Alison

Non Surgical Treatments for Acne Scars Using Fraxel ® Laser

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acne scarring
Laser treatment is becoming increasingly popular as a treatment for the scars left by acne blemishes
Acne scars affect millions of people and can be a source for a lot of frustration for teenagers and adults alike. Acne is something we all have to deal with during our teenage years, and sometimes through adulthood. Acne scars are caused by the inflammatory swelling of follicles in the dermis, which rupture and leave an indentation resulting in a scar.

There are varying treatments for this, from chemical peels to topical creams, and laser treatments. Fraxel® is a non-ablative soft laser treatment that can be used on the face. Fraxel® is mainly known for its use as an anti-aging treatment, but the laser is used to smooth skin and improve tone and texture.

Instead of one solid laser beam, the Fraxel® laser is separated into multiple small segmented beams that can treat many areas in the same region at once. This is well suited for the treatment of acne scars as they usually occur in clusters on the face. The mini laser beams can treat these specific areas without affecting the surrounding areas.

The benefit of using this treatment is that it works to regenerate the collagen that is missing by penetrating and stimulating the underlying tissue. The procedure is done in the office of your cosmetic doctor and takes anywhere from 15 minutes up to a half hour. There is minimal discomfort involved and no downtime. You can go back to your regular daily activities as soon as you wish.

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Top Tips for Treating Eczema

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The exact cause of eczema is somewhat a mystery to doctors, but it is generally thought to be hereditary. Therefore, if you suspect you are suffering from eczema the doctor will firstly investigate your family’s previous medical history.

skin showing changes due to eczema
skin showing changes due to eczema

Causes:

Allergies and Asthma

Asthma has affected eczema sufferers for years and so countless amounts of research went into the discovery of why the link was apparent. Studies show that the damaged skin produces thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) in the lungs of eczema sufferers, which is a substance known to trigger asthma. The ‘atopic march’ as it is more commonly known is the link between eczema, allergies and asthma and researchers are currently looking into finding a way to stop the inflamed skin from producing TSLP, which could minimise chances for eczema sufferers to contract asthma.

Furthermore, the immune system is generally at the core of these conditions and even though it may not be curable it is certainly is treatable. Finding out what triggers the inflammatory response to your rash and itching is the key to a successful treatment. Prepare yourself to undergo numerous allergy tests, as this may determine what is triggering the irritation.

Relieving the Itching
The first goal in treating eczema is to relieve the itching. The itching is both annoying and can lead to infections due to skin exposure. As the skin is dry and inflamed you will be required to:

  1. Moisturise with a non-perfumed cream or lotion
  2. Use a cold compress to reduce inflammation

Your practitioner may prescribe medication to you but dependent on the severity of your case over-the-counter products may be a better and cheaper option. The prescribed medications usually have corticosteroids in them and they work by reducing the inflammation of your skin.

Editor’s Note: The Aveeno Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream pictured is one of a range of suitable moisturizing products which are available at great value prices at Amazon.

Other Treatments
If the you feel the above does nothing to relieve the irritation then other treatments are available. Shown below are a few examples you may wish to discuss with your skin doctor:

  • Antihistamines
  • Tar Treatments
  • Ultraviolet Light Therapy
  • Drugs (Cyclosporine)

As everyone reacts differently to medication, you may have to try several forms before you and your private GP find out which one works best as skin treatment. There are also ways in which you can reduce the irritation of the condition.

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Easy Ways to Save on Skincare

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look after your skin
look after your skin with our money saving suggestions
Taking care of your skin is important. A good skin care regimen can help prevent fine lines, blemishes and spots, and prevent acne flare-ups.

However, nowadays there are so many different products on the market, it can be hard to determine how many of them you actually need, and how you’re going to fit the cost of skincare products into your budget.

Although skin care may seem expensive, it does not have to be. There are ways in which you can take care of your skin, without going over your budget.

Money Saving Skin Care Tips

Buy Drugstore Brands
Often skin care products that you buy at the drugstore are just as good as high-end products, and the best part is they are much cheaper. For example, if you are looking for an anti-wrinkle night cream, a high end night cream at a department store can cost anywhere between forty and one hundred dollars. On the other hand, a night cream from a drugstore brand would cost between eight dollars and twenty dollars, and the ingredients are very similar.

Use Homemade Products

avocado honey and lemon
combine avocado honey and lemon for an effective face mask

A great way to save money on skin care is to use homemade products. You can easily make skin care products from common items that you may already have in your home. You can make your own facial masks, and exfoliating body scrubs by using items found in your kitchen. Buying a face mask can be expensive, but making one at home yourself is a much cheaper alternative, and you know that only natural ingredients are going into it.

There are several items you can use to make a facial mask, but a classic face mask is one made using avocado. Mixing a quarter of cup of honey with half a cup of mashed avocado, and a teaspoon of lemon juice makes a moisturizing mask, which will leave your skin feeling soft and smooth. You can also make a body scrub using a variety of ingredients, but a sugar scrub is both easy and effective. Mixing brown sugar with body oil will make a highly moisturizing and exfoliating scrub.

Looking for more money saving home remedies for pimples and blemishes?

Try using ordinary toothpaste as an overnight treatment for spots and blemishes – find out how in this article.

Check out some easy overnight home remedies for your skin in this helpful article.

Find out how the inexpensive ingredient, Baking Soda can be a useful home remedy for your skin problems.

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Healthy Clear Skin, Vitamins that Help

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clear skin
Who doesn’t want clear skin, free from breakouts and excessive oils? They say that the best accessory to have is clear, glowing, and healthy skin. Healthy skin can go a long way in boosting confidence and self esteem.

Most people wish to have clear skin; however, it usually takes time and effort to achieve. You probably have known several people who have invested money on expensive skin products just to nail that clear complexion.

Yet, it actually takes little time and money to achieve similar healthy and beautiful skin. Aside from the basics, such as cleansing, toning, and moisturizing, you might need a little help from supplementary vitamins in achieving the skin of your dreams.

Your skin acts as a defensive barrier. It serves as a block that protects the internal structures of your body from the harmful and damaging substances that may be acquired in the external environment. Your skin is the very first organ in your body that would show signs of aging. Knowing this, it is important to pay serious attention to your skin.

Constantly keeping your skin hydrated and safeguarded from the damaging effects of the sun (ultraviolet rays) may give you that young, blemish-free, and glowing skin. Similarly, maintaining a healthy lifestyle – a healthy diet and healthy practices – will also give you that clear and glowing beautiful skin.

A number of vitamins today are required to achieve the beautiful skin that will make you look more beautiful and attractive. Most of these vitamins have antioxidant properties that reduces free radicals, those which make the skin look dull and contribute to its aging.

Need more information about antioxidants and free radicals?

Find out more about the antioxidant benefits of green tea, both as a drink and when used in skin care products in this article.

Protect your skin and repair the damage caused by free radicals with Juice Beauty Serum, read more about the amazing benefits of this organic and natural product in this article.

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How To Get Great Skin This Summer, A Guide For Men

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great skin for men
use our tips for men to get great skin this summer

Ok you guys, summer is here and with the ladies busy getting their complexions and their bodies toned up and beautiful for the beach – where you would like to be too, (except that you have a face full of zits), listen up and I am going to help you with some tactics to improve your skin without you having to embarrass yourself by going to a beauty salon or spa for facial treatments to repair the damage!

First of all, you have to really want your skin to be better – and ok, maybe you are not going to turn into a metrosexual and take on a really comprehensive skin care routine with an array of lotions and potions to rival anything the ladies use – but it’s no good being jealous of the guys with great skin, you are going to have to work at it, just the same as working those abs and pecs is the only way to get your body in shape!

If you just don’t know where to start with a good skin care routine because all you have ever used on your face is soap and water, learn (and apply) this little saying: “What Every True Man Needs For Perfection”!

W is for washing, cleansing your skin
E is for exfoliating
T is for toning
M is for moisturizing
N is for nourishing
F is for finally ….
P is for Protecting which comes last of all but is even more important than any other single step!

Why is men’s skin more oily in the summer when they need to look great for all those outdoor occasions? Skin care experts attribute a lot of the problem to humidity which causes the oil in the skin to rise to the surface. This has the unfortunate effect of trapping dirt and dead skin cells in the pores. Add to this the fact that men’s skin has bigger pores and (on average) twenty percent more oil that women’s skin, you can see why those bacteria that cause acne blemishes, pimples, blackheads and whiteheads have a ‘field day’ on your face in the summer!

So let’s take a look at what is needed

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