40% suffer From Side-effects of Anti-Acne Drugs!
A warning note slipped into the acne treatment and anti-acne battle field this week when reports revealed that elevated cholesterol levels, and raised levels of blood fats called triglycerides, are what new researches into the side effects of anti-acne drug- Accutane (generic name isotretinoin) found out.

This is widely reported by Amanda Gardner, published on CBC News, as the outcome of a lab test of some 14,000 patients, aged 13 to 50, who took Accutane for acne between 1995 and 2002.

I have always felt akward whenever it comes to intake of any drug. I am a 'naturalist', I love nature and natural cure. Thank God for drugs, and what it has done in reducing human ailments. It is a great pain when press reports of outbreaks of hitherto unknown levels of negative side-effects of popular drugs of popular ailments.

Gardner reported that "these side effects were known to doctors, but prior reports had suggested a much smaller number of users might be affected". Dr. Stephen Stone, president of the American Academy of Dermatology and professor of clinical medicine at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield. was quoted as saying that: "...this is a side effect that we have known about all along. We've been monitoring patients since the day the drug came on the market,"

However, as it always is with scientific controversies, another specialist, Dr. Lee T. Zane, assistant professor of clinical dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco, claimed that "...the risks should not be overstated, ...having abnormal tests results does not necessarily signal a bad medical outcome. It's just lab tests, not heart attacks,"

Justifying his viewpoint further, Dr. Zane said that "...Isotretinoin is undeniably the most effective medication we have for treating severe acne. It can truly be life-changing. We can't lose sight of the fact that isotretinoin is the most important revolution in medical dermatology in the last 30 years."

The CBC news however repoted that, "Accutane...is the most effective acne medication on the market, resolving some 89 percent of cases. But the drug has potential side effects, the most severe of which is birth defects in the babies of moms who are take the medication while they are pregnant. This risk prompted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to launch a mandatory registry to track all isotretinoin prescriptions".

Visit the CBC News for more of these reorts.

48.7 Billion Dollar Beauty-Care Industry

The skin-care industry consumed products worth over $48 Billion last year in the U.S. alone. Here is the best breakdown for U.S. Sales in the skin care industry that My dear friend, Amira, could find on the internet by Kline & Company

$13.6 billion in U.S. sales of skin-care products in 2005, according to Kline & Company, a New Jersey-based market research firm. In all, the cosmetics and toiletries industry had retail sales of $48.7 billion last year.

13.6 Billion Skin Care

7 Billion Facial Care

Cosmetics and Toiletries 48.7 billion

Mintel International’s US Functional Beverage Report estimates functional and fortified beverage sales at $10 billion and projects they will grow to $12.8 billion by 2009.

Skin Wrinkle and Acne Resource Websites Introduced
Dr. J. B. Stockman is one dedicated authority in dermatological resource care. He recently made available helpful infomation websites that tackle Acne's numerous causes and consequences. This site is so rich in inuumerable resources that you would find information to help on such critical acne concerns like: Acne Clearance, baby, teenage and adult acne; Natural cure, prevention, control and home remedy; Pregnancy and birth control pill acne; Acne scar and its treatments; Best acne and laser treatments, Acne get-pimples-rid section; Acne medicine and medication; Aldactone, Vulgaris, Rosacea, Inversa, Cystic, and Zeno acne, Acne Acnomel Cream, and what more? Go there sit down and get all you need to know about ACNE.

In his zealous quest and battle against the scourge of skin problems, he has also recently launched another website which provides useful information and resources for wrinkle treatment programs and research. "There is no cost associated with the use of the web site. It also includes a section of the site containing valuable articles on various aspects of wrinkle treatments as well as a discussion forum."

Dr. Jay B Stockman earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry from Boston University, Doctorate Degree in Optometry from State University of New York's College of Optometry. Dr. Stockman has authored many articles and studies on varied researches from LASIK surgery to Acne treatment. He is an individual contributor to Google Health Co-op.

Clearogen: Revolutionary Breakthrough For Acne Treatment?
American Board certified Demartologist, Dr. Alex Khadavi, was in the news recently, an credited to have hit a breakthrough in Acne research from his Los Angeles-based company, Advanced Skin and Hair Inc.

Dr. Khadavi identified a chain reaction caused by an enzyme that converts the body hormone, Testosterone, to a chemical- Dihydro Testosterone (DHT), which builds up and binds itself to the oil glands and stimulstes the increased production of oils in the oil glands in the skin, this excess oil ultimately clogs the the skin pores, thereby attracting dirts, bacteria and foreign material, that forms what we popularly called Acne.

The clearogen.com site of the demartologist boasts of being "the first natural acne treatment to address the underlying cause of adult and teenage skin acne instead of just treating the symptoms."

"Reduce the DHT buildup, and you reduce the excess oils and the issue." said Dr. Khadavi for mor information read from his clearogen website.

Breaking The Vicious Cycle of Acne Breakouts
Current data shows that over 17 million people suffer from acne in the U.S. alone! This data was sufficiently alarming to Dr. Howard Murad, a U.S. dermatologist from Calif, CEO and founder of Murad, Inc. that it has provoked the research into acne treatment and the creation of a new product- Murad Acne Complex Kit, to effectively silence acne.

This product, according to PRWEB Press release, is "the first of its kind, the Murad acne products are clinically proven to help rid the skin of pimples, whiteheads, blackheads, redness and inflammation -- leaving skin clear, smooth and healthy looking."

The Kit is a "4-product-3-step system" of attacking and eliminating acne. Acne is a complex problem that deserve only a systematic approach in the determined desdire to completely eliminate it. that is why we believe here, thogh we have not used or tested this product, but we can see some elements of systematic approach to eliminating Acne in Dr. murad's product. You can visit his site Murad Acne Complex® Kit for more info on this new product.

Margaret Lost It To Acne: Thank God
We called her Maggie, She lived with her parents in our neighbourhood, just a stone-throw away from my house. She is a beau and brain. That is a rare combination in the academia. In one fell swoop, acne wiped off her academic confidence and radiance.

I mind my own business, but not when Maggie's mom, entered the counselling room of the church where I headed the counselling department. As soon as she recognised me from the door as her good neighbour, she ran to embrace me. That close contact revealed her rapidly beating heart-beats. I wasn't a beautician but I can read and discern the tell-tale sign of stress-induced mounds on her puffy face.

This made me only to hold her closely to me the more, with a re-assuringly warm embrace. With dertermination in my heart to puncture this ballon of sadness on her visage, I shot at her just before she took the seat that I offered her: "Wisdom is the pin and erazer that can deflate
and blot out evry balloon of sadness and scars on your face"!

She stood rigid with awe and asked me saying, "Has she told you?" It was my turn to woder, So, I asked her; "Who? What?". She replied: "My daughter, Maggie; about the Acne problem". Yes, I had hit the nail on the head. But No, I haven't seen or talked to Maggie in a month, and not about any acne.

Maggie was a second year student in the University, very brilliant in her class. Gradually, acne distraction crawled in, and so came with it, a contagious inflamation deeply infecting and affecting her academics and self-esteem. Following on the heels of this is the social and academic plunge for a once brilliant and beautiful scholar of budding repute in the university.

By the time Maggie's mom came to me, the acne crisis has eaten deeply into the matrimony, her home was already tearing apart, as her husband could not cope with the academic plunge of his daughter, and she also was helpless to salvage Maggie from the ravaging acne on her visage. Worst still, she too has started to spot acne spots all over her own face, by reason of worry.

I hope to share with you as a form of lessons and wisdom tips, how we successfully combated acne to a humiliating defeat, in Maggie and her mom's life, in my next two posts. It took four to eight months with immediate, noticeable and visible effects from the 3rd week.

Stop Squeezing Your Pimples - 7 Safe Ways to Get Rid of Pimples
By Emily Clark

Emily Clark may not be an authority on acne but you cannot dispute the depth of her knowledge base on health matters. In fact, her answers to your questions on medical and lifestyle health is impeccable. This article she wrote last year is a master piece that conforms to my views on acne. it can be very resourceful for you too.

It’s everyone’s worst nightmare. Waking up the day before a
special event to discover a big, red pimple baring itself for all
to see right on your face!

Here’s how to get rid of it quickly and safely:

1. Don’t ever pinch, squeeze or pick at a pimple. This only
causes it to become more red and inflamed, and will spread the
bacteria and oils that caused it in the first place, to other
parts of your face! It can also lead to scars.

2. Every 30 minutes, apply an ice pack to the pimple and hold it
there for about 2 minutes. This will decrease the swelling and
redness and help shrink the inflammation and pain that sometimes
comes along with it.

3. They don’t call it concealer for nothing! Covering the pimple
with a light dose of flesh-tinted concealer can help mask it when
you’re in a hurry. It also helps cover up that oily shine.

4. Cleanse your skin 2-3 times a day with mild, unscented soap or
a specialized acne cleanser that has no harsh chemicals (such as
lye). Scrub skin gently with an exfoliating pad or washcloth, but
don’t rub too hard, otherwise you’ll sap your skin of its own
natural oils, which help to repel buildup naturally.

5. Apply a cream or ointment containing benzyl peroxide or
salicylic acid (many over-the-counter acne medicines contain
these ingredients) to the blemish or around the entire facial
area. Note that these ingredients both have a tendency to dry
out skin if used too much and are not recommended if you have
sensitive skin.

6. Wear oil-free makeup whenever possible. These types have less
of a tendency to cause the pore buildup that results in
blemishes. Remove your makeup nightly and cleanse with an
acne-fighting medicine to remove dirt, oil and makeup from deep
within the skin.

7. If you’re in need of a quick fix, a dab of toothpaste on the
affected area right before bed can help soothe irritation and
reduce redness. Pressing and holding a wet tea bag or a cotton
ball with a dab of lemon juice against the blemish for five
minutes can also reduce swelling and redness.

If you follow these tips, chances are you’ll notice a significant
difference rather quickly – often within a day or two. If
pimples become a recurring problem or worsen, your doctor or
dermatologist can suggest a daily skin cleansing routine that
will suit your skin type. Other long-term remedies, such as
facial masks, diet adjustments and increasing the amount of water
you drink can also help combat outbreaks.

The information contained in this article is for educational purposes
only and is not intended to medically diagnose, treat or cure any
disease. Consult a health care practitioner before beginning any
health care program.

Emily Clark is editor at Lifestyle Health News and Medical Health News where you can find the most up-to-date advice and information on many medical, health and lifestyle topics.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Emily_Clark

Acne Secrets Are Not Picked From The Streets!
There is joy unspeakable in Discovery, particularly ones that would lead to recovery and delivery! I was a chronic victim of acne for many decades, I seem to have been singled out from a family of six girls and four boys. What medication have I not tried during the "acne-battle" of the last two decades of my adult life? I became a mokery and my middle name was "Acne-pity".

Then it gradually dawned on me to embark on a deep, painstaking and thorough research. After all, every search is always a product of a need. Lo and behold, my desperate thirst for a solution to the embarassing problem of acne was found in a natural remedy, but not before I had exhausted all the chemical remedies "of this world" that multitudes of counsellors had given me to: "try this one too, your acne worries will become history in 2-3 months".

Here I am today, clean and cleared of any acne anxiety and manifestation. In eight months my acne scars have disappeared without a single trace. I decided to start this blog in other to share my 2 decade battle against acne rosacea and how I finally and permanently buried it. I would also be using this platform to share other acne victims' treatment and medications. I would also show you my secrets and other acne expert authors' articles that recommended acne cures and solutions.