoes contain niacin for skin-lightening due to hyper-pigmentation from acne or other skin conditions. Shredded, raw potato will not only act as an acne remedy, but help remove hyper-pigmentation, bright the skin and prevent wrinkles.

4. Lemon Juice: We all know that lemons are high in acidity. Not only does this allow pimples to dry out, but it also kills acne bacteria. Lemon is known to provide a calming effect to the skin and the vitamin C content maintains healthy and glowing skin. For direct application to the skin, take a cotton ball and squeeze fresh lemon juice on it and apply it to problem areas.


5. Apple Cider Vinegar: The lesser popular vinegar than balsamic, this regulates the pH of your skin and can help with detox. Malic and lactic acids are also found in the vinegar for assistance in softening and exfoliating skin, using as a toner and treating acne all over your body. Weaken the vinegar with water and apply to the face as a toner.

6. Garlic: Allicin, sulphur, zinc and calcium properties are all found in garlic and act as antibiotic and antifungals, helping to clean the skin. To use garlic, crush cloves, mix with water and apply to the skin.

7. Cucumber: Hydration! Cucumbers are 95% water, they remove dead skin cells and clean pores. They can be used as a face wash as they moisturize and remove extra oil. Grind cucumbers and mix with water for application to the face.

8. Olive Oil: For scarring treatment, use olive oil. Although you may cringe at the thought of olive oil helping with any aspect of acne, when you have acne, it may cause the skin to lose its expansion properties. The oil helps rejuvenate your skin and bring it back from its damaged and dry texture that acne brought on. Apply a salt and olive oil mixture on the skin and rinse with warm water.


A Natural Hair Loss Remedie Will Regrow Your Hair In Short Period

natural hair loss remedy can be done with herbs, massage or natural diet methods. People doing these remedies with hopes that no side effect would appear. Garlic and onion can be used as alternatives of herbal hair loss remedy.

           Garlic is not just good for our body, but also for our hair. Garlic extract can remove and destroy harmful toxins and stimulate blood circulation, important in the scalp for proper hair care and growth and prevent hair loss. Addition of garlic extract in shampoo helps to keep hair strong, preventing breakage and hair loss, while adding significant body and shine. For those with dry hair or itchy scalps, the garlic extract shampoos also provide relief from the irritating symptoms.

          How can we use garlic for hair loss remedy? - An hour before bedtime, slice open a clove of garlic and rub it on the hair loss area. Wait for an hour then massage the scalp with olive oil. Put on a cap and go to bed. In the morning, shampoo your hair. Repeat this remedy for a few weeks, and hopefully hair will stop falling out and re-grow.

          Onion (Allium cepa) recognised with healing qualities include their antibacterial, cleansing, stimulating, and nourishing powers. Onions contain a number of important minerals and vitamins, such as vitamins C and B6, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and germanium. Onion also has a high sulfur content. Sulphur is a mineral present in every cell in our body, with its greatest concentration in hair, skin and nails. It has often been called the “beauty mineral” and the “healing mineral” because of its ability to promote circulation and decrease inflammation. These qualities also lend to the theory that adequate amounts of sulphur can jump-start hair growth in people with deficiencies. High amounts of sulphur in onions make them particularly effective in regenerating hair follicles and stimulating hair regrowth. In addition, naturally-concentrated sulphur compounds have been proven to show additional hair-restoring.

         Hair loss remedy with onion - apply freshly-squeezed, raw onion juice directly onto the scalp, massage deep into the scalp and hair roots. Left on the scalp for about half-an-hour before shampooing. Do these treatments everyday. In most cases, regular onion treatments will result in dramatic improvement of hair thickness within just several months. Since onion juice restores hair follicles and improves scalp circulation, it will help to promote the strong-hair growth.

You can also use onion with 

The following types of onion hair loss therapy were proven effective to boost hair growth in balding folks:

Mix a chopped onion with a cup of rum and leave this mixture in a room temperature for a day. Strain the liquid and use it for massaging your scalp.

Mix a chopped onion with a cup of dried leaves of stinging nettle and ¼ cup of vodka. Let the elixir stand for several days, then strain the liquid and use it for topical scalp applications.

Mix ½ chopped onion with 1 tbsp raw honey and massage this paste into the leather of your scalp.

Rub a freshly-cut slice of onion into balding areas of the scalp, and follow the procedure by a gentle massage with liquid honey.

Prepare an onion hair rinse: boil 3 cups onion skins in one quart water, remove from the heat, and let the mixture stand for an hour. Strain the liquid and apply this rinse on the hair after shampooing.

For a pronounced hair growth effect, these treatments should be repeated daily for at least a month.

Vitamins Need for Hair Growth

            Does what you eat really have an effect on how well your hair grows? It certainly does. Healthy hair growth requires a wide variety of vitamins. Your hair reflects the general state of your health. If you're too busy to eat a healthy diet, and you have lots of stress in your life, your hair will show it.


B Vitamins Are Important For Healthy Hair


           The best vitamins for hair growth include the B vitamins. These are usually found in whole grains, fresh fruit, brewer's yeast, eggs, fish, turkey, meat, and milk. These vitamins are water-soluble, which means they don't build up in your body like vitamin A does.


1. Para-aminobenzoic acid may prevent your hair from graying.
2. Inositol can help prevent hair loss.
3. Niacin (vitamin B-3) promotes blood circulation to your scalp.
4. Panthenol (vitamin B-5) may stop hair loss and help to regrow hair.
5. Biotin can also prevent your hair from graying prematurely. It's also an essential vitamin for preventing hair loss.
6. Vitamins B-6 and B-12 have also been shown to play a role in healthy hair growth.

Vitamin E Can Help With Hair Loss


               Dr. John Anne is an herbal specialist who has done extensive research on herbs and alternative health. In his article, Vitamins for Hair Loss that Help in Hair Regrowth, he says that vitamin E is "one of the most beneficial vitamins for hair loss."

               Vitamin E is an antioxidant that stimulates the scalp by increasing blood circulation. An increase in blood circulation makes more nutrients available to the hair follicles so they can grow stronger, healthier hair.
Most Americans get enough vitamin E in their diets, but it doesn't hurt to eat plenty of green leafy vegetables, whole grains, and nuts, since these foods contain other vitamins for hair growth.


Vitamin A Plays A Role In Healthy Hair Growth


          Vitamin A is important for over-all good health. It's also beneficial to hair follicles, as it keeps the hair root lubricated. Vitamin A is found in red, yellow, and orange vegetables, green leafy vegetables, liver, and eggs.

           Be careful with vitamin A. Your body doesn't break this one down like it does the B vitamins. Vitamin A can build up in your body to dangerous levels, so don't take more than you need.

Vitamin C Is Essential For Healthy Hair

          Everyone has heard of the benefits of vitamin C in preventing colds. But did you know it's also a good vitamin for your hair? Eat lots of citrus fruits, kiwis, strawberries, pineapples, tomatoes, and green and red peppers, and you'll never have a deficiency in this nutrient.


If You Smoke, Stop!


          Your hair will thank you. Smoking causes your capillaries to contract so less blood can get through to your hair follicles. Less blood means fewer nutrients for healthy hair growth.
Eating a balanced diet with lots of whole grains, fresh fruit, and vegetables will not only keep you healthy, but it can help to prevent thinning hair and premature graying

Food For Hair Growth

         Hair loss affects up to 40% of women and half of men at some point in their lifetimes. Some causes of hair loss include:

*Heredity

*Stress

*Inadequate nutrition. This factor can be eliminated by incorporating plenty of foods that promote    hair growth into your daily diet.

*High levels of DHT, a hair-loss contributing hormone. Green tea may help correct these      
  problematic hormone imbalances; a low-fat diet may also be beneficial.


What are the top foods that promote hair growth?

            When choosing food for hair growth, remember that hair is made of protein; therefore protein-rich foods should make up a high percentage of your diet. The second most important hair nutrient is iron. Each key nutrient below lists the foods that promote hair growth:

*Protein: liver, brewer's yeast, fish, eggs, beans, cottage cheese, yogurt, tofu.

*Iron: liver, whole grain cereals, dark green leafy vegetables, eggs, dates, raisins.

*B Vitamins: eggs, meat, poultry.

*Essential Fatty Acids: walnuts, canola oil, fish, soy.

*Vitamin E: avocados, nuts, seeds, olive oil.

*Sulfur: meats, fish, nuts, legumes, vegetables (especially onions).

          As you plan ways to incorporate food for hair growth, also be aware that there are some culprits in our diets that are actually detrimental to our hair!


  • Caffeine
  • Sugar
  • Fat
  • Carbonated drinks

Men and Women: Top foods that promote hair growth

             Hair loss in men and women may be due to different factors. Women's hair loss may be due to a gastrointestinal (GI) tract problem. To help correct a sluggish GI tract, women may want to increase their intake of low-fat yogurt with active acidophilus cultures. These helpful bacteria will help to speed the GI tract and, in turn, improve the overall health of hair.

             Men may benefit from a low-fat diet. Hair loss is tied to elevated testosterone levels, and meat and fat in the diet act to raise these levels even more. By reducing fat and meat intake, men may be able to lower their hormone levels and thus slow the hair loss cycle caused by hormones.

10 Simple Things You Can Do To Increase Height After 18 Years

Being a polygenic trait, a person’s height is determined by genes to a significant extent. Apart from the genetic factors, height is also related to growth factor. It is a common belief that height gain halts when a person enters adulthood as the human body loses its natural ability to grow and develop.



The age of 18 is the transition stage between childhood and adulthood. During adolescent period, several hormonal changes take place within the human body. It indeed is good news that an individual can grow 2 to 6 inches taller even after turning 18. Scientists have discovered that the human body is capable to further grow and develop. Therefore, there is a possibility to increase height with some external help.

How to Increase Height after 18 Years?

Though, it is possible to increase height after the age of 18 years, extra effort is required in order to reap positive results as the development of the body slows down gradually. It’s a well known fact that nutrition is imperative for further growth and development, most importantly natural height gain. In addition to this, a number of other factors should also be taken into consideration to trigger height growth after attaining the age of 18.

1. Healthy Breakfast:



                                                      

It is recommended to have a healthy breakfast. Skipping breakfast is not at all a healthy option for your growth and hence your height. Having proper breakfast boosts your metabolism and thus has a positive effect on your height.

2. Proper Nutrition:


                                           

Proper nutrition is absolutely vital for a healthy body. Most people fail to reach their maximum height due to inadequate nutrition. To get proper nutrition, it is necessary to follow a balanced diet. Consumption of essential nutrients provides the required stimulus for increasing the body height both naturally and medically. Apart from these points, including food items rich in zinc, manganese and phosphorus also contributes to your growth.

3. Have Adequate Sleep and Rest:



                                          


Proper sleep and rest plays a vital role in overall growth and development. Teenagers require at least 8.5 to 11 hours of sleep every night. This is because the body grows and regenerates tissues during sleep. Moreover, human growth hormone, which is responsible for increasing height, is produced while sleeping. Hence, proper sleep and rest are mandatory for height gain.




4. Frequent, Smaller Meals:



                                      


Have six small meals in a day instead of three in order to boost your metabolism. The results of your height gain regime and the amount of human growth hormone produced depends on what you eat. Therefore, it is important to ensure that you are getting the necessary vitamins and minerals required for attaining full height naturally.

5. Exercise and Yoga Regime:



                                          


Exercise is a vital factor in increasing your height. Simple exercises like skipping, hanging from an overhead bar and stretching the body by standing on your toes should be part of your daily workout routine. Additionally, sporting activities like basketball, football and swimming are also beneficial for increasing height. Yoga is also very effective.


6. Maintain Ideal Body Weight: 

Obesity can have an adverse effect on your height. Obesity can cause several health problems too. Hence, it is important to maintain an ideal body weight by following a balanced diet and proper exercise regime.


7. Drink Plenty of Water:

 


                                     


Water flushes out toxins from your body and aids in digestion. Therefore, at least drinking 8 glasses of water every day is recommended for a better health.

8. Avoid Growth Inhibitors:

Teenagers often adopt the habit of smoking and drinking without realizing the adverse effects on their growth. Antibiotics, drugs, cigarettes and alcohol act as growth inhibitors; therefore, avoid them to grow taller naturally.

9. Practice Good Posture:


                                                

A good posture plays a vital role in the development of your height. Always try to keep your head and neck aligned in a straight posture. Bending and slouching causes your spinal cord to suppress normal height.

10. Avoid Smoking and Drinking:


                                           

Indulging in smoking and drinking suppresses your primary growth. It initiates your secondary growth which adversely affects your height. Hence, it is better to refrain from immoral activities.


Here are all the tips on how to increase height after 18 in women. Fortunately, it is possible to increase height after 18 years is possible by following the above-mentioned steps. In spite of this, if your height has not increased much in between the time before and after puberty, it advisable to get medical help in order to get to the root of the problem.