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Many people claim that chocolate, milk, oil and sugar cause that bad skin condition they have. However science has failed to relate diet as a cause of acne.
Common belief is also that the pores get blocked from the surface by dirt therefore washing frequently prevents them.
But perhaps we first need to understand what causes acne.
Our skins have pores on them, through which hair sticks out.
The skin oil sebum drains to the surface through these pores. For some unclear reason, these pores get blocked, trapping sebum and bacteria on the inside. So the combination of the trapped sebum in the pore and the accumulated bacteria forms the acne.
When the trapped sebum and bacteria stay below the skin surface, a white head is formed. A black head occurs in the area where the trapped sebum and bacteria partially open to the surface and turn black due to the skin pigment. Blackheads tend to stay longer than the white heads.
Pores block from the inside out and have nothing to do with dirt. So over-scrubbing the face many times a day with a face towel may not be helpful.
It is recommended that one washes their face with their bare hands. Doing this twice a day is adequate. The only scientifically proven link between stress and acne is when one takes antidepressants. Acne may occur as a side effect of the anti-depressants. There is a lot of conflicting information about what helps and what does not. The following tips should be useful, in control and prevention of acne.
Wash your face twice a day. It�s better to avoid using soap and to use just your bare hands. If you must have a washcloth, change it everyday.
Use a small soap free cleanser and rinse with lots of water. Soap dries the skin. Dry skin produces oil to kind of protect itself. So more oil will be trapped in the blocked pore making acne worse.
Wash your hands frequently. lDo not squeeze, pick, scratch or rub your skin. Scars may form if you squeeze pimples which may result into scars all over your face. Remember they take forever to clear. And for those that form bad scars called keliods you would be in big trouble.
If you believe that the food you eat affects your skin and causes acne, keep a record of those that you eat and try to figure out if any foods you eat make it worse. If so then avoid them. Though like we stated earlier science has not linked this yet.
- Get physical exercise regularly.
- Keep a record of what worked for you and repeat it.
- Eat healthy; this will make it easier for your body to fight off bacteria that worsens acne.
- Avoid daily make up and use it for special occasions.
- Granular facial scrub may make acne worse.
If you are to use antibiotics consult your doctor first. If used you may have to take them for six weeks to six months. Results normally show in six weeks.
Do not attempt to use steroids or hormonal preparations without a discussion with your doctor. Steroids may have dramatic improvement in a current state but unadvised use has
ots of unwanted and serious side effects.
Smoked meats could cause cancer
Are scientists always looking to damage the reputation of your favourite dish? Now that the cat is out of the bag, you just can�t wish the research away.
Smoked meat and fish, it has been found, may be good for the taste buds but it is a risk to your overall health. Doctors say it may cause cancer and coronary heart disease. Cured meats, it seems are high in nitrates, which if combined with amino acids during cooking and digestion, may form cancer-causing nitrosamines.
However, the risk of cancer from nitrates is small, especially compared to the risk of coronary disease from getting too much saturated fat � plentiful in smoked meat.
Traditionally, smoking was not just about adding flavour; it was also a way to preserve meats and fish. However, new scientific research has discovered that this smoke is laced with hundreds of components including alcohols, acids, phenols and several other toxins � and possibly carcinogens that could cause cancer.
�This is true,� said Dr Herbert Muyonga, a senior lecturer in the Department of Food Science and Technology, Makerere University. �You can actually purchase liquid smoke with the flavour of real smoke.�
Some of those substances are the ones that contain the beauty in smoking � that is preserving the meat by inhibiting the growth of bacteria and slowing the breakdown of fat. But they are also the same ones that may pose a danger to your health by setting off any cancerous substances that may be lurking in your body. In addition, smoking saturates the fat in meats and this could put you at risk of coronary heart disease.
Dr Muyonga recommends eating smoked fish or meat occasionally rather than on a daily basis. But you can also explore other ways to add flavour to your dishes in addition to preserving them. Rather than smoking, why not marinate the meat and add some spicy herbs for flavour.
Alternatively, keep it fresh, by refrigeration�this preserves all the nutrients until the cooking. You could also try sun drying the meat and fish. Just place them on a dish and let them soak up the beautiful sunshine. They are tastiest and healthiest alternatives to smoking.
Source: Dr John H Muyonga, Dept of Food Science and Technology, Makerere University, Lancet Medical Journal | 
