Reader Asks:

Does argan oil help with melasma, fine lines and wrinkles or acne scars?

FGS Answers:

Argan oil is packed with antioxidants and essential fatty acids, making it a valuable ingredient in diminishing signs of aging.  While it is very emollient, argan oil is quickly absorbed by the skin and leaves behind no greasy residue, but can be too heavy for those with thinner skin and small pores.  Oily skin types and those prone to acne seem to benefit most by this oil.  Argan oil balances the skin’s natural oil production and does not clog pores, making it a suitable choice for those with acne.

Argan oil is good for acne prone skin as it helps to balance the skin’s sebum production and moisturizes skin to help prevent blemishes.

~Jalila Bouchareb, Amal Oils

Argan oil is high in Vitamin E which reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and keeps skin soft and smooth.  Vitamin E is also beneficial in fading stretch marks and scarring.  I have not personally heard of anyone using argan oil for treatment of melasma, a skin condition (often hormonal) that causes dark discoloration of the skin.  Dermatologists report melasma can be caused by certain birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy and/or being pregnant (chloasma).  Chloasma may disappear after giving birth.  Talking with your doctor about switching birth control or other medications may be beneficial in treating melasma.  Proper sun protection is very important in decreasing the severity of any skin discoloration.

Read more Feelgood Style articles on argan oil.

[Woman with question mark image via Shutterstock]

More on Feelgood Style:

1. Argan Oil a True Beauty
2. The Miracle Health and Beauty Benefits Of Argan Oil
3. Argan Oil Benefits Women
4. Amal Oils 100% Argan Oil, Amazing Multi-Use Product
5. 10 Uses for Organic Argan Oil

Article source: http://feelgoodstyle.com/2012/01/27/argan-oil-for-wrinkles-acne-scars-or-melasma/

SACRAMENTO, CA, Jan 26, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) –
As the skin ages, women might notice new skin concerns, like age
spots and fine lines. Acne and oily skin are also likely for women in
middle age, especially while they’re going through menopause. The
latest article by Skincare-News.com Fashion for Mature Women: 5
Anti-Aging and Beauty Tips offers tips on combating frustrating skin
problems and developing an age-appropriate new wardrobe and beauty
routine that is ideal for mature women.

Many women get into the habit of using the same tried-and-true
products on their skin, no matter what happens. But a good skincare
regimen should constantly change to incorporate both seasonal and
age-related skin transitions. How should women alter their skincare
regimens to address issues like rosacea or adult acne? To find out
more, visit Skincare-News.com or click
skincare-news.com/a-9092-Clean_Up_Your_Act_5_Habits_to_Ditch_for_the_New_Year.aspx

Even women who had oily skin in their teens can end up with dry skin
later on in life. Symptoms like itchiness, flaking or tightness might
mean that it’s time to change to a more hydrating skincare regimen.
What types of moisturizers should women with ultra-dry skin consider?
To find out more, visit Skincare-News.com or click
skincare-news.com/a-9092-Clean_Up_Your_Act_5_Habits_to_Ditch_for_the_New_Year.aspx

Unfortunately, acne can crop up again as women reach menopause, when
hormones are constantly fluctuating. Adult acne is a common problem,
and while it isn’t complicated to create a regimen for acne-prone
skin, many adults make the mistake of using treatment products meant
for teenage skin. What type of products are created specifically for
adult acne? To find out more, visit Skincare-News.com or click
skincare-news.com/a-9092-Clean_Up_Your_Act_5_Habits_to_Ditch_for_the_New_Year.aspx

Find answers to all these questions and much more on specialized
anti-aging skincare and makeup concerns at Skincare-News.com or
skincare-news.com/a-9092-Clean_Up_Your_Act_5_Habits_to_Ditch_for_the_New_Year.aspx

Skincare-News.com consistently covers all skincare and beauty topics
from head to toe. Check out these latest articles:

“Clean Up Your Act: 5 Habits to Ditch for the New Year”
skincare-news.com/a-9092-Clean_Up_Your_Act_5_Habits_to_Ditch_for_the_New_Year.aspx

Better skincare is about more than just finding the right products;
lifestyle factors play a huge part in how the skin looks and feels.
From product overuse and treating the skin like a science experiment
to neglecting crucial parts of the body, it’s easy to slack on good
skincare. This article discusses five bad habits that many women are
guilty of when it comes to skincare, and how to make amends for
healthier skin.

“Prevent Menopause Symptoms Now: 6 Ways to Maintain Healthy Skin”
skincare-news.com/a-9038-Prevent_Menopause_Symptoms_Now_6_Ways_to_Maintain_Healthy_Skin.aspx

Hot flashes and hormonal changes are well-known side effects of
menopause, but skin related changes like dryness, age spots and
wrinkles can come as a surprise to many women. Developing good
skincare habits now can help women take control of their skincare
regimen and maintain healthy skin during menopause, and beyond.

“Escape From the Office: Eight Lunchtime Treatments”
skincare-news.com/a-8475-Escape_From_the_Office_Eight_Lunchtime_Treatments.aspx

Looking for a way to make the workday a bit more relaxing? Whether a
woman is in a high-powered position or working her way up the
corporate ladder, there’s no better way to break up the workday than
by sneaking away to the spa. Increasingly, salons and spas are
expanding their offerings of quick treatments designed to pamper the
working professional. Discover eight pampering experiences that’ll
have a busy professional in and out and back to the office in an hour
or less.

“10 Beauty Tips for the Business Traveler”
skincare-news.com/a-8339-10_Beauty_Tips_for_the_Business_Traveler.aspx

Frequent travelers know how easy it is to sidestep their normal
skincare habits. Last-minute plane changes, flight delays, sub-par
hotels and gas station coffee — for a seasoned traveler, it’s all
just part of everyday life. But sacrificing daily formulas for days
at a time could lead to a less effective regimen. Discover easy ways
to create a routine that’s ideal for travel.

“Dessert for the Skin: 10 Delicious DIY Skin Recipes”
skincare-news.com/a-7696-Dessert_for_the_Skin_10_Delicious_DIY_Skin_Recipes.aspx

Good news! Those favorite dessert foods might have some health
benefits. Chocolate, vanilla, mint, honey, almond, orange, lemon,
strawberries, coffee, wine — do these sound like the offerings at a
delicious party buffet? Actually, these are all ingredients that can
be used in homemade, luxurious skin treatments. Find out what each of
these ingredients can do for the skin and how to make decadent DIY
treatments. Plus, for people short on time, we’ve included a variety
of ready-made treats that contain these great ingredients.

“How to Nourish Your Skin From the Outside In”
skincare-news.com/a-7407-How_to_Nourish_Your_Skin_From_the_Outside_In.aspx

To maintain great-looking skin, it’s important to include nourishing
ingredients in a daily skin care routine. Certain ingredients –
including vitamins and nutrients — can give skin the gorgeous glow
of good health and youth. Discover how these ingredients work and
where to find them. Check out this inside look at some essential
vitamins and nutrients that promote healthy, ageless skin from the
outside in.

About Skincare-News.com — “Your Source for Intelligent Skin Care”

Skincare-News.com is the online source for consumers seeking
intelligent beauty and skin care news, advice, tips and articles.
Founded in 2005, Skincare-News.com features articles, news items and
frequently asked questions on skincare and beauty-related issues.
Skincare-News.com is located in Sacramento, California, but receives
visitors from all around the world. For more information, visit

http://www.skincare-news.com

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Article source: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/anti-aging-beauty-skincare-newscom-presents-fashion-tips-for-mature-women-2012-01-26

IN THE MIRROR

Pimples are habitual. Although more seen during your teenage years, they continue to pay a visit at any age, anytime and without any notice. It’s all good, okay, at least tolerable, if they come and go quickly. The problem occurs when they leave a mark on our face after they’re gone. And of course with time, as more acne appears, the chances of more scarring increases. What’s worse? If you don’t treat acne scars swiftly, they’re likely to stay with you forever. For those of you are thinking time will do the trick, you may be right _ only if you are in your younger years when the body is quick to recover. As an adult, it’s best to procrastinate no more, and get a scarring treatment system right away, before chaos ensues.

WHEN DO PIMPLES LEAVE SCARS BEHIND?

There are multiple grades of pimples. The mildest and common ones are small and tiny bumps of comedones such as blackheads and whiteheads. Another form of mild acne are small papules or red, inflamed, tender bumps with no head. More severe ones are pimples or cyst, which are pus-filled. While a mild pimple or clusters of pimples may just be temporary guests, cystic acne can be far more severe and highly prone to permanent scarring unless you take care, and avoid scratching or squeezing. Finally the severe type of acne that is almost definitely going to leave a scar is the big boils you get on your face.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF SEVERE ACNE?

Cystic acne strikes males more than females, but it can occur in either gender. If there is a family tendency to have the condition, parents of those entering their teens should be on the lookout for symptoms such a reddening of the skin or visible skin lesions.

Other factors causing severe acne are the same as those for other forms of acne. All types of acne often occur due to overactive oil glands, which means your sebaceous or fat glands are very active in producing oil on the skin. This excess oil can clog the pores, blocking bacteria inside. Hormonal imbalance and stress often stimulate the sebaceous gland activity. Acne also comes from excess dead skin cells within the hair follicle or pores. Externally acne can be caused by clogging pores with too much cream or cosmetics.

HOW WOULD YOU TREAT ACNE SCARS?

Firstly you need to know you can’t get rid of acne scars 100%. It can only be lessened by about 50-70%, depending on how aggressive you go with the treatments. And these treatments are not permanent, because if you continue to have acne, you’ll be prone to the scars again.

For mild scarring, needle rollers can be used to stimulate collagen on the surface. Chemical peeling or applying chemical to the skin also helps by taking off the top layer of skin and giving it a chance to replenish itself while also stimulating a little bit of collagen on the surface.

If you want real improvement for severe scars, then you have the choice of laser resurfacing. This is primarily used to get rid of nasty wrinkles and scars that appear on the surface of the skin. The laser emits a power beam of light that burns affected skin away. An even more efficient technology would be Sublative Rejuvenation which uses can go deeper than traditional laser heat your subcutaneous dermal tissue, breaking the sebum cycle that causes active acne to form. It also works to contracts and restructures collagen, resulting in skin tightening and improved skin quality. It’s also great for the reason that it doesn’t really have downtime, pigmentation or scarring and very little side effects.

I’VE ALSO HEARD OF TREATING SCARRING WITH DERMABRASION. HOW EFFECTIVE IS THAT?

Dermabrasion was more common in the past, but not so much anymore. The procedure needs to be performed by a highly skilled doctor and hygiene vice, there’s lots of blood splattering. With laser you know exactly how deep you want to go and can adjust the energy to be as deep as you want to fix, as for dermabrasion although you can do this, it’s not as precise. I’d would just say, for red scars it’s good to get a laser done, for severe scars usually fractional radio frequency works best, for indented scars, fillers do the magic and for ice pick scars nothing really helps. But this is just a general statement. Depending on each individual case, it may differ and sometimes you’ll need a combination of treatments.

HOW CAN I AVOID THE RECURRENCE OF ACNE?

If all of these techniques and treatment options have your head spinning, do your best to prevent adult acne, before it gets to an uncontrollable point. If the cause is hyperactive of sebaceous gland then you may have to may have to consider medication that reduces its activity. If your lifestyle induces acne, such as too much sun exposure, cream or make up, then try and go low on it.

Dr Nantapat Supannachart is an American Board-certified dermatologist and laser surgeon. Call 080-500-0123 or visit www.apexprofoundbeauty.com.

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About the author

Writer: Dr Nantapat Supapannachart
Position: Writer

Article source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/lifestyle/family/276893/scars-scars-go-afar

Ambicare Health is unveiling the Lustre Pure Light at the International Master Course on Ageing trade show in Paris.

All 500 of the first batch have been bought on pre-order by skincare clinics and private health practices, including Aberdeen’s Temple Aesthetics and Medicalternatives in Edinburgh.

Article source: http://www.heraldscotland.com/business/company-news/acne-treatment-breakthrough.16585705

Photo: Getty Images

How would you like to “see” your dermatologist via your computer instead of going to a traditional office visit? As health care has become more expensive, managing certain conditions through e-visits has become a worthy option to consider. A 2010 study tested this idea and came away with these results.

The study involved 151 patients with mild to moderate facial acne who each were first examined with an initial office visit where researchers took three baseline photographs of their faces.

Subjects assigned to the online group were given digital cameras and instructed on how to take photographs at home, to be compared with their baseline ones. E-visit patients received four online visits as follow up while the control group attended four in-office visits.

The study had some notable results. Of the 54 patients who participated in the online visits, 39 needed to resubmit photos due to poor quality or other technical errors (problems uploading).

Twenty percent of the online group dropped out, which statistically was not outside of what was estimated, but did indicate to the researchers that those who are motivated to participate in e-visits need time and encouragement to adapt to this new practice.

At the same time, most subjects of the e-visit group felt their dermatologist could assess their acne just as well online as in person (76 percent), that questions and concerns were addressed equally as well (83 percent) and 91 percent would consider using e-visits again. Dermatologists were more likely to report a greater desire to manage the patient visits online versus in their office.

The online visits and in-office visits took about the same amount of time though on average, patients spent 22 minutes waiting to be seen in the office and almost half of the office visit patients spent between 30 and 60 minutes traveling to the office.

The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) supports enhanced-access physician-patient interactions through a secure electronic means, provided that the patient has previously received care from the physician.

We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what’s worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.

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Article source: http://www.empowher.com/skin-hair-amp-nails/content/acne-treatment-through-e-visits-online

A New Zealand developed medication for acne has been approved for sale in America.

Douglas Pharmaceuticals, which was founded in 1967 by Sir Graeme Douglas, has announced today it has gained Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval to sell its NZ-developed acne medication called isotretinoin, in the United States.

The company has been trying for around 10 years to break into the US acne medication market which it estimates is currently worth around $US400 million (NZ$494 million).

“This is a huge breakthrough for us and for New Zealand which will benefit from the increased export earnings,” Douglas Pharmaceuticals director, Jeff Douglas said.

“We believe our isotretinoin is the first NZ-developed human medicine to be approved for use in the US.

“It’s our biggest export product and is the market leader in Spain, Austria, Germany and Mexico.

“Isotretinoin is sold as a prescription-medicine in New Zealand under the brand name Oratane.”

Douglas said the US market took longer to approve the drug than other countries but the market potential is “very exciting” as the US is the largest pharmaceutical market in the world.

The company has recently conducted clinical research to try and extend the product’s use.

“Although the product has been around for about 30 years, we’ve been coming up with new ways to use it. It’s normally indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe acne,” Douglas said.

Douglas Pharmaceuticals expects the first US orders will be despatched next month and a consumer launch is likely around April-May.

The company currently has another three NZ-developed products under review by the FDA.

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Article source: http://tvnz.co.nz/business-news/nz-acne-drug-sold-in-america-4700892?ref=rss

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Article source: http://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/business/6308000/Acne-treatment-gets-US-approval

A New Zealand developed medication for acne has been approved for sale in America.

Douglas Pharmaceuticals, which was founded in 1967 by Sir Graeme Douglas, has announced today it has gained Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval to sell its NZ-developed acne medication called isotretinoin, in the United States.

The company has been trying for around 10 years to break into the US acne medication market which it estimates is currently worth around $US400 million (NZ$494 million).

“This is a huge breakthrough for us and for New Zealand which will benefit from the increased export earnings,” Douglas Pharmaceuticals director, Jeff Douglas said.

“We believe our isotretinoin is the first NZ-developed human medicine to be approved for use in the US.

“It’s our biggest export product and is the market leader in Spain, Austria, Germany and Mexico.

“Isotretinoin is sold as a prescription-medicine in New Zealand under the brand name Oratane.”

Douglas said the US market took longer to approve the drug than other countries but the market potential is “very exciting” as the US is the largest pharmaceutical market in the world.

The company has recently conducted clinical research to try and extend the product’s use.

“Although the product has been around for about 30 years, we’ve been coming up with new ways to use it. It’s normally indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe acne,” Douglas said.

Douglas Pharmaceuticals expects the first US orders will be despatched next month and a consumer launch is likely around April-May.

The company currently has another three NZ-developed products under review by the FDA.

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Article source: http://tvnz.co.nz/business-news/nz-acne-drug-sold-in-america-4700892

NEW YORK—Overweight girls in their late teens were twice as likely as their normal-weight peers to report having a lot of acne in a large new survey of Norwegian teenagers that did not find the same link in boys.

Some 3,600 young people in Oslo, aged 18 and 19, provided information on their pimples, weight, diet and other health and lifestyle factors.

Only about a tenth of the girls and 15 percent of the boys fell into the overweight or obese categories, based on their body mass index (a measure of weight relative to height).

But among the overweight and obese girls, 19 out of every 100 said they had experienced a lot of acne in the past week, compared to 13 of every 100 normal-weight girls who reported recent acne

When the researchers took into account other potential influences, such as diet, smoking and “mental distress,” they determined that overweight and obese girls were twice as likely to have acne.

Among the boys, acne afflicted about 14 out of every 100, regardless of weight.

In general, researchers say between 10 percent and 20 percent of adolescents experience moderate to severe acne. Many studies have documented the emotional and social difficulties that go along with the problem, especially during the sensitive teen years.

With a growing number of teens becoming overweight and obese—a circumstance that carries its own social stigma—the Norwegian team writes in the Archives of Dermatology, they wanted to investigate whether there’s a connection.

There are physiological factors related to obesity that could explain the Norwegian results, said Dr. Nanette Silverberg, director of pediatric and adolescent dermatology at St. Luke’s and Beth Israel Medical Centers in New York and a clinical professor at Columbia University.

For instance, high blood pressure, insulin resistance and hormonal changes, which frequently accompany obesity, “are in the pathway of influence” for acne, said Silverberg, who was not involved in the new study.

“Maybe changes in the level of insulin and other hormones are altered in overweight adolescents, and this can increase the formation of acne,” said Dr. Jon Halvorsen, a researcher at Oslo University Hospital who led the study.

Although his results showed a link in girls between being overweight and having acne, they don’t prove that one causes the other.

Because the pattern was confined to girls, though, “it is possible that polycystic ovarian syndrome can explain some of our findings,” said Halvorsen in an email.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a condition whose cause is poorly understood but symptoms include too-high levels of male hormones, and often both obesity and acne.

Halvorsen’s team couldn’t rule out that any of the girls had been diagnosed with the syndrome.

Genetics are also considered important in the development of acne.

Although diet contributes to weight gain, it’s not clear that food is to blame for what the researchers found.

When they took into account how many sweets, potato chips and soft drinks the girls usually had, the higher acne rates among overweight girls remained.

“The role of nutrition is controversial, and more studies are needed,” Halvorsen said.

Silverberg said there is some evidence from other studies showing that poor diets do contribute to acne.

“Whatever you think is bad for you, eating high-sugar foods, large amounts of carbohydrates, all these things have a negative long term affect on acne. And this is particularly true in the teenage years,” she said.

Article source: http://www.thestar.com/article/1119729--obesity-and-acne-overweight-teen-girls-twice-as-likely-to-develop-skin-condition

Provides sufficient supply of DS107 active pharmaceutical ingredient for the acne clinical program

Dublin, Ireland. (PRWEB) January 11, 2012

Dignity Sciences Ltd and Equateq Ltd today announced a strategic agreement that provides Dignity Sciences with synthetic lipids for the next phase of its DS107 clinical development program. Equateq will manufacture Dignity Sciences’ specific active lipids, at Equateq’s cGMP API plant located in the Western Isles of Scotland. The terms of the agreement were undisclosed.

Jonathan D. Rowe, Ph.D., Head of Intellectual Property and Portfolio Strategy for Dignity Sciences, stated, ” DS107 is a very promising therapy that Dignity Sciences intends to rapidly bring to market. With the supply of DS107 active pharmaceutical ingredient secured, Dignity Sciences looks forward to commencing the next phase of the DS107 acne clinical program.”

Adam Kelliher, Equateq CEO and founder, said: “We have been very impressed by Dignity’s understanding of the immense potential of synthetic lipids for various therapeutic applications, and we are in a strong position to support their current and future development plans with a robust supply of the active ingredient in DS107.”

About Equateq

Equateq is a privately-owned lipid production company based in the Western Isles of Scotland, where its facility has been concentrating lipids for nearly 30 years. Equateq is fully cGMP compliant, as certified by the UK’s health authority, the MHRA, and for manufacturing lipid APIs, uses its Maxomega™ technology. This concentration method is based on advanced HPLC separation, and allows Equateq to deliver specific lipid APIs at up to 99% purity at commercial scale.

About DS107

DS107 is a topical formulation of a semi-synthetic omega-6 fatty acid. DS107 is currently being studied for use in treating acne and atopic dermatitis.

About Dignity Sciences

Dignity Sciences, a privately held biopharmaceutical company, was established to discover and develop scientifically innovative healthcare solutions that improve the quality of life for people with diseases for which current therapies are unsatisfactory. Dignity Sciences is led by recognized experts in developing omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, including their bioactive derivatives, for the treatment of human disease.

###

Jonathan Rowe Ph.D.
Dignity Sciences
+353 1 2933 590
Email Information

Article source: http://news.yahoo.com/dignity-sciences-enters-clinical-supply-agreement-083008131.html