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Whether you want to get rid of scar marks or pigmentation, improve skin tone or look younger ZenMed is the number one choice among many for resolving skin problems.

ZenMed has developed a two-part system that treats existing scars, pits or discolorations in the skin.

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User Feedback

Below is actual unsolicited and unbiased feedback from consumer reviews of this product – found on various forums, blogs and social media sites. Feedback is only included here when the commenter has no bias or incentive.

My skin was covered in scars until I found this treatment. I had acne all over my arms and shoulders and was scared to wear a bathing suit. I ordered the Scar Treatment Kit and within about  5 weeks I could go out swimming with my kids. Clear smooth skin is what I’ve always wanted.

Thank you,
Trish J.

The product is well worth it. I used the scar and hyperpigmentation kit as well as the three step system. My skin has never looked better. My skin is healthy, clear and smooth. I have tried Proactiv and acne free. Nether worked for me and this product has changed my life.”

http://answers.yahoo.com/

“… Its the best treatment kit I have used and found effective for treating scars, dark spots, aging skin and skin wrinkles after only a 4 to 5 treatments .… “

Portion of user comment at reviewcentre.com

“… Zenmed … is the best product to heal any scar marks … I feel comfortable in giving it an excellent review, speaking from personal experience …”

Portion of user comment at rateitall.com

“I’ve suffered from acne for most of my life and after taking a prescription medication for over a year, my acne went away. As happy as I was, I noticed that years of fighting acne had left some pretty nasty scars behind. I looked for a treatment that wouldn’t cost hundreds of dollars but would treat my scars quickly and easily. I came across your website and purchased the Scar Treatment Kit. The two products came within about 10 days and I was really surprised about how easy they were to use. Within about three weeks the scars started to fade away and today, six months later, my skin is smooth and soft and I look a lot younger than my real age. Which I won’t say. What I will say is thank you Zenmed!”

Joanne T.

I can see that its working for me. I feel that this acne treatment deserves an excellent review as well as recommendation from my side, speaking from personal experience. Simply amazing its a must buy for clearing acne scars.

Portion of actual user review on Acne.org

Myth #1: Acne is not caused by diet. This is one of the most common acne myths that dermatology textbooks will emphasize. They often state, emphatically, that eating sugary foods such as candy, cookies and cakes or fried foods such as french fries, onion rings or potato chips make no difference.

This ‘fact’ has been the dermatologist’s company line for many decades. Naturally one would assume that many clinical studies had been carried out on the subject to back up these claims, how else could the scientific community have reached this unanimous decision? You would be wrong to assume this is correct. This long time misconception was built on just a handful of poorly-designed studies.

The main study that supports the diet-doesn’t-affect-acne myth was done over 40 years ago and was highly flawed. Two groups of teenage acne sufferers were given specifically manufactured candy bars. Group 1 was given bars with high amounts and chocolate and group 2 received bars with high levels of vegetable oil. Both groups were then observed for a thirty-day period. Because the bars had the same caloric value it was claimed that the study was controlled. Using a bit of common sense shows the flaws in the study’s design.

First of all:

1. There is no mention of the teenagers’ diets at the beginning of the study. This leads to endless questions – were they fast food junkies? did they also eat a lot of chocolate, pizza, carbonated beverages and candy? None of these questions were asked.

2. The teenager’s were already suffering from acne. Therefore, introducing candy bars provided no insight into what caused the acne to begin with. The study didn’t address the unique set of conditions that existed for each of the participants
and what contributed to their disease. The most the examiners could hope for, under these testing conditions, was to discover what impact the two types of candy bars might have on the teens’ existing acne.

3. The testers provided for no controls of what the teens ate during the study! This fact alone creates a real problem when evaluating the merit of the studies findings. This makes the term ‘controlled study’ absolutely false.

So it’s no surprise that the findings concluded that neither group of teens showed any change in their condition after eating the candy bars for the month.

This poorly designed study has lead to one of the greatest, and most-perpetuated, myths in dermatology and has deprived acne sufferers of the knowledge that what they eat does have an effect on their condition.

Acne is an inflammatory disease and all acne lesions are inflammatory. A poor diet, one full of pro-inflammatory foods, will cause the body to break down and age prematurely, leaving it susceptible to a variety of diseases including acne. This is just plain common sense. Please take a look at some further reading on a proper acne diet.

Myth #2: Acne is caused by poor hygiene. Acne is not caused by dirt or surface oils. Your follicles do not get blocked from the skin surface down by a build up of “impurities”. If you wash your skin harshly and too often, you can actually worsen your acne by irritating the skin. Gently wash your face once or twice a day with a mild acne soap, pat dry and use an effective acne medication.

Myth #3: Acne is only a cosmetic disease. Although acne does affect the way people look and is not otherwise a major threat to a person’s physical health, acne can result in scars. Scars, and acne itself, can definitely affect one’s self image. Fortunately, there are a growing number of acne scar removal options.

Myth #4: Acne just has to run its course. The truth is there are many options for clearing up acne . If the acne products you’ve tried to date haven’t worked you can always consider visiting a dermatologist. With the wide variety of products on the market today there is no reason to endure acne or risk an acne scar.

Myth #5: The sun will help get rid of acne. There is no proof of this. Sun exposure can cause skin irritation which can worsen acne. You may even notice your skin breaking out as it heals from any sun damage. Sun exposure is not all bad, we do get vitamin D from it, for instance. However, limiting your sun exposure on acne prone areas is most likely a good idea, but a limited amount is certainly okay.

Myth #6: Masturbation or sex causes acne. Truly a myth. It originated in the 1600’s as a dishonest attempt to dissuade young people from having premarital sex. It has absolutely no scientific basis. We do know that higher levels of male androgens (like testosterone) can lead to an increased sex drive. Studies have also proven that higher levels of these male hormones can be related to increased acne. So it’s not the increased sex drive that is related to acne but the higher hormone levels that are another cause.

Myth #7: Stress doesn’t cause acne. This one is debated but there is evidence that when we are under stress a chemical messenger called a cytokine can cause the cells within the pores to become sticky which results in clogged pores. However, effective acne treatments are more powerful than a bout of short term stress. Rather than feeling guilty about stress, your time is better spent finding the right acne treatment.

Myth #8: Popping Pimples will get rid of acne. Though popping a pimple may seem like a good idea, it can cause the lesion to remain longer. Popping pimples can push bacteria deeper into your skin, making the area around the break-out even more inflamed. Sometimes, popping a pimple will cause a scar to form that could last for months and some scars and imperfections can last forever.

Myth #9: Overusing medication will speed healing. Using too much OTC or prescription medication can lead to worsening of acne since it often leads to irritation, dryness and more break outs. Keep in mind that prescription acne medication, when taken as directed, often requires several weeks to provide a noticeable effect (Accutane is normally prescribed for a 20 week course). If your condition doesn’t improve, usually by 6 to 8 weeks, you should consider talking to a dermatologist.

Myth #10: The stronger the medication, the better. Some acne suferrers believe that if a 2.5% benzoyl peroxide solution is working, then a 10% solution will work even better. The truth is, if a lower dose is working well, then increasing it will not necessarily have a better effect on your acne and may only end up costing you more money. Remember, the lowest level of medication with therapeutic value is usually to best way to go, stronger treatments should be reserved for more severe cases such as acne vulgaris.

Myth #11: Drying out your skin will heal your acne. Our skin surface needs a certain level of sebum (oil) and products that over-dry your skin will just cause an increased production of oil. Trying to strip all oil from your skin is one of the greatest acne myths, it will often just make it red with irritation and can worsen acne.

Acnescarremovalguide.net does not contain information about all diseases, nor does it contain all information that may be relevant to a particular medical or health condition. The information offered by acnescarremovalguide.net is not intended to replace, in any way, the medical advice that can be provided by a physician or other medical professional.Please consult your physician with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.

Acnescarremovalguide.net is not liable for any outcome or damages resulting from information obtained from us in either direct or indirect form. Access to any products through this website are done at your own risk. Acnescarremovalguide.net, its agents, officers, and employees accept no responsibility for such materials and you agree to hold them free from liability for any damages, direct or indirect, resulting from such materials.

Let food be thy medicine, thy medicine shall be thy food

For years most dermatologists agreed that genetics, not diet, was the primary contributing factor to acne.

However, a study published in July, 2007 by Australia’s RMIT University and the Royal Melbourne Hospital’s Department of Dermatology has discovered what is being hailed as a “solid link” between diet and acne development.

The randomized, controlled trial involved 43 teenage boys following two different diets over a 12 week period. Researchers studied metabolic changes in glucose and insulin levels due to the volunteers diet and the resulting effect on the skin.

It concluded that a protein-based, low-glycemic index (GI) diet could significantly reduce acne lesion counts when compared with the conventional high-carb, high-GI Western diet.

One of the researchers, Dr Robyn Smith was quoted as saying:

“A diet designed to fight acne should contain minimally refined carbohydrate-based foods and include a wide variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, fish and seafood.”

It is becoming increasingly clear that a host of disease processes – including heart disease, many cancers, acne, diabetes and Alzheimers – are influenced to a large extent by chronic inflammation.

Inflammation is a systemic (body-wide) process in which the body’s immune system is off balance and persistent in its efforts to repair itself and repel disease. Over the longer term this process results in damage to healthy tissue as well.

What does this have to do with acne? Everything! When we consume foods that cause a strong inflammatory response we are creating this response at the cellular level. An anti-inflammatory diet is designed to prevent a rapid rise in blood sugar. Why is this important? Because a rapid rise in blood sugar causes an insulin response which, in turn, causes an inflammatory response.

In the case of acne diets, the foods we choose are just as important as those we avoid. We are not talking about a weight loss diet in the popular sense either or one that you stay on for a specific period of time. Rather, its a way of selecting and preparing foods that will not be rapidly converted into sugar (as all foods are) while digested.

Remember: If you want to have clear, healthy skin blood sugar levels need to be carefully regulated.

Almost everyone knows that eating sweets such as candy, cakes and cookies will cause a rise in blood sugar levels. However, there are also a lot of other foods, not considered sweets, that are rapidly converted into sugar as well. In fact, there are many pro-inflammatory foods that appear at first would be good choices. A few examples are: bagels, peas, rice, pasta, muffins, fruit juices, processed cereals – the list goes on.

These simple starches are quickly broken down into sugars in your digestive system. After that they act the same as sweet foods, causing a rapid rise in blood sugar, triggering an insulin response followed by inflammation at the cellular level.

So how do we tell which foods are rapidly converted into sugar? The glycemic index rates foods on an arbitrary scale from zero to one hundred. Water is zero and table sugar is 100. You should try to avoid foods rated above fifty. Proteins and fats generally rate low, while starchy foods and sugars rate higher.

Quantity is also important if we eat too much at one sitting, even if the food is low on the glycemic index, it will cause a rise in blood sugar and increased acne flare-ups.

Many of the anti-inflammatory foods are excellent sources of essential fatty acids (the good fats). Omega 3s produce powerful anti-inflammatory effects through the production of prostaglandins which work to regulate the body’s inflammatory response.

These fatty acids are found in many foods and dietary supplements, the best are: flax seed (ground), walnuts, salmon, soybeans, halibut, shrimp, snapper, tofu, scallops, winter squash.

Fresh fruits and vegetables also possess excellent anti-inflammatory properties. The brightest colored ones have the strongest anti-inflammatory properties.

The bad fats (to avoid) are the polyunsaturated (high in fat) and partly hydrogenated fats and oils. These lead to the production of pro-inflammatory prostaglandins. These are present in most processed foods.

Trans fats should be strictly avoided as they are highly pro-inflammatory. They are commonly found in baked goods, french fries, cookies, chips, crackers and snack foods. Trans fats are not natural, they are man-made. Look for the words ‘partially hydrogenated’ on food packaging.

Water (8 – 10 glasses a day) also exerts an anti-inflammatory effect on our bodies. When combined with the right diet, proper quantities of water produce a rapid reduction of inflammation in the body with visible effects on acne.

Getting enough water can be every bit as important as eating high quality protein, essential fatty acids and low-glycemic, antioxidant-rich carbohydrates.

Here are some other tips to keep in mind when beginning an anti-inflammatory acne diet:

• Eat salmon (especially wild Alaskan) and other cold-water fish, they are an excellent source of protein. Our bodies need good protein sources to repair cells, strengthen the immune system and fight off disease. Salmon also contains high levels of omega-3 essential fatty acids. These promote anti-inflammatory activity and when eaten with other nutritious foods this anti-inflammatory effect can have a profound change on the course of acne.
• Use extra virgin olive oil, it contains a fat called oleic acid which helps the body absorb essential fatty acids more efficiently. It also contains a powerful anti-oxidant, called hydroxytyrosol, that has powerful anti-inflammatory activity.
• Choose brightly colored fruits and vegetables – when you’re making a salad choose the darker green lettuce, like romaine, rather than paler iceberg. Add in garlic, onions, broccoli and dark, leafy greens. Try adding extra virgin olive oil with the juice of a fresh lemon for a dressing. These choices will provide plenty of anti-oxidants as well as anti-inflammatories.
• Use organic eggs from free-range hens from your local health food store. These eggs are higher in omega-3 essential fatty acids.
• Use mixed berries such as blueberries, raspberries and strawberries make a great dessert especially when combined with fresh melon like cantaloupe. Also notice the strong colors of these foods.
• Chicken, turkey, soy products and (occasionally) beef are also good protein choices.
• Substitute tofu or tempeh for chicken or fish.
• Instead of using rice try whole barley or whole oats. They can also be used in any other dish like soups or stir fries where you would normally use rice.
• Chopped nuts and ground flax seed added to a salad or yogurt are great sources of high quality, essential fatty acids.
• Try drinking green tea (hot or iced) – it is known to encourage feelings of well being and also helps in the metabolisation of fat.

General aims of an anti-inflammatory diet:

Include as much fresh food as possible.
Minimize your consumption of processed foods and fast food as much as possible.
Eat an abundance of fruits and vegetables.

Acne vulgaris is a natural consequence of what makes men as we know them. That’s because one of the key factors that lead to acne vulgaris is increased sebum production, a direct result of increases in the male hormone – in both men and women – during puberty.

Abnormal blockage of the hair follicle opening may be the causative factor that is acne’s smoking gun. This blockage is thought to result from an increased amount of sticky keratin due to hormonal changes and the increase in sebum production. These keratin cells accumulate in the hair follicle canal directly above the opening of the oil gland duct, resulting in a plug formation known as a microcomedone.

This microcomedone then enlarges just below the surface of the skin in the pore itself. Later it becomes visible as a closed comedone, or whitehead, which is a firm white papule. If, however, the pore dilates, an open comedone, or blackhead, will occur.

Further, enlargement of the open comedone can cause the pore to enlarge further, resulting in the large pores often seen in patients with acne. Although these open and closed comedones, blackheads, and whitehead themselves are not inflammatory, they set the stage for inflammatory lesions that may occur.

Another important cause of acne is a bacterium known as Propionibacterium acnes (often referred to simply as P. acnes.). This tiny germ normally lives happily in the oil gland yet plays a significant role by producing substances that contribute to the inflammation of acne. As this bacterium incites inflammation in the follicle the wall of the hair follicle becomes thinner and eventually may rupture. When this happens you get yet another manifestation of acne: the red, hot bump or papule.

Once it actually ruptures, a bit like a volcano in turmoil, a much larger inflammatory red papule or pustule may develop, a lesion that can be very tender.

But acne is not exclusively an inside job. Oil-based makeup and hair gels, hormonal changes that occur in the premenstrual period and pregnancy can make things worse, as can frequent manipulation of skin lesions. In fact, one of the commandments of dermatology is: Do not pick. Picking your face can make lesions worse and, of greater concern, can lead to discoloration and even acne scarring.

Treating Acne Vulgaris

Acne vulgaris is certainly treatable and should be. Remember, if left untreated it may lead to acne scars that can last a lifetime. The cost of treating acne, whether you have insurance or not, should not be an impediment to therapy. An entire year of topical therapy for mild to moderate acne may cost as little as $60 to about $250.

If you have more severe acne and require something like Accutane, treatment is more expensive – including medication costs, blood tests, and doctor visits, it can run over $2,500 for a twenty week course. On the other hand, if it works, the nice thing about Accutane is you may never need treatment again.

A warning about Accutane: isotretinoin can cause severe birth defects. Unfortunately, many of the people who would benefit most from Accutane are women of child-bearing age, so special precautions are needed when using this drug. Accutane side effects can occur over its normal twenty-week course.

In treating acne, an extensive history should be taken to determine how you wash your face and what substances you have been putting on it, since many of these can irritate your skin and worsen the acne. Next, an exam of your skin will result in an inventory of the type of acne lesions you have. That will help in rating the severity and developing a treatment plan.

Basic management steps include washing with gentle soaps or nonsoap cleansers such as Cetaphil and decreasing the frequency of moisturisation. Remember, one of the causes of acne is the oil your own glands produce. Why import extra oil to the scene of the potential disaster? It’s okay to use moisturisers but they must be specifically designed for people with acne. Such products will often say “non-comedogenic” (won’t cause pimples) or ‘oil-free’ on their labels.

Several topical agents can correct the abnormal accumulation of keratin in the hair follicles; this decreases the amount of follicular plugging, thus getting at one of the causes of acne. Such acne medication includes:

• Retin-A (tretinoin, a form of vitamin A that has been chemically altered).
• Differin (adapalene gel).
• Benzoyl peroxide, which comes in may formulations and a range of brands.

Benzoyl peroxide is available over-the-counter in low concentrations while Retin-A and Differin require a prescription. Benzoyl peroxide kills the bacteria of acne better than any topical or oral antibiotic, and because it kills P. acnes by producing oxygen (P. acnes cannot survive in the presence of oxygen), the bacteria never develops a resistance to it. Benzoyl peroxide is the cheapest, most effective over-the-counter acne remedy.

More than 50 years ago, X-ray was used to treat acne. It was thought it would dry up the oil glands. It was even used to remove facial hair, and it worked. Fast-forward to today and guess what? Patients who received radiation to the face for these purposes now have an increased incidence of skin cancer.

Salicylic acid can be used alone or along with a sulfur product. It works as an anti-inflammatory agent and is an excellent first-line choice for mild acne. It is the active ingredient in many over-the-counter drying agents.

Oral antibiotics may be a good approach to managing acne because they seem to strike at P. acnes, the bacterial instigator of the problem. Tetracycline is considered ‘the old standby’. It is inexpensive and works well, but some patients do experience tetracycline side effects.

Minocycline, a once-a-day medication (which makes it easier to remember to take), can be very effective, but does have rare side effects such as discoloring the skin and dizziness. If you will benefit from minocyclin, most dermatologists consider these side effects well within the reasonable risk-benefit ratio. Read more about minocycline side effects.

Tetracyline and minocycline also possess anti-inflammatory properties apart from killing bacteria, which may play a role in calming down inflamed acne lesions. Whatever your treatment plan, none of the medications will work if they stay in your medicine cabinet. Managing acne is a daily task. Your body makes new acne lesions daily, so it makes sense to fight it daily with total compliance to the prescribed plan. And remember: Don’t pick!!

Once acne lesions clear they may leave behind either scars or a dark or light patch on the skin. The scarring that results from acne can often be bothersome and permanent, so it is best to get your acne under control while the getting is good. The dark and lighter discoloration in the skin is a result of the skin’s reaction to the inflammation of the acne lesions. This discoloration often does fade, but it may take many months to do so. It does not indicate that the acne is still active.

Very often, after the flare settles down redness may persist for many months from acne vulgaris, depending on your skin type. If you are fair, redness would not be surprising; if you are more darkly complected hyperpigmentation may result.