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MenScience gives the inside scoop on myths and facts about mens acne and acne treatments. How much do you really know about breakouts? Take our quiz and see for yourself! 1.Popping acne pimples makes them go away faster.

True
False

2.You should wash your face several times a day if you have acne.

True
False

3.Eating greasy or oily foods causes acne.

True
False

4.Tanning clears up acne in mens skin.

True
False

5.Where you work can affect your skin and cause acne.

True
False

6.Benzoyl Peroxide is the most effective ingredient for acne treatment.

True
False

7.Glycolic and Salicylic Acids are effective against acne.

True
False

8.If an acne medication causes your skin to get worse, you should stop using the acne product.

True
False

9.It takes 28 days for new cells to appear on the surface of mens skin.

True
False

10.Acne-prone men should use noncomedogenic products.

True
False

11.Perspiration cleanses skin.

True
False

12.Teenagers (not real men) get acne.

True
False

13.Only men with oily skin get acne.

True
False

14.Acne is caused by bacteria.

True
False

15.Using a face scrub can control acne.

True
False

16.Acne is no big deal.

True
False

ANSWER KEY:
1. FALSE: Popping pimples may seem to reduce their size, but it can actually aggravate blemishes by spreading bacteria, causing them to take longer to heal. Not only that, but popping or picking at pimples causes scars and dark spots to form.

2. FALSE: Its important to have a clean face, but washing your face with force several times a day can cause your skin to produce more oil to make up for the moisture being washed away. Not to mention skin will become red and irritated. Your best bet is to wash once or twice a day with a gentle liquid cleanser that contains Salicylic Acid and Tea Tree extract.

3. FALSE: Pizza, chocolate and junk food have long been labeled acne magnets, but theres very little scientific evidence to back up this claim. However, men should aim to eat a balanced diet full of vitamins from fruits and vegetables, and drink a lot of water for overall well-being.

4. FALSE: When you tan, dead cells build up on your skins surface. This can often cause your pores to look tighter and the surface to look smoother. Tanning also masks redness caused by acne. However, once the tan disappears, youll be left with greater outbreaks and darker acne scars and marks. Protect skin exposed to direct sunlight by regularly applying sunscreen (especially if using a treatment containing Benzoyl Peroxide).

5. TRUE: Men who work in places that put them in constant contact with grease and oil (restaurants and garages, for example) may find themselves breaking out more because oil creates an ideal environment for bacteria to reproduce. Although theres no simple way to rectify this, they should clean skin gently at least twice a day and try to keep their hands from their faces at all times.

6. TRUE: Benzoyl Peroxide is an antibacterial ingredient prescribed by dermatologists as the preferred topical medicine for safe treatment for acne. It clears acne-causing bacteria on the surface, absorbs excessive oils and clear pores, while promoting greater cell exfoliation and renewal. Doctors also prescribe Green Tea, Urea and Allantoin to help soothe acne-irritated skin. Because Benzoyl Peroxide has powerful antibacterial and exfoliating qualities, it may take some time for skin to get used to the treatment. Once skin has become accustomed to the treatment however, irritation, redness or dryness usually disappears. The best bet is to apply a small amount only once a day, and then increase frequency gradually over 5 6 days. If too much dryness occurs, decrease frequency and gradually increase again.

7. TRUE: Glycolic and Salicylic Acids work very effectively to exfoliate dead skin cells and clear pores. By reducing pore blockage, acne has less of a chance to form and breakouts are reduced. Exfoliation with gentle products that contain Glycolic and Salicylic Acids helps smooth and clean skin, while also reducing instances of ingrown hairs as well.

8. FALSE: During acne treatment, skin often seems to take a turn for the worse before it begins getting better. This is due in part to the need to become accustomed to a treatment and the exfoliating process of shedding dead skin cells. The important thing is to keep usage regular. If, however, skin remains irritated for a long period of time, stop acne treatment and consult a doctor.

9. TRUE: It takes new cells 28 days to form and move through the epidermal layer of skin to finally appear on the surface. This is why results are not always immediately apparent. Using a product with Glycolic Acid may accelerate this process and help clear away dead skin cells.

10. TRUE: Noncomedogenic means ingredients in the product do not clog pores or provoke acne. Although its definitely recommended for men with oily skin, you should use non-irritating, noncomedogenic products no matter what skin type you have. All MenScience products have been developed by doctors and are noncomedogenic.

11. FALSE: Perspiration helps flush toxins from the body and maintains body temperature, but it does not cleanse skin at all. In fact, leaving sweat on your body can actually cause acne breakouts. Because of this, remember to take a shower or wash your face immediately after sweating heavily with a gentle cleanser several times a day.

12. FALSE: If only this were true! While acne outbreaks are often strongest during teen years (due to hormonal imbalances and improper skincare), acne can affect men their entire lives. Good skin health needs to be regularly maintained to avoid falling prey to blemishes.

13. FALSE: Acne can affect guys with any skin type, from dry to combination and even normal. Men with oily skin might be more susceptible to outbreaks, but they are by no means alone.

14. TRUE: Bacteria (P. acnes) play a big part in the creation of acne. Once a skin pore becomes clogged, acne bacteria begin to grow, causing blemishes to form. Benzoyl Peroxide is the most effective treatment for acne because it introduces oxygen into the bacteria, which kills it.

15. TRUE: Using a gentle exfoliating face scrub that contains Salicylic and Glycolic Acids can help clear pores of dirt and blockage, cutting down on the instances of acne. However, do not use a scrub if your acne is severe; it could aggravate your skin further.

16. TRUE.and FALSE: Acne is a painful, annoying condition, but it doesnt need to negatively affect your lifestyle. While healthy skin is something we should all aim for, an occasional pimple or breakout is nothing to freak out about and can be treated with the right acne products. Remember: almost everyone is affected by acne. By using the most effective acne products and skincare techniques, theres nothing to stop you from attaining a clear, healthy complexion.

SCORING:

13-16 Answers Correct: Acne Expert

9-12 Answers Correct: Good job! Add to your acne know-how with more tips.

5-8 Answers Correct: Knowledgeable, but check out our articles for more info.

0-4 Answers Correct: Needs work. Discover how to treat acne with our expert advice.

Deidra Garcia is a freelance writer and communications manager for MenScience Androceuticals, a men's skincare, grooming and nutritional company. You can find more articles by Deidra, as well as further tips and advice, at http://www.MenScience.com .

posted by gektal  # 5:50 PM 0 comments

Identity theft remains one of the largest crimes lately and seems to be taking even more twists as people steal the identity of another person. The reason someone would do this is because they do not have the resources via their own identity, to achieve or get what they want.

As an example of how the crime of identity theft is taking on even more new looks, consider some of the additional twists that the crime of identity theft is taking. For example, we all know that health insurance remains out of the financial reach of a surprising number of people. If your employer does not provide it or if you are self employed, many times the cost of private health insurance is just not in the budget because of the very high costs associated with a "non group" plan.

In one recently reported case of identity theft, the theft of the identity of a woman had been unknown for years. The thief did not open bank accounts or credit card accounts in her name. Rather, he used her health insurance policy identification to get medical treatments at a hospital in the woman's home town. The hospital did not suspect, since the man had the woman's personal information, including her employee badge number, her social security number, and other pertinent information, and was able to show them a copy of her health insurance coverage card, so the treatments were given to the man and charged to the health insurance company.

It was only when the woman, upon browsing some of the statements from the health insurance company, happened to notice a name of someone who had been receiving treatments on her policy that the woman called the health insurance company and then alerted local authorities. Upon his arrest, the man said that he had done nothing wrong, it's just that he needed these medical treatments done and there was no way he can afford to get them done on his own.

Is that a crime of identity theft, since the man was doing this for his own survival, not for illegal personal gain? The man asserts that the real crime is that adequate health insurance is not affordable to the unemployed or self-employed individual.

The people who are embarking on crimes of identity theft are getting smarter. What would you do if you got an email from your bank, the bank where you have been doing business for years or even decades, and the email even had the bank's graphic logo in the email, where the email was asking you to click this link because the bank had noted some questionable activity going on with your account? Heck, the email looks just about as official as it could get, and kudos to the bank for watching over my account so well that they want me to verify my information.

Unfortunately, that is the perspective of many uninformed people who are not familiar with how incredibly easy it is for someone to craft an email like that. Upon clicking the link and entering in their PIN or password or whatever, the web page thanks them profusely for taking the time to protect their account, and assures them that the bank will let them know what is going on as their investigation continues, and thanks them yet again for their participation.

But in reality, their "participation" was simply to provide their PIN and password to a thief. The email and the web page they visited have absolutely nothing to do with their bank, but now the thief has their information and can start withdrawing money from their accounts.

Be aware that your bank or credit union would NEVER ask you for this type of personal information via an online web page, and if they do, it is time to find another place to conduct your banking business. If in doubt, call the bank and ask. Many banks have a whole department setup just to fight this type of identity theft crime.

Guard your personal information, and do not give it out to someone just because they ask for it, especially your social security number, which uniquely identifies YOU. Never have your social security number printed on your personal checks.

For more insights and more information about the crime of Identity Theft and to find out how to protect yourself, please visit our web site at http://www.identity-theft-info.com

posted by gektal  # 4:55 PM 0 comments