A doctor will tell any patient suffering from acne that his or her condition is caused by a change in hormone levels that effects the level of sebum produced the sebaceous glands. There is some research that indicates stress can affect the body’s hormone levels and worsen breakouts of bacne.

Stress is caused by many factors. It can be physical, as when a person is in fear of something dangerous like heights, or a car accident.  Emotional pressures such as school, work, or relationships also cause stress and the body reacts the same way to both types of stimulation. The body reacts to extreme stress with what is term the fight or flight reflex.  The body responds with a burst of energy stemming from a change in hormone levels. For the person experiencing a bad physical situation this gives the individual the physical power needed to act quickly, but the body often reacts the same way to other situation. For instance, after an intense verbal argument a person might experience weakness or shakiness since the body responded as it would during a real physical threat.

For some people with trouble coping with emotions throughout their day stress can become a factor that affects them physically and mentally. Long-term stress causes fatigue, mental confusion, and a change in hormone levels that could generate breakouts of bacne.

If stress is a possible factor in breakouts, it’s a sign that other conditions could also appear.  Along with taking medication, or using over the counter products to treat bacne anyone with this issue should look for ways to better cope with stress. If the source of the problem can’t be eliminated or avoided than learning to regulate the body’s reaction to situation is often helpful.  Mediation and yoga are recommended methods to develop skills that allow an individual to avoid powerful physical reactions to stressful situations.

One of the bigger issues with treating bacne is how hard it is to reach.  It’s not like you can easily put some cream on your back acne and be done with it.  And really, who wants to have their mom or boyfriend exfoliate your back and then slather a bunch of cream all over your back?  Doesn’t sound very fun to me, does it sound good to you?  If yes, stop reading now.  If no, then we want to tell you about bacne spray, a potential form of treatment for your back acne.  Now, before we go any further, let us first say that if your bacne is severe, bacne spray is not the right choice for you.  Please head to a doctor and develop a treatment regimen with them before you end up with unsightly scarring.

If you think bacne spray might be good for you, then read on.  We’re aware that there used to be an Avon brand of bacne spray, but it has supposedly been discontinued.  Probably the best bet to try at this point is the Murad Clarifying Body Spray.  It can be purchased for around $30.00 at places like Amazon.com and comes in a 4.3 ounce bottle.  Kind of expensive, but if it does the trick for you, it’s worth every penny.
<a href=”http://www.bacnetreatment.com/bacne-spray/murad-clarifying-body-spray/” rel=”attachment wp-att-10″><img src=”http://www.bacnetreatment.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Murad-Clarifying-Body-Spray-124×300.jpg” alt=”Murad Clarifying Bacne Spray” title=”Murad Clarifying Body Spray” width=”124″ height=”300″ /></a>
The main active ingredient in the Murad Bacne spray is Salicylic Acid diluted to .5% which is known to penetrate pores to help clear up your acne.  The active ingredients are: Inactive Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Alcohol Denatured, Allantoin (Comfrey Root) , Undecylenoyl Glycine, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Salicylate, Lecithin, Tocophersolan, Retinol, Pentylene Glycol, Panthenol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Oleth 20, Menthol, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus (Lemongrass) Oil, Butylene Glycol, Triclosan.  Not exactly stuff I would want on my skin, but as of yet, we’re unaware of any organic bacne sprays.  If you learn of any, please contact us via our contact us form and let us know about it so we can review it.

Bacne or back acne is very common but more of a challenge to treat and to cure than facial acne. The back is made of thicker skin with thousands of sebaceous glands meaning, a higher production of oil. Due to this tougher construction of back skin, finding an effective treatment for bacne can be tricky.

To treat bacne, dermatologists often suggest applying benzoyl peroxide either in the form of a cleanser, lotion, or gel, to the affected area. Lower concentrations of benzoyl peroxide products are available over-the-counter at drugstores. Higher concentrations may be prescribed since the back can better tolerate greater percentages as opposed to the more delicate face.

Benzoyl peroxide lotions and gels should be applied to a clean black, preferably after showering, twice daily. It may stain clothing so be sure that the back is completely dry before getting dressed. Benzoyl peroxide cleaners may also be used up to two times a day.

Aside from benzoly peroxide, doctors may also prescribe topical antibiotics. This type of medication should also be applied to a clean back, once or twice daily. Topical antibiotics work by killing the bacteria which cause the acne. Topical retinoids can also be prescribed to treat back acne.

Apart from medication, treatment can also be in the form of cosmetic dermatology. An example would be dermabrasion. This method makes use of a high speed rotating wire brush, sometimes using diamond fraises, to remove the dead skin and to allow new cells to grow. It is a more intense form of exfoliation which helps smoothen the skin surface.

Another option would be laser skin resurfacing. This method will permanently reduce the appearance of scars on the skin. It safely removes the dead skin cells using a controlled, deep penetration. This promotes skin regeneration.

<a href=”http://www.bacnetreatment.com/how-to-get-rid-of-bacne/bacne/” rel=”attachment wp-att-14″><img src=”http://www.bacnetreatment.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/bacne-300×225.jpg” alt=”bacne” title=”bacne” width=”300″ height=”225″ /></a>

Similar to the treatment of facial acne, chemical peels may also be used to renew the surface of the skin. It diminishes or eliminates scars on the skin for a clearer complexion. Growing in popularity nowadays are collagen injections. This technique can be used to diminish the appearance of scars through fillers. This however, only provides a temporary solution.

There are things that can be done at home to help treat and prevent back acne. For one, shower more frequently. Especially after intense activities that bring about excessive perspiration, shower as soon as you possibly can. Trapped perspiration can mix with body oils which can clog skin pores. This will only worsen back acne.

Exfoliate your skin regularly. This is safe to do since the skin at the back is much tougher. You can use different types of exfoliaters such as loofahs, washcloths, and brushes. You can even use sugar or salt scrubs for the exfoliation process.

Keep fabrics clean at all times. Fabrics include bed sheets, pillow cases, towels, bras, shirts, and any other piece of clothing that touches the back. Anything that is dirty will just attract more acne-causing bacteria. When working out at a public gym for instance, place a clean towel on the machine or the mat before lying down to do your exercises.

Vinegar is used to cure a wide assortment of ailments; one of these conditions that vinegar helps to cure is bacne. A lot of people found that it helps with clearing up the bacne, and even acne on other parts of the body and face as well. Using vinegar not only will clear up the oils and dirt that has been blocking the pores, but it also will open the pores up to allow them to breathe without getting the dirt and oil trapped within them. Of course, there are other treatments out there if you find that vinegar does not work for you, but you can take the chance with vinegar first because it is affordable, and the results can be amazing.

<strong>What Does Vinegar Do For the Skin?</strong>

Vinegar is actually an astringent, and this acts to firm, contract, and strengthen the skin on the body as well as other tissues at the same time. Vinegar can also dissolve and remove oils, bacteria, and regulates the pH balance within the skin. Vinegar will lower the pH balance of your skin, and this actually makes it harder for bacteria to grow and create acne. Using soap mixed with vinegar though can actually lead to some damaging effects on the skin. Let the vinegar do its job alone, putting it on at night allows it to sit and do its job, then washing it off in the morning using baby soap and warm water will ensure that a rash or skin condition doesn’t occur.

<strong>How Long Does it Take to Work?</strong>

Vinegar might not work overnight like a lot of acne solutions. Making sure to have the patience while going through the process is important. It can actually take a couple of weeks for it to start having effects on your skin and clearing up your bacne. Keep the regimen up however, you can see results if you’re patient, and keep at it.

<strong>Other Important Facts to Consider</strong>

Dilute your vinegar before using it. Diluting it can be less harsh on the skin. Use a 10 parts of water to one part vinegar at first, and then slightly increase the vinegar to water ratio, up to three parts water and one part vinegar. This will allow your skin to get used to the mixture, and also help you get better results along the way. There are other ways that vinegar can be used for skin purposes. One of these ways is to drink the vinegar. You can drink a mixture of two tablespoons of vinegar to regular eight ounce glass of water three times a day to balance the pH levels in the skin. This might also take time to see any results. One to two weeks of this might be necessary.

Explore all of your options, and find the one that works the best for you, and the skin condition that you have. This is to ensure that you’re bacne is gone for good. You might have to keep up on the vinegar solution after the bacne is gone to ensure that it stays away, but it is affordable and can be worth it.

Acne is a common problem for many people out there, and one of the worst forms of acne can be bacne. This is when you have acne on your back, and you might not want to wear certain clothes because it shows off your back. The acne can leave scars in these places, and you might find them undesirable. There are many ways to rid yourself of bacne and acne, finding the right one that works for your skin is important. One of the most common, and affective treatments of bacne includes laser treatment. It might not be the most cost effective, but it is effective at getting rid of the bacne and scars that you might have because of the bacne. There are a few methods that can be used to remove the bacne and scars such as tissue fillers, dermabrasion, lasers, and punch excision. Choose the one that your dermatologist recommends.

<strong>The Treatment</strong>

Laser treatment can remove bacne and scars, and it is less invasive as some of the other methods that can be used. This is because the laser damages the outer layer of skin, and allows fresh skin to emerge without having the bacne and scars shown. A lot of these sessions require multiple treatments to see actual results. This can be done in office, and requires very little recovery time if you’re thinking of having it done. Tissue fillers are used for scars usually, and this can be helpful if scars are left after the treatment. This is more of a follow up procedure that you can find helpful, and it is easy to do. Your own body fat is usually used for the filler since there is less of a cause of rejection or infection.

<strong>The Results</strong>

The results may vary depending on person, and the skin type that they have. You have to schedule an appointment with a dermatologist to find out what you’re chances are on a success rate, and the outcome of the procedure. Redness or irritation might show up after the procedure because of the laser, but it will clear up after awhile, and provide you with smooth clear skin. You should keep in mind all of the risks that are involved when it comes to getting laser surgery. This will give you an idea of what might go wrong after the procedure, and how to protect yourself from these risks.

There are other less invasive ways to go to treat the bacne that you have. If you have tried a number of them without getting the desired results than you might find that using lasers to remove the bacne might be beneficial. This is something that you might find scary at first, but having the desired results from the treatment that you use is important. This means choosing the right treatment as well. Talking to a dermatologist about your options is beneficial, even if you’re not thinking about getting the laser treatment since they can recommend other treatments that might be beneficial at getting rid of the bacne that you have.

Bacne is a term for acne when found on the shoulders, the back of the neck and shoulder blades. In some cases, it can also spread to the mid-back.  No matter where on the body any type of blemish shows up it’s not welcome, but acne on the back is usually uncomfortable and difficult to treat.  No method of preventing bacne is completely guaranteed given the nature of acne, but there are ways to reduce the number of breakouts, and to shorten their duration.

Acne appears in the places it does for reason. The face, neck, chest, back, and shoulders are all areas of skin where the largest number of functional oil glands resides.  This is the true of cause of acne.  When the oil glands overproduce, and the hair follicles become clogged with oil, dead skin, and debris the result is an eruption on the skin.  This eruption can take the form of whiteheads or blackheads, papules, pustules, nodules or cysts. Whiteheads and blackheads are not serious, but do blemish the skin for a short period of time. Papules, pustules, and nodules signal an infection of the hair follicles, and are not only more painful, but can sometimes leave tiny scars.

Nodules are large painful lumps beneath the skin that are formed deep within the hair follicles. Since they are deeper, and often larger they can leave pits and scars.  Cysts are by far the most uncomfortable and painful type of skin eruption.  These are also deep under the surface of the skin, and they form boil-like infections that leave deep pits and scars.

While friends, family, and others will try to offer helpful advice, often their information is not correct.  All forms of acne are genetic.  The problem is with the overproduction of the oil from the glands, and not due to anything, the person experiencing the problem did wrong.  It is not a matter of taking too few baths or showers or eating incorrectly that started the problem. Bacne and acne usually strike in a person’s teenage years, but the problem can start or reoccur at any point due to hormonal changes.

Even through, infrequent showering did not start this problem, making sure the body is kept free of perspiration can help prevent future breakouts.  Taking a shower after a workout, or participating in sports is common practice, but a shower to prevent more clogged follicles should follow up even short bursts of exercises as soon as possible.  When sweat is allowed to dry on the skin it can trap more oil and dead skin near the follicles.

Another method of reducing the frequency of breakouts is to wear loose clothing to prevent sweat from being trapped close to the skin.  Drinking more water throughout the day will flush out chemicals that cause oil production to increase. Never using the same towel twice without washing it, and changing bed sheets at least weekly reduces the amount of oil, dead skin, and tiny debris that are transferred back to the skin otherwise.  When outbreaks are occurring frequently, or cysts and nodules start developing, seeing a doctor for medication is recommended. A doctor can prescribe medication that slows the production of oil from the glands.

Much of what causes bacne or acne on the back has to do with heredity. A hormonal imbalance causes an over production of oil on the skin which causes a chain reaction leading to skin eruptions.   Acne anywhere on the body is painful, but when it occurs on the back of the neck, the shoulders, and shoulder blades it can be difficult to treat.

Hormonal levels control or regulate many of the body’s organs and systems.  When there is a change or fluctuation in those levels then problems are seen often seen somewhere in the body.  This is the theory of what is the starting point of acne or bacne.  This condition can occur at any point in life, but is commonly seen in adolescence.  Adults are affected by acne as well.  Research shows that 25% of all adult men and 50% of adult women at some point after maturity develop acne.

The skin is an organ.  In fact, the epidermis is the largest organ of the body.  Hair is found at various thickness and widths all over the skin. Most of the human body is covered with small fine hairs that act as protection for the skin.  Each hair follicle is connected to sebaceous glands, which are regulated by the hormone levels. These glands perform the function of producing sebum an oily substance, which lubricates the skin and hair.  Medical experts believe that at times when hormonal levels change the glands overproduce sebum.

Ordinarily sebum will travel up the shaft of the hair follicle and onto the skin’s surface in such small amounts where it only causes a protective element for the outer layer of the skin.  When the sebaceous glands overproduce this causes an irregular shedding of dead skins cells that irritates the hair follicle, and a buildup of bacteria. This situation of a collection of dead skin cells, bacteria, and oil clogs the pores. This blockage leads to eruptions on the skin.

This change in hormonal levels is mainly a factor of heredity and environmental stimulus such as stress.  Certain medications like cortisone and contact with chemicals or bacteria can also play a role.  Some research is ongoing into whether foods high in starch are a factor in the cause of acne, but there is no conclusive proof, as yet.  Those foods typically blamed for acne like chocolate, greasy hamburgers, or those snacks typically loved by teens are not the culprits of acne.  Research has shown no link between these foods and the overproduction of oil from the glands.

The risk factors for the cause of bacne can be increased by direct exposure of the skin to oily or greasy substances.  Heavy cosmetics, or wearing anything that puts pressure on the skin such as too tight clothing also raises the risks.  In bacne especially tight collars, low fitting helmets, or caps, tightly fitting or heavy backpacks are also likely to trigger outbreaks.

Showering after exercise, drinking plenty of water and seeing a doctor if acne persists longer than a few months or if the eruptions become severe is the best advice for anyone experiencing this problem.

Acne can appear almost anywhere on the body.  When it appears on the back it is unofficially termed bacne. Acne vulgaris is the most common form of this type of skin problem, but there are other forms of skin eruptions that can appear usually in the areas of the face, upper shoulders, shoulder blades, and neck.  Occasionally, eruptions can spread to the upper arm, and extend to the mid and lower back.  Any type of acne that appears on the face and neck is difficult to treat, but when it appears on other parts of the body as well, it can cause even more pain, psychological distress, and larger areas of scarring.  Several types of acne are the real causes of bacne, from moderate to the more serious form of cystic acne.  Treatments are available that can relieve the symptoms and the duration of breakouts.  Some of these treatments are available over the counter, while for serious cases treatment by a doctor is required.

In most forms of acne, oily secretions causing inflammation clog the follicles of short, fine hair growing near sebaceous glands. Even though acne vulgaris is typically seen in adolescence, this type of acne can demonstrate later in life too. This condition can range from a few whiteheads to large clusters of various skin eruptions. Blackheads appear as a black or yellowish bump on the surface of the skin. Inside these bumps is an oily mixture of keratin and sebum from the sebaceous gland, which takes on a dark coloring when exposed to oxygen.  Whiteheads are filled with this material as well, but it has not oxidized.  Blackheads, and whiteheads aren’t painful. Papules, nodules, and pustules are often very uncomfortable and these can cause scarring.  Nodules extend down under the skin, and come to a point on the surface.  Papules are slightly smaller than nodules, and do not extend as deep. Pustules are filled with a cloudy fluid, but shouldn’t be confused with the more serious type of eruption called a cyst.

This type of acne can cause scarring, but even in the case of nodules and papules which extend under the skin these scars are usually not deep, and unless infection is involved will not cause deep pitting.  If the acne is repeated often in the same area over a short period of time keloid scars, which appear as a thickening of the skin, are a risk.  The cause of acne vulgaris is thought to be genetic predisposition triggered by hormones.

Acne on the face and bacne on the neck and shoulder area do not occur only at one time in a person’s life.  Acne Conglobata is the most severe form of acne vulgaris.  It most commonly strikes young males, but it can occur later in life, and sometimes occurs in females.  This form manifests with large, numerous lesions which are often interconnected and form sinus tracks under the skin.  This form is disfiguring in both scarring and damage to the skin especially if the same area is affected frequently over a short space of time.  It is often seen as a type of bacne, but can spread or appear in multiple areas of the body including the buttocks, upper arms, and thighs.  This condition is very painful, and the damage to the skin of such a degree that seeing a doctor if this form of acne appears is advised. Successful treatment of this type of acne is most usually seen with the use of isotretinoin.  Commercially, this is found in drugs such as Accutane.  Aggressive treatment is often required.
If acne conglobata appears abruptly with nodulocystic or ulcerating acne, it is referred to as acne fulminans.  This type can also cause a fever and aching in the joints as with a flu. This type of acne does not respond to antibiotics, oral steroids, and commonly isotretinoins are needed as prescribed by a doctor.

Often seen as bacne gram-negative folliculitis is a bacterial infection in which cysts and pustules form in multiple places on the body including back, shoulders, and under arm.  It is rare, and like many forms of acne is more commonly found in males than females.  The cause is unknown, but it is thought that long-term use of antibiotics for acne vulgaris might trigger this condition.  Isotretinon in combination with steroids is often used to combat this painful condition.

The skin on the back, upper neck and shoulders is thicker than it is on the face.  While these areas are usually less exposed than on the face friction from clothing, contact with sweat, and the difficulty with reaching certain spots make treating bacne more difficult.  During a breakout, the condition can be aggravated by clothing that does not give the skin some exposure to air, and by heavy backpacks.  Wearing lighter clothing when indoors if it is possible is a good idea when experiencing an outbreak of acne or when waiting for a recent eruption to heal, and so is refraining from carrying hefty packs.

Keep the back as clean as possible.  If areas are hard to reach, try taking a warm bath with an antibacterial soap, which can make reaching these tough spots easier.  For mild to moderate acne using a cream with at least 25% Benzoyl peroxide directly on the area of the breakout is often very successful in treating acne. For those who are seeing a doctor and using other medication for the acne ask the physician before using this over-the-counter cream.  It is very effective for all but severe acne types, but it can be drying to some skin types.  Benzoyl peroxide will also bleach anything it meets as it dries including hair and clothing.  After first applying this cream it is a prudent idea to wait a few minutes before styling hair or getting dressed.  Acne suffers are often confused by the number of very expensive creams on the market, but the only factor that counts is that the product should contain at least a 25% solution of the peroxide itself.

Salicylic acid is another over-the-counter acne remedy that is effective especially if used between breakouts to reduce the number of abnormally shedding cells.  In other words, Salicylic acid can help reduce the number of future breakouts since it will keep pores from becoming clogged.  This product then should be used between breakouts, and as a breakout heals.  Salicylic acid should not be expensive, and can be found in lotions, topical creams, and pads.

Treatments that are less effective include resorcinol, and ultraviolet light therapy.  There is little research into resorcinol having effect on acne.  Ultraviolet light therapy has not been proven to help acne in studies conducted on it.  In fact, while the tanning reduces the appearance of acne it might cause more harm to the skin.

Some supplements such as vitamin C, B vitamins, vitamin E, Echinacea, and Chromium are known to boost the immune system.  These can’t cure acne, but anything that helps the immune system along can lessen the effects of acne.

When it comes to diet as a treatment for acne it should be understood that this condition, as already stated, is regarded as genetic.  Diet does not cause acne.  There are however, certain foods to avoid when experiencing breakouts since it is known they can worsen the condition.  A lowered immune system makes treatment more difficult for acne just as with any other condition affecting health.  Eating a healthy diet free of junk food can speed healing with any condition.

Some advice given to acne suffers, especially teens, is not factual, and should be avoided. It is a natural instinct to want to ‘pop’ or squeeze a nodule or other types of eruption. This can cause the spread of infection and worsens the risk of scarring.  Friendly advice that an eruption should be popped needs to be ignored.

Cosmetics and other similar aids are often promoted, as covering up acne, but not only is this seldom effective it can further clog pores making the condition harder to treat.  So too, is the advice to wash the face repeatedly though out the day.  Use of a mild soap and washing in the morning, afternoon, and evening is beneficial, but over washing causes the skin to dry out.  Dry skin sheds more cells further clogging pores.  The same is true of advice to scrub at the area of skin eruption.  This will open the skin and allow more bacteria to enter the pores.

Tanning is not good for acne. Staying out in the sun for long periods especially when using over-the-counter products or prescription medication for acne is, in the end harmful to your skin, and can cause future breakouts. Tanning also speeds the skin’s aging process.

Understanding how stress plays a role in raising the level of certain hormones is also necessary when treating acne.  Prolonged periods of stress or tension can promote the secretion of cortisol and other so called “stress hormones”. Prolonged stress can affect the body in other ways such as digestive problems.  For many in this position there is no way to eliminate stress in their environment.  Learning methods to reduce stress on a personal level such as meditation, positive imagery, or other relaxation techniques can reduce the impact of prolonged emotional tension on the body.

When bacne is in the form of cystic acne the condition is very painful, and hard to manage.  Cystic acne is a form of nodulocystic acne and it is seen in breakouts on the face, back, shoulders, neck, and underarms.  These are large blemishes at times, and these are frequently deep.  Cysts are soft to the touch, and are filled with fluid.  Formed under the skin’s surface cysts can spread out several inches across or form tracts under the skin.  What makes this a difficult form to treat is not only the extreme discomfort a cysts causes, but also the deep scar or pit left behind when a cysts heals.  These pits in turn can become collection places for more bacteria and shed skin cells cause yet another cyst to form.

Cystic acne is a condition believed to be caused by overproducing oil glands. Whether this over production causes a larger number of acne causing bacteria, know as Propionbacteria acnes to appear is not know, but these are usually present.  The final culprit is thought to be excessive dead cells around the hair follicle.  This type of acne will need the treatment of a doctor to reduce the chances of infection, and scarring.  Doctors can excise, and then drain the cysts, which reduces pitting and scaring.  Topical retinoids are often effective in treating cystic acne on the back or elsewhere on the body.  Retinoids can be taken orally by prescription.  These types of drugs work by reducing the production of oil from the glands. There are some side effects with this type of medication that should be discussed with a physician. A serious side effect is the possibility of birth defects if taken while a woman is pregnant. Cosmetic laser therapy is often used when acne scars are of the pitted type. Using lasers can prevent future breakouts since the pit itself becomes a breeding ground for acne causing bacteria.

Stress can play a part of cystic bacne breakouts just as it often plays a part in other forms of acne.  Since there is the added stress caused by the pain, appearance, and scarring seen in cystic acne finding a dermatologist who can treat the condition is necessary.  An added reason to see a doctor is that cystic acne is more prone to infection than other types of acne and this can affect general health.

When acne is mild finding a doctor might not be necessary, but if breakouts are frequent or last for prolonged periods of time seeing a doctor is recommended.  Typically in cases of mild or moderate acne, a doctor will prescribe either an antibiotic or retinoids to stop the cycle of breakouts.  Doctors might also prescribe tetracycline, as this is a very successful antibiotic treatment for acne.

Quick action whether by the use of over-the-counter acne treatments or by seeing a doctor can help reduce the pain, and scarring that acne can cause. As with all matters of health acne should be taken seriously.

References:
<a href=”http://www.acne.org/body-acne.html”>http://www.acne.org/body-acne.html</a>
<a href=”http://www.stress-free-mama.com/stress-acne.html”>http://www.stress-free-mama.com/stress-acne.html</a>
<a href=”http://www.acnegroup.org/trtmnts.php4″>http://www.acnegroup.org/trtmnts.php4</a>
<a href=”http://acne.about.com/od/acnesymptoms/a/cystic.htm”>http://acne.about.com/od/acnesymptoms/a/cystic.htm</a>
<a href=”http://www.cysticacneguides.com/cystic_acne_treatment.htm”>http://www.cysticacneguides.com/cystic_acne_treatment.htm</a>

Not long ago I had someone write in and ask if marijuana caused bacne or acne.   Broken down into the various components of smoking or otherwise using marijuana through another delivery system there can be risks. There are several reasons that some people might experience a breakout after using marijuana. From changes in hormone levels to irritated skin from the smoke, some users of this herbal drug might experience acne breakouts.

The dangers of marijuana are often exaggerated, but any drug should be used with caution. Effects may vary from one person to another dependent on several factors such as the individual’s health or psychological predisposition. Cannabis is the plant that the drug many refer to as marijuana or pot is prepared from. It is used as a recreational psychoactive drug, or for medical use. The effect of psychoactive preparations is caused when the active chemical substance within the drug crosses the blood-brain barrier acting upon the central nervous system to affect brain function. Typically, these affects are changes in mood, perception, cognition, or even consciousness.

Since the use of cannabis is illegal in the United States with the exception of some states allowing its use for medical purposes.There are few studies on the long-term effects of its use beyond anything other than changes in brain chemistry. It is well established however that smoking, such as cigarette smoking is linked to breakouts due to skin irritation and the clogging of pores due to the smoke and exposure to impurities when the smoke is exhaled.

Another cause for concern is that the psychoactive chemical compound in cannabis is terthydrocannabinol or THC. This compound also affects hormonal levels with even moderate use. Since one of the causes of acne is a change in hormonal levels, it would appear that anyone who typically suffers from this skin condition is taking a risk of an outbreak by using marijuana.

A dilemma that lovers of chocolate all over the world face whenever they pop a heavenly piece of delicious chocolate in their mouth is-Does chocolate cause acne! Well, you can finally heave a sigh of relief if you are an ardent lover of chocolate. Skin care experts have come to a conclusion that acne is not caused by the food we eat. Instead, it can be the result of dead skin cells that accumulate within our pores, excess skin oil or sebum or certain bacteria that cause skin problems. This also solves the riddle as to why so many of us who gorge on French fries and candies have luminescent skins, while others who survive on green leafy vegetables get a crop of acne every now and then.

The biggest myth that has haunted food lovers for long has been that oily foods result in oily skin that finally leads to acne. However, the truth is that greasy food does not result in oily skin. Even though that does not mean that you should head straightaway for a bag of French fries, it surely means that you need not worry about waking up with fresh acne in the morning if you have indulged yourself on some sumptuous dishes at dinner.  Changes in skin texture are mostly the result of hormonal fluctuations in the body. So, oily skin is mostly the result of hormonal changes within the body that in turn may be the result of a host of other reasons.

Foods and Acne; Breaking the link

The good news is that till date no definitive study has been able to link diet and acne. Most skin experts will advise you to thrive on fresh fruits, juices and raw vegetables for a clear, healthy skin but believe me, the chances of someone who practically lives on burgers and chips having a peaches and cream complexion is equally bright. Well, that still does not rule out that eating a particular food may result in a breakout as you could be allergic to that food. So, if you get frequent breakouts on eating a particular food, avoid it.

The possible link between chocolate and acne has been propagated mostly because of the high fat content of chocolates. Since it has been established that acne is caused by skin oil called sebum, it came as a natural conclusion to many that fatty foods, such as chocolates, will result in producing more sebum and thus lead to acne. However, research has established that eating fatty foods, such as chocolates, does not produce sebum. So, there is no definitive link between chocolate eating and the production of sebum.

Foods and skincare

Well, despite all the arguments above, we still cannot completely rule out the effect of diet on our overall health, and that includes skin. Many people claim that they get an outbreak of acne when they eat a particular item of food. While, as discussed above, no clinical study has proved a causal link between food and acne, it is possible that certain foods can cause an allergy related to the skin or may make acne worse.

So, even though, no one has been able to establish a clear association between foods and acne, it is better to eliminate certain types of foods from your diet if you feel they are making your acne worse. A simple test would be to remove that food item from your food intake for a few weeks and watch the results. If your skin shows a marked improvement after few weeks, then it is possible that you were allergic to that food.

Even though medical experts have not proved that acne can be caused by the intake of chocolates or greasy food, eating right still remains the best choice for those who wish to stay healthy and have a clear, radiant skin. Even though one cannot eliminate greasy foods from one’s diet altogether, foods like chocolates and French fries should be eaten in moderation as they may cause other complications such as obesity, high cholesterol and so on.

The fact also remains that eating healthy foods, such as fruits and vegetables, is surely good for our system and this eventually has an effect on our overall appearance that includes our skin. It has been proved that drinking lots of water flushes out the toxins from our body and this again is sure to improve the texture of our skin. On the other hand, the absence of a causal link between greasy food and acne should not be treated as a recommendation to intake oily food. Even if it’s your skin that is not being affected by this intake of oily foods, there are other detrimental effects of greasy food that you should be cautious enough to avoid.

Chocolate and skincare; something to celebrate!

In fact, chocolate lovers around the world may actually have something to celebrate. Food experts have proved that Dark chocolate contains flavenoids, an antioxidant that has been proven to lower cholesterol. This means that by eating a bar of dark chocolate occasionally, you may actually be lowering your chances of a heart disease. In fact, certain research studies have proved that eating a chocolate may actually reduce your chances of having acne. The credit for this again goes to flavonoids and the presence of antioxidants in a dark chocolate that not only fights acne, but prevents wrinkles as well.

Chocolate is also known to reduce stress, the most common enemy of healthy skin.  Stress results in stimulating the sebaceous glands, which in turn causes acne.  Chocolate activates the pleasure receptors in our brain, thus inhibiting stress. A hot cup of cocoa facilitates blood flow to the skin cells, resulting in a more hydrated and better looking skin.

Talking of the benefits of eating chocolate, it’s also worthwhile to mention a researcher who has claimed that eating chocolate leads to sexual desire and fulfillment. So, chocolate lovers around the world can now take their next bite of this heavenly delight without a care in the world!