| Overview:
Acne is an inflammation
of the skin that can have a devastating effect on a person's self-esteem. Left
untreated severe forms of Acne can cause scarring and pitting. However, there
are many treatment options that can make this condition little more than a nuisance. Signs
and Symptoms:
Acne is characterized by blemishes, such as: pimples,
black heads, and white heads. These blemishes occur when sebum (an oily skin lubricant)
is produced faster than it can move through the pores. The excess oil then traps
bacteria. Blackheads form when sebum, combined with pigments, plugs the
pores. Whiteheads appear when scales under the skin fill with sebum. In
severe cases, whiteheads build up, spreading under the skin, and rupture. This
rupture then spreads the inflammation even further. Diagnosis:
Diagnosis is typically made by a visual inspection of the inflamed skin tissue
and by general health questions. Treatment Options:
Doctors
typically treat acne with a combination of any of the following: topical ointments,
drug therapies, nutritional supplements, dietary changes, lifestyle changes, herbal
and homeopathic treatments. Traditional Treatments:
Mild
forms of acne can be treated with the following topical medical products: Benzoyl
peroxide available in lotion, cream and gel forms. The gel form is considered
the most effective but also the most irritating. Benzoyl peroxide can cause redness
and scaling. If this occurs try applying it only every other day.
Tretinoin
(Retin-A, or topical retinoic acid) a naturally occurring derivative of
vitamin A that thins the outer layer of the skin and opens up clogged pores. It
is available in gel, cream and liquid forms. You should avoid prolonged exposure
to the sun with this product as it makes it easier to sunburn.
Topical
preparations of the antibiotics erythromycin, clindamycin, and tetracycline
available by prescription only. As with any antibiotic, allergic reactions
are possible. In more severe cases dermatologists prescribe oral antibiotics
such as tetracycline, minocycline, doxycycline, and erythromycin. These work to
decrease the amount of bacteria on the skin. Often improvement can be seen in
one to three months with this form of treatment. An extremely effective
drug therapy is Isotretinoin. This synthetic compound resembles vitamin
A but has severe side effects. Some of these side effects are arthritis, elevation
of blood fats, liver toxicity, nosebleeds, cracking at the corners of the mouth
and extreme dryness of the eyes. Isotretinoin should not be used if there is any
possibility of pregnancy, as it is known to cause a very high percentage of birth
defects. Another therapy that's often recommended for extremely severe cases
of acne is steroid injections that are introduced directly into a cystic
acne lesion. This treatment does help reduce scarring and pitting. The injections
are painful, however, and have potentially severe side effects. Complementary
and Alternative Therapies:
Eating a nutritious and well-balanced
diet is very important to the general health of the skin. A good anti-Acne diet
includes plenty of raw and lightly cooked vegetables, with an emphasis on fresh
green vegetables. It is also generally recommended that you limit your intake
of animal fats, hydrogenated oils, and iodine. Other foods to avoid are foods
that contain additives or preservatives, alcohol, sodas, chocolate, and fried
foods. If you find that a certain food seems to increase breakouts, try removing
it from your diet for a month or two. Nutritional Supplementation:The
following nutritional supplements have been shown to be very effective in the
treatment of acne: (Follow the directions on the labels except where noted here.) Acidophilus
and bifidobacteria replenishes essential "friendly" bacteria in
the intestines, thus helping to keep the body clean and reducing outbreaks. Probiotics
are particularly important if you are taking antibiotics, as these drugs destroy
both good and bad bacteria.
Chromium picolinate aids in reducing
infections of the skin.
Colloidal silver Works best when taken
orally and applied to the affected area with cotton. Acts as a natural antibiotic.
Essential fatty acids (flaxseed oil and primrose oil are good sources).
Potassium 99 mg daily will protect against deficiency, which has been
associated with acne.
Beta-carotene used by the body to manufacture
vitamin A (which helps to heal the skin). While vitamin A can be toxic in large
doses, beta-carotene is considered extremely safe. Take 25,000 IU of beta-carotene
and 5,000 IU of vitamin A, twice daily, five days a week, for one month. If you
are pregnant, or intend to get pregnant, or have liver disease, consult your doctor
before taking vitamin A supplements. Pregnant women should not ingest a total
of more than 25,000 IU of supplemental vitamin A per week from all sources.
Calcium and magnesium can help calm nerves and reduce cravings for sweets.
(Both of which should be avoided)
Vitamin B complex 100 mg of each
major B vitamin 3 times daily, plus an extra 100 mg of vitamin B3 (niacinamide).
Do not exceed this amount. Vitamin B complex is important for healthy skin tone
and stress reduction. The extra B3 improves blood flow to the surface of the skin.
Warning: Do not substitute niacin for niacinamide. Do not take additional
niacinamide if you have a liver disorder, gout or high blood pressure.
Vitamin C with bioflavonoids 1,000 1,600 mg 3 times daily will support
immune function and reduce inflammation. After healing, reduce to 500 mg of each,
once daily. This supplement is really essential for callagen repair of the skin.
Vitamin D3 400 IU daily of this antioxidant enhances healing and
tissue repair. Use d-alpha-tocopherol form.
Zinc 30-80 mg daily
(Do not exceed a total of 100 mg daily from all supplements). Aids in the healing
of tissue, helps to prevent scarring and is a necessary element in the oil-producing
glands of the skin. Take with meals to avoid stomach upset. If you take over 30
mg of zinc daily for more than a month, you should also take 1 to 2 mg of copper
each day to maintain a proper mineral balance.
Garlic (Kyolic or comparable
product) 2 capsules 3 times daily, with meals will destroy bacteria and
enhance immune function. Alternative Therapies:
A good
place to begin an acne program is with an herbal cleansing of the blood which
includes burdock root, dandelion leaves, milk thistle and red clover. Burdock
root and dandelion leaves also contain inulin, which can improve the quality of
the skin by removing bacteria.
An herbal combination of gotu kola, yellow
dock, dandelion root, bilberry, red clover blossoms, kelp and sarsaparilla is
being used in Europe to treat skin conditions and may be a big help in the treatment
of acne.
A poultice using chaparral, dandelion, and yellow dock root
can be applied directly to the areas of skin with acne.
Refresh oily
skin with sliced cucumber by placing cucumber slices on your skin for five to
ten minutes daily.
Chaste tree berry (Vitex agnus-castus) extract can
aid in preventing premenstrual acne breakouts. (See label for instructions)
A steam sauna for the face of lavender, strawberry leaves and red clover
will stimulate new cell growth and help kill germs. Place herbs in steaming water
and sit with your face at a comfortable distance over the steam for fifteen minutes.
(Use a towel to trap the steam if you wish) After fifteen minutes splash your
face with cold water. Warning: If acne is extensive or badly inflamed,
do not use steam treatments, as this may worsen the condition. Do not use steam
treatments if you have Rosacea.
Lavender essential oil is a good antibiotic
and antiseptic that can be applied directly to the individual acne blemishes.
Tea tree oil, applied at full-strength (sparingly), is a natural antibiotic
and antiseptic. Tea tree oil soap also has beneficial effects but is not as harsh.
For use on acne only.
A Bach flower remedy (developed by Dr. Edward Bach
and available in many health-food stores) of Crabapple can be taken internally
and/or applied directly to the skin twice daily to clear acne. Since Bach flower
remedies work on the emotional as well as the physical level, an individual that
feels "dirty" or feels a desire to "get rid of something bad"
in his or her body will often improve with this form of remedy.
Use a mixture
of organic apple cider vinegar and quality water to balance the skin's pH.
Hydrotherapy can work wonders. Try gently rubbing the arms, legs and trunk
of the body with cold water and a natural sponge to promote healing through enhanced
stimulation.
The homeopathic remedy, Rhus toxicodendron, is helpful for
skin that is swollen and puffy, with itchy, painful red spots. Take one does of
Rhus toxicodendron three times a day for up to three days.
There are
many homeopathic combination skin remedies that may be helpful for acute symptoms.
Take as directed on the product label.
Calming aromatherapy oils such as chamomile
and lavender can help reduce stress, which often exacerbates acne. General
Recommendations: - Drink at least eight glasses of water a day.
- Do not pick at or squeeze blemishes.
- Avoid wearing makeup if you suffer
from acne. Especially, do not use oil-based formulas or products that contain
harsh chemicals, dyes, or oils. Shampoo hair frequently to prevent excess oil
production.
- Avoid medications that contain bromides and sulfides.
- Clay
masks are very beneficial for combating oily skin.
- Regular exercise help skin
cells to stay healthy.
- Keep your skin clean but do not scrub too-vigorously
or you will irritate the area and contribute to the spread of the acne.
Warnings:
- If left untreated, severe forms of acne can lead to scarring and pitting.
- If using Tretinoin (Retin-A, or topical retinoic acid), avoid the sun, as
this product intensifies the effects of the sun and tends to promote burning.
- Isotretinoin should not be used if there is any possibility of pregnancy,
as it is known to cause a very high percentage of birth defects.
- Pregnant
women should not ingest a total of more than 25,000 IU of supplemental vitamin
A per week from all sources.
- If acne is extensive or badly inflamed, do not
use steam treatments, as this may worsen the condition. Do not use steam treatments
if you also have Rosacea.
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