ACNE TROUBLES

FINDING THE CAUSE

WHAT CAUSES ACNE?
Acne is the medical term for pimples, spots, zits etc. The severity of acne in the past has mainly been determined by genetic factors, but with today's environmental conditions, we see a great increase in acne conditions. Acne occurs most often on the face, but may involve the neck, chest, back and upper arms. It does not affect general health, but has significant effects on the psyche of some sufferers.

Acne occurs when oil glands of the skin (sebaceous glands) are out of balance. At puberty, because of hormonal factors, these glands start producing an oily material called sebum (see later notes on "the acid mantle"). Sebum is discharged into the skin's surface. Sometimes the wall of the duct carrying the sebum to the surface breaks. The sebum can then irritate the tissues causing redness, swelling and pus - a pimple. Bacteria which live on sebum appear in large numbers in acne lesions and aggravate them.

The ducts may become plugged with sebum and keratin, forming blackheads and whiteheads (open and closed comedones). Blackheads are often worse in humid conditions.

Acne sometimes signals a general toxic condition within the body. When the kidneys, lungs, and intestines become overloaded with more wastes than they can eliminate, the skin may be called upon to filter out wastes. Other factors can make the skin more prone to develop pimples such as allergies; preservatives, pesticide and herbicide residues; dehydration; emotional problems; environmental pollution; too much exposure to the sun; heredity; hormones; oral contraceptives; poor hygiene; weakened immunity; and stress.  Just because you broke out a day after you use a new skincare product does not mean it was the product. Consider these above possibilities.

The friendly flora of human intestines can also diminish due to unhealthy food habits or erratic lifestyle. In such cases the toxins produced by unprocessed food in the digestive tract manifest as skin or digestive disorders.  It’s not that any food item directly triggers an outbreak of acne, but the chemical decomposition of certain food in digestive systems increases the amount of such elements which help in acne proliferation. Like saturated fat in animal products and the hydrogenated fat in processed food, refined sugar, coffee, alcohol etc. All these produce bio-chemical toxins after decomposition in the GI tract and these toxins are released through the skin pores causing or inflaming acne.

Recently I found out that most of the cosmetics out there also cause flaring up of acne because of chemicals present in them. The cosmetics which have oil bases are not ideal for people suffering from acne, as these will increase the already high amount of sebum (oily substance) in skin. Even water-based cosmetics sometime contain certain chemicals which worsen acne. Recent findings about acne-inducing cosmetics include blushers in which red tints have been used. Some of these red tints are comedogenic (acne producing) because they are coal tar derivatives.  I am so happy that here at Natural Solutions acne sufferers can come to a place where all their cosmetics are free of these synthetic colors and fillers.

Age and Acne

Acne usually begins mildly in the early teens, gradually becomes worse, and then after a time usually improves. A persons genetic background, their diet, environmental factors and lifestyle can greatly affect how long the condition will stay. Acne that is mistreated can often set up a long term imbalance in the metabolism and may last into the 30's and 40's. In women, it may be more troublesome just before periods and occasionally persists until menopause.

Skin Hygiene

Dirt does not cause acne. The oil on the skin's surface does no harm and is essential for healthy elastic skin tissue. In most cases, washing the face with ordinary soap strips the skin of oil, prompting the body to over correct and produce more oil.  Many acne sufferers continually over-cleanse the face and scrub, which can aggravate acne, by forcing more sebum into the tissues. Picking or squeezing pimples can also result in scarring.  Acne causing bacteria is not on the surface of the skin but under the skin. By scrubbing or rubbing you will only spread the infection all over the face.  It is essential to cleanse, exfoliate and tone.  Use an acne treatment such as Living Natures Manuka and Honey Anticeptic Gel or Devita Essential Control as needed to help reduce bacteria.

How Acne Develops

The most common form of acne is teenage acne (which can vary in severity). An understanding of what is happening in the body at puberty can prevent more serious acne developing.

The acid mantle and its role in acne

Our skin's main function is to literally hold everything together, ie. keep our organs in a collective group. To do this effectively the skin needs to be strong, elastic and keep everything in, as well as keep things out. The things we want to keep out are excess moisture, viruses, bacteria, fungi, corrosive things, and keep our body at the correct temperature and moisture level.

The pores on our skin regulate the temperature and moisture levels, and the combination of oil and sweat glands (sebaceous and sudoriferous glands) on our skin keep it healthy and elastic. THE COMBINED EXCRETIONS OF OIL AND SWEAT FORM THE "ACID MANTLE" WHICH SURROUNDS OUR BODY AND HAS A pH OF 5.5.

The ACID MANTLE is our body's first defense mechanism against bacteria invading it. The slight acid conditions are disliked by bacteria. The acid mantle develops at puberty for our adult system.

When we are children we do not have an acid mantle, hence why children are more exposed to disease, viruses and fungal infections like ringworm, that adults do not tend to get. The mantle around a child is pH 7, which is neutral.

The change from a mantle of 7pH to a more protective ACID MANTLE happens at puberty when we start producing more hair on our bodies. Each hair follicle has at least one sebaceous or oil gland, which becomes active as the hair starts to grow and this changes the balance of oil and sweat on the skin. The hormones that control sweat also become active, hence the whole surface of the skin in a teenager is totally different to that of a child. The body is trying to create a safer, more protective environment. THE OIL ON OUR SKIN PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE!!!!

It is now that the problem of acne starts to occur, with the skin becoming clogged with oil and dead cells, forming small pimples and black heads. A teenager often feels that they are not clean so they tend to wash until the skin feels "squeaky" clean, stripping the skin of oil, and if using soap, altering the pH to alkaline conditions. This is opposite to what the body is trying to achieve, to protect the body, so it will naturally produce more oil, in order to correct the body to the "safest" condition which is a pH of 5.5. The continued cleansing of the skin with alkaline products like soap create a see-saw effect on the bodies hormonal system, which controls the amount of oil being produced. In order to correct an alkaline skin condition it will have to produce much more oil than a neutral or slightly acid condition. Therefore one of the simplest ways to prevent an imbalance occurring is to get young teenagers to use an ACID BALANCED CLEANSER. A cheap natural alternative to a commercial cleanser is acidophilus yoghurt.

Suzanne Hull, owner of Living Nature, has found the above explanation, though a bit involved, very helpful for teenagers to not work against their body, but with it.

So this is the first step. Unfortunately some cases have gone past this and have developed a severe problem, or have had an acne condition for many years, which requires treatment.

FINDING WHAT WORKS

WHAT CAN I DO FOR ACNE?
A nutritious diet rich in fresh vegetables and whole grains, adequate water intake and regular exercise is a good way to start. But don't forget a good skin care routine. Resist picking or squeezing blemishes. Cleanse your skin twice a day. Use a scrub several times a week and spot treat blemishes with essential oils to help control breakouts. In addition, apply a facial mask one or more times a week. This will help minimize oiliness and clear plugged pores. Our store favorites: Living Nature Clay Cleansing Mask and Friction Peel.  The Devita Tomatoe Mud Masque is also a winner. Each of these are found under our skincare section. 

I BREAK OUT OFTEN, WHAT PRODUCT WOULD HELP REDUCE IT?
If pimples are present you can still use the Manuka Oil & Honey Gel as a treatment after cleansing and underneath the moisturizer.  Also available is our Caribbean Sol Icy Relief, an alternative for those who have troubles with acne breakout! Deep Cleansing is also important. It helps sloth off the dead skin that can get trapped from dirt and oil.  Sluggish skin will certainly make acne worse. Try using a gentle wash cloth once a week.  It will help release the already dead skin cells wanting to come off but getting trapped.  Devita has a nice serum called Essential Control.  This has become popular for helping reduce blemishes and is also found under our skincare section.

I'VE HAD A TERRIBLE TIME WITH BLEMISHES HEALING. THEY LEAVE RED SPOTS THAT LAST FOR MONTHS. WHAT CAN I DO FOR THESE NATURALLY?
This is a good question.  Rosehip has been studied to help with skin discoloration.  Many customers use it alone as a daily moisturizer (lightly) as they have had a long problem with this.  Try using it daily. Some have blended a few drops of lavender and frankincense to it as lavender has been known to help reduce bacteria and help recent scarring fade. Frankincense has been known to help older scars to fade.  If you are looking for a formulation, try Devita Skin Brightening Serum.  It is filled with nutrients that naturally bleach the skin fading spots gently.  The Throat and Neck Serum can also be used.  These products are found under our skincare section.

DOES EATING CHOCOLATE OR JUNK FOODS CAUSE ACNE OR MAKE IT WORSE?
According to Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld, a noteworthy doctor with Parade magazine, acne is a hormonal problem.  No food, including chocolate, can cause it.  But because your mother warned you to keep away from chocolate back when you were a pimply teenager, you reflexively continue to pass that same advice along to your children.

WHAT SHOULD I USE IF I'M CONSIDERING THE DEVITA SKINCARE LINE?
That would be the Oily/Combination Skincare Kit.  It contains the Devita Aloe Vera Moisture Cleanser (which you use am/pm), the Gentle Aloe Vera Scrub (exfoliate 3 times a week), the Italian Tomatoe Mud Mask (use 3 times per week), the Devita Moroccan Rose Toner (am/pm), the Devita Essential Control for blemishes (as needed after toning), the Devita-C (a vitamin c topical solution of 15% in a.m., but I would suggest p.m. for those with sensitive skin. Use daily), Devita High Performance AHA (use 3 times per week in p.m., but I'd flip the schedule and do this in a.m. with Devita C in p.m.), Devita Daily Solar Protective Moisturizer 30 in a.m. daily, the Devita Daytime Nutritional Moisturizer for p.m. daily, and finally the Daily Revitalising Eye Lift Cream am/pm daily.

WHAT DOES DEVITA RECOMMEND FOR SCARRING FROM BLEMISHES?
Cherylanne recommends our Devita High Performance AHA to speed up the cell renewal cycle.

TREATMENT REGIMES FROM LIVING NATURE

YOUNG TEENAGER BEGINNING WITH SYMPTOMS OF ACNE, A FEW PUSTULES AND BLACKHEADS

Explain the changes that are occurring in their body. Especially the role of our acid mantle and how the pH of products can effect this.

CLEANSING FACE
Purifying Cleansing Gel Morning and Night
BODY
Nourishing Shower Gel (may be used on face)

EXFOLIATING
Explain how the removal of dead cells and build up will prevent the formation of pimples and blackheads. Cleansing Clay Peel Once or twice a week depending on the severity, but do not overuse if condition is not bad.

MASK
For further deep cleansing use Cleansing Mask weekly after exfoliating. May be used on inflamed pimples and left overnight. Excellent for backs and chests

HEALING
Manuka Oil & Honey Gel Apply night and morning after cleansing

PROTECTION
During the day apply Balancing Day Cream.  Just leave the Manuka Oil & Honey Gel on at night.  If more pustules begin to form then look at prescribing Pure Manuka Oil internally.

SEVERE TEENAGE ACNE WITH LOTS OF PUSTULES, INFLAMMATION, INFECTION AND BLACKHEADS

Explain the changes that are occurring in their body. Especially the role of our acid mantle and how the pH of products can effect this.

INTERNAL
Pure Manuka Oil 2 drops in juice, 3 times a day for initially 10 days, then monitor progress and continue until progress is noted. Evening Primrose Oil 1000-2000mg daily. Dosage depends upon other aspects of clients life i.e. stress etc

CLEANSING FACE
Purifying Cleansing Gel Morning and Night
BODY
Nourishing Shower Gel (may also be used on face)

EXFOLIATING
Explain how the removal of dead cells and build up will prevent the formation of pimples and blackheads. Cleansing Clay Peel Twice a week depending on the severity, but do not overuse if Condition is not bad.

MASK
For further deep cleansing Cleansing Mask Use twice weekly after exfoliating. Excellent to use on inflamed pimples And left overnight. Excellent for backs and chests.

HEALING
Manuka Oil & Honey Gel Apply morning and night after cleansing

PROTECTION
During the daytime apply Balancing Day Cream. Just leave the Manuka Oil & Honey Gel on at night.

OLDER CLIENT WITH HISTORY OF ACNE, DEHYDRATION, DAMAGE AND SENSITIVITY

Enlarged pores and occasional pimples, skin clogged

This client requires great care due to damage. They need to be carefully analyzed to see where hydrating and oils need to be used and where deep cleansing is appropriate. The goal should be to remove blockages in the skin, to allow the oil to be accessible to the Skin.

INTERNAL
Evening Primrose Oil 3000-8000mg daily. Dosage depends upon other aspects of clients life i.e.stress, children, family medical history.

CLEANSING FACE
Purifying Cleansing Gel if more oily than dry, Vitalising Cleanser if more dry than oily and sensitivity
BODY
Nourishing Shower Gel

EXFOLIATING
Explain how the removal of dead cells and build up will prevent the formation of pimples and blackheads. Cleansing Clay Peel Weekly depending on the severity

MASK
For further deep cleansing and hydration use Cleansing Mask weekly after exfoliating. Excellent to use on inflamed pimples left overnight. Excellent for backs and chests.

HEALING
Manuka Oil & Honey Gel Apply night and morning

PROTECTION
During the daytime apply Balancing Day Cream.

NIGHT
Manuka Oil & Honey Gel over face around eyes and lips.
Radiance Oil.
For lips Healing Honey Lip Balm.
The treatment really depends on the peculiarities of each client, and often their budget.

Black Heads

Living Nature says this about it: Blackheads are created when the skin's natural oil comes to the surface of the skin and is oxidised by the air, turning the sulphur compounds black. This forms a hard plug of oil (sebum) in the pores of the skin.

They are more prevalent in our society due to the electromagnetic radiation from computer screens, fluorescent lights and general house hold appliances. This also causes the sebum to turn black. Blackheads can now be quite common in dry skin conditions as well as oily skin because of this.

One of the best ways to remove & prevent blackheads is to use the Cleansing Clay Peel.

Firstly it's good to soften the skin in either the bath/shower, compress or steaming. Then use the peel & extract the remaining blackheads manually.

Stubborn blackheads. For heavy meat eaters the skin's oil (sebum) becomes more viscous, causing the skin to clog more readily due to the thickness of the oil. Taking a teaspoon of Evening Primrose Oil for a month will help soften the plug made of sebum and make them easy to extract.

Acne Rosacea

This condition varies considerably from someone with slight erythma (suffused redness) to enlarged pores, blackheads, pustules, inflammation and red veins. Treatments suggested to follow the mature acne, focusing on the deep cleansing on the affected areas, and nourishing the rest of the face. The Rich Hydrating Gel Mask is excellent for helping with the redness. The hydrating mask contains Kopata which helps deal with surface capilliaries.

Internal

Most definitely recommend 5000-8000mg EVENING PRIMROSE OIL daily. If pustules are present, Pure Manuka Oil taken internally 3 drops x 3times a day For 14 days.

WHY PROPERTIES OF ROSEHIP CAN HELP WITH ACNE SPOTS

ROSE HIP OIL AND ITS SKIN CARE PROPERTIES?
Several teams of plastic surgeons are presently using Rose Hip Oil to complement the treatment of scars. The oil of Rose Hip seeds (Rosa Rubiginosa Aff. originally known as Rosa Eglanteria) has helped in the recovery of thousands of people who have suffered burns. Dr Leonardo Rusowsky, surgeon at Enrique Deformes hospital in Santiago, Chile, is acting president of the Corporation For Aid to Burnt Children which is home based at the said hospital. Dr Rusowsky believes that Rose Hip Oil is and important complement to treating burns ands scars.

Research with Rose Hip Oil is currently being carried out at the Enrique Deformes hospital Rose Hip Oil is being applied to burnt children in the way of compresses and massotherapy (massages carried out by kinesiologists to loosen up scars). Dr Rusowsky says that while it will not be possible to obtain scientific conclusions before one year, it is possible to state the following:

1. Rose Hip Oil improves the texture and quality of skin by increasing its elasticity.

2. Rose Hip Oil helps people who have suffered burns. Its effect more than to flatten out hypertophic and hyperplasic scars (raised and bulky scars), is to improve the colour of the scars and of the scars and of the skin in the affected area.

Researchers in Chile have found a natural oil that provides beneficial effects to skin. It is the oil extracted from the seeds of a rose bush that grows wild in the south of Chile, a cool and very rainy mountain region. The oil pressed off the Rosehip seed contains an amazing 77% of fatty acids (linoleic and linolenic). Fatty acids have very important functions in the regeneration of skin cells and repairing of damaged tissue.
Over the years Rose Hip Oil has been shown to retard the signs of premature ageing and provide excellent results in the treatment of burns, scars and unsightly spots on skin.
If applied consistently during two or three months Rose Hip Oil was found to:

1. Reduce wrinkles and signs of premature ageing. It will also help counter the drying effects of the sun which are usually first noticed in fine wrinkles or 'crows feet' around the eyes and mouth.

2. Attenuate scars (surgical and accidental) and improves the colour of same (i.e. reduces the redness or hyperpigmentation). It also avoids the formation of the keloid type of scar (lump) which may appear after surgical procedures.


3. Provides excellent results in treatment of skin that has been burnt or exposed to radiotherapy.

Rose Hip Oil is massaged into the affected area with fingertips and completely absorbed. It is supplied 100% pure, has no added chemicals and involves no testing on animals.

ROSE HIP OIL ASSISTS MEDICAL TREATMENT?
Doctor Hans Harbst, surgeon and radiotherapist presently practising in Chile, graduated in radio oncology, radiology and nuclear medicine at the Nuclear Research Institute of the University of Heidelberg, Germany. Dr Harbsr heads the Department of Radio oncology of the Indian clinic of Santiago and is also the head of the Department of Radiology of the Chilean Air Force Hospital in Santiago.

Dr Harbst has extensive experience in the application of Rose Hip Oil for healing skin alterations, especially secondary dermatitis, which takes place as a result of radiotherapy.

Dr Harbst explains about the use of products containing Rose Hip Oil "As a radiotherapist I work with several patients that have been operated upon and , there fore, have scars. Also, the radiation to which they are exposed may produce secondary effects on the skin such as inflammations, darkening and actinic dermatitis. These effects are in most cases unavoidable because in the same way that a surgeon leaves a scar when he or she operates, a radiotherapist leaves a mark on the radiated areas, which are not injuries as such but skin reaction. This means a problem for the patient, especially when he or she are left with marks in areas exposed to view like the face, head or neck. "I have applied Rose hip Oil on all types of skin. Rose Hip Oil acts on scars reducing hyperpigmentation, flattening hypertrophia (bulky scars) and loosening up fibrous chords. All these effects end up in a near complete attenuation of scars.

ROSE HIP APPLICATION ON AGED SKIN?
Changes produced on skin by the action of the sun i.e. photoaging (dermatoheliosis) are very common in all countries of warm climate.
Exposure to sun causes important morphological changes in skin.
Dermatoheliosis appears in different ways and varying intensity ranging from surface wrinkles, active keratosis and variation in the distribution in the melanin granules. For this test volunteers were selected among people who usually spend the 3 months of summer in resorts by the sea or who go to the beach every day. The tests were carried out of 20 women aged between 25 and 35 who were controlled and assessed during the summer of 1988. The most noted cancerous sign were surface wrinkles, brown spots, eyelids and in some cases only an intense tan. Applied All rosehip oil on the face during four months (May to August, Autumn 1988.)

Observations were made every eight days. Significant changes were noted starting on the third week. Firstly, surface wrinkles started to disappear, spots started to fade until at the end of the fourth month the disappearance was complete. Skin presented a smooth and fresh aspect and the spots had almost disappeared.

ROSE HIP APPLICATION ON SURGICAL SCARS?
For this test Living Nature used scars that had equal features. Ten women, aged between 45 and 68 were selected who had suffered unilateral or bilateral mastectomy. After washing the area with tepid water and soap and careful drying, the oil was applied by soft massage.

After three months of applying twice daily (morning and evening) it was noted that the scars were less apparent, without lumps and that skin elasticity had improved and the colour of the area had improved significantly. They carried out these observations until four the treating doctors indicated that the skin conditions were improving considerably allowing implantation of prosthesis or plastic surgery in far better conditions than with patients who had not been treated.

NOTE: Living Nature has heard reports of Rosehip oil being slightly photo toxic. While this has not yet been proved, we do not recommend the use of Rosehip oil during the day.

Resources:

http://www.acne-resource.org/acne-skin-care/what-causes-acne.html

Suzanne Hull, owner of Living Nature