Over 85% of the teens and young adults in the world suffer with some type of acne, with a large percentage also carrying on their skin problems well into adulthood. In fact, acne is the most commonly physician treated disease. To keep things simple, most dermatologists classify acne into two groups: blackheads/whiteheads (comedones) and red bumps. Each type is treated much differently from the other. Blackheads are the most commonly seen types, as they are often more numerous on the face and shoulders.

- What Are Blackheads And Whiteheads?

These pesky skin problems are actually follicles with wider than normal openings. They can be filled with plugs or sebum and other dead cells. The black color comes from them having gone through the oxidation or melanin. Whiteheads are also comedones (follicles with the same material) but their opening is often smaller. Due to the smaller opening, the air can’t often reach the follicle for oxidation and thus they remain white.

- How To Prevent Blackheads

If you want to get rid of zits or pimples you think are blackheads, there is no fast remedy. Instead, it’s all about consistency of skin care. It’s best to get yourself in a skin care routine that is catered to your specific skin type. If you engage in a daily skin care routine with quality products, you’ll see improvement in follicle health on your face. Although some people once thought diet played a big part in the cause of acne, this has been found to be untrue. Instead, clean skin is the best prevention method so be sure to wash your face and body areas prone to acne, often. Also, be sure not to use oily based cosmetics, because it can cause oil buildup in your skin follicles.

- How To Get Rid Of Blackheads And Whiteheads

You may be treating your blackheads by giving them a squeeze or by using a trendy zit extractor. But, it can be dangerous to your skin if you start popping blackheads, as it can cause your skin to scar. Instead, talk with your doctor about what treatment is best for you.

Dermatologists often suggest various remedy treatments for blackheads including the following:

• Benzoyl Peroxide

Due to its natural antibacterial effect on skin, this chemical is often recommended for the treatment of acne and blackheads. It can literally change the lining of hair follicles which can help reduce comedones clogging and lessen the glands production and secretion of oil.

• Retin-A

This treatment is sometimes used for blackhead treatment and is basically a derivative of Vitamin A. It works to increase cell turnover and expel any clogging material in the pore. It can be harsh on sensitive skin, however.

• Antibiotic Therapy

Often if doctors feel blackheads are infected, topical or oral antibiotics might be prescribed. However, they won’t help unless an infection is present.

• Accutane

This is something which is often used for removal and cure of severe acne or blackheads. It does come with possible side effects that can be quite serious, so be sure you understand the risks before going this route.

Instead of continuing to suffer with blackheads or acne talk with your doctor about seeing a dermatologist. There are many options and products available which can help you get the skin you’ve always dreamed of having!

I read an article in the newspaper over the weekend on a study by the University of Palermo, stating that because of its caffeine content, espresso can be bad for the heart. Right next door to this, another article quoted a study declaring that chocolate was good for us as it helps prevent a stroke. So, if I believe what I’ve read then coffee is bad and chocolate is good.

But isn’t this a bit contradictory? Coffee and chocolate both contain caffeine. And if caffeine slows blood flow, while at the same time increasing blood pressure, chocolate shouldn’t really be recommended to prevent strokes.

It seems odd to me, that whenever there’s a study into caffeine (good or bad), it’s always related back to coffee, even if the amount of caffeine involved would mean drinking a ridiculous amount of coffee.

For example, an article on the BBC’s website talks of a study of how mice taking 500mg of caffeine a day reversed the effects of Alzheimer’s.

“The mice were given the equivalent of five 8 oz (227 ml) cups of coffee a day..”

A small rodent drinking five 8oz cups! So to reverse Alzheimer’s, us humans wound need to drink approximately 14,000 cups, or 45 times our own body weight, of coffee every day. I love coffee but I couldn’t drink that much.

Caffeine is only one of hundreds of compounds found in coffee. Caffeine is also found in: tea, chocolate, energy drinks, many soft drinks, medicines and cosmetics. Surprisingly, you can even buy caffeinated breakfast cereal, caffeinated beer and even caffeinated tights (yes – apparently it’s the latest ‘miracle’ cure for cellulite). So why is it that only coffee gets lumbered with caffeine? Did they elope to Vegas together?

What’s Caffeine

The big debate, which will forever roll on, is whether caffeine (and unfortunately this will always include coffee) is any good for us. Caffeine is a natural substance produced by the coffee plant. Studies have so far found that the plant uses it in two ways: a) to deter its leaves and cherries being eaten by insects; and b) to get bees buzzing (excuse the pun) during pollination. So caffeine acts as a poison to some creatures and a stimulant to others.

The amount of caffeine in coffee varies widely due to many factors: the origin and varietal of the beans; whether the beans are wet or dry processed; how the beans are roasted and finally how the coffee is brewed. Guides to caffeine content in coffee should be taken with a pinch of salt, as practically every cup is different.

So how much coffee should we drink?

Everybody has their own level of sensitivity to caffeine. So while some of us can drink multiple cups of coffee a day without feeling any effect, others will feel the effect after just one cup. But luckily our bodies are fairly intelligent and quickly tell us when enough is enough. So if you’re ever worried about your caffeine intake just listen to your body. Is it really the taste of coffee you want or just a break from your desk?

Something to look out for in the future is caffeine free, as apposed to decaffeinated, coffee. Coffee plants have recently been discovered growing in the wild which are naturally caffeine free. So it should only be a matter of years before one or more of these are commercially propagated.

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