Definition:
Blackheads are small, dark spots which are the collections of oil and debris that clog pores. First of all, when it develops it's called whiteheads - but as they come into contact with the atmospheric oxygen, a chemical reaction takes place and the mixture darkens and turns to blackheads. Unclean skin is a breading ground for blackheads. Blackheads are a mixture of dead cells of the skin, oil and bacteria.Blackheads are the primary lesions in acne. Blackheads, also known as open comdones, are flat, darkened spots. It is caused by a small plug of keratin and sebum within a hair follicle that is blackened at the surface in the opening of a follicle.Their dark appearance is caused by the densely packed skin cells, which take on a dark color. A term used to describe the skin's pores clogged by natural oils and impurities. It is formed when oil and dead skin cells become trapped in a pore and mix with bacteria. They are called open comedones because blackheads are open to the skin's surface and become darkened at the surface by exposure to oxygen (oxidation).Causes of blackheads:Some Important Causes of Blackheads includes:Blackheads are caused when sebum (the skin's natural oil) collects and hardens in the pores. The toxins that are being expelled through your skin from the blood and lymph fluid combines with sebum creating a pasty glue. A blackhead occurs when the trapped sebum and bacteria partially open to the surface and turn black due to melanin, the skin's pigment.Use of ineffective cleanser or following a poor cleansing routine - results in accumulation of staled dead cells, hardened sebaceous secretion, salt (from sweat), waste, bacteria, dirt; as well as waxes, coloured pigments for those using makeup and/or fatty-based skin care products.Acne, is another one of the main cause of blackheads. It is caused by the overactivity of the sebaceous glands that secrete oily substances onto the skin.
Other possible causes of blackheads are:
* Genetics:If there is the history of blackheads in your family, then you are more prone to get affected by blackheads.
* Hormones: The condition when hormones get imbalance, they may cause blackheads. Overactivity of testosterone in people prone to blackheads, triggers the sebaceous glands to produce an excess of sebum. At the same time, the dead skin cells lining the openings of the hair follicles are not shed properly and clog up the follicles.
* Prescribed Medications: Some prescribed medications may also lead to formation of blackheads as a side effect , though this is a rare cause.
* Oil Based Cosmetics :The oil based cosmetics may also induces blackheads due to allergic reactions.
* Stress:Stress, is another factor - which may contribute to a person's lack of personal hygiene or caring, and physical irritations such as tight clothing rubbing on the same spot are also factors that can influence the formation of blackheads.
* Physical irritation
* Humidity and Environmental Pollutants:The weather, including humidity or environmental pollutants, which increase perspiration and can clog the pores with mini-particles also add to the factors that can cause blackheads.Symptoms for BlackheadsPeople of all ages get blackheads, but it is most common in adolescents. Nearly 85 percent of adolescents and young adults between the ages of 12 and 24 develop the disorder.Common Symptoms of Blackheads:
* Coarse skin complexion may lead to the condition of blackheads.
* If your skin pores get enlarged, they may inturns to blackheads.
* Flaky skin shows the presence of blackheads.
* Mouldy skin appearance
* Makeup doesn't stay in the skin of peoples, who are suffering from blackheads.
* Blackheads appear in areas of skin that have a large number of sebaceous glands.Blackheads consists of several different types of 'spot', which can be roughly divided as follows:
* Acne - In serious conditions, pimples and acnes become the symptoms of blackheads.
* Whiteheads- Small, firm bumps with a white centre.
* Pustules- Pus-filled spots with an obvious balloon of white pus, which may turn yellow as the spot begins to heal.
* Nodules- Hard Lumps under the skin that can be very painful, go deep into the skin and often cause scars. These are the most common type of spot found in very severe acne, and they often run together in groups. When they heal, they may leave scars.Treatment for Blackheads:If you consult some beautician for the treatment of your blackheads, make sure, a sterilized implement is used for removing blackheads. A gadget, known as 'blackhead extractor' is available these days. It should be cleaned regularly and the gadget should be kept in hydrogen peroxide before use.Some Effective Tips to Get Rid of Blackheads:
* Use creams containing AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Fruit acids) like glyco-creams that will clear away any dead skin cells and "expose" the blackhead.
* Keep your hair away from your face. Greasy hair and skin go together, and hair can spread infection.
* Avoid washing the face with soaps more than twice a day. Instead you may wash your face many a times in a day but with plain water.
* A drug named " adapalene " does wonder in reducing the blackhead formation by stimulation of skin growth through modulation of cellular differentiation and keratinization of follicular epithelial cells, i.e. it encourages skin peeling.
* Doctors usually recommend an OTC or prescription topical medication for people with mild signs of blackheads. Topical medicine is applied directly on the blackheads or on the entire area of affected skin. Medicines or Lotions include - Benzoyl Peroxide, Resorcinol, Salicylic Acid, and Sulfur are the most common topical OTC medicines used to treat blackheads.
* Oral Antibiotics (tablets), such as tetracycline, can be prescribed for inflammatory blackheads.
* Antibiotics- help stop or slow the growth of bacteria and reduce inflammation.
* Apply an astringent. It helps reduce oiliness. If its a bit harsh mix a bit of rose water in it.
* Gram Flour and Curd- Apply a paste of gram flour and curd on the affected area. When the mixture hardens and dries up, gently scrap off with your finger tips and wash the face.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
10 Ways to Boost Immune Health
Stop cold, flu & depression in their tracks - before you get sick
What if, this winter, you discovered a simple way to boost your immune system so you won't get sick? What if there were ten?
The weather changes in autumn, cold temperatures set in, and runny noses and sniffles start to seem like an epidemic. Around Hallowe'en, the first snowfall combines with the sugar rush of October 31 to set most of us up for a spate of colds and flu that come and go through the winter. What if, this winter, you discovered a simple way to boost your immune system so you won't get sick? What if there were ten?
People who pick three or more of the suggestions from this list - and stick to them - will substantially improve their immune strength, increase their ability to stay sane and healthy through dreaded cold and flu season, and keep their health and happiness up through the darkest months of the year!
1. Drink your lemons. Lemon is the ideal food for restoring acid-alkali balance. Drinking freshly squeezed lemon juice in water, or adding it to tea, salad dressings (in place of vinegar), baking or cooking, helps maintain the body's internal "climate" at a pH which supports healthy bacteria instead of the viruses and harmful bacteria which thrive in more acidic environments. Apple cider vinegar is another great way to improve your body's alkalinity, but the taste of lemons is much more pleasant!
2. Give your body an herbal boost. Hundreds of herbal supplements and tinctures exist to give the immune system additional support during the winter. I recommend essential oils (especially my favourite winter blend, Thieves) as an excellent source of immune-stimulating compounds, and the rawest and most natural form of any medicinal plant, but there are other supplements which can be effective. Fresh herbs and whole food remedies are always preferable over packaged herbs or supplements, since they have a much higher potency and frequency and your body absorbs more of their value. See also Essential Oils Fight Cold and Flu.
3. Get a full night's sleep. Everybody's different: your body may need anywhere from 6 to 10 hours of sleep each night. Whatever your personal sleep requirement is, get it! Sleep has been linked to balanced hormone levels (including human growth hormone and the stress hormone, cortisol), keeping weight down, clear thinking and reasoning, improved mood, and vibrant, healthy skin.
4. Eat plenty of protein. Protein is a building block for a healthy body, mind, and immune system. Diets low in protein tend to be high in carbs which convert readily to glucose, spiking blood sugar and stressing the pancreas and the immune system.
5. Drink plenty of water. This is almost, but not quite, a given; most headaches occur because despite the number of reminders, people still aren't getting enough water! Headaches and thirst are both signs of dehydration. You should be drinking, in daily ounces, half your body weight in pounds. (i.e. Body weight in pounds, divided by 2 = number of ounces of water per day.) Click here for detailed guidelines - how much water do you need daily?
6. Stop drinking coffee. Contrary to recent marketing as a source of antioxidants, chocolate and coffee are two of the worst things you can do for your immune system and your health. Caffeine robs your body of minerals and vitamins, and it dehydrates you. If you drink coffee, make sure you add an additional two glasses to your water intake per cup of coffee. A mineral supplement helps to offset caffeine's damage, too.
7. Worse yet is the impact of refined white sugar. If you do only one thing to boost your immune system, eliminating sugar will do the trick. You will see noticeable results in your energy levels, weight distribution, immunity and your ability to think clearly when you break the cravings and stop eating refined sugar. Many holistic nutritionists consider sugar a drug for its impact on the human body; I have known practitioners to prioritize eliminating sugar from the diet over recommending that people quitting smoking. Healthier sugars such as agave and stevia do exist, but I avoid artificial sweeteners; they are more toxic than cane sugar.
8. Stock up on raw fruits and vegetables for their antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, fibre and enzymes. The nutritional content that you receive from raw fruits and veggies is unparalleled. Many vitamins, including C, are antioxidants and will protect cells - including those of your immune system - from damage by toxins in the environment. Dark-coloured produce (berries, kale, broccoli) tends to be higher in flavonoids, polyphenols and other antioxidants. The perfect source of minerals is seaweed, which is sold dried, but can often be found raw (dried at low temperatures to maintain most of the enzymes and nutrients) in health food stores.
9. Spend some time out in the cold. Snowball fight, anyone? Exercise can make a noticeable difference to your health and happiness by releasing endorphins. Most of us spend 90% of our lives indoors, inhaling dubiously filtered air and other people's germs, so I take any opportunity I can to get outside. Time spent outdoors in the cold also stimulates the thyroid gland.
Finally...
10. Nurture yourself. Make sure you take time to yourself, spend some time with friends, and indulge yourself in a massage, a hot bath, or an energy work session when you want one. Our bodies respond to our emotions - if you're feeling harassed and anxious, it can manifest in a sore throat or a cold. Create a space within yourself and your living environment for harmony, self-love and joy (giving thanks, prayer and blessing the abundance in your life and of the world around you helps). Pay attention to warning signs of sore throat or exhaustion so you can keep them from getting worse. I advise taking a "mental health day" every few months to make sure your emotional needs are met. When you're happy, you're far less likely to get sick.
What if, this winter, you discovered a simple way to boost your immune system so you won't get sick? What if there were ten?
The weather changes in autumn, cold temperatures set in, and runny noses and sniffles start to seem like an epidemic. Around Hallowe'en, the first snowfall combines with the sugar rush of October 31 to set most of us up for a spate of colds and flu that come and go through the winter. What if, this winter, you discovered a simple way to boost your immune system so you won't get sick? What if there were ten?
People who pick three or more of the suggestions from this list - and stick to them - will substantially improve their immune strength, increase their ability to stay sane and healthy through dreaded cold and flu season, and keep their health and happiness up through the darkest months of the year!
1. Drink your lemons. Lemon is the ideal food for restoring acid-alkali balance. Drinking freshly squeezed lemon juice in water, or adding it to tea, salad dressings (in place of vinegar), baking or cooking, helps maintain the body's internal "climate" at a pH which supports healthy bacteria instead of the viruses and harmful bacteria which thrive in more acidic environments. Apple cider vinegar is another great way to improve your body's alkalinity, but the taste of lemons is much more pleasant!
2. Give your body an herbal boost. Hundreds of herbal supplements and tinctures exist to give the immune system additional support during the winter. I recommend essential oils (especially my favourite winter blend, Thieves) as an excellent source of immune-stimulating compounds, and the rawest and most natural form of any medicinal plant, but there are other supplements which can be effective. Fresh herbs and whole food remedies are always preferable over packaged herbs or supplements, since they have a much higher potency and frequency and your body absorbs more of their value. See also Essential Oils Fight Cold and Flu.
3. Get a full night's sleep. Everybody's different: your body may need anywhere from 6 to 10 hours of sleep each night. Whatever your personal sleep requirement is, get it! Sleep has been linked to balanced hormone levels (including human growth hormone and the stress hormone, cortisol), keeping weight down, clear thinking and reasoning, improved mood, and vibrant, healthy skin.
4. Eat plenty of protein. Protein is a building block for a healthy body, mind, and immune system. Diets low in protein tend to be high in carbs which convert readily to glucose, spiking blood sugar and stressing the pancreas and the immune system.
5. Drink plenty of water. This is almost, but not quite, a given; most headaches occur because despite the number of reminders, people still aren't getting enough water! Headaches and thirst are both signs of dehydration. You should be drinking, in daily ounces, half your body weight in pounds. (i.e. Body weight in pounds, divided by 2 = number of ounces of water per day.) Click here for detailed guidelines - how much water do you need daily?
6. Stop drinking coffee. Contrary to recent marketing as a source of antioxidants, chocolate and coffee are two of the worst things you can do for your immune system and your health. Caffeine robs your body of minerals and vitamins, and it dehydrates you. If you drink coffee, make sure you add an additional two glasses to your water intake per cup of coffee. A mineral supplement helps to offset caffeine's damage, too.
7. Worse yet is the impact of refined white sugar. If you do only one thing to boost your immune system, eliminating sugar will do the trick. You will see noticeable results in your energy levels, weight distribution, immunity and your ability to think clearly when you break the cravings and stop eating refined sugar. Many holistic nutritionists consider sugar a drug for its impact on the human body; I have known practitioners to prioritize eliminating sugar from the diet over recommending that people quitting smoking. Healthier sugars such as agave and stevia do exist, but I avoid artificial sweeteners; they are more toxic than cane sugar.
8. Stock up on raw fruits and vegetables for their antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, fibre and enzymes. The nutritional content that you receive from raw fruits and veggies is unparalleled. Many vitamins, including C, are antioxidants and will protect cells - including those of your immune system - from damage by toxins in the environment. Dark-coloured produce (berries, kale, broccoli) tends to be higher in flavonoids, polyphenols and other antioxidants. The perfect source of minerals is seaweed, which is sold dried, but can often be found raw (dried at low temperatures to maintain most of the enzymes and nutrients) in health food stores.
9. Spend some time out in the cold. Snowball fight, anyone? Exercise can make a noticeable difference to your health and happiness by releasing endorphins. Most of us spend 90% of our lives indoors, inhaling dubiously filtered air and other people's germs, so I take any opportunity I can to get outside. Time spent outdoors in the cold also stimulates the thyroid gland.
Finally...
10. Nurture yourself. Make sure you take time to yourself, spend some time with friends, and indulge yourself in a massage, a hot bath, or an energy work session when you want one. Our bodies respond to our emotions - if you're feeling harassed and anxious, it can manifest in a sore throat or a cold. Create a space within yourself and your living environment for harmony, self-love and joy (giving thanks, prayer and blessing the abundance in your life and of the world around you helps). Pay attention to warning signs of sore throat or exhaustion so you can keep them from getting worse. I advise taking a "mental health day" every few months to make sure your emotional needs are met. When you're happy, you're far less likely to get sick.
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