Natural Acne Solutions
By
Author: Ananda Mahony
Source: articlerich.com
The development of acne in teenage years or even into adulthood can be distressing. Conventional treatments often only mask the symptoms rather than dealing with the underlying causes and triggers. This article looks at the causitive factors and how natural dietary measures can help heal this common skin condition.
Acne is a skin disorder common to many teenagers living in the Western World and in the last 20 years, an increasing number of adults. An inflammatory disease of the skin, the most common symptoms of acne include pimples, comedones, whiteheads blackheads, pustules, cysts and scars.
The development of acne is multifactorial with a number of causes and exacerbating factors contributing to the onset and persistence of the condition. These include:
* Sex Hormones – Acne that flares up at puberty or monthly with the menstrual cycle is likely the result of high androgen production. Androgens stimulate the production of sebum in the skin’s oil glands. Oil glands that are blocked by dead skin cells build up sebum creating swelling. Sebum production can also be stimulated by sweat and humidity.
* Bacteria – A bacteria species Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is commonly found in the pores of the skin. Under normal circumstances P. acnes is in balance with the skin environment however when stimulated by factors such as excess sebum and pore congestion the environment is ideal for bacterial growth. Overgrowth of P. acnes triggers an inflammatory response, leading to pustules.
* Cosmetics and medications – Mineral oil, liquid make up, petroleum based products and rich moisturisers can cause congestion which may trigger or worsen acne. Cosmetics can also cause skin irritation which may flare-up acne. Certain medication such as steroids can also stimulate acne production.
* Stress – There is some indication that stress can exacerbate acne by disrupting hormone levels and suppressing the immune system.
* Dietary Factors – There are a number of links between diet and acne. Diets high in trans fats, simple carbohydrates and sugars promote inflammation in the body, which aggravates acne. A high glycemic index (GI) diet is also associated with insulin resistance and increased production of androgens.
* Insulin levels – High insulin levels occur when the cells that usually take glucose up from the blood become resistant to its effects. The pancreas responds by producing more insulin creating a cycle that can lead to an increase in acne, as well as weight gain and hormone imbalances.
* Nutritional Deficiencies – Zinc, Essential Fatty Acids and vitamin A are important skin nutrients. Deficiencies in any one of these can lead to skin problems. Skin that is dry and inflamed or congested with whiteheads or blackheads may be deficient in EFAs. Skin deficient in zinc can scar very easily which is often the case in chronic acne. Adequate levels of zinc in the skin will help with skin repair and reduce ongoing scarring. Acne and rough or thick skin are also possible signs of a vitamin A deficiency.
Conventional Treatment
Conventional treatment for acne ranges from medicated washes to medications such as Roaccutane. Ingredients found in over the counter medications are either aimed at reducing P. acnes, degreasing the skin or reducing skin shedding. While they may be effective in some cases, many of these treatments have potential side effects such as skin dryness and are only treating the symptoms rather than the cause of the condition.
Skin Hygiene & Topical Treatments
Skin hygiene is paramount when it comes to managing acne. Frequent touching the site of acne can lead to P. acne being transferred to other sites on the face or body. Picking or squeezing blemishes or blackheads can lead to scarring. Good hygiene practices help to minimise irritation, scarring and bacterial transfer. Suggestions for reducing acne lesions include:
* Wash your face once or twice a day.
Washing at night helps to remove environmental grime, oil secretions, creams and make up. Washing in the morning removes debris and dead skin cells produced during the night.
Ensure that you use a sodium laurel sulphate free cleanser as this will help prevent the skin becoming dehydrated. If your skin feels tight or dry after washing it is an indication that the skin’s protective barrier has been significantly disrupted. This can lead to over production of sebum (oiliness).
* Wash your hands before touching your skin to reduce the chance of infection.
Picking or squeezing can cause damage to the surrounding skin and increase the likelihood of scarring. It may also spread bacteria under the skin and cause further breakouts.
* If you have oily hair or pimples around your hairline, wash your hair daily.
* Avoid make up or face creams that are greasy or oily.
Look for light or gel products that support skin healing. Natural ingredients such as Aloe vera, Calendula, Lavender, Chamomile, Rose geranium & Cedarwood essential oils and Manuka honey can assist with skin healing, reduce sebum production and inflammation.
Facial products that contain sodium lauryl sulphate, socetyl stearate, isopropyl isostearate, isopropyl palmitate, isopropyl myristate,sodium chloride and parabens may increase irritation, dryness and contribute to acne.
Mineral Make Up is ideal to cover up the redness and irritation associated with acne as they don’t sink into and clog the pores.
Dietary Considerations
A recent Australian trial conducted at RMIT University, Melbourne, has shown that a low glycaemic index (GI), high protein diet improved symptoms of acne including the number of facial lesions. It also reduced the causative factors associated with acne such as high androgen levels and insulin resistance. The diet consisted of 25% of energy from protein and 45% of energy from low GI carbohydrates such as fruit and vegetables, grains and pulses.
Interestingly acne is seen as a condition associated with Western diets that are generally higher in saturated and trans-fats, high in simple carbohydrates and sugars and lower in healthy protein sources. Acne vulgaris is seen in up to 79-95% of the adolescent population in Westernised countries. Non-Western diets, which are traditionally high in low glycaemic foods, do not have the same association.
There are a number of simple dietary changes that support skin health, help minimise sebum and balance hormones:
* Consume Fish regularly: Fish is an excellent source of protein and essential fatty acids. Protein is important for skin healing. Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) help to keep skin flexible and hydrated as well as promoting skin healing. Deep Sea fish are the best source of EFAs including tuna, salmon, anchovies and sardines. A fish oil supplement may be a good idea if fish intake is less thank twice a week.
* Eat Lean Animal Protein: Lean red meat and organic chicken are good sources of valuable protein that is essential for skin healing and repair. A palm size serve of animal protein 2-3 times a week will help support skin health.
* Eat plenty of Fresh Vegetables: Vegetables are low GI and full of antioxidants and trace nutrients that help to heal and repair the skin. Betacarotene (a precursor to vitamin A) is found in vegetables including carrots, spinach, sweet potato, kale, green leafy vegetables and red capsicum. Regular fruit consumption is also important.
* Purified Water: Drink at least 8 glasses of water per day. Water promotes healthy digestive habits and helps to flush toxins out of your body. Water is also essential to keep your skin well hydrated.
* Go for Whole Grains & Legumes: Whole grains are rich in fibre, low GI and nutrients. This promotes sustained release energy and reduces inflammation. Zinc, important for skin healing, is found in whole grains along with sunflower & pumpkin seeds, beef, egg yolks, ginger and lamb.
Foods to Avoid
* Processed Foods & Sugar: Foods high in sugar increase the body’s production of insulin, promote inflammation and can cause or exacerbate acne. Minimise the following foods in your diet to less than 10%: cakes, lollies, processed flour products, white bread, white rice (with the exception of Basmati), fruit juices, baked goods, and trans or hydrogenated fats.
* Soft drinks & diet soft drinks: Soft drinks are full of sugar and often caffeine. The phosphorus and sodium in soft drinks can lead to skin drying and the carbonate can cause digestive disorders. Drink water, herbal teas, and vegetable juices instead.
* Dairy: There is some research that suggests that a high consumption of milk and dairy products may be linked with acne. The Journal of America Academy of Dermatology published a report showing a positive association between dairy consumption, particularly milk and acne in teenage girls. Suitable milk substitutes may include soymilk, rice milk, almond milk and fresh goat’s milk.
A healthy, low GI diet is important in the management of acne, both in teenagers and adults. In combination with good hygiene practices and natural, healing topical treatments, acne is a condition that can be managed effectively before resorting to medications.
Your organic skin expert – http://www.vitalenatural.com.au
January 13th, 2010
Advice on How to Cure Acne
By
Author: Stacy Breeze
Source: ezinearticles.com
Pimples, blackheads, redness are all the hallmarks of acne. It can be very difficult to deal with, especially when it is on your face. Your face is the first thing that most people see. It is no wonder that many people are searching for how to cure acne solutions.
Most likely if you suffer from acne then you have tried many different things to cure your acne. Creams, ointments, and painful visits to the dermatologist are typical. Often some of them will work for a time. Some of them might not work at all. It can all be very frustrating.
There is however a few pieces of advice that can help to cure acne. The first is to make some changes to your diet. You want to make sure that you are eating a well balanced diet with full servings of 3 to 5 fruits and vegetables a day. You need to drink 8 glasses of water each day as well. A handy tip is to fill a pitcher with 64 ounces of water in the morning, keep it in the refrigerator, and pour from it during the day to help keep track. Increase your consumption of omega-3 fatty acids.
Another thing you can do is to take care of your body. If you are not getting at least 8 hours of sleep at night, it can cause stress on your body. This stress can keep your body from running in top shape and that can increase acne. Exercise at least 3 times a week for 30 minutes or more at a time. How to cure acne is more than just a single step in your life. It is many different things combined.
Find out more advice on how to cure acne by visiting http://www.shopacneskincare.com
Get Rid Of Acne.
By
Author: Kenneth Langlet
Source: isnare.com
Acne is the word that is used for pimples or blemishes that are found on the body. They are annoying and can be painful, but there are treatments to get rid of acne. Acne will affect most teenagers and some adults in life. The disease is not restricted to one certain age group or gender. Anyone can get acne at any time in his or her life. The only time that a person has to worry about their acne problem is when it is severe and causes scarring.
Some people have acne so bad that they are scarred from it. They will have it on their face, chest, back, neck, shoulders and sometimes their legs and stomach. Sometimes even the less severe cases can leave behind scars as well.
There are different types of acne to find out about. If you are someone that is having a problem with acne, it may be a good idea to find out what kind you have and what the best treatments are for it. This will help to fight it off and make the acne go away and keep it away as well.
Some people find that they may be able to get rid of acne with the store bought creams that are out there. These creams when used correctly will help the situation get better and eventually make the pimples go away.
In addition, other people have to seek the treatment from a dermatologist. They will have to have them look at their acne and give them the advice on how to rid themselves of this problem. They may prescribe a form of treatment or they may also give them a better idea of how to eat and exercise. After all everything, that we feed our body will affect our bodies in all kinds of ways. It is important to be as healthy as we can because it will affect not only the inside but the outside layers as well.
Many people will be embarrassed by their acne problems. They will have to figure out some way to cover up their embarrassing marks that are on their body. A lot of people will in fact, use creams and make up to cover the acne. This will work for some people and some cases, but others will have to use treatments to take the problem away permanently.
It is nothing to get excited about when you find out you has a pimple. You will be able to take care of the problem and make it go away quickly most of the time. The key is to eat right, keep stress away as much as possible and use treatments on the acne when your first notice it. It will go away and it is not the end of the world. There are bigger problems in life to worry about. Take it in stride and it will be fine.
Acne – Acne Cosmetica
By
Author: Steff Mac
Source: articledashboard.com
Cosmetics can make acne cases worse, and in some cases, actually cause it. For many women, a conflict exists between the need to make themselves up, and the need to take the best care of their skin. For those who already have acne lesions and feel they must cover them up in order to look their best – it becomes an even greater dilemma.
There is a lot of pressure on women, especially those in the workforce, to focus on their appearance. There’s also a lot of pressure from the cosmetic ads of the companies that want to sell as many products as they can. The result of all of this is that basic healthy skin care practices are sometimes sacrificed so that we can look a certain way. For some, this means the development of the type of skin problem known as acne cosmetica.
Acne cosmetica is the development of acne pimples from the use of cosmetics or skin products. Acne pimples, including whiteheads, blackheads and other types of lesions, appear in the areas of cosmetic use. This can be a persistent and difficult condition to rid oneself of, especially if it’s not properly diagnosed, or the use of the offending cosmetics is not discontinued. And in those who are already acne prone, it’s even more of a problem. In this case, the skin is already over-producing the sebum or skin oil that contributes directly to acne production.
Acne lesions are called comedones, and the type of makeup that causes acne cosmetica is called comedogenic. These acne causing products can often take several months of use before the associated problem appears, so the connection may not be made right away. Unfortunately, this can result in the use of even more makeup in an effort to cover up the pimples, which can result in even more makeup, and so on. This becomes a very frustrating vicious cycle for the acne sufferer.
There are a number of ingredients, which can contribute to acne cosmetica. Some facial products that are sold as healthiest for the skin, such as some facial creams and cleansers, can actually aggravate acne. And products that tend to dry the skin out, and greasy cosmetic products, are known to contribute to this condition. Those women who are the heaviest appliers of makeup, are the one’s most likely to suffer from this form of acne.
Acne cosmetica can affect anyone, even those who would not otherwise have acne, because it’s caused by the external application of topical products, and not by the process that typically produces teen acne. While it is milder than most other forms of acne, it can be persistent. And while the use of cosmetics does not cause typical acne (acne vulgaris) it can aggravate an existing condition, if you already have it. The comedogenic ingredients in some makeup products will clog pores in much the same way as they are clogged by regular acne.
There are several cosmetic ingredients that can cause or aggravate acne. Here is a partial list of some of them.
? Lanolin – this and other penetrating oils is one the most common acne producing ingredients. Make sure your makeup products don’t contain this acne producer.
? Isopropyl myristrate – is found in many types of makeup, especially in foundations. It is a very aggressive penetrator and should be avoided.
? Mica – which is the product that produces the sparkle in makeup, can clog pores in the same way that acne producing dead cells can.
? Fragrances – can aggravate acne. Choose products that are fragrance free, oil-free, and non- comedogenic.
If you have persistent acne cosmetica you may need to put aside the makeup for a while until the condition corrects itself, or at the very least, be very careful in your selection of cosmetics.
Why To Get Rid Of Acne.
By
Author: Kenneth Langlet
Source: articledashboard.com
Acne is the word used for grain or soft spots in the body. Treatments that are annoying and can be painful, but we must get rid of acne. Acne affects most teenagers and some adults in their lives. The disease is not limited to a particular age group or gender. Anyone can get acne at any time in your life. The only time a person has to worry about your acne problem is when severe and causes scarring. Some people have acne so bad that it scarred. They will have it in her face, chest, back, neck, shoulders and sometimes the legs and stomach. Sometimes, even in less severe cases can leave scars too. There are different types of acne known. If you are someone who has a problem with acne, can be a good idea to know which type you have and what are the best treatments for it. This will help fight it and make acne go away and keep it away too. Some people find that they may be able to get rid of acne with the store to buy the creams that are out there. These creams, when used correctly will help to improve the situation and eventually make the grains disappear. In addition, other people have to seek treatment from a dermatologist. They will have to do but look at your acne and give advice on how to get rid of this problem. You can prescribe a treatment or it can also give you a better idea of how to eat and exercise. After all that we feed our bodies affect our bodies in all sorts of ways. It is important to be as healthy as we can, because they affect not only internal but also external layers. Many people feel embarrassed about their acne problems. They will have to figure out some way to cover up their shameful brands that are in your body. A lot of people actually use creams and make up to cover acne. This works for some people and in some cases, but others will use the treatments to make the problem go away permanently. It's nothing to get excited when you discover that you have a point. You will be able to tackle the problem quickly and eliminate most of the time. The key is to eat well, keep stress out as much as possible and use in the treatment of acne when your first account. It will disappear, and not the end of the world. There are bigger problems in life to worry about. Take it easy and it will be fine.