Is your skin a problem? Moles, warts, skin tags, and dark spots are just a few of the more than 3,000 skin disorders that affect people every day. Changes in color or texture can result from inflammation, infection, or allergic reactions anywhere on the body. Some skin conditions can be minor, temporary, and easily treated, so read on to see the most common skin disorders and how to cure them.
Natural Remedies For Warts
Warts are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which has over 100 types, and these different types affect people in different ways, but usually depending on the strength of their immune system. Some strains, like the one that causes common warts, are relatively harmless, while others can pose much more serious problems. Because warts are caused by a virus, they can be spread to other parts of your body and to other people as well. If mainstream methods or treatments involving strange chemicals have not worked for you, try some of these easy and effective home remedies instead.
These natural remedies have a proven track record, however, none of them are overnight cures. They work far faster than the months or years it takes a wart to disappear on its own, if it ever disappears. Nearly a quarter of warts go away on their own within six months, but about a third still linger around two years after they first appear. Warts can be especially stubborn in children, whose immune systems are still developing.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is one of the most effective home remedies for wart removal. It contains strong anti inflammatory properties which are very effective to get rid of bacteria and virus that mainly causes warts. Wash your affected area before and after use. First dip a cotton ball with ACV and put it on the wart. Then cover it with a band-aid or duct tape for minimum one day. Use it before going bed and remove morning. By using this remedy your ward will begone in a few weeks.
Garlic
Garlic is a great herb in your kitchen that can take help to remove warts. Mash some garlic juice and then apply on wart and cover with a band-aid. Do this twice a day, until wart disappears.
Duct Tape
Believe it or not, this treatment is actually backed by science. In one study, 61 patients with common warts received either cryotherapy or duct tape treatment. After two months, 85% of those using duct tape were rid of their warts, while only 60% who received cryotherapy were wart-free.
Place a small piece of duct tape completely over the wart continually for 6 days, replacing the tape as needed. After 6 days, soak the wart in water and then rub it with an emery board or pumice stone. The next morning, apply fresh duct tape for another 6 days, and continue for two months or until the wart disappears.
Bananas
Another tried-and-true method that has also been published in medical journals is applying the inside of a banana peel to the wart. Many have had success with simply rubbing the inner surface of the banana peel over the wart a few times a day. An even more effective technique is to press the inside of the peel over the wart and tape it in place at night before bed. Remove it in the morning, and wash the area. Repeat this procedure nightly until the wart begins to soften, about a week, but the wart should be gone within a few weeks to a month.
Pure Raw Honey
Organic Manuka honey, harvested in New Zealand, is perhaps the best to use, but finding pure raw honey should do the trick as well. Manuka Honey is one of the most potent types of honey in terms of the concentration of its antibacterial/antiviral properties. It is also quite stable, unlike some other kinds of honey, so it can withstand temperature fluctuation without losing its benefits. In addition to this, it creates a sort of “occlusion therapy” which is essentially depriving the wart of oxygen and killing it (the theory behind duct tape, but honey is much better than adhesive.)
Items:
- A teaspoon of raw honey
- A bandage
Directions:
File away the wart if you can, and then cover it thoroughly in a thick layer of honey and wrap a piece of cloth around it. Leave it like this for 24 hours, changing the bandage and reapplying the honey daily.
Natural Remedies For Skin Tags
Next to warts, skin tags are fleshy bumps that can be anywhere from the size of a grain of rice to the size of a pea. Technically called acrochordons or cutaneous papilloma, the benign growths of skin are more annoying than problematic.
Why Do We Get Skin Tags?
Skin tags tend to occur where the skin folds and there is friction from clothing, such as in the groin area, on the neck, under the breasts, and on the thighs. They are also common on the eyelids.
Adult onset diabetes tends to be related to obesity and when we are overweight we tend to have more areas of skin folds and friction. It is also believed that there might be a connection between skin tags and human papilloma virus (HPV). Finally, it seems that you have a greater chance of developing the growths if someone in your family has them.
It has also been suggested that we get skin tags when our lymphatic system becomes congested, and I think this makes a lot of sense. If we are constantly applying friction to the top layer of our skin and there is a toxic soup below, it stands to reason that a wart-like growth could occur.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apply twice a day with a cotton ball. It may sting a bit at first but this should decrease with time. It takes 2-4 weeks for the skin tag to fall off.
Castor Oil & Baking Soda
Make a paste with castor oil and baking soda and apply over the skin tag. This can be covered with a bandage. Continue to apply until the skin is smooth.
Tea Tree Oil
Add two to three drops of tea tree oil to a cotton ball that has been moistened with water. Apply directly to the skin tag and cover with a bandage. The tag will darken and usually drop off in about a week and a half.
Natural Mole Removers
Most moles are harmless, posing no health concerns, but could be problematic from an aesthetic point of view as many people find them unattractive. Medically known as melanocytic nevi, moles are black, brown, or flesh-colored spots or patches on the skin that form due to the collection of melanocytes. Melanocytes are cells that produce pigment, the coloring substance also called melanin.
Most moles appear by the age of 20 or 30. They can be flat or raised, rough or smooth, with or without hair. Factors like genetics, hormonal fluctuations and sun exposure may affect the number and appearance. Some moles will fade and disappear as a person ages, but not all and often not when people are most concerned with how they look. Some simple home remedies can help you get rid of unsightly moles.
Before trying the home remedies though, it is important to inspect your mole for abnormal characteristics such as asymmetry of the border, color, or diameter. If you notice any of these issues or the mole is changing in shape or color without any treatment, get it checked by a dermatologist to rule out the possibility of it being cancerous. Do not attempt to treat cancerous moles on your own.
Garlic
Garlic is one of the most effective home remedies for moles because it contains enzymes that help break down the clusters of pigment-producing cells. Plus, it helps lighten the dark pigmentation.
- Crush a fresh garlic glove and place it on the mole.
- Secure it with a bandage and leave it on overnight, or at least for four hours.
- Do this daily for a few days. The mole will then fall off naturally. This method is said to give positive results with merely five days of daily application.
Make sure to disinfect the area with ACV or another disinfectant before repeating the process daily. Plus, to protect the skin surrounding the mole, apply some coconut oil.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a very popular home remedy for mole removal, because of its acid content, it helps scab the mole and makes it fall off over time.
- Dip a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and place it on the affected area.
- Secure it with a bandage or medical tape and leave it on overnight.
- Perform daily for about 10 days or until gone.
- Alternatively, you can rub warm water on the mole or lightly scrape the surface with an emery board and then apply cider vinegar on it until it turns white. Leave it on until it dries naturally. Do this several times a day.
Castor Oil
Castor oil helps remove warts, moles, and skin tags, because it helps dissolve and eliminate unusual growths. This method is also not likely to leave scars. However, it tends to take a lot of time as it gets rid of moles one layer at a time.
- Mix a pinch of baking soda and a few drops of castor oil. You can also mix in ground aspirin.
- Gently rub the mixture on your mole.
- Leave it on for a few hours until it dries naturally.
- Do this twice daily for about one month.
If you do not have baking soda, you can use castor oil alone.
Dark Spot Home Remedies
You do not have to hide dark spots on your face with heavy makeup or subject your delicate skin to harsh chemical peels or laser treatments to remove annoying marks. Whether they are age-related “liver spots” or stubborn acne and insect bite scars, there are natural ways that are effective options for removing most dark spots from your face.
Brown spots generally appear on exposed skin areas like the face, back, neck, chest, shoulders and hands. Some of the main causes of brown spots are sun exposure, aging, and genetics. Factors like stress, pregnancy, vitamin deficiencies, and weak liver functioning may also contribute to this problem.
Age spots, sun spots, acne spots, spots from chicken pox, whatever the cause, no one wants to have spots littered all over their skin. Fortunately, there are also many ways to get rid of them once and for all, and the best part is that you can do it naturally and from the comfort of your own home.
Lemons
Lemon juice and its natural acidity have long been used as an organic bleaching agent to lighten dark spots. All you have to do is squeeze the juice out of one lemon, dip a cotton ball in the juice and apply it directly to your dark spots twice a day. Just be sure you use fresh lemon juice and not the kind you buy in a bottle from the grocery store, unless you buy organic.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera has healing properties and aids skin regeneration. So, it is excellent for getting rid of brown spots, especially when caused by sun exposure.
- Gently rub fresh aloe vera gel on the spots. Leave it on for about 30 minutes before washing the area with cold water. Repeat twice daily and within a month you should notice improvement.
- If fresh aloe vera gel is not available, you can opt for aloe vera juice that you can readily buy from the market.
Sandalwood
Sandalwood is an anti-aging agent and an antiseptic that can helps reduce hyperpigmentation and get rid of brown spots. You can make homemade pack with two tablespoons of sandalwood powder, two teaspoons of rose water, and one teaspoon each of glycerin and lemon juice. Apply this pack on the spots and allow it to dry naturally. Use cold water to wash it off. Repeat a few times a week until your brown spots disappear.
Another option is to add one tablespoon of orange juice, one teaspoon of lemon juice and the contents of two vitamin E capsules to two tablespoons of sandalwood powder. Mix it well and then apply it on the face. Leave it on for about half an hour before washing it off. Do this a few times a week until you see improvement.
Also, massage the affected area with a few drops of sandalwood oil mixed in one tablespoon of olive oil or almond oil, daily before going to bed and leave it on overnight.
Horseradish
If you find lemon juice just isn’t cutting it, try switching it up and testing out a combination of horseradish mixed with apple cider vinegar and pure raw honey.
Squeezing some lemon juice onto a cotton ball and use it as you would any toner, by swiping it all over your face. After that, spot treat any hyperpigmented areas with your horseradish mixture and allow it to soak in for around 20 minutes. Then just simply wash your face and apply SPF if you plan on going outside, as these ingredients can make your skin sensitive to UV rays.
Onion
While it may sound like a smelly solution, red onion is actually rich in acidic properties and can help fade dark spots almost effortlessly. Just cut up a red onion and juice it, or blend it if you don’t have a juicer. Once you have your red onion juice ready to go, grab a Q-tip, dip it in your juice and apply it directly to each spot or area you wish to lighten. Allow it to remain on your skin for 10-15 minutes before rinsing off with warm water. No matter which method you choose, if you commit to staying dedicated and consistent in your application, you should start to notice your dark spots fading.
Home Remedies for Clogged Pores
Our pores help us stay clean by ridding waste elements including dead skin cells. The sebaceous glands under our skin secrets oil called sebum which most often clings to dead skin cells. The dead skin cells then get excreted from body through pores, and it is this process that keeps our skin healthy and glowing.
However, build-up thanks to dirt or some other things like makeup residue pollution, etc. can lead to clogged pores, yet the sebaceous gland keeps producing sebum oil, but it doesn’t get released out of skin. This causes infection that we know as pimples, acne and blackheads.
Sometimes hormonal changes can also lead to extra oil production by the sebaceous glands, however, there are very simple ways to get rid of clogged pores so that your skin remains free of any buildup and glows forever. Here are some home remedies for clogged pores that will help them stay open and clean.
Steaming
The best way to get rid of clogged pores, and the most easy one too, is steaming. It helps your skin by opening up the pores in a gentle way which in turn, allows all impurities to be removed. It is also the cheapest option when it comes to clogged pores remedy.
Items:
- Hot Water
- 1 Bowl
- Towel
Directions:
- Clean your face well, by getting rid of any dirt or make up residue.
- Take the bowl or basin with hot water and place it on an even place like a table at a comfortable height.
- Sit down and lean over the bowl covering your head with towel. The steam coming out of the hot water should be directed towards your face and the towel should prevent the steam from escaping.
- You may always use few drops of any essential oil to make steaming some more effective. Tea tree oil is a great option.
- Steam your face for about 5-10 minutes, giving breaks in between whenever you feel it’s getting too hot to tolerate for your skin.
- Once you are done with steaming, pat your face dry and relax for a couple of seconds.
- Apply toner of apple cider vinegar afterward, along with moisturizing well with coconut oil.
- Avoid over steaming, as it leads to drying of skin. Seaming your face once a week or at the most twice a week is what you need.
Exfoliating
Another great way to open up clogged pores, is by exfoliating the skin, you help slough off the impurities and dry skin cells. Exfoliating, like steaming, is one of the best ways to get rid of clogged pores, and there are many options for exfoliating your skin. One of the oldest methods is dry brushing with a dry facial brush,but make sure the facial brush you use should has soft bristles made with natural fibers. The skin on your face is fragile and sensitive and these body brushes are too harsh for it, so whenever buying face brush, ensure that it is made specifically to be used on face.
Directions:
- Cleanse your face.
- Pat dry your face dry.
- Gently brush in circular motions.
- Focus more on areas where the skin is clogged and dry.
- Exercise caution when brushing around eyes because this is very thin skin.
- After brushing, wash your face with cool water.
- Finish by moisturizing with coconut oil.
Sugar Scrub to Unclog Pores
If you are not comfortable with dry brushing, you can also use facial scrubs to exfoliate your skin and unclog pores. Scrubs that contain tiny particles to exfoliate your facial skin. Many scrubbing gels and creams are sold in stores, but it’s better to stick to homemade scrubs. Sugar is by far the most popular and safe scrubbing ingredient when it comes to facial skin and opening up the pores. Sugar is one of the best natural exfoliating agents that help break up scar tissue and also is fabulous for unclogging skin pores. You can always add one or more ingredients to make it more effective and for fine tuning your pores.
Items:
- 2 Tbsp Sugar
- 1/2 a Lemon, squeezed for its juice
- Water
Directions:
- Crush sugar to form a powder.
- Add lemon juice to the sugar.
- Mix enough water to make a thick paste.
- Apply to the face or areas with clogged pores.
- Massage gently in a circular motion for about 5 minutes.
- Wash well with cool water.
- Moisturize your skin with coconut oil.
Shaving For Skin Care
As well as removing the fine hair, shaving removes the top layer of dead skin cells, making it an excellent tool for exfoliating. Dr Michael Prager, an aesthetic clinician who has a practice in London, says:
From an anti-aging point of view, home shaving has some effect. ‘It’s like a mild form of microdermabrasion, so encourages collagen production, which reduces wrinkles. Whenever there’s trauma to the skin, collagen is stimulated to help cell renewal.
This is the reason that by their 30s and 40s, men’s skin often looks so much better than women’s skin. The constant exfoliation keeps wrinkles at bay.
Shaving is actually an excellent way of exfoliating to help with the prevention and spreading of acne instead of leaving the clogged pores. For some light acne cases, shaving can help rid whiteheads and blackheads from the face. Do not shave areas that are sore or infected.
Shaving also helps make-up application go on more evenly and easily, helps products absorb better and the skin becomes smooth and bright.
Does Facial Hair Growing Back THICKER?
NOPE! The claim that facial hair grows back thicker and darker is a myth. Everyday Health expert dermatologist Jessica Wu, MD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Southern California Medical School in Los Angeles, states that shaving your body hair doesn’t make it grow darker or thicker.
This is also backed up by published research dating back as far as the 1920s, that measured how quickly individual hair shafts grew after shaving and found that it had no effect on hair growth. Another paper published in 1970 studied five men that shaved one leg weekly for several months and left the other leg alone. There was no difference in rate of hair growth or texture between the unshaved and shaved legs.
This has been a common belief because when hairs grow out and get longer, they taper to a point, so they look thinner. But shaving hair cuts the folical at a blunt angle so hairs appear thicker. When shaved hair grows back, the bluntness feels more coarse and thicker, and also appears darker against the skin, but that’s simply because it’s more noticeable.
Hair is dead, and shaving it doesn’t affect the living part of the hair, which is the follicle that sits deep under the skin. But what does determine the thickness of hair is the size of the follicle from which the hair grows.
Where To Begin
If you’re you ready to shave your face like? If you are up to the challenge, Neal Schultz, M.D., a cosmetic dermatologist in NYC, recommends:
- Wet the entire face first to moisten the skin and soften the hairs
- You can apply shaving cream, shaving gel or your favorite cleanser all over your face to help with friction and to keep skin from getting irritated.
- Use your razor in the direction the hairs grow for a subtle shave and against growth pattern for a close shave.
- Rinse and moisturize your face
- Repeat at least twice a month, but can be done as much as everyday
- For sanitary purposes make sure to wash your razor and dip it in 90% rubbing alcohol after each use
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