Acne
usually appears during adolescence in its most common form known as "acne Vulgaris",
which means common acne. It is cause by excessive secretion of oils from the
glands combine with naturally occurring dead skin cells that blocks the hair
follicles. Generally those people who eat a lot of oil foodstuff suffer from
this problem. Oil secretions build up beneath the blocked pore, providing a
perfect environment for the skin bacteria to multiply uncontrolled. In
response, the skin inflames, producing the visible lesion (acne).
The typical
lesions of acne are: small whitish or skin-colored bumps (whiteheads) or
blackish elevations (blackheads). More inflamed rashes take the form of
pus-filled or reddish bumps, even boil-like tender swellings. After resolution
of the lesions, prominent unsightly acne scars may remain.
Acne
Hygiene
One
of the most common misconceptions about acne is that it's caused by dirt. It's
not! Acne is caused by a combination of factors you can't control, like your
hormone balance and the natural pace of your skin's renewal system.
Fortunately, there are a number of things you can control that may help you
keep your acne in check. Begin by following these simple suggestions for
healthy-skin hygiene.
Tip
#1: Don't over-wash. Since dirt is not causing your acne, excessive
scrubbing and washing won't make it go away. Try to limit yourself to two
washings per day — anything more than that can leave your healthy skin dry, and
your acne-prone areas irritated. Habitual over-washing may also stimulate extra
oil production, which could result in more breakouts.
Tip
#2: Skip harsh scrubs. It's okay to exfoliate, but be sure to use a
gentle formula with small, smooth grains. Avoid products with almond or apricot
shell fragments; they can irritate or even tear your skin and further aggravate
your acne.
Tip
#3: Say no to alcohol. If you use a toner, avoid products with high
concentrations of isopropyl alcohol, or common rubbing alcohol. A strong
astringent, alcohol strips the top layer of your skin, causing your sebaceous
glands to produce more oil. The result? Dry, red skin — and possibly more
blemishes.
Tip
#4: Don't squeeze or pick. Squeezing or picking your blemishes —
with fingernails, pins or anything else — can force bacteria deeper into the
skin, causing greater inflammation and infection. You'll also increase the
damage to the surrounding skin, so the blemish is more likely to leave a
permanent acne scar.
Tip
#5: Hands off! Propionibacterium acnes (the bacteria that causes
breakouts) is a normal resident of your skin; it doesn't lead to acne until it
gets trapped inside the hair follicle. Excessive touching of your face,
including rubbing or even resting your chin in your hands, can drive bacteria
into your pores — where it can begin its dirty work.
Tip
#6: Work out, wash off. When you exercise, your movement generates
heat; clothing and equipment cause friction. Until you shower off, heat and
moisture are trapped against your skin, creating an ideal breeding ground for
the spread of bacteria. So whenever you can, shower off immediately after
exercising.
Tip
#7- Find a regimen and stick with it. Most cases of mild acne can be
improved with "over-the-counter" products, or products that don't
require a prescription from your doctor. There is a wide range of treatments
available, and there’s a good chance one of them will work for you. If you
start treatment before your acne gets severe, you’ll have a better chance of
avoiding physical and emotional problems down the road. But if your acne gets
worse or lasts more than a couple of weeks, see a dermatologist.
Healthy
Diet for Acne Prone Skin
Don’t
eat that — you’ll get zits! We’ve all heard it; from parents, friends or even
the family doctor. But the fact is, even after extensive study, scientists have
not found a connection between diet and acne. Not chocolate. Not French fries.
Not pizza. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, “A healthy diet is
important for improving raw materials for healthy skin,” but they also note
that greasy or sugary foods do not cause acne. Likewise, a study published in
the Journal of the American Medical Association concurred, “Diet plays no role
in acne treatment in most patients…even large amounts of certain foods have not
clinically exacerbated acne.” Of course, that doesn’t mean you should make a
habit of eating foods high in sugar or fat. The skin is the body’s largest
organ, so what’s good for the rest of you will be good for your skin, too. Acne
Prevention & Diet - Nutrients for healthy skin. There are a number of
nutrients found in everyday foods that are known to promote a healthy body —
and therefore healthy skin. Get wise to these substances, and you’ll increase
your chances of conquering your acne.
Acne
Prevention & Diet - Vitamin A. Naturally occurring Vitamin A, or retinol,
is found in fish oils, liver and dairy products. The Vitamin A produced by
plants is known as Beta-carotene, and is found in yellow/orange fruits and
vegetable such as carrots, yams, apricots and cantaloupe, as well as green
vegetables like parsley, kale and spinach. Extremely high doses of Vitamin A
are toxic, so don't overdo it. Acne Prevention & Diet - Vitamin B-2. Stress
has been known to aggravate existing cases of acne, and Vitamin B-2 is often
helpful alleviating stress. Foods with a high concentration of B-2 include
whole grains, fish, milk, eggs, meat and leafy green vegetables. Acne
Prevention & Diet – Vitamin B-3. Found in peanuts, eggs, avocados, liver
and lean meats, Vitamin B-3 improves circulation, promoting healthy skin. It
also reduces the cholesterol level in the blood and helps you metabolize
protein, sugar & fat — increasing your energy through proper utilization of
food. Acne Prevention & Diet - Vitamin E. Vitamin E is found in almonds,
peanuts, sunflower seeds, broccoli, wheat germ and vegetable oils. A powerful antioxidant,
it protects your cells against the effects of free radicals, which are
potentially damaging by-products of the body’s metabolism. Acne Prevention
& Diet - Zinc. Even in trace amounts, the antioxidant zinc is known to
boost the immune system, improving overall health which of course is reflected
in the skin. Zinc can be found in eggs, whole grains, nuts and mushrooms. Acne
Prevention & Diet - Know your own triggers. Since acne is different for
everyone, there may be certain foods that cause flare-ups in your skin.
Make
Up Cosmetics and Acne
Is
your temporary solution part of the problem? For decades, dermatologists and
cosmetologists alike have debated the effects of cosmetics on the skin,
particularly in acne sufferers. Make-up has often been branded an “acne
Catch-22” — you want something to cover the redness, but you’re told it may
actually be causing your acne. Fortunately, this is only partly true. To
understand how to approach the make-up issue, we should start with a discussion
of “cosmetic acne.” Cosmetic Acne & Skin Care - A mild-mannered cousin.
Acne cosmetica, or acne that is caused by cosmetics, is a mild and fairly
common form of acne. Because it is triggered by topical products rather than
the complex process that creates true acne, it can strike anyone — even people
who are not physiologically prone to the condition. Characterized by small,
rashy pink bumps on the cheeks, chin and forehead, it typically develops over
the course of a few weeks or months and may persist indefinitely. If you've
recently started using a new skincare product and you're experiencing any of
the symptoms listed above, discontinue use of the new product for a few days
and see if your breakout subsides.
NOTE:
While studies have shown that make-up does not cause true acne, it can
exacerbate the condition. So it’s helpful to be aware of common topical
triggers, no matter what kind of acne you have.
Stress
Related Acne
Not
surprisingly, stress often has a starring role in the ongoing acne drama.
“Ninety percent of my patients complain about what stress does to their skin.
It has a huge impact, and it’s becoming a bigger problem every day,” says Katie
Rodan, MD, a clinical professor of dermatology at Stanford University. How can
stress — emotional anxiety caused by any number of factors in your life — show
up on your face? The connection is purely chemical. When you become tense, your
adrenal glands go work, flooding your bloodstream with the hormone cortisol.
This triggers the sweat glands in your face to produce more oil. When your
sebaceous glands go into high gear, there’s a higher probability that this
excess oil will mix with dead skin cells and clog your pores, trapping bacteria
inside. The result? More acne, primarily inflamed papules rather than
blackheads or whiteheads. What can you do? Of course, you can't eliminate
stress from your life — it's part of being human. But you can minimize its
damage by leading a healthy lifestyle. A balanced diet and at least seven hours
of sleep every night will help you build a stronger physical foundation; if
you're well fed and well rested, you're less likely to feel irritated by the
events of your day. Try to get some exercise every day, even if it's just a
walk around the block at lunchtime. It's also important to take time out of
every day to relax — read a book, take a bath, practice yoga, or do whatever
makes you feel happy and calm.
Benzoyl
Peroxide
One
of the most commonly used ingredients, Benzoyl Peroxide can be very effective
in treating mild cases of non-inflammatory acne. It’s safe for children as well
as adults, and may combined with other topical or oral treatments.
HOW
IT WORKS: Benzoyl peroxide works by destroying P.
acnes, the bacteria that causes the
condition acne. It acts as an antiseptic and oxidizing agent, reducing
the number of comedones, or blocked pores. It may be 2–3 weeks
before you begin to see
improvement.
NOTE:
While benzoyl peroxide kills existing P. acnes, it does not increase your
body’s natural resistance to bacteria. So even when your breakouts begin to
disappear, you should keep treating acne-prone areas. Why? This course of acne
treatment kills bacteria, but it does not affect sebum production or the rate
at which you shed your dead skin cells. If you stop using it, the bacteria —
and your acne — will return.
Benzoyl Peroxide - WHERE TO GET IT
Benzoyl peroxide is available in a wide range of gels, creams,
lotions and cleansers in non-prescription concentrations of 2.5%, 5% and 10%.
It is also available in presciption medications such as BenzaClin®,
Benzamycin®, and Duac™. As with any product, read the label carefully and
follow the instructions for proper use.
Benzoyl
Peroxide - COMMON SIDE EFFECTS
Dryness:
The most common side effect, dryness is usually mild. If the skin
is visibly scaly, apply a light oil-free moisturizer.
NOTE:
If you experience dryness, irritation or dermatitis and are using a 5% or 10%
solution of benzoyl peroxide, you may want to give your skin some time to heal
— then try a lower concentration.
Irritation:
If you experience mild irritation, try decreasing the frequency of
use. If irritation is severe or persists even with infrequent application, discontinue
use.
Allergy:
1–2% of the population experiences a mild allergic reaction to benzoyl
peroxide. This is usually characterized by itching and redness. Bleaching
of clothing: Benzoyl peroxide can bleach clothing and linens; make
sure your skin is completely dry before touching any cloth.
Tips
for Day to Day Acne Care
Wash
the affected area twice a day with mild soap. Use soap such as Dove, or one
that contains benzoyl peroxide, such as Oxy-5. Wash as often necessary to keep
the area clean. Do not scrub.
Shampoo
the hair regularly.
Keep
long hair off the face and shoulders and wash it daily.
Avoid
shaving as much as possible; while shaving take care to avoid nicking the
pimples.
Use
a fresh shaving blade to minimize the chance of spreading the infection.
Avoid
use of make-up or cosmetics in areas prone to acne. If you have to wear
make-up, use only the hypoallergenic or fragrance free kind.
Don't
pop, pick, scratch, or squeeze your pimples. This may cause infection and
scarring.
You
may use an over-the-counter treatment that contain substances such as benzoyl
peroxide (gel or cream) or salicyclic acid. Start with the lowest strength and
apply once a day about half an hour after washing. Never use more than 5
percent strength without consulting a physician.
Food
and Nutrition Recommendations for Acne:Some doctors believe that acne is not a
food related problem. Some alternate practitioners use diet as a basis for
their treatment of acne. They recommend that acne patients should eat foods
high in beta-carotene, such as carrots, pumpkin, cantaloupe and other
yellow-orange fruits and vegetables. They should also avoid fatty foods.
Acnezine controls the oil secretion in your body to protect your skin from
getting acne prone.
Vitamin
Therapy for Acne: Nutritionists generally suggest: Chromium supplements - Chromium
helps boosts the body's ability to break down glucose. Vitamin A - reduces
sebum and keratin production. (Caution: taking mega doses of Vitamin A can
cause headaches, fatigue, muscle and joint pain and other side effects. Consult
a qualified practitioner before taking mega supplements).Vitamin E - an
antioxidant (200 to 400 IU a day).Vitamin B-6 50 mg per day. This vitamin aids
in the metabolism of hormones and supports the function of Acnezine as well.
Note:
People should not try to medicate themselves or others with any of the methods
referred to here without the guidance of a qualified practitioner who is
thoroughly familiar with both the remedies and the individual’s medical status.
Acnezine is an antioxidant, natural product without any side effect that
reduces acne.
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