Annoying Blackheads On My Nose!

Does anyone else ever get those stubborn blackheads on your nose that never go away? I try my best to squeeze them all out only to end up with a red, swollen clown-nose, and for what they just come back literally within a day! I have super oily skin in that area and I know that it has to be one of the major contributors to the blackheads. I know a lot of people have this problem too, but I seem to have it the worst out of anyone I know! You can literally see mine from almost across the room, and when I squeeze them out the pores on my nose look huge! Every time my pores fill up with this crap I can’t even breathe right through my nose till I get it out; it’s ridiculous. I swear If I could just get rid of these things alone my complexion would look ten-times better! The Accutane has definitely been helping them go away though, as my pores have slowly begun to shrink so that’s good. I still want to try and get rid of them now though. So I looked around a lot at what kind of things work and the best thing I found were these strips you can put on your nose, and when you peel them off they’re supposed to take out all of your blackheads. Now I know they’ll end up just coming back, but at least I won’t be giving my nose a beating anymore trying to squeeze them out. So I think I’m going to get some and give them a try, and I’ll let you know how things go! Also if you know anyhting on the matter, or any remedies let me know! In the meantime enjoy this video!




-Jpc

Can The Changing Seasons Effect Your Acne?

Does your skin tend to change along with the ever changing seasons like mine? Check out this article from: scienceline.org and see what could causing yours to change!


“Our skin makes up a big part of the outer shell we present to the world each day, and we want to keep it happy and healthy-looking. But, like most relationships, the arrangements people develop with their skin are complicated. Our skin isn’t always great at telling us what it needs: even trained professionals have trouble translating its signals of bumps and blotches. And so, we struggle with creams, gels and exfoliating scrubs, trying to achieve perfect dermatological harmony. Then, just when we think we have it figured out, a breakout or a mysterious rash crops up, reminding us that our skin does not have an exclusive relationship with us; it interacts with other factors–mainly, the environment.

Weather, for one, has a huge effect on our skin. When it’s too hot or dry outside, our skin lets us know it. The winter months bring harsh, cold winds that irritate the delicate skin on our face and hands. Winter also brings dry conditions that strip skin of its natural moisture. This dryness can lead to red patches and excess dead skin cells that clog pores, causing acne. According to some skin-care experts, winter is the worst season for acne. It’s unclear whether these breakouts are due to the weather alone, or are an indirect effect of all the lotions we apply to counteract wintry conditions.

For many, summer brings the promise of clear, easy-to-manage skin. The humidity of summer softens skin and brings back the moisture lost in winter. Some people attribute their improved complexions to increased sun exposure, but the American Dermatological Association says there is no evidence to substantiate this claim. In fact, dermatologists advise patients taking acne medication to avoid the sun’s rays when possible, as many of these drugs increase sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation, which can lead to skin cancer.

Moreover, not everyone says summer helps their skin. Acne has the potential to get worse as the weather gets hotter. There are several explanations for why this happens. For one, excess heat and humidity increase sweat production, which means more oil available to clog pores. Also, summer activities – such as hanging out in swimming pools – can have negative effects on our skin. Chlorinated chemicals can cause a particularly bad form of acne called chloracne. Additionally, sunscreens, while great for protecting users from UV rays, can aggravate the skin, which is why many dermatologists recommend oil-free varieties for patients prone to acne flare-ups.

Extreme heat and humidity can also facilitate bacterial and fungal infections. In the Vietnam War, dermatological problems accounted for 12 percent of outpatient cases, according to one report. Many of these cases involved bacterial and fungal infections, which the doctors involved blamed on Vietnam’s muggy climate. They reported a high incidence of the bacterial infection impetigo and tinea pedis, a fungal infection more commonly known as athlete’s foot. In addition, numerous soldiers contracted a condition called tropical acne that only occurs in especially hot and humid areas. Tropical acne is a lot like regular acne but much more painful: many of the soldiers who had it were physically unable to carry their backpacks.

Of course, when the temperatures reach all-time highs here in the U.S., we stay inside and crank up the air conditioning. Our skin probably doesn’t like that much either. Both air conditioning and central heating can dry skin out. The struggle to create conditions our skin will find favorable can get frustrating, but what choice do we have? Until researchers come up with a way to prevent our skin from reacting to environmental factors, there is little we can do except cleanse, moisturize and hope for the best.”



Hope you are all enjoying your summer by the way!

-Jpc

Does Flying Make You Breakout?

Hey everyone! So I fly/ travel a lot each year; around 4-5 times sometimes more. Most of the time I fly it is usually going to and from New York from Arizona, which is about 5-6 hours. I almost always notice that I break out for the next day or two after flying. Sometimes it can be a bad breakout other times just a few pimples, but something always happens after I get done flying for sure. When I get off the plane my skin is oily and feels really gross and congested almost, like I can literally feel my pores being clogged. No matter if I rinse my face on the plane or as soon as I get home the pimps inevitably will come; it’s pretty damn annoying! I have looked this up on Google but I have not found too much info on what it could be; although there are plenty of other people who experience it too! Some of my guesses for why this could happen are: The change in air pressure for extended amounts of time can cause everything to come out. Or the stress of just the whole going to the airport/security/boarding thing, because it can be very stressful. Another possibility is it could just be exhaustion, at least for me as I usually don’t sleep that much before I fly because I try to get tired so I can sleep on the plane (which never happens I might add). Another could be that I just don’t drink a lot of fluids throughout the whole day when going to the airport and flying, because lets face it who likes to use the bathroom on the plane 10 times (no one!). I will continue to look further into this subject and let you guys know if I happen to find anything. In the meantime though if you have had any of the same experiences, or know something that I don’t then please share! Anything you can say, add, or comment about on this blog is always greatly appreciated and valued!

Have a good one everyone!

-Jpc

Accutane Update Day 45!

Hey guys I know it’s been a long time since the last entry, I apologize I’ve been out of town for the past few weeks, but I return with good news! My skin is still doing really well, and getting better every week that goes by! I’m now on day 45, or about 1 month and 15 days (whichever sounds better) and I can honestly say that I have had only 3 legitimate new pimples surface since I last wrote. I have had a few more baby pimples but they don’t count because they’re gone within a day. Besides all of my scarring (which is slowly, but surely getting better) and a few pimples under the skin near my ears, I can safely say that my skin is pimple free! Don’t get me wrong I still have a long ways to go but it is such a huge improvement from what my skin looked like a month or 2 ago. Also I have still yet to experience any of the side-effects like: super-dry flakey skin, chapped or cracked lips, and lower back pain just to name a few. I mean I do notice that my skin is slightly dry sometimes but one layer of moisturizer will do the trick. As for lips it’s the same thing, I might need to put chap stick on every couple of hours, but none of these things are serious or have gotten worse since I started. At first I thought I was very lucky because I haven’t had any of these issues, but when I asked my buddy who did Accutane about his experience (which by the way made his skin flawless, and he had terrible acne!) he explained to me that he didn’t experience any of these symptoms either until the end of the third month. He said that the end of the third month his skin was so dry that he was putting lotion on every 30 minutes even at school, and I too even remember his skin was very flakey too! So I have my fingers crossed and I’m hoping that I won’t experience these symptoms as roughly as he did, after all I’d say I’m a fairly healthy dude and I drink more than enough water each day. Either way I don’t care as long as I know it’s moving my skin forward in a better, clearer direction and possibly even clear for life!




So again guys I apologize for the absence of any new entries for a while, and I will try and have some new pics of my skin up in a few days!

Take it easy!

-Jpc

Alright today I took my 20th pill out of the 30, and so far everything is going good! I haven’t broken out, not even with one pimple since the last time I updated, which is a super good feeling by itself! I must say though my skin defiantly is definitely drying up more and more each day, and my chin and the area around it is starting to peel. I have to start putting on two layers of moisturizer everyday now otherwise my skin gets too dry, and I’m putting on Chap Stick for my lips every couple of hours. Other than that the only other thing I’m noticing is that I’m getting headaches a lot; I have had a headache every afternoon since this Friday. They’re not super bad are anything, just annoying, and I’m not sure if it’s actually from the Accutane or just drinking too much water. I’ve been drinking so much water to make sure that I stay hydrated that I’m peeing about 3-4 times every hour, and I read that drinking too much water can give you headaches. So I’m going to lay off the water a little bit and see if that helps. Also I noticed my lower back gets sore whenever I bend over to pick something up, or whenever I’m doing certain exercises, so I’m thinking of getting a lifting belt to support my back some while I’m lifting. Other than that everything is going smoothly and my skin is changing significantly for the better, which I’m surprised because I heard it takes months for Accutane to work! Just the fact that I haven’t had a new pimple in 8 days is a great feeling in itself and I’m glad that I decided to finally start Accutane!


I’m actually going to have my monthly blood-test tomorrow, and then I’m having my first dermatologist appointing since starting the Tane a couple of days after that. I really think my dermatologist is going to be surprised at how well my skin is doing in such a short amount of time, but I’ll update you guys in a couple of days!



-jpc

Some Acne History For Ya!

Thought it would be cool to read up on a little bit of Acne history, read this article real quick from: articlealley.com, it’s interesting!

Acne is known to affect people even before humans could write. Some Egypt writings mention that Pharaohs used to suffer with Acne. It seems that the word ‘Acne’ was invented in ancient Greece as people from there were also affected by this disorder.

Here are some of the ways people used to treat Acne depending on the period they lived in:

In ancient Rome, Acne was treated with baths. They used hot mineral water, combined with sulfur. Celsius on of the writers of Rome mentioned of this treatment in the book called ‘De Medicina’.

Until 1800, the people did not discover any more useful treatments against Acne and have continuously used sulfur as they saw it can dry and exfoliate the skin.

In 1920, people began to use Benzoyl Peroxide which is still used nowadays. We can find it in the composition of the anti-Acne cream called ‘Brevoxyl’ in a concentration of 4%.

In 1930, Laxatives were being used for treating the affection called ‘Chastity pustules’. People thought that virgins could not eliminate toxins from their body as they did not have any sexual contact so they generally used laxatives against Acne. Still, they were not far from the truth as nowadays doctors know that constipation can be a cause of Acne as toxins accumulate in the body but sex has nothing to do with eliminating toxins.

In 1950, antibiotics were finally used in treating Acne caused by germs. Most of all, tetracycline was used with great results, but nowadays it is no longer used as it has lost her effect against some skin germs and her place was taken by more powerful antibiotics.

1960 is the year when ‘Tretionine’, also known as ‘Retin A’ was discovered to have a benefic effect against Acne. Later on the oral Isotretionine was made and the battle against Acne became easier. These products are still used nowadays with the same great effects on Acne. They are mostly used by US people.

In 1980, a famous anti-Acne product called ‘Accutane’ appeared in the American market. Its results on an Acne skin are astonishing and that is why it is still used in 2007.

In 1990, Laser Therapy made its first steps in treating Acne and now it has perfected in such a way that it does not only cure Acne but it can clear the skin from recent and even old scars left by Acne. Of course the process if quite expensive but the result of laser therapy is a perfectly normal skin which all people suffering of Acne are dreaming of. Further more, it does not hurt at all and you are not obliged to hide in the house for a few days as you have to do after chemical peeling procedures.

In 2000, the blue/red therapy has developed along with laser therapy and Acne can be treated easily.

Seeing what our ancestors did to cure Acne shows us how the humanity has evolved and also makes people suffering of Acne hope, that in a few years they will not have to deal with this infection any more.

Everything else is going alright, I’ll update you on the Accutane in a couple of days.

-Jpc

Ance and Pimples In Dogs and Other Pets

Did you know that common household pets can get pimples and acne just like humans can? Here read this article from petcare.suite101.com its interesting!

"Acne can affect pets of all species and ages, and diagnosing and treating these skin lesions in a timely manner can promote healing, while lessening the chance for the formation of serious and painful infections like abscesses.

According to Dr. Michael Levine, DVM, acne comes in two common forms. The more traditional pimple forms when dirt, bacteria or dead skin cells block a pore, leading to inflammation and infection. The sebaceous cyst forms when a skin pore or hair follicle is blocked, leading to the accumulation of sebum, an oil that keeps the skin moist and supple. The sebum cannot escape, so it builds up beneath the skin’s surface.

Pimples are often seen alongside blackheads in pets, which occur when oils accumulate inside a pore. Oxidation occurs when the oils come in contact with the air, resulting in a “black” appearance in the pore.

Common locations for pimples in pets include the face, muzzle and under on the cat or dog's chin. Oils from foods and dirt from sniffing and exploring the world can clog pores, leading to a bout of acne. Plastic food bowls are also notorious for triggering break-outs in pets, as minute scratches in the plastic’s surface harbor bacteria which is then transferred to the pet’s face during meal time.

The stomach and chest are also common areas for the formation of pimples and cysts in dogs, cats and other pets, as the thin fur in these areas, combined with the close proximity to the ground, allows for easy contamination of the skin’s surface which in turn leads to pore and follicular blockages. Pimples are often more easily noticed on the chest and stomach due to the thinner fur in these regions.

Puppies and other juvenile animals are often more prone to developing acne than adults, as hormones are also believed to play a factor.

Frequent bathing is another common cause of cysts and pimples in pets. The shampoo strips the skin of its natural oils, triggering an increase in oil production, which results in clogged pores, follicles and infection.

Cysts and pimples in pets vary in terms of their treatment. Pimples are generally small pockets of infection that will develop and begin draining relatively quickly and without much intervention, aside from daily washings and disinfecting. Redness and swelling is common at the site.

Cysts, on the other hand, can grow quite large and do not always drain on their own. Many require repeated lancing and draining, and during this process, infection is common, only compounding the situation. If infection is not present, the vicinity of the cyst – filled with a thick paste the consistency of toothpaste – will not necessarily be red or swollen.

Once a large cyst drains and heals, the site will be prone to cyst formation again in the future due to the pore/follicle damage that resulted from the initial cyst. So removal of the damaged tissue is often necessary to avoid repeated cyst formation problems in pets."

Another cool thing about the article is that is explains that puppies and other juvenile animals are often more prone to developing acne than adults, because hormones are believed to be a factor! This is cool because it is the same way with humans and puberty!

Anyways hope you guys enjoyed!

-Jpc