Talk About Teen Acne Poem

Acne is the most common skin disorder -
Scream for the living as it flies to the ground.
The canine's legs did curl asunder
With empatiense and silent sounds.

Dermatologists Offer Advice to Parents on How to Talk to Teens About Acne

Acne is the most common skin disorder in the United States, involving 85 percent of the population at some point in their lives. Approximately 20 million teenagers have acne.

"Acne can be especially emotionally devastating for teens because they are extremely conscious of their appearance and their image," says Hilary Baldwin, M.D., associate professor of dermatology at the State University of New York at Brooklyn. "Several studies have shown that acne sufferers can experience everything from decreased self-esteem and problems with body image to depression and anger."

Dermatologists encourage parents to seek medical treatment for teenagers with acne and warn against taking a "wait and see" approach. "Many parents are often stuck in the mindset of past generations that nothing can really be done about acne," says Sandra Swanson, a Charlotte, N.C. dermatologist. "They still believe in those old wives' tales that chocolate, pizza, french fries, and their child's hygiene habits are to blame, and that pimples can be healed or prevented by simple lifestyle changes."

Avoiding treatment, however, can make acne worse and may increase the chance for permanent scars. "The ultimate goal of acne therapy is to help clear up the pimples you have and to prevent the occurrence of future breakouts," says Larry Green, assistant professor of dermatology at George Washington University School of Medicine. "In general, if your child is not responding to home remedies and over-the-counter treatments after one month, it's a good idea to see a dermatologist. Dermatologists have a greater chance for long-term success if treatment is started sooner rather than later."

On www.caringforyourskin.com, dermatologists from around the country offer advice to parents on how and when to talk to teens about acne and acne treatment, and share some of the common mistakes they see parents make during their child's treatment.

Perhaps the most common mistake parents make occurs during the first visit to the dermatologist's office. Too often, parents monopolize the conversation with the doctor and do not give their child a chance to verbalize his/her feelings. "For those parents, I let them know in no uncertain terms that this is not their condition, but rather the child's condition and I need to hear from him/her," says Omaha, Neb. dermatologist Joel Schlessinger, M.D. "I think it is imperative that parents be there at the first visit and always be available to discuss issues such as medication, but direct communication between doctor and patient is critical to successful treatment."

"As far as supporting their child's acne treatment is concerned, most parents do really well," says Katie Rodan, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Stanford University School of Medicine in Stanford, Calif. "I like to have parents in the room because I want their input regarding oral vs. topical medications and other issues that arise where I may need their consent. I also like parents to know the treatment regimen because they can help their kids find a workable routine and can give 'soft' reminders to use the medications."

"Parents play an integral role during treatment," says Montclair, N.J. dermatologist Jeanine Downie, M.D. "They need to be supportive and encouraging, but must resist the impulse to nag or criticize, as it could have a counter-effect (i.e., the child may elect to rebel by not complying with the doctor's instructions)." Dr. Downie generally provides her teen patients with written instructions they can put in visible places (such as a bathroom mirror) to serve as gentle reminders. "This gives them a sense of ownership to the treatment plan."

For more advice on "Talking to Your Teen About Acne," and other skincare topics, visit http://www.caringforyourskin.com.

Tips for teens are available on http://www.pimpleportal.com. The site offers information about the causes of acne, how it can be controlled, dispels common myths about the condition, and offers information about a variety of over-the-counter and prescription treatments. Visitors can also ask a panel of dermatologists questions about acne, makeup, and subjects ranging from skin to nails to hair.

Courtesy ARA Content.

No Candida Serenade

Candida Albicans or a yeast infection,
As written leg and spoken paw...
And please don't crap on my skin nation -
It's all covered with snow.

Candida - It's Not Just a Yeast Infection

Candida Albicans or a yeast infection, both digestive and systemic, is a health problem of which answers to its elimination are far and few between. Literally millions of men and women have a potential yeast infection that is causing, directly or indirectly, a significant number of health problems or conditions.

Candida Albicans is a destructive yeast infection that begins in the digestive system and little by little spreads to other parts of the body. Candida is present in all of us not long after birth. Typically, this yeast remain in a healthful balance with the other bacteria and yeasts within the intestinal tract. Under certain conditions, such as excessive stress, lowered immunity or the long-term use of steroids, the candida yeast can multiply, thus disrupting the gastrointestinal "terrain". Candida overgrowth may also be a consequence of antibiotic treatment, as antibiotics not only kill pathogens but also a large number of those bacteria that are part of a healthy gastrointestinal flora. With the depletion of the beneficial protective flora in the intestinal tract and a weakened immune response, this opportunistic yeast can then spread and multiply beyond the intestinal tract affecting every organ in the body.

In babies, an overgrowth of candida appears as diaper rash. It can also be found on the body as jock itch or athlete's foot. It can appear in the mouth as thrush or in the vaginal tract, known by many women as a yeast infection. Systemic yeast is now being associated with a variety of conditions ranging from mental disorders, deranged immune system, food intolerance, gastric upsets, premenstrual tension, infertility, ovarian failure, sexual function difficulties and fatigue. It can manifest with a multitude of symptoms including constipation, diarrhea, colitis, headaches, bad breath, mood swings, canker sores, muscle and joint pain, congestion, severe itching, PMS, fatigue, kidney or bladder infections to name a few. It is estimated that 30% of the population suffer from health issues directly related to yeast. In fact, the majority of people who have Candida do not realize they have it until become seriously ill.

If you think you might have candida, or would like to find out if you do, take this simple self-scoring Candida Questionnaire located at http://www.soulhealer.com/yeast.htm. If you score over 140 points on this test, you might want to follow the Recommendations for Wellness listed below to begin down the road of better health.

Recommendations For Wellness

1. Avoid all yeast containing foods: Yeast breads, fermented beverages (beer, wine, brandy, scotch, etc.) moldy cheeses, fermented vinegars, salad dressing, peanuts, biscuits, canned citrus fruit juices, cake mix, ice cream, all dried fruit, oranges, pickles, tomato sauce, sugars, yeast powder, processed and smoked meats, malt products, barbecue sauce, olives, mayonnaise, chili peppers.

2. Avoid all refined carbohydrates, artificial sweeteners, hidden sugars such as those found in soft drinks, pastries, canned fruits and vegetables.

3. Rotate between at least 3 different anti-fungal herbs every 4 days to kill the candida yeast in the intestinal tract. These herbs can include Garlic, Caprylic Acid and Pau d' Arco (Taheebo tea).

4. Supplement with Lactobacillus Acidophilus or Bifidophilus daily. This helps to reintroduce the good bacteria back into the intestinal tract.

5. Take 1 tablespoon of Flax seed or olive oil daily to improve healing and prevent the fungus from destroying cells.

6. Incorporate Echinacea to help strengthen the immune system.

7. Multivitamin & mineral complex with vitamin A to provide all the nutrients needed for proper immune function and for repair of intestinal lining. Try to select a vitamin complex that includes zinc.

8. Treat any skin yeast or fungal infection with tea tree oil.

Dr. Rita Louise of Body, Mind & SoulHealer helps people rediscover their wholeness, working with individuals on physical, emotional and spiritual levels. The author of the book entitled "The Power Within" and editor or the SoulHealer newsletter, Dr. Louise is a Naturopath, Medical Intuitive, Clairvoyant, Vibrational Healer, teacher and Lecturer. You can visit her web page at http://www.soulhealer.com. Copyright 2001 Body, Mind & SoulHealer, All Rights Reserved.

Skincare Opus

Acne-prone teens with dark complexions
Marking time, but no looking back...
Who the hell used all reflections?
Monkeys gone, jackals compel them to hack.

Web site Offers Skincare and Beauty Advice to Meet Unique Needs of Teens With Darker Skin

Acne-prone teens with dark complexions have skincare and makeup problems unique to their darker skin tones, and also have difficulty finding skincare information that speaks directly to their needs. Now, teens with complexions ranging from the darkest shades of black skin to lighter olive-colored skin, can get expert skincare and makeup advice on www.pimpleportal.com.

Jeanine Downie, M.D., a dermatologist based in Montclair, N.J., recognizes the frustration darkly complected teens experience. "People with darkly complected skin, which can include persons of African-American, Asian, Latino, Mediterranean and Native American heritage, must cope with controlling their acne and are also more prone to scarring. Furthermore, they often have difficulty finding skincare information that addresses darker skin, and don't know that a dermatologist can provide treatment to help with their specific needs."

Celebrity makeup artist Michael Criscuolo, whose high-profile client roster includes supermodels Naomi Campbell and Tyra Banks, also knows that darkly complected skin requires a bit of extra attention when it comes to finding the right shade of foundation and cover-up. "Women with dark complexions sometimes have difficulty finding a natural shade of makeup to conceal blemishes and scars," says Criscuolo. "However, new lines of makeup that cater specifically to those with darker skin tones allow the skin to appear flawless, and best of all, natural."

Named one of 2000's "Best of the Web" by Access Magazine and awarded a Gold Triangle Award by the American Academy of Dermatology for furthering public understanding of dermatological issues, www.pimpleportal.com provides information for teens to help them cope with, cover-up and conquer breakouts and other skin problems. Dr. Downie and Michael Criscuolo offer teens with dark complexions the following advice:

Dermatologist Jeanine Downie's professional advice includes:

HANDS OFF - No matter what your skin color, adopt a strict "hands off" policy since picking leads to permanent scars. Darker skin is more prone to scarring and hyperpigmentation (a dark spot that remains on the skin after the pimple is gone).

AWAY WITH ASHINESS - Since dark skin can be extra sensitive, teens undergoing acne treatment often experience dry skin or ashiness. To avoid this condition, use a non-comedogenic, oil-free moisturizer all over the face in addition to your daily zit-fighting regimen.

TREATMENT X 2 - Black skin undergoes a two-step process during acne treatment. First, a dermatologist will probably prescribe a treatment to reduce and prevent breakouts. After existing acne is under control, some African-Americans require additional treatment for hyperpigmentation. Dr. Downie advises her patients to start each morning by washing with a cleanser containing alpha hydroxy acids and applying a bleaching agent like hydroquinone to treat dark spots. At night, Dr. Downie's patients treat skin with a pimple-fighting product like RETIN-A MICRO (tretinoin gel) microsphere, 0.1%, to prevent future breakouts, and again apply hydroquinone cream to even out skin tone.

Celebrity Makeup Artist Michael Criscuolo's expert advice includes:

GET EVEN - Darker skin tones tend to have more variations in shading than lighter skin tones. For those who lack an even complexion, match your foundation as close to your natural color as possible, then, using a large blush brush, swirl (almost like a car wash buffer) powder over your entire face for the appearance of evenness.

YOU GLOW, GIRL - If you suffer from oily skin, counteract oil slicks by applying a light layer of loose powder over your makeup. Keep your powder puff with you for touchups during the day.

BROW BEATER - Some African-American women have coarse or uneven eyebrows, so they choose to trim the hair and define the brow line. To create natural looking brows, use a brow pencil in your natural hair color and draw in brows. Be sure to use feather-like strokes so the line doesn't appear too bold or unnatural. If your brows are a bit thicker, apply an oil-free hair gel to hold hairs in place. Visitors can log on to www.pimpleportal.com for additional skincare and makeup information. In addition, teens can subscribe to "What's Popping," a free monthly e-mail newsletter in which dermatologists and other skincare experts share information and "tricks of the trade" in dealing with a variety of skincare and makeup issues.

RETIN-A MICRO starts working in as little as two weeks, with full results after seven weeks. Unprotected exposure to the sun or tanning lights, extreme wind or cold, or use of irritating skin-care products may aggravate the skin. The most common adverse reactions to RETIN-A MICRO were limited to mild or moderate irritation of the skin. For specific questions pertaining to RETIN-A MICRO, visit www.retinamicro.com.

Courtesy ARA Content.

Good Night Sleep Verse

Do you remember when you were little
And followed your heart for the year?
Go cut some flowers from the crape myrtle
Then stick a pencil in devil ear!

How To Get A Good Night's Sleep!

Do you remember when you were little and it seemed as though sleep overcame you as soon as your head hit your pillow? And you slumbered through the night until morning time? They call it the sleep of the innocent, but don't you wish you could sleep like that again?

Adult responsibilities, stress, lifestyle and other worries often result in poor sleep habits and once the cycle of tossing and turning begins, it is difficult to return to a decent night's sleep. Many adults rely on prescription drugs to fall asleep and quite a few are addicted to them! Others 'self medicate' and use alcohol and other recreational drugs to try and fall asleep. If you are regularly struggling to sleep well, then you probably need to learn to fall asleep again!

So let’s go back to basics!

And who better to consult than babies! After all babies are the experts at sleeping so why not learn a little from them! Apart from their age and body clock, there are specific reasons that babies fall asleep so well. Let’s have a look at a few of them and see if we can’t borrow some of the tricks!

ROUTINE: Most parents try very hard to get their children into a routine. Regular bedtimes, bath times and mealtimes are something to strive towards. Of course, one cannot be too rigid, but a child on a regular routine will feel secure and will be able to ‘predict’ his environment more easily. It also helps his body clock to start the process of winding down before he actually gets to bed. He knows that after supper comes his bath, a story, a prayer and a good night kiss. When his head hits the pillow, he is ready to meet the sandman!

So try and follow this example. Start a night time routine. Make your evenings more or less predictable along the lines of supper, bath and bed. For at least three weeks try and follow this simple routine and go to bed at the same time each night – about 8 hours before it is time to get up. Wear soft comfortable and cozy nightwear, specifically for sleeping (remember flannel pyjamas?)

EXERCISE: This is something kids do lots of! They don’t stop running around for a minute! Now I am not suggesting that you start running around wherever you go, but regular exercise is one of the best sleep aids around! It’s also free and healthy and has lots of good side effects. Take up a sport, go to the gym or start regular walks. You won’t regret it!

HAVE PEACEFUL EVENINGS: How many times don’t you hear parents saying to their kids “Calm down now, it’s nearly bed time”. Or “You’d better stop running around – you won’t be able to fall asleep!” Perhaps you say this to your own children – with good reason! Do you follow your own advice? Or do you sit up watching thrillers (or even worse the news!) or finishing off the day’s work that you brought home from the office? Sound familiar? Try a different approach. Never watch TV while trying to fall asleep. Rather dim the lights while you get into a hot bath and put on some soothing music. Use aromatherapy in your home – in particular lavender for it’s soporific properties. Be quiet and peaceful for the hour before you go to bed and your body will start to get the message!

OTHER HINTS: Avoid all products with caffeine or sugar after 6pm. That means coffee, cola chocolate and all 'soda pops' (fizzy drinks). Also stay away from heavy meals at night. Your tummy will be too busy digesting to allow you to sleep well! Don't eat red meat, refined products or lots of cheese. Go for pastas, grains, pulses, potatoes and rice. Good evening or bedtime drinks are warm milk, lettuce extract and chamomile tea (sleepy tea) - all safe and proven sleep aids. If you are really struggling, some herbal remedies to aid sleep are Valerian, Passiflora and Kava Kava. Try to put these simple hints to the test for three weeks only. You will be surprised at the difference they make! Should you do this faithfully and still struggle to sleep, consult your doctor or request an online consultation at http://www.feelgoodcounseling.com/onlinecounsel.htm

Good night!

Author, Michele Carelse, is a qualified Clinical Psychologist and Licensed Counselor. Her website at http://www.feelgoodcounseling.com offers Online Counseling, free Support Groups, Recommended Reading and lots of interesting articles.

Fitness Ode

If you think you're too old to benefit -
Smother the fish in blankets!
Mind will twisting after such discomfit
Who after wet drunken night gone to bucket?

Seniors on Muscle Beach? You're Never Too Old to Get Fit

If you think you're too old to benefit from a fitness regimen that includes weight training, think again.

Seven years ago, Beatrice Maullin read about the Crown Valley Senior Olympics competition in her hometown of Pasadena, Calif. She had been working out at a local gym doing aerobics, machine weights and free weights. Thinking that there was no sport in which she could compete, she called to volunteer for the Senior Olympics. But when she saw that one of the events was powerlifting, an exercise in which she had become interested, she decided to enter the competition, despite having only two weeks to practice the proper form.

In April 1995, Beatrice won her first powerlifting gold medal. By the way, at the time she was 74.

Today, at 80, Beatrice has won 25 gold medals, holds the powerlifting world record for her age group (82.5 pounds), and is the oldest woman in the United States to compete in the bench press. She has won the "best overall" title in weight lifting for the past six years and has been featured locally and nationally in newspapers, magazines and television, advocating weight training for women of all ages.

Beatrice was not a fitness enthusiast all her life. "I took dance as a young girl, raised two boys, and ran my own businesses, but it's not the same as working out," she said. "I don't know why I waited this long to finally do something just for myself. There must have been some magic plan waiting for me to take that first step. I can't believe all this excitement and fuss started when I was in my 70s," she says. "I've never had so much fun."

Studies consistently show that weight training for seniors is beneficial in many ways. Increased strength can help improve balance, reduce blood pressure, stabilize blood sugar levels and lower cholesterol. A separate study also shows that women who take up weight training increase their metabolism for a longer period of time -- and therefore burn more calories -- by training with weights, as compared to jogging or other aerobic exercise.

And increasingly, fitness clubs are catering to seniors, who often are their most committed members and are by far the fastest growing segment of the health club market. For example, Gold's Gym offers discounts to seniors, including 25 to 50 percent off enrollment fees, and many instructors take special training to accommodate the needs of the older fitness club members, says Derek Barton, vice president of Public Relations and Communications for Gold's Gym International.

"Our mission at Gold's is to help all of our members fulfill their human potential," Barton says, "and that includes seniors. We want them to go for it. We not only have a growing number of seniors enrolling in our clubs, but also a growing number of seniors doing great things, like Beatrice."

Beatrice says that although the recognition and gold medals are nice, those aren't what keep her coming back to the weight room.

"I feel healthier, more exuberant, happier about the time I spend in the gym," she says. "I love meeting people of all ages at the gym, because they understand the dedication it takes to stay in good health. Of course, going to the gym to work out, you must allow extra time to exercise your jaw muscles, too!"

Beatrice has no plans to retire any time soon. In fact, she tries to get out and speak to women's groups as much as possible to spread the word about the benefits of weight training, even though she realizes it may create some competition in her age bracket.

"These new baby boomers are in for a big surprise when it comes to getting older if they have not been keeping fit by exercising," she says. "If they have not, the fit seniors will beat them mile for mile."

Courtesy ARA Content.