Statistics indicate that as high as 80% of the entire American population has ever had acne. Acne afflicts all genders, sexes and ages making it a universal skin disorder. As a form of skin disease, the good news is that acne is not transmittable.

Although acne is not contagious from person-to-person, it can spread to the whole face and can severely affect all the skin tissues that have pilosebaceous units. It is not true that acne just affects those going through puberty. Even infants or individuals who may be well over their forties, can develop this skin disorder. Acne infantilis is the term used for acne that grows on newborn babies, on the other hand acne rosacea is related to middle-aged people.

Acne has different classifications, according to the severity of the infection.

Comedo is the form where all severe acne cases originate. This is characterized by red swelling or small lesions on your skin. Whiteheads and blackheads are two forms of comedo. Conversely, blackhead is an open comedo. The coloration is due to the accumulation of dark skin pigments called melanin, plus hardened sebum and other skin debris and particles. This is the basic structure of whiteheads, however, the only difference is the coloration and these are deeply situated into the skin layers.

If you have sandpaper-like skin around the tissue of your mouth and on the surface of your forehead, chin and cheeks, you probably have papules. Pus-filled lesions are also termed as pustules.

Nodules on the other hand are similar with pustules. However, nodules are firmer and are larger acne growing deep in the skin. Inflammation may develop your pustules into containing semi-liquid or liquid materials composed of white blood cells (which are dead because of the acne-infecting bacteria named as Propionibacterium acnes), dead skin cells and active or inactive bacteria. This can result into more serious acne called cysts. In such situations, you may need the assistance of a skin dermatologist or physician.

What is the cause of acne? It is quite difficult to exactly determine what may have caused your acne infection as reasons differ case to case. Studies indicate that the skin disorder may be brought about by many factors, including poor diet, stress, weather elements, and hormone changes or may be genetically influenced.

Medically speaking, acne starts from the formation of hardened sebum, or the oily substance secreted to the skin through the sebaceous glands. This then will be permeated with acne-infecting bacteria, which in return will trigger the immune system to release white blood cells to obstruct the attack of the bacteria. As this happens, dead white blood cells and bacteria will accumulate in the hair follicles mixed with skin debris and dead skin particles, which then will inflame the lesions.

Most mild case acne may be treated with over the counter acne medications. They are generally topical drugs, which you apply on your skin for acne treatment. They may come in the form of soaps, lotions, gels and creams. Conversely, systematic acne medications are taken orally. The most common of which are the antibiotics.

Knowing that you are not the only one inflicted with acne at some point in life or another helps in that there will always be new research and new products coming on stream. Continue to read up on acne research and help your fight against it.

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com

About the Author: Hugh Hayes –
Are you looking for more info on how to remove blackheads? Click Here to claim your “How To Cure Acne” report, absolutely FREE!

What vitamins can be used to treat acne?

Due to the incredibly unhealthy diets that have become the norm in modern day America, it is no wonder that vitamin deficiencies are so rampant. Only about 10-20% of Americans consume the recommended amount of the important vitamins and minerals on a daily basis. This vitamin deficiency has led to many problems in the bodies of Americans, and obviously the skin, the largest organ of the body, is affected by this deficiency as well.

There are many vitamins that can all contribute to fighting and preventing the formation of acne on the skin. Different vitamins have different uses ranging from antioxidants (clearing the skin of harmful toxins) to antibacterial (fighting bacteria which can cause acne, helping to prevent it from forming) and more. This article will help to point out and explain which vitamins can be used to help against acne and what it is that they do.

The main vitamins that help to combat acne are Vitamin A, the B Vitamins, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Chromium and Zinc. Each of these vitamins helps to fight acne in a different way and when used in conjunction they can help greatly to reduce the affects of acne and even prevent its breakout altogether. If you decide to use these vitamins, most likely through form of supplements since trying to consume the right amounts through dieting can be difficult, it is extremely important to follow the dosage instructions and to never take too much of any vitamin. Taking too much of many vitamins can be toxic and can lead to illness and worse problems, so always be careful and patient.

Vitamins A and E are strong antioxidants and help to promote healthy skin. Zinc is also an antioxidant but more importantly it helps to regulate the production of oil in the oil glands. Chromium aids in reducing the infections in the skin which can prevent acne from spreading. The B Complex vitamins and Vitamin C are more like super-vitamins. Both of these have countless functions in maintaining a healthy body and involving these in your daily diet is only too important.

The main reason that each of these vitamins is so important is not only their assistance to fighting and preventing acne but also the simple fact that a deficiency in any single one of these vitamins can lead to acne breakouts. Because of this, the importance of consuming the correct amounts of these vitamins every day through either diet, which can be very difficult, or in supplement form is simply undeniable. By being knowledgeable of these vitamins and by attempting to meet the recommended amounts each day, a person can combat acne much more effectively and help to prevent it from occurring altogether.

Author: AanaSmithRead about Find Tips, and also read about Tips to Buy Gadgets for Kitchen and Tips to Choose Bed Comforter

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Acne is one of the most common and bothersome skin conditions for adolescence. Although acne itself is not curable, even the most severe cases can be treated effectively. For these sever conditions, various types of acne scar treatment are available if warranted by the situation.

Recent estimates indicate that 85% of the population between the ages of 12 and 24 suffer from acne. The severity and amount of time a person has acne can vary from person to person, but for most of us, it will eventually go away by itself. It is true that even mild acne may affect normal social activities because of the undesirable changes to your appearance, but this is considered more of a nuisance than anything else.

Unfortunately, there are more severe forms of acne with greater consequences. In addition to being painful, sever cases of acne can cause serious scarring. Acne scars can occur in both mild acne or severe acne, but the chances of scarring increases as the acne severity increases. Luckily, you have the option of choosing between several acne scar treatment techniques available.

The purpose of acne scar treatment is to restore your skin to its original appearance. You will find, however, that restoration is not always 100%, but acne scar treatment works to make the scarring almost invisible. There are a variety of techniques available to remove acne scars and each one uses a different approach. It is recommended that you consult with a dermatologist to determine the best technique based on your type of acne and the severity of scarring present.

At this point, you may be asking yourself how acne scars occur. In general, acne scars, and other types of scars for that matter, result from tissue damage. After tissue is damaged, the body will begin healing itself and in the process discourages any chance of infection. Your body sends a special chemical call collagen to the affected area. Sometimes, the collagen is produced in excess and develops into an irregularly shaped fibrous mass resulting in an acne scar.

Other types of scars that may also occur include soft scars, depressed scars, “ice-pick” scars, atrophic macules, and many others. For the most part, these types of scars are caused by the loss of tissue from a particular area.

Injecting collagen under the surface of the scarred skin is one of the most popular acne scar treatment techniques being used. The purpose of this technique is to puff out or restore the skin, which makes the scar much less noticeable. Another acne scar treatment technique is called autologus fat transfer. This process uses the fat from one part of your body for injection into the affected area. This helps to fill in the scar, but since fat is eventually absorbed into the body, repeated applications may be needed.

Other effective acne scar treatments include laser or dermabrasion. Skin grafting and even surgery is a possibility, but these procedures are used only used in the most extreme cases. Hopefully, you will not have to undergo any of these techniques to address your acne, but if scarring is present, with the help of your dermatologist you will be able to make an effective choice.

Author: John Purdy operates a website offering information and resources on acne skin care [http://www.best-acne-skin-care-treatment.com] treatments. Visit his site today at: [http://www.best-acne-skin-care-treatment.com]

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

Acne is a problem that is more than skin deep. The best treatment for acne will involve nutrition and herbs both internally and externally. In addition to these two elements, the control of acne requires thorough, gentle cleansing. Therefore, there are three steps to beautiful clear skin – internal treatment, external treatment, and cleansing.

The best internal treatment for acne will be one that contains herbal medications. These require no prescription. Many other medications for acne control do require a prescription, and can only be used for severe cases. In addition, many of these prescription medications have serious side effects. Some, like Accutane, have been found to cause depression, and even suicide. Herbs, on the other hand, are natural, gentle, and effective.

The external part of a good acne control system must have certain characteristics as well. For one thing it needs to not be a drying formula, and yet it needs to control the oil in your skin. It should be able to be used on either a severe case or a mild case. It should contain botanical ingredients that heal and strengthen the cellular structure of your skin. The cleanser should remove extra sebum, the natural oil in your skin, which contains the bacteria that cause acne.

The other part of a good quality acne control system is a lotion or gel to treat the blemishes after cleansing the face. This product should be able to unplug the pores. It also should fight the bacteria that causes acne. It should also be formulated with a transdermal delivery system so that the helpful, natural ingredients are absorbed into the skin thoroughly.

Why do you get acne? The actual outer layer of skin is dead, but under this thin layer called the epidermis, the cells are alive and multiplying. Normally your skin is shedding the old cells and replacing them with new ones. The problem happens when too many dead skin cells clump together with the natural skin oils, called sebum, and cause the pores to get clogged.

Acne is a skin disorder that actually starts two or three weeks before the blemish appears. The beginning is the clogging of the pore. The natural bacteria that live on the skin begin to multiply inside the pore since the excess oils can’t get out. Since the body is fighting bacteria, white blood cells arrive on the scene, and inflammation is the result.

Obviously, frequent cleansing is an important step in acne control, since the extra skin cells and oils need to be removed in order to keep them from clogging the pores in the first place. But washing too often can be drying to the skin. For these reasons, skin cleansers need to be very gentle.

Author: Jim McDonald, a writer for http://www.natural-acne-treatment.info/, an informative website about Acne Control and natural effective treatment methods.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_A._McDonald

There are many different causes for acne. The complication is not in knowing why acne occurs, it is identifying the ultimate cause for each person that has it and then figuring out the appropriate treatment for the condition. There is some good news in light of all of this. That is that there are some basic acne treatments that everyone can experiment with when it comes to getting rid of acne. Here, I will share with you the most common 5 tips on getting rid of acne.

1.
One of the first ways that you can be successful in getting rid of acne is to engage in a diet that benefits the skin, as well as your health in general. Organic foods have recently started to gain in popularity and for a very good reason. These particular foods are not processed. Furthermore, when these foods are cultivated, harmful chemicals that can prove to be toxic to your overall health, as well as the health of your skin are not used.

Examples of these toxins include herbicides, pesticides, and similar items. If you want to recover from acne, you should ensure to eat plenty of foods that are labeled Organic. Naturally, consuming a lot of foods that are green and leafy in the vegetable category is appropriate. Furthermore, fruits and nuts are also beneficial. It is also important to consume items that contain a fair amount of water.

2.
The second way that you can get rid of acne is by ensuring that you consume ten to twelve glasses of water a day. Each of these glasses should be at least eight ounces. I know this seems like quite a bit of water, but it is a key element when it comes to purifying the body on the whole. The more water that moves through your body, the more clean and pure the inside of the body will be.

When this happens, that purification will actually spread to the outside, or the skin. This means that when impurities invade the pores of the skin, it is highly likely that the water that you have consumed will play a vital role in quickly eliminating this obstruction. As a result, you will experience fewer blemishes.

3.
Did you know that by increasing the amount of vitamins that you ingest, you can reduce the possibility of an acne outbreak? This is the next way that you can work on getting rid of acne. All you have to do is focus on eating foods that have high levels of vitamins A, B12, B, E, B5, & B6. If you find that it is difficult sorting through the ingredients on everything that you eat or drink in order to maximize your exposure to these vitamins, you can purchase supplements.

Many elect to simply take a multivitamin every single day. Then, there are some that purchase each of these vitamins and then rotate days on taking them. However, you decide to do it, it is important to just do it! You are sure to see immediate results when it comes to how clean and healthy your skin is!

4.
When it comes to getting rid of acne, many individuals are turning towards natural herbs. There are a number of herbs that have been found to assist in acne complications. Red Clover is an especially popular herb because of the fact that it works to purify the blood and remove toxins from the body. Then, you have other herbal remedies such as Dandelion Root, and Alfalfa. There are even Chinese Herbs like Yang Ming and Lung Heat that can prove to be beneficial.

5.
If you have a severe case of acne, and nothing else that you have tried is successful when getting rid of it, you should consider setting up an appointment with a dermatologist. These professionals will work closely with you to determine your triggers, skin type, and what will be the best treatment option for you as an individual.

Conclusion

Acne is a complex skin condition that has plagued millions and millions of people all throughout history. There are many different ways that you can approach this situation. While not all are successful for everyone, there are a few out there that can help you optimize the health of your skin. Here, you have been introduced to 5 tips on getting rid of acne give them a try!

Author: Hugh Hayes
Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com

First of all, and you probably know this, you shouldn’t squeeze acne, spots or pimples. Let’s face it, you’re going to do it anyway right? If you must there’s a way to do it safely.

Thoroughly clean your face and then apply a wet, warm facecloth over your entire face for around 10 minutes. Next, pat your face and hands dry with a soft, clean towel, try not to rub with the towel as this can spread infection. Next, cover your fingers with dry tissue and apply gentle, even pressure to the sides of the blemish. Gently press downward first and then upwards, toward the pimple or spot. Try it once or twice and then leave it. If it’s not ready, forcing the issue will only make matters worse and might even lead to scarring. If the blemish does squeeze out, remove the head and oil with the tissue to avoid spreading bacteria. Finally, immediately apply a treatment product., zit or pimple.

Your path to clear skin is based on 3 basic methods. Each area can have a profound impact on your skin so make sure to pay careful attention to all of these methods.

1. Topical Regimen – What you put on your skin This section consists of scientific and natural ingredients that have been shown to combat acne or have skin beneficial effects. Topical creams can have the most immediate impact on the look and feel of your skin.

2. Lifestyle – Everyday mistakes are too frequent Proper exercise is an important aspect of anyones life. To keep your body, and your skin, in proper health, you must exercise on a regular basis. Your body must be efficient at eliminating waste in order to help curb your acne problem. Sweating is one of those mechanisms and a healthy heart and circulatory system also make a big difference.

3. Diet – You are what you eat Whether or not what you eat affects your skin is a matter of some debate. We feel that what you eat affects your body in many ways, including your skin. Our diet section includes a list of foods that may cause acne flare ups and also a list that can have benefits for your skin.

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com

About the Author: Simon Gittins – Webmaster and article distributer for many topics, including health, gadgets, computers and family. www.acnetreatmentcontrol.com

Let’s face it: We mostly judge people on how they look.

This is a fact that cannot be denied and the reason why almost everyone is obsessed with their appearance. This is also why if anyone suffers from acne, they often go to any length to control this image distorting skin disease.

I am saying this from first-hand experience, pimples, commonly known as acne, can literally make you miserable. Imagine having a big bump nestled right on your lower lip with other small bumps crowding your face and all the while you’re talking to someone you keep wondering : ” Is this person looking at the bump…?”

Perhaps you may have tried everything from the popular products advertised on TV, to the over the counter drugs at the local pharmacy. Believe me, I have and NOTHING worked, on the contrary, they made matters worse.

I tried exfoliating, using a mask, applying astringents, creams. My roommate literally had to yell once: “What’s with all this ‘make-up’ like you are a Vegas show-girl?”
It would be an understatement to say my experience with acne was horrible.

I had just about given up hope and decided to accept the myths that maybe just maybe it was in my genes or as my pastor at the time said: “It was God’s will for me…” but, it was right around this time that I stumbled upon an associate whose conversation with me that day forever changed my life-at least in regards to dealing with acne.

He asked what I was using to control the acne and if you are a sufferer, you may know the feeling that arises within when someone brings up the subject of your malady. I got defensive and mentioned the product I was using rather snappily. He kept right on and as if sensing my discomfort, assured me he was only trying to help.

He introduced me to juice fasting as a therapeutic measure of healing (not the religious practice I thought it was) and also discussed facial massaging and how to properly cleanse the face. I was intrigued by these methods for the following reasons

1. They were natural
2. They cost little or nothing
3. They made the most sense

After trying each of the methods simultaneously, within about 3 or 4 days, I was relieved of the acne and even the razor bumps I also had. If felt good to be able to walk into the office and know that the girls were looking at me admirably and it was also a relief to know this horrendous mask was finally taken off me!

Years later after learning more about Naturopathy, Yoga and diet, I decided to dedicate a page on my website to offer this free information on how to cure acne naturally to my readers and am now including some of the tips in this article.

1. If you want to control your acne; you must make a change in your diet now.
This will not only clear up your skin, but will increase your all around health and well-being. A suggested diet will be a mucus-less diet comprising of raw and cooked Fruits, Leafy and Root vegetables augmented with a fast of some type. Remember the quote by Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine: “Let your foods be your medicine as nature heals ALL diseases!”

2. I can boldly say rid yourself of all topical and ingested drugs you are using to control acne as they only- from my experience- make matters worse.

3. Learn how to massage the face. You can type up facial massaging in your favorite search engine or simply view the free instructions and photos on my site. (Thank Goodness for the internet eh…?)

4. Change your pillowcase daily.

5. Steer clear of using microwaves. My anecdote on this device is in the same section mentioned in tip #3.

6. Engage in some form of vigorous exercise. This not only makes you fitter and healthier but aids tip #1 in detoxifying the skin, this being the second most important eliminating organ next to the lungs as stated by Dr. Stanley Burroughs, the author of the Master Cleanser.

In applying these steps above, you will definitely notice a drastic improvement in your skin. You too can cure your acne naturally without drugs and expensive visits to the dermatologists; you only need to be shown how.

If one way is true, it is the way of Nature.

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com

About the Author: Hugh Hayes – Are you looking for more info on how to prevent acne? Click Here to claim your “How To Cure Acne” report, absolutely FREE!

Did you know that your diet could cause acne, or even worsen it?

Well, check out this latest research done at the American Academy of Dermatology in Harvard.

The facts are that despite what was commonly thought of chocolate and greasy food would cause acne, this is long proven wrong. Now the basic stable data here is that what cause acne to manifest itself are during hormonal fluctuations and genetics. Therefore the times prone to experience this uncomfortable condition is during puberty, pregnancy and menopause.

But the latest research point to one or two exceptions involving dairy products. The researches analyzed about 50,000 peoples habits and diets specially what they ate during high school. Those who habitually drank two-three cups of milk a day where 22% prone to have severe acne compared to those who only drank one cup a week or less.

Skim milk had the greatest effect. Cream cheese and cottage cheese were also related to outbreaks, while chocolate and grease were not. Basically researchers were certain to prove the effect of hormones on milk, other studies had come out with similar findings and share this discovery.

You also have to know that food that contain iodides, like shellfish and soy sauce, might also exacerbate acne. Iodides are thought to play a role in the inflammation, this confirmed by Dr Diane S. Berson, an assistant professor of dermatology at Weill Medical College of Cornell University.

So, the bottom line is that certain foods particularly dairy products, has proven to generate acne and some times, severe condition of acne.

But finally, there’s something you can do to end the frustration and suffering brought on by acne. With just a few simple daily steps, you can heal the pimples you have today and help stop new ones from forming tomorrow. Whether you’re a man or a woman, 15 or 50…you can have the clear, blemish-free skin you’ve always wanted.

If you’re suffering with mild to moderate acne, I know how you feel – both of us have lived with it at different times in our lives. So I wanted to create a website to help you understand the causes of the condition, and learn what you can do to fight it. In this site, I have taken the time to refute some of the most common misunderstandings about acne and bring you the latest scientific information. I would also like to introduce you to a revolution in acne skin care – Proactiv® Solution.

This unique, easy-to-use, 3-step daily maintenance system is designed to attack acne at its source – so you can get the clear, beautiful skin you’ve always wanted

Like me, millions of people have discovered Proactiv Solution and changed their lives for the better. Many of these people say the same thing: Proactiv Solution really works. So why don’t you take a look at this product for yourself. After all, if you are a dairy product lover and want to continue with it (and who doesn’t?) you must be prepared to deal with acne the right way. So there you go, now you know what are the diets that causes acne and what are the products that helps you handle it. Enjoy it!

Aurthor: Al Castillo
Internet Marketing/Research
http://proactiv-products.com
Like me, millions of people have discovered Proactiv Solution and changed their lives for the better.

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

Some people have acne so intense that it is necessary for them to seek professional help. For some people, they must see a dermatologist to help with this annoying problem. When they go to the dermatologist for help, they will sometimes recommend a prescribe acne medication to help with the problem.

There are many prescription medications that are used today to help treat acne. Most of them are applied to the skin and are used for mild to severe acne. There are however, other methods of treating acne from the inside out and those require an oral method of taking the acne medications. This is important for people that have extensive acne problems that keep getting worse instead of better.

There are some dermatologists that use therapy to help control an acne problem for some of their patients. For this to occur, the acne has to be so severe and intense that there are no other methods of treatment working or if the patient and the acne is not responding to any other form of treatment.

There are also acne medications that are taken by mouth. These are antibiotics that a patient has to take on a regular basis to help control the acne. The dosage will usually start out high and then lessen as it is becoming effective.

There are also injections that can be a form of acne medication. This is used to treat severe acne and it will help to prevent scarring. Again this method is used for the people that have acne so severe and no other method of treatment is working to their benefit.

A lot of women will use oral contraceptives to help control their acne. This form or acne medication will affect the hormones in a women’s body and will lessen the chance of them having acne. This is a great idea for women who have an acne problem and want to take a contraceptive at the same time. There are some women however, that it has the reverse effect on.

There are a variety of different creams and ointments to use for acne medication as well. These are found both in the store and sold as prescriptions. The more intense creams and ointments are prescribed and do cost more. When you have a complex form of acne that is hard to treat, this is when the prescription medications have to be used.

It is all up to the person with acne if they think that they should seek professional help for their acne medication or not. They will know when they can no longer take care of the problem and need to have help.

Copyright 2006 – Ivar Rudi. Ivar suggests you find great market for less by shopping online today. For more information and resources about this subject check out: http://www.acne-medication.biz/

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

Almost everyone has suffered from acne at one time or another in his or her lives. It is primarily a disorder of the sebaceous gland (glands in the skin that secrete an oily substance) of the face, the neck and back. When the sebaceous glands become clogged with the oily substance they create, the accumulation results in pimples. There are several forms of acne, but the most common is acne vulgaris, found primarily in adolescents.

The exact cause of acne is not known, but factors that contribute to this condition include heredity, oily skin and androgens. Additional factors include allergies, stress, the use of certain drugs, nutritional deficiencies, liver dysfunction, exposure to industrial pollutants, cosmetics and the monthly menstrual cycle.

In addition, the skin functions to eliminate a portion of the body’s toxic waste by sweating. If the body contains more toxins than the kidneys or liver can effectively discharge, the skin takes over. In fact, some doctors call the skin the 3rd kidney. As toxins escape through the skin, they can disrupt the health and integrity of the skin, creating issues.

Recommendations for Wellness

Note: Some of these recommendations may take 2-4 weeks before any results or improvements are experienced.

Apply distilled white vinegar (can be diluted if too strong) to the face and affected areas. Allow this to sit for 5-10 minutes before rinsing off with cool water.

Lemon or any citric fruit works great as a natural exfoliate, removing dead skin cells that may clog the pours. As with the white vinegar, apply the juice of a lemon (or desired citric juice) to the face. Allow it to dry for about 10 minutes, then rinse with cool water. You may feel a mild sting or burn when the lemon juice is applied. If so, diluting the juice is acceptable.

Increase water consumption. Water helps flush toxin out and help transport nutrients in the body.

Eat a properly balanced diet to ensure proper nutrition. Take a high quality multiple vitamin and mineral supplement to make up for nutrients missing in today’s foods.

Echinacea or Oregon grape can be used to boost the immune system and fight acne-causing bacteria.

Dandelion, Burdock or red clover can help to keep the liver clear of toxic overload.

Herbal combinations such as Natures Sunshine’s Ayurvedic Skin Detox, and BP-X can also be used to cleanse and detoxify the liver and reduce acne.

Large quantities of vitamin A have been successfully used to treat severe acne. Large amounts, however, can be toxic and should only be used when working with your health care provider.

Consider adding additional zinc to your diet. Zinc aids in the healing of tissues and assists in preventing scarring. It is also important for the body in resisting infection and inflammation.

To clear and heal the skin, try a homeopathic Acne remedy. It can help to dry up pimples & prevent future outbreaks.

Acne solutions now is a free information website designed for people looking for treatment, cure, causes and prevention of all forms of severe and mild acne. For a FREE infromation website on acne go to http://www.acnesolutionnow.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/skin-care-articles/a-natural-approach-to-managing-acne-1395691.html