| How to Get Rid of Acne With Home Remedies Posted: 14 Apr 2016 05:00 PM PDT While acne is often considered a problem for teenagers, people of any age can experience acne symptoms. This usually occurs when your skin produces excess sebum, leading to clogged pores and outbreaks of pimples. Although your dermatologist can probably offer the best treatment for your acne, there are a number of home remedies that can help as well. You can use these remedies as a supplement to the regimen suggested by your dermatologist. If you're experiencing acne for the first time, click here.
If you're struggling with severe or cystic acne, click here. EditWashing Your Face Properly - Select the right cleanser. You'll want a gentle face wash that is non-abrasive. Make sure that any product you use is free of alcohol to prevent further skin irritation. If you're unsure of what the best cleanser for you would be, ask your dermatologist for a recommendation.[1]
- Wet your face with lukewarm water. Cold water will close up your pores. While washing your face, you'll want your pores open so dirt, oil, and bacteria will flow out of your skin.[2]
- Apply the cleanser to your face. Be sure to only use your fingertips when applying the cleanser. A washcloth or sponge will irritate your skin.[3]
- Do not scrub your skin while washing your face. This will also irritate your face. Just apply the cleanser and allow it to sit for a minute or so.
- Rinse with lukewarm water. Again, make sure to use warm water to keep the pores open and allow dirt and bacteria to flow out of your skin.[4]
- Pat your skin dry with a clean towel. Do not rub your face with the towel. This can irritate your skin. Rubbing will also spread around bacteria and dirt, making your acne worse. Instead, just gently pat your face with the towel.[5]
- Apply a moisturizer if necessary. While many people with acne would avoid moisturizers, your skin still needs moisture to stay healthy. Washing your face can lead to dryness. If you notice redness, burning, or itching, your skin may be dried out. Gently apply an oil-free moisturizer with your fingertips to help fight dryness after washing.[6][7]
- Limit washing to twice a day, or after sweating. While it may seem like more washing would be better for your acne, this isn't true. Washing too much will strip your skin of essential oils, which will dry out your skin and can even lead to premature aging. Repeat these steps only twice a day, morning and night. You should also wash your skin after sweating, since this can lead to breakouts.[8]
EditUsing Common Natural Remedies for Treating Acne - Use Australian tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is a pleasant-smelling essential oil derived from a tree native to Australia. There is clinical evidence that tea tree oil is effective against several skin conditions, including acne. It works as a natural astringent and can stimulate the immune system, making it an asset for your fight against acne.[9][10][11][12]
- See How to apply for detailed instructions on how to use and apply tea tree oil.
- Some people may be allergic to tea tree oil. Before using it on your face, test a drop of tea tree oil elsewhere, like your arm or leg. Wait several hours. If a rash develops, you may be allergic or sensitive to the oil, and should avoid putting it on your face.
- Tea tree oil is toxic when consumed. Do not ingest tea tree oil.
- Use lemon juice on pimples. Lemon juice works as a natural disinfectant, which will kill bacteria that cause acne. It can also stimulate circulation to the skin, which will bring essential nutrients from your body to help fight acne. Follow these instructions to treat your acne with lemon juice.[13][14]
- Wash your face normally.
- Squeeze a large lemon into a bowl until you have about 2 teaspoons. Note that you may need to use a second lemon. Make sure to get the lemon juice by squeezing lemons instead of using store-bought juice- this usually contains preservatives that can irritate your face.
- Use a cotton ball or Q-tip to apply the lemon juice to each one of your pimples.
- If you do this treatment during the day, leave the juice on for at least 30 minutes, then rinse with cool water. If you are doing it at night, leave it on while you sleep, then wash it off with cool water in the morning.
- Make sure you've removed the juice before going into the sun, as this can have a bleaching affect on your skin.
- Experiment with honey. Although there is conflicting evidence, some consider honey an effective treatment for acne because of its antibacterial properties. Advocates consider Manuka honey, harvested from New Zealand, and raw honey, to be the two best forms of honey for acne treatment. Both are available in health food stores and on the internet.[15][16]
- Before applying honey to your acne, dab a small amount around your jawline. Wait about 30 minutes to see if you have an adverse reaction. If so, do not apply honey to your acne.
- You may use honey in two ways. Either dab your pimples, or apply the honey to your whole face like a mask.
- Wash off the honey with cool water after 30 minutes, though you may leave it on longer if you want.
- You could also add about 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon to your honey. This adds to its antibacterial properties and can promote circulation in your face.
- Mix up an apple cider vinegar toner. Apple cider vinegar helps to balance your skin's pH, leading to less blemishes and a more even tone. It also kills bacteria and can soften your skin. It is very simple to mix up a toner from apple cider vinegar.[17]
- Thoroughly clean a glass bottle to store your toner in. Use only hot water and soap. Cleaning with alcohol or bleach could leave chemical residue in the container, which can then get on your face.
- Pour 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar and 1/2 cup of water into the container. Cover the bottle and shake to mix the ingredients well.
- Apply the toner to pimples using a cotton ball.
- Store the mixture in a cool, dry, dark place.
- You could try applying apple cider vinegar to your skin without diluting it, but this is not recommended. The apple cider vinegar is harsh and can cause irritation if not diluted. If this mixture causes any irritation, try diluting with more water.
- Mix a turmeric treatment. This yellow-tinged spice, common in Middle-Eastern cooking, is available wherever spices are found. It is usually considered an effective home remedy for acne. Follow these simple steps to mix your own turmeric paste and treat your acne.[18][19]
- Add 1/4 teaspoon of powdered turmeric to 2 teaspoons of coconut oil. Stir the mixture well.
- Spread the mixture evenly on your face.
- Let the mixture sit 15 minutes. Then rinse with cool water.
- Remember that turmeric stains your skin yellow, especially if you leave it on overnight. For advice on how to get rid of turmeric stains, look here.
- Rub tomatoes on your acne. Naturally rich in antioxidants and vitamins A and C, tomatoes are another simple acne remedy available at any food store. Tomatoes also tighten the skin's pores and shrink pimples. Application is easy and takes very little time.[20]
- Slice a small tomato in half.
- Rub the opened half over areas of the skin where acne is present. Discard the tomato afterward.
- Massage the juice into your skin for a few seconds.
- Rinse your face with warm water afterward.
- Apply twice a day for best results, using the other half of the tomato for the second application.
- Make a sea salt mixture. Sea salt can help dry out your pimples and absorb excess oil. Mixed with honey, it can be an effective home remedy for acne.[21]
- Mix 1 teaspoon of sea salt with 3 teaspoons of hot water.
- Stir the mixture until the salt dissolves.
- Add 1 teaspoon of honey and stir well.
- Apply this mixture to your face when it has sufficiently cooled. If you only want it on your pimples, you can use a Q-tip to apply it as a spot treatment.
- Leave the mixture on for 10 minutes. Avoid keeping it on any longer or your skin will get too dry.
- Rinse off with cool water.
- Apply moisturizer. Sea salt may leave your skin dry, so applying a moisturizer is important to keep your skin healthy.
- Use an egg white mask. Egg whites can help tighten the skin's surface and reduce the size of pores. They also fight discoloration associated with acne.[22][23]
- Wash your face using the steps from Part 1, except don't moisturize yet.
- Crack 3 eggs and separate the yolks from the whites.
- Add one tablespoon lemon juice if desired. This addition can help loosen blackheads and whiteheads.
- Whisk the egg whites until they become a foam.
- Apply this evenly to your face and leave on for 15 minutes.
- Rinse off with warm water and pat your face dry with a towel.
- Now moisturize your skin.
- Apply a yogurt mask to your face. Yogurt helps open up pores, exfoliate the skin, and absorb excess oil.
- Take one tablespoon of plain yogurt and apply it evenly across your face.
- Leave this on for 15 minutes, then rinse off with cool water.
- You can repeat this treatment daily.
EditUsing Common Chemical Home Remedies for Acne - Apply baking soda to your pimples. Baking soda can help balance your skin's pH level and absorb excess oil. It can dry out pimples, causing them to shrink and eventually disappear. Mixing up a baking soda paste is simple.[24]
- Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda with a few drops of water. Stir this mixture until it forms a paste.
- Apply this paste to areas of your skin affected by acne.
- Let the mixture sit for 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse it off with lukewarm water.
- Apply a moisturizer to your face, since baking soda can dry out your skin.
- Before using this treatment, apply a small amount to your jawline or another area on your face. Wait a few minutes and see if you have an adverse reaction. If so, don't continue using it.
- Use white toothpaste on your acne. Toothpaste is a common treatment option for people suffering from acne. Using white toothpaste instead of gel may be an effective treatment for your acne.[25]
- Dab a tiny amount of white toothpaste onto the affected pimple.
- Let this sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Wash it off with warm water.
- Mix up an aspirin pill paste. Aspirin contains salicylic acid, a common anti-inflammatory in many OTC acne medications. It can also exfoliate the skin and flush out dirt and bacteria.[26]
- Take a low dosage of aspirin, usually 2 pills (81mg each), and place them in a bowl. Crush them into a powder.
- Add a few drops of water and stir until you get a paste.
- Apply this paste to your pimples.
- Leave the mixture on your face for 15 minutes.
- Rise off with warm water.
- If your skin has any adverse reaction to the aspirin paste, rinse it off immediately and stop use.
EditTreating Acne with Proper Diet - Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Water is one of your skin's absolutely essential needs. Water flushes toxins out of your body and also improves circulation, both of which are helpful in the fight against acne. Drink water whenever you become thirsty. A good rule of thumb to use is looking at the color of your urine: if it's mostly clear, you've had enough water; if it's yellowish, aim to get more water in your diet.[27]
- Eat enough good fats. While fatty foods are often considered bad for acne, there are good fats that help fight acne. Omega-3 fatty acids help keep the skin flexible, which drains sebum out of the pores. This will cut down on the oil that is associated with acne.[28]
- For good fats, eat nuts, cold-water fish, and avocados.
- Include proteins in your diet. The body uses the amino acids from protein to produce collagen. This nutrient helps keep the skin healthy and hydrated.[29]
- Good sources of protein include seafood, poultry, dairy products, and eggs, as well as beans and soy.[30]
- Eat vitamin A. This particular vitamin helps cut down on the oil your skin produces. Good sources include sweet potato, carrots, dark green vegetables, and sweet peppers.[31][32]
- Cut artificial sugars out of your diet. Sugar stimulates levels of insulin in your blood, which can in turn increase the amount of oil your skin produces. Limit your intake of junk foods and soft drinks to cut the amount of sugar in your system.[33]
EditTreating Acne Naturally with Lifestyle Changes - Reduce your stress level. Scientific evidence finds a correlation between a high stress level and acne breakouts. The same cells that make sebum, which is the oily substance that gives you acne, have receptors for stress hormones. This can lead to breakouts when you're feeling overwhelmed. There are a multitude of activities you can use to cut your stress, which is beneficial for your health overall.[34][35]
- Meditation. Spend just a few minutes a day sitting with your eyes closed and focusing on your breathing. This will help your body and mind unwind, reducing your stress levels and hopefully cutting down on your acne.
- Listen to music. While soothing music helps your body relax and stay calm, any playlist of music you enjoy can distract you from your stress and put you in a positive mood.
- Exercise. This will release endorphins and put you in a better mood. Even a simple walk is enough to de-stress your body and mind.
- Don't bottle up your feelings. If you're feeling overwhelmed, reach out and talk to others. This will help you work out your problems in a constructive way.
- Get enough sleep. Although the connection between sleep and acne is not entirely clear, most doctors agree that insufficient sleep puts you at greater risk for psychological stress. This will make your acne worse and is bad for your skin overall. Commit to getting 8 hours of sleep a night to give your skin a healthy boost.[36]
- Exercise regularly. Besides reducing stress, exercise helps your acne by stimulating circulation to your skin. This brings essential nutrients to your skin and pulls toxins away, helping in the fight against acne. Doctors usually recommend 30-60 minutes of physical activity daily to keep yourself in healthy shape.[37]
- Remember to wash your face after exercising to get sweat and dirt out of your pores.
- Stop using heavy cosmetics. These will clog your pores and make acne symptoms worse.[38]
- Don't get discouraged if some of these methods don't work. Everyone's acne is different, and you probably just have to try a few methods before you find one that is right for you.
- You should check with your doctor or dermatologist before trying these remedies. You may have a specific issue with your skin that will make one or more of these treatments harmful.
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| How to Connect Speakers to Your Laptop Posted: 14 Apr 2016 09:00 AM PDT If you're a laptop owner, chances are you've found that the built in speakers leave a lot to be desired. If you watch movies or listen to music through your laptop, buying a set of computer speakers will greatly improve your experience. Whether you decide to go wireless or stick with USB or a 3.5mm (1/8") audio connection, computer speakers are easy to set up on your PC or Mac laptop. EditConnecting Wired Computer Speakers - Choose a set of computer speakers.[1] As long as your laptop has a USB or speaker/headphone jack, you should be able to use most wired computer speakers.
- Most computer speakers have a 3.5mm (1/8") audio output connector, which is the small plug that will fit into a typical headphone jack. These speakers will also need to be plugged into a power source.
- USB speakers are powered by your computer so they won't need to be plugged into the wall. If you have available USB ports, these might be more convenient.
- Arrange the speakers in your workspace. Most speakers are clearly marked as Left (L) or Right (R) on the back or bottom of the unit. If your speakers come with a subwoofer, you may want to put it behind your system or on the floor. Make sure that wherever you choose to place your speakers, the connector cable will reach its corresponding input on your computer, and the power cable (if you have one) can safely reach an outlet.
- Turn the speaker volume to the minimum. This is done by turning the volume dial on the speakers (there's only one) all the way to the left.
- Adjust the volume on your laptop to about 75%.[2] You can do this by clicking on the sound icon in the taskbar (bottom right corner on Windows) or menu bar (top right corner on Mac) and sliding it up about ¾ of the way from the top. Windows users will probably see two different sliders—use the one that says "Applications" above the slider.
- Plug the connector into the laptop. With your laptop turned on, plug the audio connector cable (the USB or 3.5mm (1/8") connector) into its corresponding port on the laptop.
- If you're using a 3.5mm (1/8") connector, look on the sides of your laptop for a small jack that has a drawing of headphones or a speaker. Don't plug it into the jack with the drawing of a microphone.
- If you're using USB, plugging in your speakers may trigger the system to start installing drivers. If you are asked to insert a disk, insert the one that came with your speakers and follow any instructions that came in the packaging.
- Turn the speakers on. The On button is usually located on the back of one of the speakers. If your speakers have a power cable, plug that in before turning the speakers on.
- Play some audio on your laptop. Start some audio (streaming music, a CD, a YouTube video, etc.) on your laptop.
- Find a comfortable listening volume. Slowly turn the volume knob on your computer speakers to the right until you reach your desired volume.
- If you don't hear anything, make sure the speakers are connected and plugged in if necessary.
- If you're using Windows and can hear sound but it's coming through your laptop speakers, you may need to manually change your audio settings. Press and type
control. When "Control Panel" appears, select it, then click "Sound." Under "Playback," you should see two devices listed—your laptop audio card and your new speakers. Double-click the new speakers to change your default sound device. Click "OK" to hear audio through your new speakers. EditConnecting Wireless Computer Speakers (Bluetooth) - Make sure your laptop has Bluetooth.[3] Here's how to check:
- If you're using a Mac, open the Apple menu and click "About this Mac." Click "More Info," then "Bluetooth" in the list on the left side of the screen. If the right side of the Hardware screen shows any sort of device information (such as "Apple Bluetooth Software Version 4"), you have Bluetooth.
- In Windows, press and select "Device Manager." Click "Laptop." If you see a category under Laptop called "Bluetooth Radios," click it to expand a list of Bluetooth devices. If anything appears in this list, you have Bluetooth.
- Find a location for your Bluetooth speaker(s).[4] Find a location in your home or office to place the Bluetooth speakers. Some things to keep in mind:
- The speakers will need to be plugged into a power source.
- Having a wall between the laptop and the speaker shouldn't affect the connection too much, but it can potentially decrease sound quality.
- If you want to be able to turn the speakers on and off easily, you may not want to mount them in a difficult-to-reach location.
- Check your speaker manual to find out how close your laptop must be to your speakers.[5] Typically these speakers can be up to 30 feet away, but some devices may have lower ranges.
- Turn on your Bluetooth speaker and make it discoverable. This process is different depending on the manufacturer of your speakers. Often there is a button on the speakers that must be held down for a few seconds to put the device into "discovery" mode. Check your manual to be sure.
- Pair your laptop with the Bluetooth speaker. This process depends on your operating system:
- If you're using Windows 8 or 10, open the Action Center by clicking on the notification icon in the taskbar (near the clock). Select "Bluetooth," then "Connect" to begin the search for devices. When the speakers appear, select them to connect.
- Windows 7 users should open the Start menu, then click "Devices and Printers." Click "Add a device" to start a search for Bluetooth devices. When the speakers show up, select them and click "Next" to pair the devices.
- Mac users, select "System Preferences" from the Apple menu and click "Bluetooth." Make sure Bluetooth is set to On, then wait for the speakers to appear in the list. Select them, then click "Pair."
- Configure your computer to play audio through the speakers. This is a little different on Windows and Mac:
- Windows users, press and type
control. When you see "Control Panel," click it, then select "Sound." On the Playback tab, select the Bluetooth speaker and click "Set Default." Click OK. - Mac users, open the Apple menu and click "System Preferences." Click "Sound" and select the Output tab. Under "Choose a device for sound output," select the Bluetooth speaker.
- Set your laptop volume to about 75%. You can do this by clicking on the speaker in either your menu or task bar, then moving the volume slider up to about the 75% level. If you're using Windows, click the speaker icon near the clock, then select "Mixer." You'll want to adjust the slider below "Applications."
- Minimize the volume on your Bluetooth speaker. If your Bluetooth speaker has a hardware volume knob, turn it all the way to the left to mute the volume. If not, click the Sound icon on your menu bar or task bar and drag the volume level down.
- Test your audio. Play a song, video or sound file as you normally would. Slowly turn up the volume on your Bluetooth speaker or until the volume rests at a comfortable place.
- You can use streaming sites like Spotify or Pandora to listen to music for free.
- You can also use your new speakers with your MP3 player or iPod. The setup is the same for wired speakers, but will vary for Bluetooth.
- Some speakers incorporate an MP3 cradle to store your MP3 Player or iPod on whilst using it with your speakers.
- Listening to audio at a high volume could be bad for your ears.
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| How to Download Images from Flickr Posted: 14 Apr 2016 01:00 AM PDT Photographers love Flickr because it's a vibrant social community with a wide variety of photo-sharing options. But because Flickr is so rich with features, it can be challenging to figure out how to complete everyday tasks like downloading photos. Luckily, downloading photos from Flickr is quite easy once you learn a few valuable tricks. You'll need to have access to a computer, as the mobile app isn't capable of handling these functions. EditDownloading From Your Photostream - Log into your Flickr account.[1] Launch the Flickr website in your web browser and sign in with your username and password.
- Select the photos you want to download. Your photos are available in two different areas:
- Click "Camera Roll" to view all of your photos.[2] Clicking a photo will add it to the "pile" of photos to be downloaded, shown at the bottom of the screen. To add an entire batch of photos to the download pile, click "Select All" next to the date the photos were added.
- If you use Flickr albums to store your photo and want to download an entire album, click "Albums," then select an album to download.
- Click "Download" at the bottom of the screen. Now you'll be downloading the photos you've added to the download pile. A different pop-up message will appear depending on how many photos you've selected:
- If you've selected one image, the message will say "Download 1 photo." Click the message box to choose where to save it on your computer. The download will begin.
- If you've selected multiple photos (or an entire album), the message will say "Download zip." Click the message to create a single zip file, then choose a folder to save your zip file. When the download is complete, locate the zip file.
- Windows users, double-click the zip file, then click "Extract" to unpack the images.
- Mac users can double-click the zip file to extract the images to the current folder.[3]
EditDownloading From Someone Else's Photostream - Open a Flickr photo you want to download. Not all users make their photos downloadable. You'll know a photo can be downloaded if you see a downward-pointing arrow beneath the photo on the right side.
- Click the downward-pointing arrow to see image size options. A short list of image sizes available for download will appear. To see an even longer list, click "View all sizes."
- The higher the resolution, the larger the image.
- If you don't see many higher resolutions, the image may just be small, or the owner of the image has chosen not to share all sizes.
- Click an image size, then click the Download link. The download link will say something like "Download the Large 1024 size of this photo," though the actual text depends on the selected image size.
- Choose a location to save your image. Select a folder, then click "Save" to download the image.
EditUsing Flickr Downloadr in Google Chrome - Install Flickr Downloadr.[4] Flickr Downloadr is a reliable app that allows you to search for and download images from Flickr. The app requires the Google Chrome web browser but can be run on Mac, Windows or Linux systems.
- Open the Chrome Web Store[5] and locate Flickr Downloadr.
- Click "Add to Chrome," then confirm by clicking "Add app."
- Launch Flickr Downloader in Chrome. In the address bar of Chrome, type
chrome://apps and press . Click the Flickr Downloadr icon. - Click the house icon to launch the search. In the search field, type a keyword/topic, a Flickr user's account name, or the name of a Flickr group. Click the magnifying glass to begin your search.
- Select photos to download. If you searched for a user or group, click "People" or "Groups" at the top of the app to view your results. If you searched for a keyword/topic, remain on the "Photos" tab to browse your results.
- Clicking a photo adds it to your download pile. If you change your mind about a photo, click it again.
- To select all photos you've viewed thus far in the search results, click the square icon beneath the photos.
- Click the arrow icon to begin your download. Choose a file size at the bottom of the screen ("Original" is the highest quality available) and then click "Choose Folder" to select a download location. Click "OK," then click the download arrow to begin the download.
- Each image will be downloaded separately so there's no need to unzip any files.
- If a user has not enabled the original size of their images to be downloaded, Flickr Downloadr will fetch the next best possible quality photo.
- Using another person's image for commercial use could violate the law unless it's licensed for the public domain.[6] Only use images which have a Creative Commons license. To determine whether or not a photo is public domain, open the photo in Flickr, read the license message directly beneath the date the photo was taken, and then click on that link to read about that type of license.
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