Why Is It So Hard To Get Rid Of Acne

The vast majority of us would get to experience or had already experienced having acne. It’s not the type of experience you look forward to having. In fact, it is an experience you wish you won’t ever experience again. It’s embarrassing to say the least and it can be quite painful too.

Those who have acne can become very desperate in finding acne solutions that actually work. They want the results to be quick ! Acne gone overnight or acne gone within seconds but there is really no such thing. Those products that promise these are most often harmful to your skin. They may be too strong that it ends up drying your skin and making it even more irritating. Having dried-up skin is not a good thing too as it only makes your glands produce even more sebum to compensate to the loss of moisture. The more oil, the more that acne thrives.

In order to get rid of acne, you have to be really patient. It takes time to get a perfect skin. There is no miracle product out there that will remove it overnight. It takes awhile but you have to be patient and not stressed as stress is also a factor for acne breakouts. And also, don’t ever get tempted to squeeze out those pus-filled pimples on your face. Doing so will only promote even more pimples and that is not good. Just try not to touch your face as hands usually have germs and this can be transported to your face and worsen the problem further.

The best acne solutions and products are mild cleansers and topical solutions that you could apply to affected areas. Don’t apply it all over your face though. Wash twice a day and remember to always keep your face clean and moisturized. If it gets too oily, use a product that could absorb the oil or use hypoallergenic powder.

Depending on your acne condition (mild, moderate, severe) and skin type (normal, dry, oily), your acne solution may not be what your friends are using and successful with. A simple change in your lifestyle or diet may be enough, that’s why today skin care supplements are sometimes part of the acne treatments to rebalance your hormonal system or intestinal micro-flora. You may want to try natural acne products that are effective and gentle enough for sensitive skin, or a formula containing a combination of natural and scientific ingredients.

A complete solution should not address only one cause of acne but multiple (all if possible). That is why a treatment kit is often more effective than just one product that fights only one cause of acne, because everyone’s skin is different and so is the cause of acne.

Naturopathic Philosophy, Diagnosis And Treatment Of Acne

Naturopathy’ or ‘natural medicine’ is a largely pseudoscientific approach said to ‘assist nature’ that is ‘support the body’s own innate capacity to achieve optimal health’ and ‘facilitate the body’s inherent healing mechanisms’.

Naturopathic medicine is very safe, natural therapy with services of different alternative therapies. The age old philosophy of naturopathic medicine is based on six important principles which have their roots is Indian [Ayurveda], Chinese [Traditional Chinese medicine], Native American and Greek [Hippocratic] cultures.

The following are the six principles of naturopathic therapy.

1- The healing power of nature naturopathy is basically the body’s inherent ability to treat itself

2- Identify and treat the cause naturopathy believes in finding the underlying cause rather than eliminating it

3- First do no harm naturopathy uses methods and medicines to reduce the further harmful effects

4- Doctor as a teacher naturopathy educates patients and emphasizes self responsibility

5- Treat the whole person naturopathy treats all aspects of body that is physical, mental, emotional and spiritual

6- Prevention is better than cure naturopathy prevents the formation of disease into more severe condition

Although acne seems to be a disorder of skin oil glands, naturopathic philosophy is best suited for diagnosis and treatment of acne.

Naturopathic diagnosis is the best approach for identification of acne and this could be attributed to the following beneficial reasons

– It will help the patient to identify the cause of acne and also help in specific treatment for acne symptoms

– It will help in revealing the underlying conditions that impede body’s ability to function normally

– It will help to determine the proper assessment tools which are most helpful in establishing a treatment strategy specific to patient’s health

– It will help to identify and treat the underlying root cause of acne and avoid further damages to skin

– It will be a comprehensive treatment plan with range of complementary and alternative therapies.

A naturopathic doctor or health care provider will take a complete history of the patient that includes skin care, cosmetic use, diet, factors triggering flare-ups, medications used, occupational and environmental exposures, prior treatment and an examination of the face, chest and other blemishes, lesions and scars. This assessment is oriented towards the determining what is impeding patients body’s ability to function normally.

As far as naturopathic treatment for acne is concerned, from a naturopathic view point acne is an external manifestation of an internal imbalance. Nutrition is the key to treating acne. In 420 BC Hippocrates, the father of medicine said let food be your medicine and medicine be your food’.

The poor quality foods eaten by an individual clogs the pores and attracts bacteria however with consumption of better quality foods the sebaceous glands get all of the nutrients and are bound to produce good quality oil which flows well and nourishes the skin.

In nutrition, a high protein, low carbohydrate diet including vegetables, sea weeds, fish (salmon, sardines, and trouts), whole grains, sprouts and fruits is advisable and avoiding all fried foods, dairy products, processed foods, junk foods, sugar, margarine, nut butters, citrus except [lemon juice] and caffeine is suggested.

In addition, consumption of plenty of water everyday is beneficial; water helps in retaining moisture of the skin keeping it full, fresh and youthful.

Thus, by changing our diet and adopting a healthy lifestyle we can often change or reverse course of illness and restore our health. Thus, the possible lifestyle changes to treat acne in addition to eating diet high in raw vegetables and fruits and avoiding all forms of sugar, alcohol, butter, caffeine, cheese, chocolate, cocoa, cream, fat, margarine, processed food, and drinking plenty of water, beneficiary dietary supplements are also required. The beneficiary dietary supplements are

Alpha-sterol helps open blocked pores
Tea Tree oil is a natural antibiotic and antiseptic. Tea tree oil contains antimicrobial substance that will eliminate [Propionibacterium acnes] the causative bacterial strain of acne, thus reducing inflammation associated with skin.
Vitamin B3- improves circulation to surface of skin.
Acidophilus Probiotics helps replenish natural good body bacteria.
Chromium Picolinate reduces skin infections
Colloidal Silver is natural antibiotic can be applied topically or taken internally.

Starting from diet and clinical nutrition, naturopathic treatment covers a myriad of healing practices including

Herbal medicine once naturopathic doctor has diagnosed the lifestyle and dietary factors aggravating acne, they will decide on combination of herbs specific to acne caused and symptoms. Nevertheless, ayurvedic formulations using herbal extracts of plants like Bhavprakasha Nigantu and Charak Samhita have been found successful in treating acne.

Acupuncture Auricular [acupuncture applied to the ear] and electro acupuncture therapies reducing symptoms of acne.

Homeopathy There have been few studies on effective homeopathic remedies. Usually acne based treatments depend on homeopath’s knowledge and clinical experience and also patients physical, emotional and intellectual make up.

Mind or Body medicine Emotional stress can worsen acne therefore relaxation therapies such as hypnosis, biofeedback together with cognitive imagery improve acne symptoms.

Though relaxation using hypnosis an individual becomes relaxed and this positive approach influences the activity of hormones and the immune system contributing to reduced inflammation of acne.

Biofeedback is a technique in which an individual is trained to control certain internal bodily processes that normally occur involuntarily such as hear rate [measured by an EKG] and muscle tension [measured by an EMG].

Guided imagery involves formation of mental pictures to promote a variety of favorable physical and emotional effects. This combination of biofeedback and cognitive imagery allows the person to visualize and understand bodily changes when he or she changes form being tense to being relaxed.

Hydrotherapy is the use of water to treat acne and maintain health. Colon cleansing using hydrotherapy is the alternative medicine that has improved the conditions of acne. Many practitioners feel that overall bodily health is achieved once colon is clean and free from toxins.

Physical therapy covering photodynamic therapy and ultrasound Both techniques are safe and painless and its duration varies with the severity of acne.

Photodynamic therapy is improving treatment of acne, using a topical medication called aminolevulinic acid which is effective and ultrasound technique is used to calm and soothe red, inflamed skin, enhancing the healing process.

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A Case Study On Acne

A Case Study On Acne

What is acne?

Acne is a simple, harmless skin infection that affects almost all people at least once during their lifetime. The scientific name of this problem is acne vulgaris. In colloquial terms, acne vulgaris is referred to as pimples, spots or simply acne. Acne causes itching and irritation of the skin.

Causes of acne

There are a few portions of our skin that tends to have a dense follicular population i.e. the density of hair growth is high. Such regions have a higher availability of a gland called sebaceous gland. This gland is responsible for the secretion of an oily liquid called sebum which slowly converts into body fats along the topmost layer of the inner skin. These fats slowly protrude through the skin to form acne marks.

Apart from these sebaceous glands, the formation of androgen in young adults also attribute to the formation of acne. These are often acquired at the time of puberty. However, these acne marks are short lived and often disappear within a few months or years without any medication or skin treatment. More than 80% of teenagers around the world acquire acne due to this reason.

Modern researches have shown that acne marks are formed due to reasons other than scientific problems as stated above. Scientists attribute small psychological problems and stress that the individual undergoes as a reason for acquiring acne marks. An acne treatment is not the right choice for this type of problem. Instead, a treatment for stress illness will automatically cure the acne marks.

Where does acne usually occur in the human body?

The region where the sebaceous gland is densest is the scalp. Hence, the scalp has the highest probability of having acne marks. Though these are often hidden inside the dense hair growth above the scalp, they exhibit all symptoms and problems of the normal acne. The next most probable areas are the face and the upper areas of the neck. Other than these, the chest, the areas along the upper part of the back and sometimes along the upper arms and the shoulders also tend to have acne marks.

Acne treatment

The best possible acne treatment is to take correct diet at correct times of the day. A fat less diet for a period of six months can cure 90% problems due to acne.

Dieticians recommend fat less chocolates that tickle the activity of the brain and improve blood circulation. Apart from this, chocolates are anti-depressants and hence reduce mental stress. This helps massively to reduce acne. Intake of milk and carbohydrates also help to reduce acne because of their ability to neutralize the activity of sex hormones and help the body to secrete insulin. Though the intake of sugar indirectly increases the body fat, consuming a minimal amount of sugar regularly helps to reduce the effects of androgen’s. Medical practitioners recommend a higher intake of vitamin A and vitamin E for patients having acne problems.

Apart from the diet solution, there are other direct treatments to cure acne. Most of those treatments heal the ailment for the time being but it cannot be guaranteed that the disease will not return again. Go today and control your acne, and have your healthy skin back! http://no-more-acne.com/

Alternative Health Herbal Acne Cures

Numerous individuals who struggle with acne worry about the irritating chemicals (like salicylic acid and tretinoin) which are usually contained in acne skin care items and which dry out and irritate the outer layer of one’s skin. The answer for such individuals might lie in employing herbal acne cures.

When you have acne, the main thing to do is keep your skin cleansed and oil-free. This will destroy the bacteria responsible, firm up loose pores, and help any open sores to heal more quickly. The numerous herbal acne cures make use of natural ingredients to do these things. .

One option among herbal acne cures is that of a cleansing solution created by boiling herbs. This can be done by boiling two ounces of leaves from either the raspberry, strawberry, or blackberry plant, along with a quart of water. The solution is then applied to the skin with a cotton ball. Tea bags and basil can also be utilized in the same manner. The acid contained in the leaves kills the bacteria and also tightens pores.

There are also herbal acne cures that you can apply directly to individual pimples, instead of all over. For this, try mixing one tablespoon of groundnut oil with one tablespoon of lime juice, and dabbing a small amount of the paste on each pimple after washing the skin gently and thoroughly.

It’s even a possible alternative to mix your own deep cleansing mask in your own kitchen. Start by making a paste of yogurt and oatmeal, then apply to the face. Let it dry, then rinse it off with lukewarm water and pat dry. Masks can also be made from honey and cinnamon powder. Using these masks can kill bacteria and calm down agitated skin, speeding up the healing process.

Aloe vera can also speed healing. Aloe is helpful for burns and other skin irritations as well. The gel of a certain variety of yucca plant is harvested to get aloe, which will usually be clear or light green. Read labels to make sure that the product you use does not have any additives alongside the aloe.

Some people recommend an internal herbal remedy as well. Drinking wheat grass juice is said to help clear up acne outbreaks, and zinc supplements may also be of help. Both can be found in most health food or organic food stores.

Whether it’s herbal acne remedies, cleansers, over the counter or prescription drugs, allergic reactions can occur with any substance. To avoid bad reactions, first check for ingredients known to trigger your allergies, then discuss the product with your pharmacist, naturopath or dermatologist. Test the product on a small, inconspicuous area, such as the inside of your elbow, and wait 24 hours. If there is no adverse reaction, use the product as directed.

Herbal acne cures can leave skin clean but not dry, tighten pores, heal open sores caused by breakouts and eliminate infectious bacteria. Herbal acne remedies may be the solution for people who fear the side effects of harsh chemicals like tretinoin and salicylic acid often found in commercial skin care products. Some herbal acne skin care remedies can be applied directly to the pimples instead of all over, and some recipes are for masks. Herbal ingredients can include oatmeal, aloe, lime juice, groundnut oil, honey, yogurt and cinnamon. Always try to ascertain if you are allergic to any remedy, herbal or commercial, before applying it to your skin.

Acne Problem – Does Drinking Milk Causes Acne

According to a study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology in 2005, there is a connection between milk and severe acne.

Does milk cause acne? For decades scientists have searched for the causes of acne. A study has identified one of the key triggers: milk. Researchers claim to have found a correlation between milk intake and the incidence of acne. Teenagers who drink a pint or more of milk a day are almost 50 per cent more likely to develop spots and pimples than those who rarely or never drink milk.

This supports the results of previous studies, researchers began by asking people to recall what they ate. One such study asked 47,355 women to remember what they ate in high school 9 years prior. Another study asked teenage boys to recall what they ate and to determine the severity of their acne. After analyzing the foods eaten, researchers concluded that girls that consumed three or more servings of milk each day were 22% more likely to suffer from severe acne.

Studies investigating a link between acne and milk have not given clear results. At the moment the research does not support a strong link between acne and milk. This study also found that People who regularly drank skimmed milk, with two half-pint glasses a day raising the risk develop acne by 44 per cent. Those who drank a pint of whole milk a day were 12 per cent more likely to develop acne, while semi-skimmed milk increased the risk by 16 per cent. Overall, those who regularly drank milk were 22 per cent more likely to have suffered from acne than those who rarely or never drank the white stuff.

These studies had limitations. Trying to accurately recall what you ate years ago or even days ago can be difficult, so the collected data cannot be considered entirely reliable. So why drinking milk can cause acne? Some think its the hormones found in milk. Milk contains progesterone and other hormones that are known precursors to DHT, the primary acne-producing hormone in humans.

Cow milk also contains Iodine, the amount of hormones gets increased when farmers inject their cows with more hormones. This is done to increase the productivity of milk by a given cow. These injections increase the amount of IGF – 1 present in milk. It must be noted that it is IGF -1 that woks along with testosterone and DHT to cause acne.

But Skim milk was associated with higher IGF-1 levels than whole milk. The processing of skim milk may explain why it is linked to acne severity more often than whole milk. Whey proteins are added to give skim milk a creamier consistency. Some speculate that these proteins impact acne development.

So, does this imply that you should stop drinking milk altogether to get rid of acne? Not really. Try to opt for a no milk and no dairy diet for about a week. If you experience improvement in your acne condition, you might as well give up milk. However, if your acne does not improve you can continue drinking milk and not deprive yourself of the essential nutrients present in it.