Incredible though it sounds, fish oil containing eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA, appears to slow down the ageing process and help us to look younger by protecting the skin and inhibiting the chemical processes that take place when our skin is exposed to damage-inducing stimuli, like the sun for example. Evidence suggests that aside from all the other documented health benefits of EPA, it can make our skin more resistant to sunburn, improve skin elasticity and tone and helps to prevent saggy skin and wrinkles from forming.

Most of us know that UV radiation from the sun is public enemy number one as far as the skin is concerned. Overexposure results in premature ageing and wrinkles as well as reduced immunity to disease, and possibly even skin cancer. When our skin is exposed to a lot of sunlight we produce abnormal elastin that causes the skin to stretch and collagen fibres begin to break down. In response to this we produce a large number of enzymes called metalloproteinases or MMPS. This would normally be a good thing as these enzymes try to repair the damage, but it is inefficient and over time, MMPS produced as a result of UV radiation actually results in a break down of collagen and finally wrinkles appear.

A study published in 2005 in the Journal for Lipid Research investigated the effect that EPA had on MMPS arising as a result of ultra violet radiation from the sun in human skin and found that EPA inhibited overproduction of MMPS and reduced the amount of damage to the skin. The researchers Kim et al concluded that EPA could possibly prevent as well as treat skin ageing. Then more recently in 2006, Drs Black and Rhodes found that EPA offers protection against sun-induced damage to skin cells by making the skin more resistant to the sun's rays in the first place. Participants taking fish oil showed a higher "minimal erythemal dose". This basically means that the lowest amount of radiation needed to produce erythema (an inflammatory effect on the skin or sunburn) was higher for those taking fish oil. These studies show that EPA not only protects the skin, it limits the damage too, but these are not the only benefits of EPA.

The properties of EPA

EPA is known to have powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic properties, both of which help to slow down and minimise the effects of ageing and wear and tear on the body. From the moment we are born, we are subjected to a number of environmental pollutants that put pressure on our skin. Oxygen-free radicals from pollution, for example, are everywhere and result in a process known as oxidation. Oxidation leads to an increase in inflammatory responses and too much can cause premature ageing and wrinkles as well as contribute to the development of many skin conditions. The anti-inflammatory properties of EPA can inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory chemical messengers responsible for these inflammatory responses.

Increasingly as we grow older, our skin starts to thin out and stretch as collagen fibres lose their elasticity, the skin starts to lose its ability to repair itself and can no longer retain moisture as well as it did. Consequently, many people begin to rely on external lotions and potions to keep the skin moist and supple. EPA can help the blood to flow more efficiently throughout the body and contribute to healthy and radiant looking skin. It is interesting that a lack of Omega 3 fatty acids in the diet manifests itself most noticeably as skin problems.

Signs of Omega 3 fatty acid deficiency

• Dry and flaky skin • Dandruff • Hard and cracked skin • Eczema • Psoriasis • Acne • Poor wound healing • Dull and lifeless looking skin

Most of us are also well aware that stress and anxiety can speed up the ageing process resulting in 'worry lines' as well as more serious conditions and threats to our health. The amazing thing is that EPA has demonstrated considerable success in alleviating depression, anxiety and stress so not only does it help us to remain healthy and look younger with better skin and fewer wrinkles, but it has a 'feel-good' factor too which helps keep those worry lines at bay.

Conclusion

All this is very exciting, particularly when we consider the amount of time, money and effort spent on the ever-increasing number of products available to help keep us healthy, young and beautiful. The implications are that we can do the same job naturally through diet by taking fish oil supplements containing EPA and benefit not only from healthy more youthful looking skin and all the other documented health-giving properties of EPA but possibly gain a new lease of life too.

About the Author:

Dave McEvoy is an expert in EPA with over 20 years experience; for more information about fish oil and how it can help come and visit:

http://www.mind1st.co.uk

We have been receiving many questions, personal stories and comments on how sperm can affect acne and if it affects acne in any way at all. So, for those who wants to joing and continue the discussion of this issue we have opened this topic - Sperm vs Acne. Now you can share your thoughts with everyone who come and participate in our blog. We have picked a few stories with different opinions to start off so here they are....

p.s Don't be a stranger, come in and post if you have something to ad.

Adult Acne sounds funny, doesn't it? Well you will be surprised to know that adult acne is not uncommon amongst adults although acne and pimples are generally associated with pubertal youngsters.

Adults feel discomforted when they get acne affliction at a point where they had begun to assume that they were free from it. For those who withstood their teenage years without any sort of acne and were spectators of their peer's acne-laden faces, getting adult acne is the worst sort of calamity for them. They often end up perplexed and upset. The oft repeated question is - isn't acne an adolescent ailment so why now?

The bad news is that that acne outbreak in adults is a bigger problem than imagined. You will be surprised to know that about 40% of all acne cure products in America alone are sold to adults who have this skin condition.

One wonders about the reasons behind the occurrence of acne in adults. The reasons are many. The theory of poor personal hygiene seems to be the most popular one but is a myth. However, hormonal imbalances and blocked pores of the skin are a major cause of acne even adult acne. Infection of the sebaceous glands or defective closing of hair ducts on the face also causes acne amongst adults.

All acne to an extent is curable. So those who are acne afflicted need to relax. A lot of people are so exasperated with their acne that they resort to measures that do more harm than good. Most adults rush to the nearest pharmacy for an over the counter remedy, little realizing whether the medication would solve their acne problem.

Another fact is that most of the medicines and treatments are created specifically to deal with adolescent acne. Using the same line of remedial measures for tackling acne outbreak in adults, which probably might have different underlying causes, brings about poor results.

An important thing to note is that although adult acne is similar in appearance and form to regular acne, it necessitates more potent remedies. So what does one do when confronted with an acne outbreak?

Go to a dermatologist and get a diagnosis of the underlying cause of the acne. Once this is done, follow the line of treatment it demands. It could be a simple prescription drug that will do away with adult acne forever. And you would be secure in the knowledge that your one visit to the dermatologist to find a diagnosis and cure has been effective than shelling out money in that umpteenth visit to the drugstore.

All those acne sufferers stop feeling embarrassed. Just remember that it is not you alone having acne out there. There are many adult acne victims. All you have to do is get the right treatment and you will be an adult- free of acne.

Summary:

Acne outbreak amongst adults is a major problem which needs to be tackled in a proper manner. The first step is to avoid getting embarrassed and the next step is to consult the dermatologist and get rid of adult acne.

Visit:

http://www.adultacnevault.com

Nail Fungus (onychomycosis) Nail fungus or onychomycosis is an infection of the nails occurring both on the hands and feet but certainly more prevalent on the feet due to the environment that feet find themselves in. Nail fungus generally thrive in dark, moist environments, so when you consider wearing shoes and socks all day along with perspiration that occurs, it ends up being a perfect growth media for nail fungus.

The true, tough to get rid of nail fungus, actually grows underneath the nail. As it grows, it forces the nail up off the nail bed and the nail becomes thick, crumbly and discolored ranging in color from yellow to brown. There may also be an odor. It is not uncommon for these infected nails to then spread to the remaining healthy nails on the foot. It is also not uncommon for nails to fall off and unfortunately, in most cases grow back the same way if not properly treated.

Aside from the unsightly appearance of the nail fungus, other problems can arise. Having nail fungus makes most people more prone to developing athlete's foot of the skin. (The opposite also holds true). Additionally, thick fungal nails can be uncomfortable in closed shoes as they feel like rocks underneath the top of the shoe. These infections can make people more susceptible to secondary bacterial infections as they exacerbate the formation of ingrown nails, plus the sheer distortion of the nails tends to irritate the healthy skin of the adjacent toes causing abrasions that can become infected. This is especially dangerous in people who suffer from diabetes or have poor circulation.

Treatment can be difficult because of the fact that fungus thrives in "dark moist environments". Eliminating those factors can go a long way to reducing recurrence. Many patients ask me if the infected nail has to be removed. The only time I remove them is if they are already partially loose. If the onychomycotic nail is adhered to the nail bed I no longer advocate removal of the nail because the simple truth is, just removing a nail all the way back to its growth plate will cause the nail to grow out with a degree of thickness even if there is no fungus present.

There are both oral and topical medication treatments. The gold standard for treating onychomycosis in an otherwise healthy individual is the oral therapy. The most widely prescribed medication today is Lamisil tablets (Novartis), although there are certainly other oral antifungals that can be used. The newer generation of oral antifungals is very safe medications if properly used. Your doctor may prescribe one or two blood tests during the course of therapy to make sure there are no adverse effects. Additionally, your doctor should take a sampling of the nail and have it tested to confirm that it is true nail fungus. Visual inspection is not the proper way to make a diagnosis.

Although topical treatments are available, they tend to be less effective. The main problem, as stated earlier, is that fungus grows underneath the nail; so applying medication to the top of the nail becomes an effort in futility. Trying to force the medication underneath the nail rarely works.

The best way to use topical medication is to see a foot specialist who will grind down and cut away as much of the diseased nail as possible (a painless procedure), so that the topical medication will penetrate to the live fungus more readily. This can become a tedious process as the medication generally has to be applied twice a day by the patient, (being lazy about it defeats the whole purpose) and then the nail has to be ground down on a regular basis. The other problem is that depending on the degree of fungus this process can take upwards of a year. The other problem is that the greater the number of nails that are infected, the less the likelihood is of clearing them all up with the topical medication. Having said that, I have seen some very gratifying results with topical medication.

Visit this web site for more information on nail fungus:

http://www.foot-pain-explained.com

How can you tell which form of acne you have? Is there a different treatment which is more effective against your specific form of acne?

Acne can come in many forms. I will try to describe the various forms of acne as well as explain the distinguishing characteristics of each.

There are forms of acne which are relatively minor and there are also some very serious acne conditions as well. The most minor forms of acne are also the most common.

This most common form of acne is known as 'acne vulgaris'. Acne lesions that are considered acne vulgaris are blackheads, whiteheads, papules and pustules.

- Whiteheads (similar to postules) occur when skin pores becomes clogged due to trapped oil, bacteria and dead skin cells. The surface of the skin becomes white. This type of acne typically has the shortest lifespan.

- Blackheads typically occur when the pores are just partially blocked by oil, dead skin cells and bacteria. Blackheads can linger for a long time and take a quite a while to clear up. - Papules are red, tender bumps that have become inflamed but do not have the white appearance on the tip. Papules can more easily become infected and therefore should not be squeezed

- Pustules are similar to whiteheads but are inflamed and have a red circle surrounding the affected area.

Cystic acne is in the class of severe vulgaris can appear very similar to a nodule but a cyst is pus filled and usually gets much larger. Cystic acne is very painful and even if left alone can cause scarring. Squeezing acne cysts will most likely cause the area to become infected and cause it to last much longer than if the pimple had been left alone.

Acne that forms into nodules is also severe and shows up as spots that are larger and can be rather painful. Nodules are large, hard bumps under the skin's surface and can last for up to several months. Squeezing nodular acne will result in scarring and will also prolong the life of the pimple.

Acne Rosacea looks very similar to acne vulgaris and affects millions over the age of thirty. Acne Rosacea is a red rash, which is found on the cheeks, nose, forehead and chin. Bumps, pimples, and other skin blemishes accompany it. This form of acne also causes the blood vessels to become more visible on the skin. It is more common in women but more severe for men.

Acne Conglobata is the most severe form of acne. It is characterized by a lot of large lesions and widespread blackheads. Left untreated it ill result in severe damage to the skin and scarring. It is usually found on the face, chest, back, buttocks, upper arms, and thighs.

As with most acne, the cause of this form is also unknown. Treatment usually includes medication and is sometimes resistant to treatment. Strong and persistent treatment will conquer the acne in most cases.

Acne Fulminans is an onset of acne conglobata with symptoms of severe nodule cysts. Extreme scarring is possible and even likely. Symptoms may also include a fever and achy joints. Antibiotics do not typically work with this form of acne and oral steroids are normally the preferred method of treatment.

Although there are many types of acne the most common is the mild acne and is very treatable. Most people outgrow acne by the time they reach their thirties. If scarring occurs there are many treatment options for the acne sufferer.

Prevention of acne is still the best way to avoid any complications. If you suffer from an acne which seems to be more troublesome than average acne, a dermatologist will be able to prescribe a treatment that will lessen the swelling as well as prevent scarring.

Visit : http://www.acnetreatment-101.com

The diagnosis of acne is based on the history and physical examination, evidence of lesions characteristics of acne, and age.

Acne does not occur until puberty. The presence of the typical comedones, such as whiteheads and blackheads, along with excessively oily skin is its main characteristic.

Oiliness is more prominent in the midfacial area; other parts of the face may appear dry. When there are numerous lesions, some of which are open, the person may exude a distinct sebaceous odor.

Women may report a history of flare-ups a few days before menses. Biopsy of lesions is seldom necessary for a definitive diagnosis.

In Preventing Acne Scarring

Preventing scarring is the ultimate goal of diagnosis and therapy. The chance of scarring increases as the grade of acne increases.

For instance, Grades III and IV, normally 25 to more than 50 comedones, papules, or pustules, usually require longer-term therapy with systematic antibiotics or isotretinoin.

Patients should be warned that discontinuing these medications could exacerbate acne, could lead to more flare-ups, and increase the chance of deep scarring.

Moreover, manipulation of the comedones, papules, and pustules increases the potential for scarring.

When acne surgery is prescribed to extract deep-seated comedones or inflamed lesions or to incise and drain cystic lesions, the intervention itself may result in further scarring.

Dermabrasion, which levels existing scar tissue, can also increase scar formation. Hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation also may affect the tissue involved. The patient should be informed of these potential outcomes before choosing surgical intervention for acne.

Preventing Infection

The key to acne scar prevention is preventing infection.

Female patients receiving long-term antibiotic therapy with tetracycline should be advised to watch for and report signs and symptoms of oral or vaginal candidiasis, a yeast-like fungal infection.

In addition to receiving instructions for taking prescribed medications, patients are instructed to wash the face and other affected areas with mild soap and water twice each day to remove surface oils and prevent obstruction of the oil glands. They are cautioned to avoid scrubbing the face. After all, acne is not caused by dirt and cannot be washed away.

Mild abrasive soaps and drying agents are prescribed to eliminate the oily feeling that troubles many patients. At the same time, patients are cautioned to avoid excessive abrasion because it makes acne worse.

Excessive abrasion causes minute scratches on the skin surface and increases possible bacterial contamination and infection. Soap itself can irritate the skin.

All forms of friction and trauma are avoided, including propping the hands against the face, rubbing the face, and wearing tight collars and helmets.

Patients are instructed to avoid manipulation of pimples or blackheads. Squeezing merely worsens the problem, because a portion of the blackhead is pushed down into the skin, which may cause the follicle to rupture.

Because cosmetics, shaving creams, and lotions can aggravate acne, these substances are best avoided unless the patient is advised otherwise.

Failure of the acne to heal may result from many factors, including infection and inadequate nutrition. Hence, it is extremely important for the nurse and other health practitioners to take care of patients with acne. Their responsibility will consist mainly of monitoring and managing potential complications of skin treatments.

Major activities in preventing acne scar include patient education, particularly in proper skin care techniques, and managing potential problems related to the skin disorder or therapy.

All of these things are boiled down to the fact that the most important means of preventing acne scar is to prevent infection.

In general, learning how to care for your skin, even if it is bombarded with lots of comedones or pimples, is still the best way to avoid acne scar.

About the Author: For All the things you need to know about acne, please go to: http://www.all-acne.com/ or go to: Acne Blog

Desperate situations need desperate remedies! Such is the call of situation when you receive severe acne on your face, neck or bottom.

But then, to treat severe acne you need to learn various basic and medical aspects of this problem.

The initial symptoms for all the three types of acne that is mild, moderate and severe acne including blackheads, whiteheads, under skin cysts and pimples, are all the same. The question is how long these unwanted and uninvited guests stay on with you. That too on the prominent part of your face!

Sometimes they may stay on for months, and cause lots of anxieties, besides expenses on treatment! And when they leave, they leave the scars on your face. Many of these scars are permanent and difficult to remove! So, your psychological suffering may continue for months together. Or say, until the scars disappear!

So, the main problem is how to carry on with the damage control exercise, in case of severe attack of acne? The emphasis is on cleanliness. Dirt and oil are the enemies of the skin at this stage. Wash the face two times a day, with a cleanser and hydrogen peroxide. Toxic materials must not find a repository in the skin cells. The causes of your acne may lie elsewhere, but this is one of the most important preliminary steps to control the severity of acne.

Next, your eating habits require a review. Drink lots of water. Your body deserves a thorough flush out at this stage. The chances of infection must be met resolutely. Along with the medication, your consultation with the dermatologist needs to be on a regular basis.

The severe cases of acne require oral antibiotics. Tetracycline and erythromycin are recommended in such cases. Even the best of medications may not give immediate results in the case of severe acne. It may take some months before the severity of acne is brought under control. One vitamin A related drug Isotretinoin has shown the results in this case. For women, hormonal therapies are also used to cure such acne. In most severe cases, Corticosteriod, a strong anti-inflammatory substance is prescribed by the doctors.

Though, the medication may vary from individual to individual. It depends upon so many variable factors such as age of the individual, the skin type etc apart from fixed factors.

Wrong diet and stress are the contributing factors for increase in the severity of acne. But they are not the be-all and the end-all of the problem. But remember, foods that are unfriendly to the healthy growth of your skin, are friendly to the growth of acne.

Another form of treatment for severe acne is laser therapy. So far the Bluelight Therapy meets with the approval of Federal Drug Administration for treating acne. The treatment demands its time. It lasts for 8 sessions, each one lasting for 15 minutes.

About the Author: http://www.acnetalks.com/pimple/ & Severe Acne provides detailed information on acne treatment, pimples, acne skin care, severe acne and more.