Before treating acne, it is important to understand the main causes of acne. There are three main causes ” stress, skin irritation, and genetics. Obviously one may not change their genetics, but stress and skin irritation are easily controlled using a variety of methods.

The cause of acne comes from excess oil in the skin that eventually clogs pores. As it deepens, those clogged pores can cause lesions which cause the acne to spread to other parts of the skin, creating a chain effect of bacteria.

Typical, blue light treatment consists of eight sessions given over a period of four weeks. A normal treatment session lasts about 15 minutes. Side effects are mild and can include temporary pigment changes in the skin, swelling around the treatment areas, and skin dryness. Studies have shown that 55% of treated patients see noticeable improvement.

Aloe has been used many times for it’s healing effects. It provides a soothing and cooling effect to irritated skin. It also helps to heal lesions that can be caused by acne.

LHE treatment consists of two weekly sessions for a period of four weeks equaling eight treatments. A significant clearance of both inflammatory and non inflammatory lesions is seen one month after the last session. The most significant results are seen approximately two months after the last session.

Green tea is another new treatment that has come into play. Known for its rich antioxidant power, green tea plays a vital role in removing oils from those clogged pores. It does this by helping to keep oil production down.

Should you buy anti aging supplements like Resveratrol is a question that I am often asked when discussing the benefits of nutritional supplements with people who contact me from any of my websites or when I am addressing a group of men and women.

Men and more so women find the prospect of turning back the clock an exciting proposition and it is for this reason more and more people have been attracted to buying Resveratrol anti aging supplements. It must seem very exciting the thought of taking a pill to make up for years of neglecting your health. Surely this is an opportunity to good to ignore and it is for this reason why Resveratrol is so popular at the moment. In fact the nutritional supplement industry as a whole is going through a boom period as people look for instant fixes with products like Resveratrol becoming increasingly popular.

How Effective is Resveratrol?

It should not be ignored with the rapid growth of the nutritional supplement industry that there have been an increasing number of complaints and many users of such supplements have brought into question the effectiveness of some of the supplements they are buying and using often on a day to day basis. This should come as no surprise really as these products are not designed to cure illnesses but rather to enhance life which is very hard to quantify.

Is The Information Provided Reliable?

So far there have not been dozens of complaints from people who buy anti aging supplement Resveratrol. This maybe for a couple of reasons firstly this anti aging supplement is not so well known as some others such as Acai Berry, COQ10 (Coenzyme Q10) and secondly there have been a lot of instances of people reporting favorable results to date in the press and even on shows like Oprah and 60 minutes.

This of course by its very nature poses one very clear problem how much of what is being reported is genuine and how much is sales speak used by the nutritional companies to hawk their products to the masses. I am pretty confident that there are at least some positive effects if you buy Resveratrol anti aging supplements but it’s far too early to know the long term outlook for this purported wonder drug.

Does Resveratrol Really Come From Red Wine?

A lot of Resveratrol created and sold both over the counter in stores like Wal-Mart, GNC and others like them and on the net is manufactured from a plant called Japanese Knotweed and not as many are led to believe produced from red wine or even grapes themselves. The main rationale being that Japanese Knotweed not only contains better value and better quality Resveratrol but it is far more cost effective to manufacture in this way.

What’s The Best Way To Try Resveratrol?

Having been using Resveratrol for a few years now I feel the best way to decide if it works for you is to try before your buy. This is easily done by taking one or more of the free trials that are available on the internet today. This way before you buy Resveratrol anti aging supplements on a regular basis you can try a few different formulations to see which if any suit you.

But Does It Actually Work?

Universities and research organizations across the world have been taking the use and effects of Resveratrol very seriously and most research is ongoing. What however is clear is that there is a growing amount of evidence to suggest that Resveratrol pills are at least effective in some way for some individuals.

Its not quite so easy to find any measurable evidence as to how well Resveratrol works on humans as much of the research done is on animals and the only evidence for its effectiveness on humans is at least questionable and unquantifiable in the form of testimonials. It is for this reason Resveratrol is sold only under the banner of “nutritional supplement” with all that brings regarding its ongoing control and regulation.

Watch the press and internet as with much research being carried new discoveries are being made all the time about Resveratrol anti aging supplements and those like them. Who knows instead of being just thought of as another ‘nutritional supplement’ Resveratrol or something similar could eventually become recognized as a true life improver even by the most cynical. I will tell you more about how this sort of research could one day change your life in a future article so speak again soon.

The change in weather means one thing is certain: we will be able to enjoy the outdoors again! Maybe your summer is full of adventures in grilling and watching the stars come out, or maybe you have more courageous outdoor plans, like rock climbing or river rafting. Whatever your hopes for summer, you will undoubtedly be assaulted by one of nature’s more irritating creatures: bugs. Without them, our ecosystems would not flourish, but it cannot be denied that dealing with mosquitoes and black flies can put a damper on summer fun. Happily, there are a number of essential oils that deter flying insects, leaving you free to bask in the fortunes of summer.

For years the only insect repellent that was easy to come by was DEET, a powerful chemical that has been known to cause problems in children and pregnant women. Because DEET is so effective, and side-effects on adults are low or unknown, it is found in almost all mainstream insect repellents. Many consumers are wary of slathering this noxious-smelling chemical on their skin, however, knowing it will enter the blood stream and must be processed by the liver and other internal organs. If dealing with DEET doesn’t sound appealing this summer, get ready to learn about how essential oils can do the same job with none of the scary side effects.

Let’s look at a few of the heavy-hitting essential oils in the insect repelling world of aromatherapy. First and foremost, citronella. We all know its reputation as a bug repellent. This bright green grass grows in warm climates and emits a strong bug-repelling aroma. It has a lemon-like scent that has come to remind us of summers past with a single whiff.

Citronella is not actually the best oil to use alone, however. Its power is magnified when it is combined with other essential oils, such as lemongrass, which it is related to, cedar wood, peppermint or geranium. Cedar wood, long-known for its ability to keep moths away from your wool sweaters, has a warm, pleasant scent that balances citronella’s astringent qualities. If you like the scent of peppermint, this affordable oil will also work beautifully with citronella and leave your environment smelling crisp and clean.

The geranium plant is well-known among gardeners as one of the plants of choice for natural insect control. This hardy plant smells wonderful and keeps bugs away to boot. Geranium oil is a fabulous oil to use with citronella if you’re craving a bright, floral scent. In fact, their natural relationship can be found in the species citronella geranium, a vivid green plant with large, ruffled leaves that can be smelled from yards away.

Essential oils can be applied as a bug-control mechanism in one of two ways: atmospherically or topically. A diffuser or nebulizer is the most effective way to get these oils circulating in the air, ensuring insects don’t come near. One or more of the oils listed above can be atomized, providing you and your family the uplifting benefits of aromatherapy while simultaneously protecting you in a no-fly zone. Additionally, if you do not have a diffuser, simply take twenty drops of essential oil in a small bottle, fill the rest with water, and manually mist the area.

Occasionally, especially if you’re traipsing around outdoors, a topical application of essential oils becomes important. This recipe, which combines the best oils listed above, can be mixed and then put in a sunscreen, mister or a lotion: 0.5 milliliters of both geranium and lemongrass, 0.75 milliliters of cedar, 1 milliliter of peppermint and 3 milliliters of citronella. If you want to use this blend on pre-teens, divide the concentration in half before placing in a carrier. Cut this blend in half once more and leave out the peppermint if you are using it on toddlers. For infants, use a 1% concentration of lemongrass and/or citronella alone. As with all essential oils, the skin should be tested prior to extensive use on the body. If your body responds well, enjoy! Also, adding witch hazel, a naturally-occurring preservative, adds a cooling quality to your misting blend.

Studies in pest management with essential oils are yielding a lot of exciting and surprising new information. While we may already be familiar with the more common insect-controlling oils, such as citronella and lemongrass, other oils are being investigated for their efficacy as well. A study conducted at Seoul National University suggested fennel essential oil might also be useful in deterring mosquitoes. This pleasant oil is not as harsh smelling as citronella or lemongrass and is easy to find. Another oil that does not readily come to mind as a mosquito repellent, but definitely shows promise, is clove. A group of researchers at Mahidol University in Thailand found that clove oil, when rubbed full-strength on the skin, provided 100% effectiveness against mosquito bites over a 2-4 hour time span. This same study found patchouli oil was a great repellent as well, giving two hours of protection when used undiluted.

One oil that comes out way ahead of the pack in terms of effectiveness in fighting insects is catnip. A recent study by the DuPont Company found that this plant, also known as catmint, is the best essential oil defense out there in the struggle with insects. If used in a 15% concentration in a carrier, catnip can fight insects for 4 to 8 hours. Research has even demonstrated that catnip beats DEET in its ability to ward off bugs. The punch line, though, is this: catnip oil is pricey. If you want to see it at work, try it in small doses and confirm that your insect neighbors hate it and that your calico doesn’t lick your arm off.

Your chances of skating through the summer months without a single mosquito bite are slim, even if you are diligently using your preventative blends. Should you find yourself with an insatiably itchy bite, don’t fret. Lavender and blue tansy oils are well-known anti-itch medicines. Lavender can be applied directly to the skin and provides instant relief. Blue tansy should be diluted to a 2% concentration in a lotion or carrier oil and then massaged into the skin. Both of these oils smell good to many people, providing a nice change from the pink calamine lotion many of us endured as children.

With so many oils to choose from, it’s no longer necessary to smell like citronella all summer if you don’t want to. While aroma has the power to attract or repel any insect, animal or human with a scent organ, field research is definitely on our side when it comes to finding the exact formula for politely requesting that unwanted pests stay away from our sensitive skin. Aromatherapy applications have also come a long way in the last ten years; we have ultra-efficient and attractive diffusers and a wide variety of carrier oils and lotions to get the essential oils where they need to be. This year, before succumbing to more harsh insect repellents, consider the repertoire of aromatic oils that is easily available and create your own bug-displacing blend. Your nose will thank you.