Face care-Incorporate the complete face care programme provided by us for a beautiful and ravishing look. To look gorgeous and graceful all that you have to do is spend little time every day for nourishing and caring for your skin. Learn how to achieve a lovely skin by following our face care Tips Acne is a common problem faced by almost all teen-agers and youth. What is acne and why do we get them. Acne is actually caused because of hormone imbalance. Your skin breaks out because of a hormone called testosterone. Both men and women have testosterone in their systems. In fact, did you know that in order to make testosterone, boys bodies have to make female hormones first? If you have acne, you haven't got abnormal levels of testosterone. You've got skin that reacts abnormally to this hormone. You start producing testosterone around the time you start sprouting body hair. Testosterone tells glands in your skin, called sebaceous glands, to produce oily stuff called sebum. To add to the problem the inside of the tubes that hold each hair become gummy and get partially blocked - giving you blackheads. Put together if sebum blocks the tubes --- you have big acne. So go to your pharmacist or doctor to get your acne treated. Here are a few tips that will help you know how to treat acne at home. 1. If you have red angry looking acne, don't touch it. If you squeeze now, all you'll do is force the contents deeper into the skin that will make matters worst. And all you'll end up with is redder, angrier acne than you had before. Don't do it. 2. If you have a yellow custard top? Go for it. These beauties CAN be squeezed but there's an art to it. Here's how. Wash your hands thoroughly to avoid trouble and infection. Put a tissue over your finger. Why? Because you want the contents of the spot on the tissue, not splattered all over the mirror. Using the side of your thumb and the end of your finger, very gently start to squeeze. Don't whatever you do, use your nails as this will damage your skin. Stop when you're applying a lot of pressure and nothing is happening and you see clear fluid, rather than yellow grotty stuff and the spot begins to bleed. When you've finished dab it with antiseptic. Once the custard bit is out, the spot will heal more quickly than an unsqueezed yellow top would, providing that you now leave it well alone. Now wash your hands again. 3. Whiteheads and blackheads. If acne is left untreated they may cause this problem. Here the rule is if they're black, squeeze but if they're small, white raised lumps leave them alone. All that stuff about clean hands, tissues and stopping if nothing is happening or you see blood, apply here too. Tips for acne treatment 1. DON'TTRY TO WASH IT AWAY Acne isn't caused by dirt. In fact people with oily skin have cleaner skin than average because they wash it more often. But it's a fact that washing too much can make acne worse because it makes the skin dry and sore. So, wash no more than twice a day, using mild soap and water. If you have patches of dry skin, don't worry about putting moisturizer on. It won't make your acne worse. If you're still concerned, use an oil free moisturizer. 2. DON'T NUKE 'EM There are lots of over the counter creams, gels, lotions and potions. Most contain a powerful bleaching agent called benzoyl peroxide. You'll find the strength written on the label. You might be tempted to go straight for the highest sort, working on the 'let's nuke 'em principle. The likely result is that you'll irritate your skin like mad. It may also go all dry and scaly on you. But if you still are willing to bleach then use the mild one. 3. MAKE A DATE - THE TWO MONTH RULE If you have been using over the counter remedies for two months and there is no real improvement in your spots, this is the moment to go and make an appointment with your doc. 4. YOUR DOCTOR - THE TWO MONTH RULE The thing you are most likely to be given by the doctor is a prescription for antibiotics. These will either be topical (which means something you put on your skin) or tablets you have to take every day. Whatever treatment your doctor or pharmacist recommends, follow the instructions carefully and keep using for at least two months. There should be a noticeable improvement by this time. If not, go back to discuss other possible treatments Antibiotics are perfectly safe to take. You should take them for at least two months and then go back to your doc. If they seem to be working, he will probably tell you to keep taking them and give you some more. If they aren't doing their stuff, don't despair - he has loads of other spot busters in his black bag. 5. YOU ARE NOT AN ALIEN - BUT JUST BEPATIENT Hundreds of thousands of teenagers seek help for acne. You are not alone. You are not an alien. And if people really care about you, they don't even notice your acne, however bad you think they are. But you will need to be patient. Most treatments take time to work. At least two months. And some treatments, like antibiotics will work well but may have to be taken for months, or even years. 6. THE MONTHLY CURSE... OR EXAMS Acne does tend to get worse just before a period. It's because there is a surge in hormone levels at this time. But boys don't get away lightly either. Being hot and sweaty (particularly after sports like football) makes acne worse. And for everyone, stress - particularly at exam times - is a cue for a mega breakout. This is normal - and of course, even more reason for feeling stressed. Go chill. They'll get better - promise. 7. WATCH WHAT YOU PUT ON YOUR SKIN AND HAIR Some beauty products are big no-nos. These include pomades and defrizzing agents for hair that tend to cause an outcrop of blackheads along the hairline and some of the heavier cosmetics. And be wary of suntan oils. Not all will make you break out, but some may. Try a friend's first before you buy. By the way, the sun might dry up acne and a tan might hide them, but your skin is still vulnerable in the sun and needs protection. 8. CARRY ON KISSING You can't catch acne during kissing - go for it! 9. CARRY ON EATING CHOCOLATE It's a myth that eating chocolate and fried foods causes acne. However, eating a good diet improves your general well-being and this is reflected in your skin.Common Questions asked about acne problem Does wearing make up cause acne? It is not necessary that wearing make up causes acne. Acne is caused because of hormonal imbalance mostly during puberty. But you have to take special care while you apply make up and thereafter if you have acne. Make sure you wash any make up tools, including sponges and brushes as often as possible as these become a breeding ground for bugs which can cause your spots to pop up. Stop wearing make up if you have too many spots and you can resume after you have treated them. Don't forget to clean the make up after you come home and and make sure you cleanse your face properly each night. Do skin toner and moisturizer cure acne? One thing that you need to know is acne is not caused by dirt, so no amount of cleaning and toning is going to get rid of them. So for treating acne you must consult your doctor and eat lots of healthy food and drink lots of water. That is the natural way to keep you face spot free. Is it ok to do facial? It can be a real treat to have the facial done, as they can be very relaxing and make you feel properly pampered. However, you should be aware that they should not beused to help 'treat' spots, as this can be quite dangerous if the beauty therapist is not trained. Sometimes a beauty therapist will also squeeze out any spots and blackheads that if it's not done properly, may cause a bigger problem than before. What is the best way to cover up spots? Foundation is okay to use and may give you more confidence if you've got a hot date, but remember to look for oil-free one. Whatever you use to put on your skin, wash your hands or sponge before applying foundation. Blackhead is caused when excess skin oil, sebum and congesting toxins are expelled through your skin from the blood and lymph fluid that supplies your skin with nutrients. These congesting toxins combined with skin oil and sebum clogs your pores causing blackheads, whiteheads, and full blown acne. Thus after knowing the cause of blackhead you can easily deal with it. All you have to do is stop the formation of these congesting toxins combined with skin oil and sebum that builds up in your sebum channels. Thus applying anything externally will not help because blackhead is basically an INTERNAL problem. Thus to get rid of blackheads you've got to normalize your skin's sebum or oil production and purify your blood of congesting toxins. The key to effective blackhead prevention lies in your liver function. Thus you have to improve and strengthen your liver function. Follow the following diet and free the body of harmful toxins in order to have a beautiful and vibrant skin. This diet will also improve and strength your liver functions. However you have to take care that from now on you follow a healthy and well balanced diet. This journey is very difficult and thus start only if you have the confidence in you and don't give up in between. A SIX-DAY DIET REGIMEN BREAKFAST FOR EACH OF THE SIX DAYS: Fifteen minutes before you are ready to eat breakfast squeeze the juice of one lemon in a medium glass of hot water and drink it. The rest of the meal consists of 250 ml of fruit juice (orange or grape), 5 level tablespoons of cottage cheese, 250g fresh fruit - you can eat only one kind of fruit or combine fruits in a salad (no bananas or avocados). You may drink one cup of tea, with milk and sugar if desired. Between breakfast and lunch you should drink all the vegetable broth (recipe provided) as you can hold. Also eat fresh raw fruit. Make a large quantity of the vegetable broth and store in the refrigerator. LUNCH FOR EACH OF THE SIX DAYS: Drink two cups of vegetable broth during the meal. Make a salad by chopping fresh, raw vegetables in a bowl. Use four from the following list: Asparagus, beans, beets, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, cucumbers, celery, green peppers, lettuce, onions, pumpkin, spinach, squash, tomatoes. For dessert, slice fresh fruit and serve with drizzle of honey. You may drink a small glass of fresh milk if desired. Between lunch and dinner drink all the vegetable juice you desire and eat all the fresh fruit you want. DINNER FOR EACH OF THE SIX DAYS: Drink two cups of vegetable broth during the meal. Select two or three of the different kinds of vegetables listed and steam-cook them with a little butter. Eat a generous helping of each. Eat a medium slice of whole-wheat bread with butter. For dessert, eat a fresh fruit salad. If you feel hungry after dinner, eat as much fresh fruits as you want and drink vegetable juice. RECIPE FOR VEGETABLE BROTH: To make vegetable broth, dice 7 carrots and 1 small bunch of celery into small pieces. Place in 2 quarts water and boil for 15 minutes. Add one-third bunch of fresh parsley and a large handful of fresh spinach. Flavour with tomatoes, green peppers or garlic. Boil 10 minutes more. Drain off the broth, retaining the fluid. Flavour with salt of onion. This recipe makes about one day's supply. It can be used hot or cold. The purpose of this broth is to flush the system, so drink lots of it during the 6 days. It's loaded with minerals. Skin texture differs from person to person and some people have very sensitive skin and thus are allergic to certain cosmetics. However it is very difficult to determine what is actually causing the allergy or irritation. True allergic reactions are generally characterized by swelling and hive-like breakouts, and sometimes red, raw skin. Sensitive skins may be allergic to products like soaps and soap-like formulations (e.g., detergent-based shampoos). Dyes, formaldehyde (released in the finishing process), and polyester-blends in fabrics, such as clothing and bed linen. Essential oils used for aromatherapy, condoms, Vegetable plants, such as garlic, onion, tomatoes, ginger and carrot. Cosmetics can also cause allergy to your skin. Always check out the following things before using any cosmetic: Applying too much cosmetics to your skin and using several new products simultaneously can be one reason of cosmetic allergy. Using used or dirty brushes or applicators also cause skin allergies. Avoid trying new makeup products with a brush or applicator still "dirty" from use with other products. For best results, frequently used applicators and brushes should be cleaned no less than 2-4 times per month. Thus always clean and dry cosmetic applicators before using them for any new products. If not taken care then you might suffer from "cosmetic acne", including blackheads, whiteheads and mild irritation. Also check out each cosmetic product before using them because they might be adulterated and contaminated causing skin allergies. Use proper brush for the particular product that you use because using wrong brush also causes skin irritation. For most makeup, use natural-hair brushes for easiest and best application. With cream-based formulas, however, best results will come from using synthetic or nylon-hair brushes because synthetic brushes hold less of the product, enabling more controlled application. Take the following precautions If you have sensitive skin then always test the product on your skin before using it. Wash hands before applying cosmetics, especially to your eyes because your hands contain bacteria that could cause infection to the eye. Always keep a check on the expiry dates of the cosmetics you are using and throw the cosmetics that have expired. Beautiful skin-In today's world with competition and perfection being the most essential thing, it is imperative to look good. Make-up will help you to some extent but what is most important is natural beauty and a glowing skin. The major culprits that ruin and play havoc on our skin are ultraviolet rays, pollution and stress to some extent. However the most important thing for a glowing and a fresh look and skin is regular exercise and a balanced diet. However at the same time you also need to give your skin a little time for its care and here are a few tips for your skin care regime. Cleansing Your skin requires proper cleansing to keep it properly toned and clean. Cleansing removes the dust and stress from your face by cleaning the pores and circulating the blood supply. Use a gentle cleansing agent. Face washes are specially prepared to be effective at cleansing your skin gently and tenderly. For your body use a good mild and moisturizing soap. Moisturizing It is essential to use good moisturizers since the UV rays and pollution dries your skin thoroughly and makes it lifeless. There is a range of moisturizers available in the market to suit your skin type but what is important here is to pick the right one with the right components in it. Choose moisturizers, which have anti-aging ingredients and vitamins, added to it and use it regularly. Vitamin A or Retinol and Alphahydroxy Acids are the best anti-aging agents. There are several salts of vitamin A and isotretenioin is found to have definite anti-aging properties and is very effective. It is also an effective care for acne but it dries the skin and also can give mild irritation and hence has to be used under the supervision of dermatologist. Vitamin C is found to have antioxidants and thus has a protective effect on the skin. Vitamin E is also an antioxidant and works by quenching oxygen radicals. Oxygen radicals are formed which causes damage to the skin because of pollution and ultraviolet rays. Collagen, Elastin and Hyaluronic Acid are all good moisturizers as they have a good water binding capacity. Ceramides work effectively on the skin barrier function as well as in the metabolism of the skin. However all these components have to be present in a proper concentration and then only can they be effective. Sunscreens With the rise in pollution level and the intensity of the ultraviolet rays it is very essential to use sunscreens during daytime to protect your skin form any kind of damage and premature wrinkles even if you are at home because these rays come in through the windows and there is no running away from it. The UVA ultraviolet rays penetrate deep down in the skin and damage not only the top layer of the skin called epidermis but also the collagen and elastin tissues thereby causing wrinkles and sagging skin. These rays tan your skin and also harms the skin immune system thereby making the skin vulnerable to allergies. Another type of UV-rays is UVB. The sunscreen you use should denote the sun protection factor (SPF) and the approximate measure for protection against UVB is 30 or higher is always better and also check out the protection measures against UVA.