Posts Tagged of the body

Improve Your Skin Condition With Acne Blue Light Therapy

Acne is a skin condition that is caused by changes in the sebaceous glands. It affects more than 85% of teenagers worldwide and may continue until adulthood if left unmedicated. Unfortunately, it usually targets very visible areas of the human body: the face and the upper neck; it can also develop in the back and at the chest and shoulder areas. This condition is caused by Propionibacterium acnes, which induces inflammation.

Sunlight is believed to improve the treatment of acne by effecting antimicrobial healing processes in the pores. But prolonged exposure to sunlight causes more damage than the good it was intended to effect. Therefore, this light was replicated and modified to copy the good effects of the light without the long term effects. This is called light therapy.

Light therapy is the type of therapy wherein different types of light with different wavelengths from the spectrum are pulsed to a specific area of the body to treat certain medical conditions. Different light wavelengths have different effects on the body. Medical illnesses such as skin diseases and neonatal jaundice have been treated by light therapy. Even psychiatric disorders can be treated through the use of light.

Of the many colors in the spectrum, blue light has been the most used in terms of medicine and daily activities. Blue light therapy was developed by the renowned doctors Simon Ourian and Bob Ourian. For almost three years now, dermatologists have found wide use of the blue wavelength to treat skin disorders, varicose veins and dark spots; this is mostly used for acne treatment. Blue light therapy for acne can be applied through customized lasers or LEDs and when applied to the affected area at least twice a week reduces acne lesions by 64%. Daily application of this light therapy, along with red light treatment, visibly reduces 74% of the acne number.

Before the procedure, a photosensitive gel will be topically applied to the infected area. A series of light pulses are then applied and these wavelengths penetrate through the skin and target the bacteria within. The cells beneath are also benefited as they receive the blue light energy. This means that as the acne is eliminated the cells around are healed and the usual inflammation will gradually subside.

Unlike sunlight, the modified blue light does not have significant long term side effects and the Propionibacterium does not much chance to develop resistance to the treatment. Some redness and discomfort in the treated area should be expected. The doctor might prescribe some mild pain relievers. Blue light therapy should also be used with precaution by people who have light sensitivity. The biggest disadvantage might prove to be its cost, which can start from $500.

Fortunately, a lot of home-use light lamps or boxes are being sold, which might be a little expensive but the long term savings compared to dermatologist visits far outweigh the initial disadvantage. These light boxes can also be used in the comforts of home to provide daily treatment and protection to the user. It is still best to consult the dermatologist for correct dosage and duration of acne blue light treatment at home because the intensity of the light necessary for proper healing is different for different people.

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Vitamin E And Your Body

We all know that oxygen is a primary component that is needed for life.  This very same oxygen, once inside of the body, becomes very reactive through certain molecules and will start to cause damage through the free radicals, which is known as oxidative stress.  As an antioxidant, vitamin E will help to prevent this type of stress, which will prevent the cells from aging or sustaining any type of permanent damage as well.

Cholesterol, which is a fatty substance found in many foods, is absorbed by the body then transferred from the liver to be stored by tissue as fat.  This is carried through the bloodstream by molecules known as LDL (Low Density Lipoproteins).  When the LDL is oxidized, it reacts to the cholesterol and a fat substance known as plaque begins to get deposited on the artery walls, which causes the blood flow to stop.

Vitamin E will stop cholesterol from forming into plaque, which will allow the blood to flow properly.  If you don’t use vitamin E, in this situation, the blood will stop flowing and the arteries will begin to get backed up.  As most of us know, this is the main cause of heart attacks, high blood pressure, and other serious diseases.

Even though many researchers and doctors have linked vitamin E to preventing cancer, this hasn’t been conclusively proven.  There are many doctors that have said in the past that vitamin E can indeed prevent cancer, although no documentation or proof has been given to back up such statements.  We all know that it is a very important vitamin, regardless.

There are studies however, that have proven vitamin E to be very effective in protecting the skin against UV rays.  Vitamin E has been shown on numerous occasions to shield the skin from the harmful rays of the sun, which as we all know, can lead to skin cancer.  If you include sources of vitamin E, or supplements in your diet you can help to prevent the damage of UV rays to your skin.

Along with these types of benefits, vitamin E can also protect against alzheimer’s disease and inflammation of the pancreas.  This vitamin can also be very beneficial with reducing scars, and healing many types of burns and wounds.  Included in your diet, vitamin E can help your skin to heal from many discrepancies over time.

When included with vitamin C, vitamin E can be one of the most important vitamins for your body.  It offers many different benefits, besides the ones listed above.  You can find it in many different forms, including fruits and nuts.  Fruits are excellent sources of vitamin E, especially oranges.  Oranges have always been known to be rich in this vitamin, whether you are consuming whole oranges or just drinking orange juice.  If you are drinking orange juice that contains pulp, you’ll be getting plenty of vitamin E in your diet.

All things aside, you should always make sure that you include vitamin E in your diet.  Along with fruits and nuts, you can also find this vitamin plentiful in vegetables as well.  You can include it into your diet, or take supplements that provide it.  You should be getting around 1,000 mg of the vitamin a day, which isn’t hard to do if you eat the right foods.  If you consume the right amount of vitamin E in your diet, you’ll notice that your body will perform much better – and you’ll be well protected against numerous diseases as well.

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