Fact: Acne is one of the most prevalent skin diseases there is. What’s worse is, acne can cause you to lose self-confidence, feel less attractive and want to sit home and hide.

For those of us that have suffered with severe acne outbreaks we are left with visible reminders such as scars, deep pits and discoloration that leave us still feeling self-conscious about the way we look.

Not only was having acne bad enough, you now have to live with damaged skin and feeling less than confident about your appearance as a result. This often leads us to cover up our flaws with make-up and cosmetics which can often lead to additional acne outbreaks.  Once you have problem skin it can be hard to get it under control.

Wouldn’t it be nice if we all had skin as beautiful as Nicole Kidman – clear, flawless and natural looking skin that we could feel proud of.

Imagine waking up in the morning and looking in the mirror and feeling so confident about what you see. Seeing your skin so smooth that you don’t need to pile on make-up to go out in public.

Our appearance effects everything we do from how we approach getting a job, meeting someone of the opposite sex and making new friends. The fact is, the more confident you feel, the more outgoing and confident you will be with everything that you do.

But, what can be done to achieve the appearance you desire?

Well, there are several solutions. You can go see a cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist about having dermabrasion, laser resurfacing or chemical peels.

Technology is amazing. There are many procedures that can be done at a doctors office with little down time and quick recovery.

These procedures are not without some risk and side-effects though. And more importantly, these procedures can be costly.  Be prepared to shell out some hard earned dough on these treatments.  For instance,  Fraxel laser treatment can cost as much as $1000.00 per treatment and often times  more than one treatment is needed to get the results you desire. You can easily pay up to $7000 for several treatments.

Some of the side effects include,  redness, swelling and pain. On the extreme end you can be left with permanent scarring from the laser itself and hypopigmentation (meaning skin is lighter in some areas than in other areas).

I was once told at a costmetic surgeons office that beauty is painful. Trying to achieve beauty with laser treatments can indeed be painful and might even be disfiguring. And you thought acne scars were bad.

So, be prepared and do your homework. Learn the facts and risks involved before you undergo any cosmetic procedure. You don’t want to be featured as a cosmetic surgery gone bad story on your local news.

So what options are left?

Often, you can save money by having some procedures performed by a licensed esthetician.  These treatements include spa peels and microdermabrasion. These treatments can cost less than if they were performed by a dermatologist, but can still be quite expensive at $80-$300 per treatment.  Again, it might take many treatments to get the actual results you want.

If you have a darker or olive skin than your options are limited. You risk hypopigmentation of the skin and uneven skin color undergoing many of these procedures.

These procedures all attempt to remove old layers of skin to produce healthy new skin that is smoothe and less scarred.

A Cost Effective Alternative

There is a scar treatment product that I recommend to my readers that suffer with acne.  This treatment is ZENMED® Scar Treatment kit.

ZenMed makes spa quality natural skin care products.  They have a reputation for combining the best of nature with the latest scientific breakthroughs in skin care to give you a product that improves the appearance of your skin.

Whether you want to look younger, improve skin tone and get rid of pigments, scars and marks left by acne or sun damage than ZenMed is the number one choice among many for resolving skin problems.

Zen Med has developed a two-part system that treats existing scars, pits or discolorations in the skin.

This system consists of

1. ZENMED^® MicroDermabrasion Complex – Topical, professional grade home microdermabrasion kit containing micro-sphere technology designed to remove dead skin cells from the outer surface of the skin and leave fresh, new skin in it’s place. It reduces pores and helps reduce acne….BIG PlUS! when trying to get problem skin under control.  It also allows ZenMed’s Skin Eraser to penetrate deeper into the skin to improve the appearance of acne scars.
2. ZENMED^® Skin Eraser – Topical skin lightening agent that works on all skin types and shades to lighten dark spots and melasma. When used with the MicroDermabrasion complex it will improve and eliminate most acne scars.

**For best results it is recommeded that you use this system 2-3 times a week.  There are 10 treatments in one kit.

Compare Costs and Treatments:

ZenMed’s Scar Treatment Kit – Typical Results:
1 simple 5 minute application:

• Fine lines diminish, skin appears younger
• Skin appears glowing and fresh
• Fine bumps disappear and skin surface is more even and smooth

3-4 treatments:

• Flaws such as acne scars and hyperpigmentation gradually diminish
• Collagen levels are increased causing skin to look and feel more plump and alive
• Combination skin is balanced, dry rough patches are gone

8-10 treatments:

• Appearance of wrinkles is minimized
• Minor imperfections are diminished
• Acne scars appear lighter and less visible

The Guarantee

ZenMed comes with a no hassle 60 day guarantee if you are not completely satisfied with this product after 60 days you can return the product for a full refund. So, you really have nothing to lose by ordering Zen Med and giving it a try.  It’s safe, cost less than traditional acne scar treatments and will improve the quality of your skin….guaranteed or your money back.
But, don’t take my word for it…
ZenMed Scar Treatment Reviews:

“My skin was covered in scars until I found this treatment.  I had acne all over my arms and shoulders and was scared to wear a bathing suit.  I ordered the Scar Treatment Kit and within about 5 weeks I could go out swimming with my kids.  Clear smooth skin is what I’ve always wanted.  Thank you Zenmed! ” -Trish J.

“A sun worshiper for a very long time, I started to get liver spots on my face, to my horror.  I looked around for the best product to get rid of the ugly marks.  A friend told me about how Zenmed helped with her rosacea so I took a look at the website and ordered the Scar Treatment Kit.  I was shocked by the change in my skin.  After only two applications the marks started to fade away and by 8 weeks they were almost completely gone.  I love my Zenmed! ” -Stacy P.

>>>Click Here for More information about ZenMed’s Scar Treatment Kit<<<

This type of medication is derived from vitamin A and will cause excess sebum or oil to decrease from the oil glands and stop comodomes (white heads and black heads) from forming. This drug is generally a last means of treating acne when all others have failed.

For most people, Isotretinoin can be costly because being on this medication requires lot’s of  medical supervision. The cost’s range between $500-$600 for a 16wk treatment, but might be less for those with sufficient medical coverage that allows for such expenses.

Taking this medication is generally safe under strict doctors care, however, there are many risks to consider prior to taking Accutane that one needs to be aware of. Cost not withstanding, the potential harmful side effects can be devastating.

Here are some of the possible side effects associated with taking Accutane or any form of Isotretinoin:

• Bleeding and inflammed gums, nose and lips

• Birth defects

• Suicidal thoughts and depression

• Joint pain

• Possible liver and kidney damage

• Increased sensitivity to the sun and dry skin

Since Accutane is such as strong medication with serious side effects associated with it, it is advised that not everyone should use this drug as a treatment. It is meant for those with severe cystic acne which has not been helped by other forms of treatment. Those with chronic mild or moderate acne should explore other forms of treatment because  Isotretinoin usually does not work on this type of acne. If you have questions regarding your specific type of acne you should speak with a medical professional that can help with that determination.

Although the risks are higher taking any kind of medication to treat acne, it doesn’t keep people who are suffering with  serious acne from trying Accutane. As for others, the side effects are too severe to handle and have them looking for alternative means to treating their acne.

These days it’s not uncommon for people to turn to holistic or homeopathic types of acne treatments in order to avoid harmful effects of medication. Alternative acne treatments include taking vitamins and minerals known to combat acne, making dietary changes, and using herbal and natural remedies to treat acne symptoms.

Other all natural products such as Vilantae claim to cure acne and are natural alternatives to Accutane. But, you should always do your research especially with products that make large claims. Herbal products can carry it’s own type of side effects that you should be aware of. Always read the labels and find out what the potential side effects are before trying any new treatment.

Finding an acne treatment that works and is effective in treating acne can be frustrating. It’s easy to think that medication is the magic solution for curing acne and for many it is. However, for lot’s of patients, medication has failed or not worth trying at all.

If you are concerned about which approach you should take in treating your specific type of acne than research all the alternative treatments and consult a physician. Educating yourself and paying attention to your body will help you develop the best treatment plan that’s right for you.

If you are looking for a product that helps reduce the look of wrinkles, lines and crows feet than you might want to know about a free trial offer by Revitol.

Revitol anti-wrinkle cream has been said to be better than retinol and vitamin C creams in reducing the appearance of aging skin. It is suppose to remove 10 years from your complexion without the need for surgery.

A few other Revitol benefits:

• It helps lighten dark circles under the eyes
• Improves collagen
• Stimulates the renewal of skin cells
• Sagging skin becomes more elastic and youthful
• Softens rough skin and makes skin smooth

Right now you can try this product risk free for $6.95 which is the shipping expense.  Revitol offers a 90 day guarantee on their product as well.  If you are interested in a wrinkle cream that has lots of good reviews and you don’t want to pay $100’s of dollars on botox or other treatments that might fail…why not give it a try.

The free trial is only for a limited time.  Check out Revitol Free trial anti-aging solution here.

About ThermaClear…

ThermaClear is an at-home device used by people that have mild to moderate acne.  Essentially, it is for people that have the occasional outbreak and want to reduce the size of their blemish or get rid of pimples over night without the use of creams or lotions.

The device works by using heat to kill the acne bacteria and keep it from spreading.  The idea is similar to Zeno’s acne clearing device.  Both are instruments that  zap  pimples using heat. See Zeno Review on this website for additional details about how these type of devices work.

So, if the two products are similar what are the differences and is one product better than the other?

After researching the product, and reading user reviews and testimonials it appears that ThermaClear uses higher heat which can leave the skin red and slightly irritated.  This generally applies to those with sensitive skin.  Zeno, on the other hand, is more gentle to use on the skin, however, takes a lot longer to use.   One treatment using ThermaClear can last 2 seconds while Zeno can take up to 2 – 2:30 minutes for a treatment.

Overall, ThermaClear is slightly less in price, is quicker to use and there is less hassle.  However, ThermaClear can sting because of the intense heat and burn the skin if not used properly.

The bottom line is, heat therapy is not effective for everyone or all types of acne.  If you have bought Zeno and it is working for you than there probably wouldn’t be any need to buy another tool that is similar. If you are looking to try heat for the first time as an acne treatment method on your pimples than ThermaClear is similar to Zeno and lower in price. That would probably be my pick.  There are not a lot of differences between them with regards to how they treat and cure acne.

Please note that you should always consult a physician if you are taking prescriptions and want to try this form of acne treatment at home.  Also, heat treatments are less effective on  people with facial hair.

You can find more information on ThermaClear  at www.thermaclear.com.

Not only is heredity a major factor in your chances of developing acne, many doctors now realize this embarrassing condition can also be related to other factors such as poor diet and stress.

It’s been known that high stress levels can affect your immune system in a negative way. It doesn’t matter what type of illness you suffer with, the amount of stress you have can make things harder to heal or worsen your overall condition.

It’s a fact people produce more hormones as a reaction to stress or being upset. Oil glands are especially impacted by male hormones. The result is too much sebum is produced when the gland becomes overactive. Acne will generally occur once the pores become clogged with too much sebum.

It is stress that enables acne to become worse, but it also produces an undesirable appearance in your skin. This is because sebum is affected by stress and in too large amounts can produce cortisol from the adrenal glands. This can make your skin look more oily on the surface because of the cortisol being released directly into your oil glands.

Even if your treating your acne with a store bought treatment or a prescription from a doctor.  If you lower your stress it will make a huge difference in the appearance in your skin.

Here are some tips to lower your stress so that you can fight acne more effectively. If you follow some of these ideas, your breakouts will likely get better and you will feel better too.

* Exercise more! Even a few minutes a day of exercise can help lower stress levels. One of the best known ways of lowering stress is through exercise. Most people hate to exercise, but really it’s a matter of doing something that is not only fun, but that you enjoy. If you change how you think about exercise to reflect something more positive you are more likely to stick with it.

* Exercise – It’s been known that exercising is one of the best ways for reducing stress. In less than 30 minutes you can relieve tension, stress and anxiety. Try going for a walk or doing something fun.  Many people get stuck thinking that exercise is unpleasant when it doesn’t have to be. By changing your view of exercise you’re more likely to do it and do it regularly.

* Make changes in what you eat. One of the biggest things you can do for your health is eat better. Too much sugar in the diet is bad for your skin and can cause behavioral issues in young people. Increase the amount of vegetables and fruit you eat and lower the amount of sugar and processed foods. Not only will you look better your health will greatly improve.

* Get outside – Being outside not only helps relieve stress, but getting some sun will stimulate Vitamin D production in your skin which leads to better looking skin. Even a small amount of time outside  will have positive affects on your body.

No matter what type of acne treatment you choose to help fight acne, by reducing your stress you increase your chances of having beautiful skin and a healthier life.

There many people searching for ways to get rid of their zits in the shortest amount of time possible. Furthermore, there are unscrupulous people out there on the internet claiming they have an overnight cure for acne….should you believe them?

Now, do you really think I could tell you how to get rid of a zit in 2 days or less? Seriously, I would be a millionaire if I could come up with the miracle product or cure for eliminating those nasty little zits overnight.

There are numerous things over the years that I have personally tried which has helped get rid of my pimples in the shortest amount of time possible.  It’s one thing if you breakout with the occasional blemish and it’s quite another if you have chronic acne.

For those that get the occasional blemish here are some things you can do to help heal pimples in the shortest amount of time possible.

1. Do not pick at or squeeze your pimple. It will cause the bacteria to spread and take it much longer to heal.
2. Use an antibiotic type of ointment that will reduce inflammation. This can be as natural as tea tree oil or something over the counter such as Clearasil. You only need to use this as a spot treatment.
3. You can also use a toner that is part apple cider vinegar to help eliminate the bacteria, reduce redness and also reduce inflammation.
4. Females – Try to avoid wearing make-up. If that’s impossible, use a cover-up containing salicylic acid as this will help conceal the pimple while it helps heal it. I suggest Almay’s clear complexion. It’s inexpensive and it blends well.
5. Continue to wash your face with a gentle cleanser twice a day.

The goal here is not to do these things in hopes that you will completely eliminate your zits overnight…that’s a little unrealistic.  The goal is to make your pimple less noticeable while it heals. It’s a lot worse to have your pimple stick out like a bulls-eye on your face and take a week to heal or worse be left with a scar.  The biggest thing is to resist the urge to squeeze your pimple.  Doing that alone will help significantly.

Bottom line,  your blemish might not disappear overnight, but you should see significant improvements in a day or so.

For those of you with frequent and chronic breakouts you need to look at your diet, lifestyle, the type of make-up your wearing and facial wash you’re using and try to get down to the root cause of your acne. If you haven’t already done so you can download the “Ultimate Acne Guide” on this site. It’s free and full of important information that you need to know with regards to understanding acne and how you can better treat it.

Unfortunately, there is not a one cure-all acne solution that is right for everyone. There are some products that are better for you at treating acne than others. But first you will need to understand why you’re getting acne in the first place in order to get it under control.

Neem has been around for over 4500 years and is native to India and Pakistan.  It grows in tropical and semi-tropical climate.

In East Africa Neem is often referred to as the tree of 40 because it is said to treat 40 different diseases.

In India, the tree is known as the “Divine Tree”, “Heal All”,  “Nature’s Drugstore”,  ”Village Pharmacy” and “Panacea for all diseases”.

What’s Special About Neem?

Products made from Neem have proven medicinal properties, some of those properties being anti-fungal, anti-diabetic, anti-bacterial, antiviral, anti-infertility, and sedative.

In Ayurveda medicine it is commonly prescribed for skin disease such as acne, psoriasis, and eczema. Because of Neem’s antibacterial properties – neem supplements can be taken to improve skin conditions such as acne.

Research regarding Neem

Department of Microbiology, King George’s Medical College, Lucknow, India.

Findings:  Neem showed statistically significant effects in suppression of two important cells that cause inflammation and contribute to the cause of acne.  Suppression of these cells caused an anti-inflammatory response to occur. Which means that the use of Neem can help with acne outbreaks and reduce inflammation associated with it.

You can find Need in most health food markets or you can get an acne product that contains Neem such as  ZenMed’s Dermacleanse acne treatment.  Although results may vary, your acne probably won’t be cured by using it alone.  It is becoming increasingly popular to use Neem as a natural acne treatment solution. Used in conjunction with other natural acne remedies this treatment can go a long way in reducing your existing acne outbreaks and preventing new acne from forming.

In the past, acne  used to be deemed as a disorder that only teenagers got.  This picture of acne has slowly declined with the changing lifestyles of today.

Studies report that over 50% of female adults suffer from various forms of acne.  Some of the problems include cysts, blackheads and blemishes.

Teenage acne is often due to hormonal issues and hereditary.  As adults hereditary and hormones are not the only cause. Adults also get acne from stress, toxins in the environment, cosmetics and medications.

Women are also more prone to acne as compared to men because of the increased changes in hormones during menopause.  In comparison only 40% of adult males suffer from acne.

Usually adult acne is caused by the cells in the epidermal layer of the skin shedding and becoming clogged in the pores. As a result the oil that is produced in the sebaceous glands can not be released because of the clogged pores.  When oil builds up under the skin it creates a situation where bacteria under the skin can grow.

Chest and body acne is likely to occur when perspiration is trapped by synthetic types of clothing.  Sometimes external factors such as pollution and the environment can cause acne to occur in  areas other than the face as well, but most of the time it’s due to constrictive clothing and humidity.

Tip: The best way to prevent body acne is to wear breathable fabrics like cotton so that the sweat from the body can evaporate.

If body acne is something that is bothersome you can try washing off with an acne cleanser that is specifically made for the body such as Dermacleanse’s Body treatment system by ZenMed. This type of system is designed to heal existing acne and prevent new acne from forming.  You can use this product on your back, shoulders and chest.  When it’s used twice a day it is an effective form of acne prevention.

Over the years I have tried many things for my skin and some of these cleansers I liked better than others because of smell and how soft it left my skin. Everyone’s skin is different and this is what has worked for me.

1. Zenmed Facial Cleansing Gel
   
2. Exposed Facial Cleanser
3. Clearpores Deep Facial wash
4. Arbonne Clear Advantage Acne Wash
5. Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Foaming Wash

It’s important when looking for a great acne cleanser for your face that you look for something that combines effective medicinal ingredients such as salicylic acid with all natural ingredients like herbal ingredients that is good for your skin.

Using a well balanced cleanser is important because some cleansers can leave your face too dry which may cause it to over compensate by becoming too oily and actually making the problem worse.  Remember to keep your skin’s pH in balance by using a toner and  moisturizer that won’t clog your pores.

As you try different products for your skin you will come to realize what works best on your particular skin type and your type of acne. If you have sensitive skin you might want to stay away from products that contain benzoyl peroxide as this can cause  face irritation and excessive drying.