For the last two years there have been a dozen free audios on this site chock full of information on acne. I’ve seen similar information being sold online for $27 to $47.

I think that’s a little crazy - selling information like this - especially since it was likely pilfered off ControlMyAcne.com first, then packaged up with a fancy graphic and sold on another site.

In an effort to stop that from continuing I have only left one of the free audio downloads live here. And to control any further bootleg copies floating around I have packaged the rest up in another area of the website for members only.

To become a member (don’t worry, it’s completely free!) enter your name and email address into the box below. I have to have your name due to internet regulations and, I will also ask you to verify your email address once you become a member. This all has to do with internet security and the Can-SPAM act. It protects you from receiving email you don’t want and prevents others from abusing all the free stuff I send out! read the rest »

Diet? Hygiene? Genetics? Stress?

The illusive cause of acne…which is it?

First of all, there are many types of acne, many types of skin, many lifestyle differences between each of us and therefore many differeing causes of acne.

Some people notice that breakouts are worse after eating a particular food. For some it’s fried food. For others chocolate. Caffeine could be a culprit for some while milk seems to aggravate other’s skin problems. These are just examples, but they might be worth testing. If there is some sort of food or drink that might be affecting your acne, then cut back on that substance for a few weeks and see if you notice a difference in skin breakouts.

Although many of us break out during stressful times, stress is not a direct cause of acne. It is true that some types of stress can cause your body to produce a hormone called cortisol, which can irritate existing acne however. Indirectly, some medication that we take to alleviate or control extreme stress or depression can be factors in the production of acne. In fact, many medications on the market have acne listed as a possible side effect.

Teenage hormones. Another myth. Acne is not just for teens! 25% to 30% of all people between the ages 25-45 battle acne.

There are many more myths and misguided advice regarding acne. You really have to educate yourself from reliable sources, assess that information and determine what causes your acne and what your solution to clear skin may be.

An exact cause of every person’s acne problems is unknown.

Many reasons exist for many cases and each of us battles our own issues on a very personal level.

Despite endless research done to date not one thing has ever been isolated as the primary and common cause for acne. Keeping this in mind doctors and researchers have at least come to some conclusions as to what sort of risk factors are involved and ultimately contribute to acne’s development.

Acne Research Findings

According to some researchers, the primary causes are hormones and genetics, but this cannot account for every case. In some instances, factors like medication, cosmetics, and certain aspects of personal hygiene are more likely to create the conditions for acne’s formation. Environment, too, can be a cause if your work involves chemicals or if you are exposed to frying oils, there is a greater chance of getting acne - the materials themselves can clog pores.

Hormones

With the onset of puberty, the human body starts to produce hormones called androgens or male sex hormones, increasing in both boys and girls. These androgens cause the enlargement and over stimulation of the sebaceous glands which are found in the hair follicles or pores of the skin. The extra sebum or oil that the sebaceous glands produce mixes with dead skin cells and bacteria on the skin’s surface and this blocks pores. Within the blocked pore, the bacteria multiply and cause inflammation. All of this leads to the lesions that are associated with acne. read the rest »

I’d never heard this term when I ran across it this week so I had to do a double take and make sure it was a real skin condition!

Acne Mechanica is real and it is caused by external mechanical forces such as constant pressure, constant or repeated friction, covered skin, and repetitive heat source on the skin.

If you’re the sporty type or in a high activity job, and suffering from acne this could be your condition!

Acne mechanica is common with busy active lifestyles when coupled with tight-fitting or restrictive clothing that is worn for long periods. These sort of jobs and lifestyles may include strenuous workouts or positions where you are busy with repetitive tasks.

In fact this is also seen quite often in the military! Soldiers who wear uniforms most of the day while carrying backpacks with straps that cause friction with every movement rubbing against the body. Add to that they are often operating in extreme conditions and there’s little wonder that regular acne turns to mechanica.

Other possible causes:

Head bands that can rub the forehead and irritate the skin.
Ear phones worn for hours a day, every day.
Friction caused by any physical contact with musical instruments for hours a day.
Tight clothing of any material - natural or synthetic.