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Acne (derived from Greek), literary means skin eruption. Acne is caused by changes in the structures of hair follicles and associated sebaceous glands. Acne can be mild, moderate to severe. More than 85% of teenagers are affected by acne and acne often continues in adulthood. Acne during adolescence usually affects the facial skin and sometimes chest and back. Acne on the body (body acne) often develops in adulthood and mostly affects the arms, chest and back. While the term “acne” usually includes several different forms of acne such as acne vulgaris (most common acne) or cystic acne, the condition acne rosacea is not a true type of acne and is better described as rosacea.

Acne lesions start as a blockage (comedo) in the hair follicle. Stimulated by a number of factors, the sebaceous glands in the skin produce more sebum (an natural oily substance), which is secreted around hair follicles to lubricate hair and skin. Increased sebum production mixed with dead skin cells can clog skin pores, resulting in whiteheads (closed comedo) or blackheads (open comedo). When the bacteria P. acnes is introduced into the mix, the lesion may become inflamed resulting in a red appearance (the common pimple or zit).

Causes
Acne can be caused by any of these factors:

  • Inflammation: bacteria will start the inflammation and touching or scratching the acne lesion will further activate it
  • Accumulation of dead skin cells: when your skin does not shed dead skin cells evenly, they start to clump together
  • (Over-)use of steroids (for certain medical conditions or body building)
  • Overactive sebaceous glands: stimulated by hormones
  • Carbohydrates: it has been suggested that refined sugars and rapidly digested carbohydrate foods (white bread, sodas) cause insulin peaks and the related insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), which is thought to cause changes in the skin that are favorable for acne development
  • Diet: While diet is often blamed for the development of acne, there is little scientific evidence that diet plays a major role in acne. However, some studies have found an association between acne and the consumption of milk and some dairy products such as cream cheese and cottage cheese. Some suggest that certain bovine hormones in milk are to blame.
  • Hormones: hormones, which fluctuate during puberty, during the menstrual cycle or when the body is under lots of stress, often play a role in the development of acne
  • Genetics. Sometimes acne tends to run in families
  • Stress: high levels of stress increase the secretion of stress hormones by the adrenal glands, which could stimulate the sebaceous glands

Acne treatments

To successfully eliminate acne, a person needs to avoid stress, eat a healthy diet (eliminate refined sugar, milk and saturated fat) and treat the skin areas affected by acne. A gentle skin cleanser can be used to wash off excess oil from the skin. It is important not to wash the skin too much or use harsh soaps, as that may lead to further skin irritation. Gentle skin cleansers may contain a gentle skin exfoliator (such as the beta-hydroxy acid salicylic acid) or more powerful alpha-hydroxy acids, to remove dead skin cells.

Over-the-counter acne treatments (many are herbal-based) are often successful in eliminating acne. For back or body acne, there are many good body acne treatments available that take care of acne lesions with a combination of salicylic acid and herbal extracts. Another frequently used OTC acne ingredient is benzoyl peroxide, which will kill bacteria and dissolves the sebum/keratin plug. A side effect of benzoyl peroxide is that it can dry out and bleach the skin.

More severe cases of acne, such as cystic acne (which produces deep painful skin lesions), need to be treated by a dermatologist. Severe forms of acne may cause permanent scars, if the inflammatory condition is not treated quickly enough. The more severe acne can be treated with oral and topical antibiotics. These treatments are focused on the elimination of bacterial infections and reducing the inflammatory response. Topical acne prescriptions include clindamycin, erythromycin and tetracycline. Oral antibiotics include doxycycline and tetracycline.

Vitamins
Retinoids (forms of vitamin A) speed up the life cycle of cells lining the hair follicle, making it less likely that a skin pore will become clogged. Prescription strength vitamin A (tretinoin) can cause skin rashes and peeling skin, so vitamin A treatment is not for everyone.

B vitamins are beneficial for acne as B vitamins help the body cope during stress. Vitamin B5 is good for skin both in topical applications or when taken orally. Vitamins C, D and E are also considered good for healthy skin. It has been reported that people with acne are deficient in vitamin A and E.

Adults who suffer from acne and want to normalize their body’s hormonal balance, may benefit from two herbal supplements: Indole-3-Carbinol (I3C) and chaste berry. I3C is a natural phytochemical present in vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage and kale and is a powerful antioxidant. I3C can restore hormonal balance in men in women. Chaste berry can restore hormonal balance in men and women by acting on FSH and LH in the pituitary.


Filed under: Health and Fitness

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