Green tea for acne is something to consider because it contains anti-bacterial substances, which are necessary for bacteria elimination in the fight against acne. Antioxidants are plentiful in green tea. Maintain a diet rich in antioxidants which will help in the fight against free radicals. Cell and tissue damage can be caused by free radicals, so antioxidants are needed to help in the fight agains cell and tissue damage.

Green tea in your diet and in products that you apply to your skin is one way to use green tea for acne.

In 2003, Dr. Gan-Wong reported to the American Academy of Dermatology that that using a green tea for acne product with 3% green tea provided the same results as using a 4% benzoyl peroxide product. Why green tea is effective in the fight against acne is because when green tea leaves are plucked they are steamed which protects the nutrients and fighting properties of green tea. We want to keep as many fighting properties in tact so using green tea for acne is a perfect solution.

At home you can try this idea for using green tea for acne. Carefully wipe your face with the green tea bag after drinking the green.Sooth your face with green tea. Make a mask, or cream using green tea and apply to acne areas.

Cleanse the body by drinking green tea and fight your acne at the same time. Green tea topical products help to eliminate bacteria and the spread of bacteria. We want to fight free radicals and in to do that we can drink green tea and put on a topical treatment, containing green tea. Giving your body a double dose of antioxidants and fighting free radicals is what we want to do.

A wonderful natural treatment is green tea for acne. Green tea benefits both your skin and body. Green tea will help with detoxification and acts like an antihistamine. Reducing inflammation in the body can be accomplished by detoxification and natural antihistamines leading to clear skin and a healthy body

Q: Why do some wines cause a flushing or redness on the face and neck?

A: There are many reasons that a wine could cause facial flushing, ranging from alcohol or sulfite content to a medical condition known as rosacea. The most common reason for a glass of wine to make someone’s face turn red is what is known as alcohol flush reaction.

People who have alcohol flush reaction do not have enough of the enzyme that metabolizes alcohol in their bodies. As a result, when they drink alcohol, they get an excess accumulation of acetaldehyde, a component of alcohol, which is responsible for flushing or swelling of the skin accompanied by itching or irritation, headaches and/or light-headedness.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that taking heartburn medication such as Zantac or Pepcid prior to consuming alcohol may alleviate these symptoms, but always consult your doctor before taking any medication in conjunction with alcohol.

Sulfites used in the winemaking process are another cause of facial flushing, though their effects tend to be overestimated in most cases. Sulfites are naturally present in many things we consume, including wine.

Most winemakers add additional sulfites to wine for protection against oxidation and bacterial spoilage.

However, for those allergic to sulfites, their presence can cause skin irritation and headaches as well. Any wine having sulfites in excess of 10 parts per million is legally required to bear the label “contains sulfites.” Some organic and biodynamic wines have lower sulfite counts.

Finally, rosacea, a medical condition that affects the skin of the face, neck and occasionally chest, is also aggravated by alcohol consumption. Rosacea outbreaks are typically brought on by exposure to heat, stress and consumption of alcohol, but aside from that rosy glow, is typically harmless.

As always, it’s best to consult your physician or dermatologist to find out which of these causes is the most likely culprit.

It is often wrongly perceived that blushing and a permanent red complexion is one of the same and should be treated as such. In order to clarify this misconception, I have written two articles. The first of which tackles blushing ( flushing – as it is known by its medical term), and how it can be treated and what causes it.

The second article will be about permanent facial redness, what it is, how it is caused, and the treatments available to reduce or even eliminate the annoying red complexion.

Emotional and Psychological Impact of Flushing

As a former veteran flusher and rosacea sufferer, I am fully aware of the psychological effect that creates a lack of self-confidence and self-esteem. As a result these inhibitions can prevent the personality from blossoming in a normal and positive way.

My road was a long and painful one before I eventually found my solution, which was a combination of cognitive therapy, prescribed anti-depressive medication and a topical rosacea treatment that successfully worked.

The cognitive therapy and the prescribed medication could have been avoided, if I had known what I know today. However, sometimes the psychological symptoms are so extreme, as in social phobia, that prescribed medication and therapy are necessary.

Now let me explain about the symptoms, causes and possible treatments.

Flushing – A Natural Response

‘ Fight of Flight’ is a natural automated self-defense mechanism that prepares the body for facing or avoiding an oncoming danger. This process is handled by the sympathetic nervous system. Which dilates the blood vessels to ensure that sufficient blood will reach the parts of the body needed to deal with danger, such as the muscles. This increased blood flow becomes visible in the areas where the blood vessels are closer to the surface of the skin, such as the chest, neck and facial regions.

Flushing Triggers

Hot drinks, hot or spicy foods, hot baths and hot temperatures cause the body’s natural thermostat to dilate blood vessels allowing a greater flow of blood to the surface, which helps aid the cooling process.

Stimulants such as caffeine and alcohol or food and drinks with a high sugar content, are vascular dilators that may cause flushing and perspiration

Healthy Flushing

During strenuous activity, there is an increase in blood flow through the dilated blood vessels which becomes visible. This type of flushing is a totally natural process and a positive sign of good health.
Exercise is an effective method of alleviating stress and anxiety and the importance of this method to help reduce flushing flare-ups, should never be underestimated.

Unhealthy Flushing

People who have an over active sympathetic nervous system experience frequent flushing flare-ups. The reason being that innocent situations such as social occasions are wrongly interpreted as dangerous and the automated defense system is activated and flushing occurs

These constant flushing episodes may eventually lead to a reduction in self-confidence and self-belief, which ultimately can have an impact on relationships, work.and general happiness.

The Two Most Common Questions Asked By People Who Flush Frequently

Question: Does everybody flush?

Answer: Yes

Question: Then if they do, why doesn’t it show in everyone?

Answer: Because, in some people the blood vessels and capillaries are closer to the skin surface which increases the redness visibility.

How can I stop Flushing?

Firstly, you have to acknowledge the fact that some types of flushing cannot be reduced or prevented, notably flushing that prevails after and during exercise. This is nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about, ask any sportsman, sportswoman or athlete that either experience facial redness or not.

Secondly, acceptance is the key. You must accept the fact that you flush easily and stop trying to hide it – this is covered shortly

Treat The Root Cause And Avoid The Triggers

Visit this page for a ‘How To’ guide to avoid your tiggers >>

The only long term treatment of flushing is by treating the root cause; which is the over active sympathetic nervous system including the psychological problems that may have been caused. Lifestyle changes to avoid or limit the triggers that cause your flushing must be applied.

Laser Treatment, Topical Treatment and Natural Oral Supplements

Laser cannot be used as treatment because healthy blood vessels that supply the blood to skin cells cannot obviously be removed.

The Natural Oral supplements that help are the ones that contain active ingredients that relieve stress, anxiety or depression. And also the ones that contain ingredients which protect and nourish the skin from the daily hazards such as from the infamous free-radicals that damage cells.

Clinically proven topical creams or lotions aimed at treating rosacea contain natural anti-inflammatory ingredients that help to reduce the immediate flushing symptoms. The main importance of using only reputable topical treatments is that they also contain active ingredients that strengthen skin cell walls. This in the long term, can prevent capillary damage caused by the constant unhealthy flushing periods that may lead to a permanent red complexion or even rosacea.

Acceptance, Mental Relaxation And Re-Training Your Way of Thinking

We have written a step by step guide that illustrates the powerful techniques and methods that automatically keep you calm and relaxed in those situations that normally caused you to become anxious and flush. This anti-blushing program involves the following steps.

1. Blushing Acceptance – A video demonstrating examples of how to accept and announce that you blush, instead of trying to hide it, which only makes blushing worse.

2. Breathing Technique – This method once mastered will automatically focus your attention on your breathing and away from your self-conscious feelings.

3. Stop Blushing NLP Audio Tracks – NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) is an advanced form of self-hypnosis that retrains mind eliminating the blushing thoughts

4.Self-Hypnosis Audio Tracks To prevent Blushing – These tracks train the sub-conscious mind to remain calm, relaxed and self-confident in those situations that you once feared.

The Self-Hypnosis and NLP audio tracks are of the highest quality and have been recorded by leading Certified Hypnotherapists. You can listen to these on our site via our audio player.

To experience our FREE control blushing guide including; techniques, methods, video demonstration and FREE self-hypnosis / NLP audio stop blushing tracks, visit>>

Prescribed Treatments For Extreme Cases

Sometimes the emotional problems caused by excessive flushing have become so extensive that prescribed medical treatment and therapy maybe required.

Retinoids are derivatives of Vitamin A and share the parent substance’s effects of reducing the secretion of oil from the glands located in the skin. This primary effect is what makes retinoids so effective against acne. The long-term (4-6 months) decrease in oil secretion means that hair follicles are less likely to clog and turn into pimples and, in most cases, acne is gone for good by the end of the treatment period. However, about one quarter of the patients who used Accutane or other drugs based on isotretinoin may relapse and require additional treatment.

But the biggest drawback of retinoids is the long list of side effects, which sometimes makes retinoids look like a disease rather than a cure. Retinoids are used only under the close supervision of a dermatologist precisely because of these side effects. If a patient needs more than one treatment, the doctor will always insist on letting a few months pass between the treatments in order to give the body a chance to recover.

The most common side effects are dry skin and nosebleeds. Many patients have also reported liver problems, while a few complained of depression. However, the scientific community is still split on the issue of depression. More seriously, isotretinoin is known to cause birth defects, which is why female patients have to use two separate forms of birth control or vow abstinence during the treatment. Pregnant women are not allowed to use anything but the mildest treatments.

The bottom line is that retinoids are a good idea if one can cope with the side effects. This begs the question: why not use something just as effective, but without the side effects. Acne treatment systems, such as the leading ones on this site, are also popular because of their success in dealing with the condition, but lack the extreme side that makes retinoids a pain to use. The choice between these treatments is yours.

The classic antibiotics and creams have been supplemented by hormonal treatments, phototherapy and laser surgery. Others are trying to develop still more types of cures, such as diets built to avoid the consumption of dairy products, the use of chromium and zinc supplements and home made cures from various sorts of spices. Many of them haven’t been scientifically proven yet.

Laser surgery is the latest technique developed by doctors to reduce the scars left behind by acne. Doctors use laser beams to burn out scar tissue, which allows the skin to generate new, healthy tissue instead. This technique is still in the early, primitive stages since it is used after follicles had turned to pimples and pimples were reduced to scars.

Still, new research shows that laser surgery could be used in the future to prevent acne from even happening, instead of just dealing with the consequences. Medical grade laser may soon be used to burn away the follicle sac where the hair grows or to burn the sebaceous gland in those parts of the skin that were subject to acne outbreaks again and again.

Another approach currently being studied is the use of laser to induce the formation of oxygen in the bacteria in order to kill them. However, at this time, laser is still too dangerous for acne prevention since the extreme heat is known to cause long-term dryness of the skin and even spots.

Other research efforts focus on whole-genome DNA sequencing as a tool for identifying the genetic reasons why some people do not suffer from acne or develop only light forms of this condition. However, gene sequencing is still one of those techniques that belong to the future and are unlikely to become available soon

Is This The Future of Acne Treatment?

In your pursuit for the best acne treatment, you may have come across the electronic devices such as MyZeno that zaps zits with an impulse of heat. It all sounds very science fiction, I agree. When I first saw the MyZeno gadget it reminded me more of a prop out of Star Trek than a serious solution for acne.

However, it does actually have clinically proven results and is also endorsed by medical professionals. But, the million dollar question is; how effective is this as a long term acne treatment?

The point I’m trying to put across is, that I don’t of dispute the clinical results or its effectiveness. However, I don’t believe this is a long term solution as it fails to treat the root cause. Furthermore, the cost of using MyZeno if very high.

Cost of Treatment

Let’s the put the spotlight (sorry about the unintentional pun ) on the cost.

MyZeno claims that it takes 1-2 counts (thermal impulses) to treat a single spot, pimple or zit over a 24 hour period. A 90-count tip costs $35. This means that each spot, pimple or zit will cost around $0.3 to remove, plus of course the initial $100 dollar for the electronic device.

Not only is the cost extensive, but so is the time needed to treat each individual spot, pimple or zit, which MyZeno claims to be two and a half minutes.

Short Term Treatment Only

MyZeno or other electronic devices of this type can only treat existing spots. However, they cannot prevent further outbreaks as they fail to treat the root cause. This means that the sufferer will be hit with constant rising acne treatment costs.

Our Opinion

MyZeno is ideal for those who need to rid get the odd pimple here and there very quickly. However, if you want to try and treat mild acne with this. I recommend that this is used in conjunction with a topical treatment that helps to prevent acne outbreaks. This of course will help to limit some of the substantial costs.

My first article ‘Flushing, Blushing, Facial Redness Misconceptions and Treatments’  dealt with flushing, which is usually a natural automated, psychological or allergic response to environmental changes.

Furthermore, the first article highlighted, that these responses can be reduced, controlled and prevented using a combination of methods and treatments. These include relaxation, physical exercise, lifestyle changes,  topical treatments and natural supplements; or in extreme cases prescribed medication and therapy maybe necessary.

Permanent facial redness is a physical condition whereby the blood vessels and capillaries have become damaged as a consequence of:

• Over exposure to the sun.
• Long term and frequent unhealthy flushing (not physical exercise flushing).
• Toxins caused by long term high alcohol consumption.
• Hereditary condition.
• Symptoms of rosacea.
• Free radicals that damage skin. Example, from smoking.

Damaged blood vessels or thread veins are often referred to as broken. This does not imply they are leaking, it means they have become permanently dilated. As a result the blood constantly remains visible. If rosacea symptoms are present, lumps, bumps, and thickened red skin may accompany the visible capillaries.

How is Permanent Facial Redness Treated?

Facial redness and damaged capillaries can be treated by using either topical creams or IPL (Intense Pulse Light Therapy) and Laser treatment. The aim of topical treatments is to shrink damaged blood vessels and capillaries and strengthen skin cell walls against future damage. Laser & IPL treatments target and destroy damaged blood vessels and capillaries.

The most commonly asked question by people experiencing facial redness and rosacea is; which type of treatment is best? Let’s now let’s take a look at each.

Laser and IPL Treatments

Laser Treatment can only be applied by certified medical professionals. It works by emitting an intense narrow beam of light heats and destroys the damaged capillary. There is a slight risk of scar ring with laser treatment.

IPL Treatment can be applied by non certified people such as beauty salon assistants.  IPL flashes light, which matches the color of blood in the vessel. The IPL light energy is absorbed by the blood in the vessel, the blood is heated and the vessel is damaged and removed, but all other tissues around the blood vessel are not affected. IPL is more popular for this type of treatment as it is faster, supposedly gives less after effects and there is no risk of scarring.

Instant results.

Truths

It takes around 5 treatments over a 6 month period  for best results.

Pros

• High success rate.
• Visible results in just a few treatments.

• Painful with swelling sometimes experienced afterwards that can last a few days.
• Possible side effects; hyperpigmentation, nausea and swelling
• High cost, up to $1500 for 5 treatments.
• The risk of getting a poor quality treatment by unprofessional IPL operators.
• No Money Back Guarantee

Clinically Endorsed Topical Treatments

Quality topical treatments endorsed by the medical profession contain natural active ingredients that aim to reduce inflammation, promote healing as well as nourishing and strengthening the skin.
Other topical creams that contain Vitamin K specifically target visible broken blood vessels by aiding the coagulation of the blood as a result eliminating the blood vessel. These Vitamin K creams are used by plastic surgeons to aid and speed up the healing process as well as limiting scarring

The philosophy behind topical treatments is that they target the root cause and not just the immediate symptoms.

Misconceptions

Fast results

Truths

Like laser and IPL treatments, they take a few months before effective results are seen.

Pros

• It costs a fraction of laser/IPL at around $150 for a 6 month treatment.
• No side effects
• Long term
• Money Back Guarantee

Cons

• Lower success rate than Laser/IPL
• Visible results take longer than with Laser/IPL.

There is no 100% guarantee that either solution will work, or that the redness symptoms or damaged capillaries will return. However, the reputable topical products come with a 100% Satisfaction Money Back Guarantee.

From this you can deduce that the best course of action is to start with a reputable topical products. If that fails to give results, then of course you will get your money back and can start saving for the laser or IPL treatment and hope that it works.