BEAUTY

Fungal Acne: Causes, Symptoms, And Treatment Options

Published

2 months ago

March 11, 2024

Fungal Acne: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options | Fab.ng

Have you ever broken out in a rash of stubborn pimples that just won’t budge with your usual acne treatment? They might also be itchy, unlike the usual suspects. This puzzling culprit could be fungal acne, also known in scientific circles as Malassezia folliculitis. Don’t worry, this isn’t some exotic disease; it’s a common skin disease caused by a little yeast overstaying its welcome.

Unlike the traditional acne we’re all familiar with, fungal acne arises from an imbalance of a type of yeast called Malassezia that naturally lives on our skin. When this yeast population explodes in number, it can trigger inflammation in the hair follicles, leading to the appearance of pesky bumps that closely resemble regular acne.

Fungal acne flourishes under specific conditions. Imagine a warm, steamy environment—perfect for a relaxing spa day. This type of acne is more common in regions with persistently warm and humid climates. This means people living in tropical or summery climates might be more prone to experiencing it.

Several factors can trigger an unwelcome outbreak of fungal acne. When moisture lingers on the skin for extended periods, it creates a cozy haven for Malassezia yeast to thrive. Certain skincare products can unknowingly contribute to the problem. Those fancy formulas packed with oils and fatty acids, while intended to pamper your skin, might be providing an unexpected feast for the yeast, worsening the situation.

Our body’s natural defenses also play a role. Individuals with compromised immune systems may find themselves more susceptible to fungal acne outbreaks. Similarly, hormonal fluctuations, like those experienced during puberty or pregnancy, can upset the delicate balance on our skin, making us more prone to this type of acne.

Fungal Acne or Regular Acne?

While breakouts are a common foe, sometimes the culprit behind those pesky bumps isn’t quite what you expect. Both types of acne can cause frustration, but the root causes and treatments differ significantly. Regular acne is caused by the teamwork of oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells clogging your pores. Fungal acne, however, is the result of an overgrowth of a specific fungus.

So, how can you tell the difference between these two?

Fungal acne typically shows up as a cluster of small, red bumps that itch like crazy. These bumps often resemble a rash and may have a red border around them. Unlike regular acne, which can manifest in various forms like blackheads, whiteheads, or even cysts, fungal acne usually sticks to these small, itchy bumps. Also, while regular acne can appear anywhere on your face, fungal acne is more likely to appear on your upper back, chest, and shoulders. On your face, you might find it concentrated on your forehead, cheeks, and chin.

Regular acne doesn’t typically cause itching, whereas fungal acne can be quite the itchfest. Fungal acne seems to have a fondness for adolescents and young adult males, those with oilier skin, and individuals who live in hot, humid climates.

The good news? Treatments exist for both fungal and regular acne. It’s crucial to differentiate between the two types of acne to ensure you receive the most effective treatment.

Triggers For Fungal Acne

Warm, muggy environments create a breeding ground for Malassezia yeast. So, if you live in a place with high humidity, be extra vigilant about managing this condition.
While sweating is a natural bodily function, it can worsen fungal acne. Sweat provides moisture for yeast to flourish, and if it lingers on the skin, it can also clog pores.
Clothing choices can also play a role. Tight-fitting garments, particularly those made of synthetic materials, trap heat and moisture, creating a prime environment for fungal growth.
Not all skincare products are created equal. Certain ingredients, such as oils, can feed the very yeast that contributes to it. Coconut oil, some fatty acids, and heavy moisturizers might be best avoided if you’re prone to this type of breakout.
Over-cleansing or using harsh products can disrupt the delicate balance of your skin’s natural microbiome and contribute to fungal overgrowth.
In some cases, certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or a compromised immune system, can make you more susceptible to fungal infections.

Diagnosis and Treatment Strategies

Fungal acne can be a real drag, and it’s important to get the right treatment because it needs something different than your typical zits. If you suspect you might have it, seeing a doctor or dermatologist is crucial.

Pro-diagnosis: A doctor can formally diagnose the problem and make sure it’s fungal acne. They might even do a special test, like a skin scraping, to check for the Malassezia yeast that causes it under a microscope.

Over-the-Counter Options: For milder cases, there are antifungal creams and shampoos you can find at the drugstore, like ketoconazole or Nizoral. These can help keep the yeast on your skin under control. But remember, if these don’t work after a while, it’s time to see a doctor again.

Prescription Power: If your fungal acne just won’t budge, your doctor might prescribe a heavier-duty antifungal medication. This could be something like a 2% ketoconazole cream applied twice daily for a specific period (like 2 to 3 weeks) to help significantly reduce the yeast overgrowth. Remember, these medications are prescribed for a reason, so it’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions carefully for optimal results.

While conventional medicine offers a variety of solutions for fungal acne, you can explore complementary techniques to manage this skin condition. Some of these natural approaches include the application of bentonite clay masks, which are known for their absorbing properties. Also, chemical exfoliants containing lactic or salicylic acid can be used to gently remove dead skin cells that can clog pores and contribute to fungal growth.

Interestingly, dandruff body washes formulated with antifungal ingredients may also prove beneficial in combating this acne. Some individuals have found success with topical natural antifungals, such as oregano oil, clove extract, or walnut hull extract. However, it’s important to consult with a board-certified dermatologist before embarking on any self-treatment regimen, as these natural remedies may not be suitable for all skin types.

Prevention and Management

Diet: It is wise to minimize foods that create an environment friendly to yeast growth, such as refined sugars and white flour.

Skincare Routine: Develop a targeted skincare regimen that’s gentle on your skin. This might include cleansers with antifungal properties, exfoliators containing salicylic acid to remove dead skin cells, and soothing toners that also boast antifungal benefits. Since oil can be a breeding ground for fungus, opt for lightweight, oil-free moisturizers.

Hygiene: Simple hygiene practices can go a long way. Avoid makeup that clogs pores, and remember to regularly wash pillowcases, towels, and any shared beauty tools like brushes and razors. This helps prevent the spread of both bacteria and fungus.

Medical Solutions: When it comes to tackling fungal acne, topical medications like ketoconazole or ciclopirox can be highly effective. They work by directly eliminating the yeast and reducing inflammation. In more stubborn cases, a dermatologist might prescribe oral antifungal medication to address the infection from the inside out.

Probiotics: Taking oral probiotics can improve the overall health of your digestive system, which in turn can have a positive impact on the appearance of your skin.

Identifying Your Triggers: To truly conquer fungal acne, it’s important to understand what fuels its growth. Steamy environments can create a breeding ground for fungi. Try to minimize your time in them, or take steps to cool down afterwards. If you have oily skin, regular cleansing and avoiding heavy makeup can help prevent fungal acne. Excessive sweating and trapped moisture are invitations for fungus.

While these medications have their place, overuse can disrupt the natural balance of microorganisms on your skin, potentially leading to fungal acne. A dermatologist can provide personalized advice and treatment strategies to effectively manage your fungal acne. Don’t expect overnight results. Treating fungal acne takes time and consistency.

By following these steps and working with your dermatologist, you can say goodbye to those frustrating bumps and hello to clear, healthy skin!

For more beauty and skincare tips, check here.

BEAUTY

Natural Ways To Reduce Grey Hair Without Dyeing It

Published

3 days ago

May 11, 2024

Adaeze Okechi

Natural Ways To Reduce Grey Hair Without Dyeing It | Fab.ng

It’s normal to get grey hair as we age, but that doesn’t mean you have to cover it up with dye to look youthful. There are ways to embrace your natural beauty and keep your hair healthy without resorting to harsh chemicals.

If you’d like to manage your grey hair naturally, here are some tips to get you started! These strategies focus on promoting overall hair health, which can sometimes slow down the appearance of new greys and enhance the shine of your existing strands.

1. Eat well for healthy hair

The food you eat affects your hair in many ways, including its colour. Certain vitamins and minerals, like B12, iron, copper, and zinc, are like food for your hair follicles.

These nutrients help your body make melanin, which is the colouring pigment in your hair. If you want to keep your hair healthy and slow down the appearance of greys, try adding some leafy green vegetables, nuts, seeds, eggs, and fish to your meals.

2. Explore natural options for hair colour

Some natural remedies have been around for a long time to help hair health and even bring back natural hair colour.

Herbs like saw palmetto, horsetail, and nettle root might be helpful for reducing greys. These work by encouraging hair growth and pigment production in the hair follicles, but more research is needed to confirm their effectiveness.

Supplements containing catalase, folic acid, and biotin are also popular choices. These are said to potentially reverse greying and improve your hair’s overall condition.

3. Manage stress for healthier hair

Feeling constantly stressed can actually accelerate the process of hair turning grey. To maintain your natural hair colour and promote healthy hair growth, incorporate some stress-management techniques into your daily routine.

Consider activities like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises to help you unwind and lower your stress levels.

4. Embrace a healthy lifestyle

Taking care of yourself overall goes a long way towards having healthy hair. This includes getting regular exercise, which benefits your entire body and can help keep stress in check.

Make sure you’re getting enough sleep each night, as lack of sleep can take a toll on your hair health as well. Finally, ditch the cigarettes! Smoking is bad for your overall health, and unhealthy hair is just one of the consequences.

By following these tips, you can manage stress, create a healthy lifestyle, and potentially slow down the appearance of greys.

Remember, embracing your natural hair colour, whether it’s full of vibrant tones or sprinkled with silver strands, is a beautiful way to express self-acceptance and authenticity.

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BEAUTY

How To Use Cloves & Rosemary Water For Hair Growth

Published

2 weeks ago

April 30, 2024

Adaeze Okechi

Cloves And Rosemary Water For Hair Growth & Treatment | Fab.ng

Cloves and rosemary water have long been recognised as traditional plants with beneficial properties. These properties promote healthy hair growth and overall hair health. When used together, they can create a potent infusion that enhances their effectiveness in nourishing the hair.

To combine them effectively, it’s recommended to infuse them in water, allowing their beneficial compounds to blend and create a solution that can be applied to the hair for optimal results.

This infusion process ensures that the hair receives the full spectrum of benefits from both cloves and rosemary, helping to strengthen the hair follicles, stimulate circulation in the scalp, and support healthy hair growth over time.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to using clove and rosemary water on your hair:

Brew the goodness: In a pot, combine five cloves and five fresh rosemary sprigs with two cups of filtered water. Bring it to a boil, then let it simmer for 15 minutes to allow the flavours and beneficial properties to infuse the water.
Let it cool down: Remove the pot from heat and let the mixture cool completely for about 30 minutes. This ensures it’s comfortable for your scalp when applied.
Separate the liquid: Once cool, strain the liquid using a fine-mesh strainer to remove the cloves and rosemary sprigs.
Ready for use: Pour some of the strained liquid into a spray bottle for easy application. The remaining infusion can be stored in a container in the freezer for later use.
Soak it up: Thoroughly spray the clove and rosemary water onto your hair, making sure to cover the entire length from roots to tips.
Trap the goodness: For deeper penetration, put on a shower cap to trap the moisture and heat. Let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes to allow your hair to absorb the beneficial nutrients.
Rinse and repeat: After treatment time is up, rinse your hair thoroughly with lukewarm water. You can use this clove and rosemary water infusion a few times a week as part of your hair care routine.

Cloves And Rosemary Water For Hair Growth & Treatment | Fab.ng

Clove and rosemary water for healthy hair

Looking to give your hair a boost? Clove and rosemary water might be the natural solution you’ve been searching for! Here’s a breakdown of the potential benefits and some safety tips to keep in mind:

Growing Glory

Lengthy locks: Clove and rosemary are packed with a compound called eugenol, which is thought to nourish hair follicles and promote smoother strands. Studies have also shown that rosemary, in various forms like water, oil, or leaf extract, can stimulate hair growth.
Dandruff defence: Dandruff can be a real drag. The good news is that clove and rosemary water might be a natural remedy. A 2021 study suggests that cloves have strong antifungal properties. It potentially helps to control dandruff-causing fungi. Rosemary water is also known for its anti-dandruff benefits.
Lice loathers: Head lice are a nuisance, but clove and rosemary water might be a natural solution! A 2018 study showed that this combination effectively killed a significant percentage of lice within a short timeframe. Even lice eggs weren’t safe from the power of these essential oils.
Fresh and healthy scalp: The anti-infectious properties of clove and rosemary water can soothe folliculitis, a condition that causes inflamed and infected hair follicles. Plus, the refreshing aroma can help keep your scalp feeling great.

A Word of Caution

While clove and rosemary water offer potential benefits, it’s important to use them wisely:

Patch test first: Before diving in, do a patch test on a small area of your skin to check for any allergic reactions like redness, irritation, or burning.
Carrier oil is key: To minimise the risk of allergic reactions, consider mixing rosemary water with a carrier oil like olive or coconut oil before applying it to your hair.
Know when to say no: If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or have certain medical conditions like high blood pressure or epilepsy, it’s best to avoid using rosemary oil or clove water.

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BEAUTY

Thinking Of Getting Liposuction? Here’s What You Need To Know About The Surgery

Published

2 months ago

March 23, 2024

Ihuoma Okechukwu

Here’s What You Need To Know About Liposuction | Fab.ng

Liposuction is a popular surgery that helps people slim down and reshape their bodies.

Even the most dedicated dieters and gym rats can get discouraged when stubborn fat bulges refuse to disappear. This can be incredibly frustrating. Why? Because genetics, hormones, and even your body’s natural burning rate can all play a surprising role in where you store fat.

Here’s where liposuction steps in. It targets those stubborn pockets of fat that diet and exercise just can’t seem to budge. Liposuction removes fat cells from specific areas like the tummy, thighs, hips, and arms. This can help create a smoother, more defined body shape. Unlike weight-loss surgery, liposuction doesn’t aim to make you lose a lot of weight overall. Instead, it focuses on sculpting specific areas for a more toned look.

Even though many people have had liposuction successfully, there’s a misconception that it’s an easy way out. It’s important to remember that liposuction is still surgery, and it shouldn’t be taken lightly.

While the surgery can be very effective, it’s not a replacement for healthy living. You’ll still need to maintain a good diet and exercise routine to keep the weight off and enjoy your new shape for the long term. Liposuction can also be used for some medical conditions, such as lipomas (fatty tumors) or lymphedema (fluid buildup).

If you’re thinking about liposuction, here’s what you need to know about the surgery.

Liposuction: More Details

Stomach liposuction: cost, procedure, results before and after

In the late 1900s, traditional liposuction changed the game for fat removal. This method used a thin tube, called a cannula, inserted through tiny skin cuts. The cannula sucked out fat after breaking it up. This method is called the tumescent technique.

Before the fat gets sucked out, the doctor numbs the area with a special solution. This solution is a mix of regular body fluid (isotonic fluid), a medication that shrinks blood vessels (vasoconstrictive medication, like epinephrine), and a local anesthetic that numbs the area even more.

Once the area is prepped, the doctor inserts the cannula and moves it back and forth to loosen up the fat cells. Then, a powerful vacuum attached to the cannula sucks out the loosened fat cells.

The tumescent technique can be used on many areas of the body, including the abdomen, thighs, hips, buttocks, arms, and even the chin.

Liposuction techniques today are like different tools in a toolbox, all aiming to achieve the same goal: removing unwanted fat. But each tool has its special features. Other liposuction methods build on the tumescent idea. Some doctors might use a stronger numbing solution or a slightly different tube, depending on the area being treated. Some techniques add an extra step before or after the fat removal. These extra steps can involve lasers or ultrasounds, which help tighten the skin after the fat is gone.

Technological Advancements And Other Techniques

Liposuction - Flora Klinik - İstanbul Estetik Merkezi Ameliyat Fiyatları

Liposuction techniques keep getting better as science marches on. Doctors are finding new ways to zap away fat while keeping you comfortable and safe. One such advance is BodyTite, a method that uses radio waves to tighten your skin during the procedure itself. A tiny incision is made, and a special probe is inserted. This probe uses radio waves to heat the deep layers of your skin. This heating does two things: first, it helps reshape the fat layer under your skin. Second, it makes your skin contract over time, giving you a long-lasting, toned appearance. BodyTite also minimizes the risks you might face with other fat-removal methods.

Ultrasound-assisted high-definition (UCHD) liposuction is another technique that uses sound waves to gently melt away fat cells before they’re suctioned out. It involves tiny sound waves wiggling and breaking down fat cells, making them easier to remove. This precision approach minimizes damage to nearby tissues, unlike traditional liposuction. The result is a smoother recovery process and the ability to sculpt your body with more definition.

People are increasingly looking for ways to slim down and sculpt their bodies without surgery. Cryolipolysis is another cool option that’s leading the pack. It’s like liposuction, but without the needles and scalpels.

A special device is placed on the skin. This device gets really cold, freezing fat cells to death. But it won’t harm the skin or other tissues! This freezing process helps you lose fat and reshape your body, all without surgery. Unlike liposuction, cryolipolysis doesn’t involve any cuts or needles. This means less recovery time and less risk of complications. It works on those pockets of fat that just won’t budge with diet and exercise. Studies show it can effectively reduce fat by up to 25% in treated areas.

Liposuction C0st

Liposuction (Fat Removal) Surgery at Silkor

Knowing the cost beforehand is crucial when considering this procedure. The cost of liposuction can vary depending on several factors. For instance, the surgeon’s experience and expertise can command higher fees. The type of anesthesia used (general vs. local) can impact the cost. Then, liposuction on larger areas or multiple areas will naturally cost more. Post-surgical garments and medications can add to the overall expense.

In Nigeria, liposuction costs can generally range from N500,000 to N1,500,000 (around $1,200 to USD 3,600). This is a considerably lower price point compared to many developed countries. It’s vital to ensure you choose a qualified surgeon and a reputable medical facility, prioritizing safety over cost.

Global Comparison

Here’s a glimpse into liposuction costs around the world:

United States: $3,500 to USD 15,000 or more
United Kingdom: £3,000 to £7,000 GBP or more
Canada: $4,000 to CAD 10,000 or more
Australia: $7,000 to AUD 15,000 or more

Remember, the cheapest option isn’t always the best. When considering liposuction in any country, prioritize the qualifications of the surgeon and the accreditation of the surgical facility. Look for board-certified surgeons with experience in liposuction, and ensure the facility meets safety standards. Conduct thorough research, choose a qualified surgeon, and ensure the facility is accredited before making a decision.