My OperaAdult dating The Benefits of Using Steam for Acne
Sunday, July 25, 2010 5:07:33 AM
Acne is a relatively common skin condition that typically starts around puberty, in fact about 80-85% of people will suffer from some degree of acne during their teenage years and this frequently continues into adulthood. Unfortunately we are not yet aware of the precise causes of acne and there is no single cure which works for everyone. There are however a variety of tried and tested treatments which can help or even completely eradicate the condition.
So, what exactly is acne? Basically acne is a disease which causes spots and redness on the skin, most often on the face, neck, chest and back. These spots can be either whiteheads, blackheads, red or yellow spots or hard red swellings just below the surface of the skin. It occurs when the little glands below the surface of the skin produce too much sebum. This is an oily substance, used to keep the skin soft and supple. However if much sebum is produced it tends to clog up the tiny pores through which hairs grow out of the skin and this causes blackheads and whiteheads. To make matters worse, this build up of oil creates a perfect environment for a bacterium (Propionibacterium acnes) to grow. Your bodies immune system tries to fight this growth in bacteria causing the redness and inflammation which often comes with spots.
Acne can be affected by things such as hormones, especially the hormone testosterone high in both both boys and girls during puberty; genetic factors as acne seems to run in families; stress, possibly because stressed people tend to touch their face more often and so spread bacteria;and some chemicals. Contrary to popular belief acne is not caused by eating chocolate or being dirty and it is not infectious.
Fortunately there are a variety of treatments available for sufferers of acne. The first port of call should be your doctor who can judge the severity of your acne and prescribe medication if appropriate. There are also a number of things you can do at home to help your acne. It is important to try to reduce the number of bacteria on the skin, so you should wash twice a day with a gentle cleanser and try to wash your hands before you touch your face, for example when applying make up.
Steaming the face or other affected parts can be a useful addition to your acne treatment programme. Steaming opens up the pores and at the same time increases sweating and so helps to flush impurities out of the skin.Since sweat is salty, it can also act as an antimicrobial agent, killing some of the bacteria found on the skin. Steaming also increases blood circulation, bringing greater amounts of oxygen and nutrients to the skin.
It can be very beneficial to add essential oils to your facial steamer just before you use it. Lavender for example, can help with relaxation and stress reduction, a known contributor to acne. Herbs can also be added to your steamer, each one having a different effect. Mint will help to dissolve the dirt and oil clogged in the pores of the skin, making it easier to wash them out; and rose hips is a herb which is useful for skin repair since it is full of vitamin A.
You can steam your face at home over a bowl of very hot water, with a towel covering your head. However, there are facial steamers available which are more effective, convenient and indeed safer to use. Since these are relatively cheap to buy, they can prove to be a wise investment, bearing in mind that they will be used on a regular basis. Facial steamers come in a variety of designs. Some facial steamers are made to be used with ozone which has a drying and antibacterial effect. Others are portable and these tend to be small and quite handy to use, all you have to do is fill up the reservoir and turn them on. One advantage of a bought facial steamer is that you can choose to have a mist or full steam delivered to the face. Facial saunas are also available to buy and these too are a great way of detoxifying the skin and improving your complexion. In addition to a facial steam, using a steam room can also help acne found in other parts of the body. Generally steam treatments need to be done 2-3 times per week for the most beneficial results.
In addition to a facial steam, using a steam room can also help acne found in other parts of the body. Generally steam treatments need to be done 2-3 times per week for the most beneficial results. Whatever kind of steam treatment you use, it is important to wash your skin immediately afterwards with a gentle cleanser to remove all the impurities which have been flushed out. As with all acne treatments, you may have to continue for a few weeks before seeing results, but since using a facial steamer is a relaxing and enjoyable experience, you should easily be able to stick to this regime. Good luck!
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