What Is Acne – A Brief Users Guide

Acne is a very embarrassing skin condition that can affect people of all ages, although it tends to be more common in teenagers and women. Most people suffer from spots and blocked pores at various times in their life: for the majority of us the occasional spot is unsightly, but something we can cope with. But acne is far worse than one or two spots and in the most severe of cases, the skin becomes one mass of infected cysts and lesions, which can cause significant psychological damage as well as long term physical scars.

What are the symptoms of acne?

The symptoms of acne are skin lesions caused by blocked and infected hair follicles. We usually associate spots with acne, but there are different types of skin lesion and acne is normally classified according to the severity of the skin problems.

Blackheads and whiteheads (or closed and open pores) are the least severe symptoms of acne. Blackheads are formed by an enlarged hair follicle that becomes blocked with dead skin cells, bacteria and excess sebum. Whiteheads are small white bumps under the surface of the skin.

Papules are small red spots caused by the infection from a burst whitehead. The body’s immune system responds to the bacterial infection, causing inflammation to spread into the surrounding skin tissues. When a spot fills with pus, it is then referred to as a pustule.

Nodules are hard lumps beneath the surface of the skin. They look nasty and are usually very painful to touch.

Cysts are the most serious form of acne skin lesions. Like a nodule, a cyst is a large spot that resembles a boil. Cysts are full of pus and can be excruciatingly painful. They are also the lesion that is most likely to cause permanent scarring in the acne patient.

Acne lesions can appear anywhere on the body, but they are most common on the face, shoulders, chest and back.

What are the different types of acne?

There are three different types of acne, depending on the severity of the skin lesions. Mild acne is characterized by blackheads and whiteheads, mostly on the face. Moderate acne is characterized by blackheads, whiteheads, papules and pustules on the face and possibly the back. Severe acne includes cysts and nodules and tends to cover a much more extensive area of the body.

What causes acne?

Acne is caused by too much sebum. Sebaceous glands in the skin produce sebum to keep the skin moisturized, but in a person with acne, an excess of sebum builds up and blocks the hair follicles. Blocked hair follicles become whiteheads and blackheads, and once infection sets in, papules, pustules, cysts and nodules.

Acne in teenagers is caused by increased levels of testosterone during puberty, which leads to an over production of sebum from the sebaceous glands and the symptoms of acne. Once puberty is over, teenagers usually find that their acne settles down and the spots clear up, but for some, acne can continue into their twenties and thirties and adult acne is a big problem.

Adult acne tends to affect women rather than men, mainly because the underlying cause is hormonal. Pregnancy can trigger adult acne, as can the monthly menstrual cycle—lots of women find that their skin erupts just before their period is due. Adult acne can also occur as a result of certain medications used to treat mental health conditions such as depression.

What is the treatment for acne?

Treatment for acne will normally depend on the severity of the acne, but if self help methods do not work, the first line of treatment would be to try over the counter remedies including face washes and topical lotions designed to help reduce the symptoms of acne. If these do not work, your doctor will be able to prescribe stronger medications, including antibiotics and topical creams to kill skin bacteria and reduce local inflammation.

Mild and moderate acne can usually be brought under control with the help of topical creams and lotions containing benzoyl peroxide, topical antibiotics, retinoids and azalaic acid. These all help to kill bacteria and reduce infection, dry out the excess sebum and unplug blocked hair follicles, and reduce inflammation.

Women suffering from hormonal related acne often find that their symptoms are reduced if they start taking an oral contraceptive. Certain brands can help to improve acne, although it can take several months before any significant improvement is noticed and the pill can cause other side effects including unwanted weight gain and mood changes.

More severe cases of acne may need to be referred to a specialist dermatologist for treatment. The patient will be prescribed longer courses of antibiotics in conjunction with topical treatments. Patients with severe acne may be prescribed isotretinoin by their dermatologist, but it can cause a number of serious side effects and should only be used with extreme caution.

Are there any complications caused by acne?

Severe acne can often leave visible scars on the skin, even after the lesions have faded. This can lead to psychological distress, but there are methods available to help reduce acne scarring in affected people. Treatments for acne scarring include dermabrasion, laser treatments, chemical peels, and surgical subcision to remove deep tissue scars.

The other main complication of acne is the psychological effect the condition can have. Acne can cause high levels of anxiety and upset in affected people, and over time this can lead to depression, which is why it is important to seek help for acne.

Vitamins Used To Treat Acne

It will probably come as no great surprise to learn that despite the vast array of different foods on offer in supermarkets and food stores, cases of vitamin deficiencies are on the rise in the western world. Indeed, it has been estimated that as few as 20% of Americans consume the correct levels of vitamins and minerals in their daily diet, which can have a devastating effect on our health, and since the largest organ in the human body is our skin, skin conditions such as acne are exacerbated by these vitamin deficiencies. So which vitamins can you use to help alleviate the symptoms of acne?

There are lots of very important vitamins and minerals, all of which are essential to our metabolic functions, but modern diets often lack these essential ingredients. This is especially true if you eat a large amount of junk food packed full of trans-fats and sugar—aside from the token slice of pickle in your burger, most fast food is sorely lacking in essential vitamins and minerals.

Essential vitamins used to treat acne

There are several key vitamins that help improve the appearance of our skin and guard against the conditions that cause acne. Some vitamins act as antioxidants and play a role in removing the harmful toxins that accumulate in the body whereas others have antibacterial properties and prevent skin bacteria from forming and leading to the spots and skin lesions so typical of acne.

No one vitamin can be used to prevent or treat acne and in an ideal world you should aim to have a balanced diet that includes all of the recommended vitamins and minerals as this will improve your overall health, not just your skin health. But once you have a greater awareness of which vitamins have the most significant part to play in healthy skin function, you can make sure you include these important vitamins in your daily diet—or at the very least, start taking a vitamin supplement.

Vitamin A is vital to healthy skin as it stimulates new skin growth and helps our body to repair the damage caused by acne skin lesions, cysts and nodules. Vitamin A is found in citrus fruits, tomatoes, carrots, pumpkin and yellow squash. It can also be applied directly to the affected skin in the form of topical creams and lotions. Vitamin A is best taken with vitamin E so that the body can digest it properly.

B vitamins are crucial for healthy skin and a lack of vitamin B2 is a known cause of acne. Vitamin B1 (thiamine) is an antioxidant and helps to flush out waste products from the skin. Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and vitamin B3 (niacin) are essential for healthy skin. Vitamin B5 can help to correct hormonal imbalances that are often the cause of acne in women and girls. Vitamin B6 is important for a healthy immune system and a vitamin B6 deficiency can cause acne.

Vitamin C is essential for a healthy immune system as it acts as an antioxidant. There are lots of foods that contain vitamin C, including citrus fruits, strawberries, blackcurrants, and green leafy vegetables.

Vitamin E has antioxidant properties and boosts the immune system. It can be found in green vegetables, sunflower seeds, almonds, papaya, and olives. Vitamin E also has useful anti-scarring properties, which is why it is used in skin care products, so try using vitamin E creams to reduce the scarring caused by severe acne.

Zinc is very important for healthy skin and there is lots of research to suggest that zinc is a powerful weapon in the fight against acne as it can help regulate the production of sebum (oil) in the skin. Zinc has antioxidant properties that actively support healthy skin. It also promotes healing, which is essential for acne scarred skin, plus it boosts the immune system and helps the body to fight bacterial infections that can cause acne lesions on the skin. Foods that are rich in zinc include veal, oysters, sesame seeds, shrimps, yoghurt, green peas and turkey.

Chromium is another essential mineral all acne sufferers should not go without. Chromium supplements can help to reduce the skin infections that cause acne to spread, but unfortunately a high sugar diet can prevent the body from absorbing enough of this essential mineral. To ensure you are ingesting enough chromium, it is a good idea to take a liquid chromium supplement.

Omega-3 fatty acids found in oily fish are a great way to help the body combat further breakouts of acne. Omega-3 fatty acids have powerful anti inflammatory properties and can help to bring the skin inflammation that is characteristic of acne under control. Omega-3 fatty acids also help to control the levels of androgens in the body, a major cause of too much skin oil production. In order to increase your consumption of omega-3 fatty acids, eat more oily fish such as sardines or salmon, or take a fish oil dietary supplement.

There is no doubt that taking a vitamin and mineral supplement is an excellent idea if you are suffering the effects of acne, but it is very important to be aware that some vitamins and minerals are toxic when taken to excess, so monitor how much you are ingesting and be aware of any symptoms that could be an indication you have taken too much of any one vitamin or mineral. If in doubt, always seek medical advice immediately.

Should You Get Medical Help For Your Acne?

Acne affects most people at some point in their life and it is one of the most common types of skin conditions. Acne can be mild, with only one or two spots, to severe, where large areas of skin are affected by spots, cysts and lesions. It can be an immensely distressing condition causing a great deal of emotional and psychological damage, particularly in teenagers, which is why it is important to seek medical help for your acne if you find that over the counter remedies are not working.

When should you get medical help for your acne?

Everyone gets spots occasionally, and for the majority of people, application of a topical cream of ointment is enough to dry the spot up and it disappears within a few days. It can be embarrassing, especially if a spot materializes the night before an important event, but not the end of the world. However, in more serious cases of acne, the condition can cause serious skin problems and lead to secondary infections and permanent scarring, so it is always a good idea to seek medical advice if you are concerned about your acne.

Years ago, acne was not taken so seriously and there were very few treatments that were readily available to treat the symptoms of the disorder. But today’s acne sufferers have access to a much wider range of treatments and nobody needs to suffer the effects of acne any longer than necessary.

Once the correct treatment has been identified, the outlook for acne sufferers is usually very good and most patients can expect to see a significant improvement within three months of starting a course of acne treatment. In the long term, some maintenance therapy may be required to keep the symptoms of acne under control, but the vast majority of people find that their symptoms slowly disappear as they get into their twenties.

At what point do I need to seek medical advice for my acne?

Mental health is a serious issue and many people suffering from chronic acne also suffer from associated feelings of low self esteem and depression, so if you are feeling so low that you don’t want to venture outside any more and you feel like nobody will ever want to be with you because of your bad skin, you have to accept that you cannot go it alone any more.

There is no specific point at which you should seek medical advice, but if your skin condition is making you feel depressed and is impacting on your life in a negative way, it is probably a good idea to pay a visit to your doctor for an assessment of how serious your acne is and what treatments he or she can recommend.

Doctors normally make an assessment on acne based on a visual examination of the extent of the condition and what types of lesion are present. Mild to moderate cases will be treated in the first instance with topical ointments and lotions containing ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide and antibiotics to treat the bacteria present on the skin. Severe cases of acne will probably be referred to a dermatologist for a secondary opinion to ensure a correct diagnosis and more effective treatment plan.

Can acne be a symptom of an underlying medical problem?

It is important to be aware that the symptoms of acne can sometimes be caused by conditions that require medical attention, so if you are experiencing any other symptoms as well as acne related skin problems, seek medical advice as soon as possible so you can receive a correct diagnosis and the appropriate treatment.

Polycystic ovary syndrome in girls can lead to the symptoms of acne by causing excessive levels of testosterone to be made in the ovaries or adrenal gland. Aside from acne, other symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome include excess body hair and thinning hair on the scalp.

What is cystic acne and does it require medical attention?

Cystic acne is an especially severe form of acne that definitely requires medical treatment. The correct name for the condition is nodulocystic acne and it is the most serious form of acne. Deep blemishes affect the face and/or body and cause severe inflammation. Cysts and nodules develop under the skin that are painful and take a long time to heal.

The type of deeply inflamed nodular cysts seen in cystic acne are far more serious than regular acne and can cause long term damage to healthy skin tissue, which can lead to extensive scarring. Because of this, it is very important that a sufferer seeks medical advice promptly—immediate aggressive cystic acne treatment can significantly reduce the likelihood of scarring and improve the quality of life for the affected person.

Due to the severity of cystic acne, over the counter treatments and home remedies are not effective and a doctor or dermatologist must treat the condition. It can take a while to find the right treatment plan for an individual patient, but there are effective systemic treatments available and you do not need to suffer from the effects of cystic acne.

What treatments are used for cystic acne?

Oral antibiotics are normally prescribed to treat any underlying bacterial infections. Powerful anti acne drugs such as isotretinoin might also be prescribed, although they are not suitable for all patients. Some female patients also find that a course of oral contraceptives can help reduce their symptoms of cystic acne.

How To Treat Acne Naturally And Effectively

There are lots of over the counter and prescription acne treatments, but many of them contain harsh chemicals that can cause even more damage to inflamed skin. Because of these unwanted side effects, it can be helpful to try natural acne remedies instead, so learn how to treat acne naturally and effectively.

What is a natural acne treatment?

The definition of “natural” is a product that contains no artificial ingredients or chemicals and is created from all-natural things. Typical examples of natural acne skin treatments include face masks made from clay or mud and skin care products from retailers such as the Body Shop.

Why try natural remedies to treat acne?

Prescription medications can be very successful in treating acne, but long term use of antibiotics and topical ointments containing harsh chemicals such as benzoyl peroxide can cause all kinds of side effects, including digestive problems and dry, inflamed skin. Some people also suffer from allergic reactions to over the counter acne treatment, which makes it impossible for the person to continue using them, so their only option is to try treating the symptoms of acne with natural remedies instead.

How can natural acne remedies help?

In many cases, acne is caused by an imbalance of hormones and body chemistry and the external symptoms of spots, oily skin and lesions are a sign that your body is not working at its optimum level. Traditionally antibiotics are prescribed to try and kill the high levels of skin bacteria that cause the symptoms of acne, but it is sometimes better to treat acne from within as high levels of skin bacteria indicate that your body is creating the conditions that allow bacteria to develop.

What natural remedies can help treat acne?

If chemical treatments are not working for you, it is worth trying holistic remedies to reduce your symptoms of acne. Holistic medicines aim to treat the underlying problems from the inside out and they are often longer lasting and more effective than more traditional treatments such as antibiotics and topical creams. Chinese herbal medicine has several products aimed at treating the inflammation and pimples found in acne. They contain herbs and natural ingredients than can prove to be very effective when all else has failed, although you will achieve greater success if you address other issues such as a poor diet at the same time.

How to treat acne at home using natural remedies

Tea tree oil is known for its natural antibacterial properties, so try using natural tea tree oil cleansing products morning and night. Apple cider vinegar has lots of useful health applications, but when applied to the face and body following cleansing, it can help to dry up spots and reduce inflammation caused by acne. Witch hazel and rose water can work as a very effective natural astringent toner. Aloe vera and milk mixed together into a gel will reduce redness and inflammation.

Face scrubs and face masks are useful for drawing out bacteria and toxins from the skin, but many products available from drug stores contain harsh chemicals that leave the skin dry and sore after use, so instead of spending a fortune on expensive brands, make your own face scrubs and face masks using completely natural products. Honey is a great natural healer and is also very suitable for sensitive skin, so make a natural face mask with honey and oatmeal and use twice per weak for maximum effect.

Oatmeal is an excellent natural facial ingredient: mix some with water and microwave until soft. Leave to cool and then apply to the face and leave in place for ten minutes. Rinse off with cold water and the inflammation should be much reduced. Alternatively make a natural face scrub using sugar, lime or lemon juice and oatmeal. Rub the face scrub into your skin gently and then rinse off with clean water: the lime/lemon juice is a natural astringent that closes pores, dries up excess oil and kills bacteria.

Natural moor mud or Dead Sea mud is another proven natural ingredient that can help reduce the symptoms of acne. Natural mud contains high levels of nutrients and antioxidants. It promotes healing and reduces the inflammation caused by acne. When used regularly, results will be seen quickly.

Can natural diet supplements help cure acne?

There is a lot of evidence to suggest that diet plays a big part in reducing the symptoms of acne, so it makes sense to heal your body from the inside. Zinc is a very important ingredient in the diet of acne sufferers and a lack of zinc can lead to more skin outbreaks. Taking zinc supplements can reduce the amount of sebum your skin produces, which in turn helps to dry the skin out and prevent more spots and lesions from forming.

Vitamin A and B6 also play a key role in keeping the skin healthy, so if you are not sure whether your diet contains enough healthy nutrients, consider taking a diet supplement containing vitamin A and B6.

And finally, if your skin is problematic and you suffer from regular outbreaks of acne, make sure you are drinking enough fresh water every day. Water helps to flush out the toxins from our bodies and when we are dehydrated, it affects our skin and leads to further blemishes and spots forming. Drinking plenty of water is the best way to keep your skin clear and healthy, so consume between six and eight glasses of water per day.

Natural and Herbal Remedies for Treating Acne

Acne is a very distressing skin condition that affects people all over the world, but although there is lots of skin care products marketed at people suffering from acne, many of them contain harsh chemicals that cause unnecessary discomfort and unpleasant side effects. Consequently, many people choose to look for natural and herbal remedies for treating acne instead.

Natural and herbal remedies for treating acne contain no harsh chemicals and are usually made from naturally occurring plants, herbs and other healthy ingredients that are readily available. Unlike prescription medications and over the counter skin care acne products, natural and herbal acne remedies do not normally cause any side effects unless you are allergic to one of the ingredients, which makes them a safe alternative.

Are natural and herbal acne treatments expensive?

Cost is often a big factor when choosing acne treatments. Products made by the big skin care companies tend to be very expensive and you can easily spend a huge amount of money when buying the recommended selection of cleansers, toners, moisturizers and topical lotions and creams. Natural remedies can be much cheaper, especially if you make your own acne treatments using ingredients you already have.

What ingredients are used in natural and herbal acne treatments?

Tea tree oil is a common ingredient in natural acne remedies. Tea tree oil is distilled from the leaves of a plant that grows in Australia: Melaleuca alternifolia. Thanks to one of its key constituents, terpinen-4-ol, tea tree oil has powerful antibacterial properties and has been used in herbal medicine for thousands of years. When applied directly to the skin, tea tree oil can kill acne causing bacteria, and studies have shown that topical use of tea tree oil is just as effective as a common prescription acne remedy—benzoyl peroxide; it takes longer to work, but it causes far fewer side effects.

Undiluted tea tree oil can sometimes cause mild burning and irritation of the skin, but it can be diluted in water or added to aloe vera gel before applying to the affected areas. Tea tree oil can be found in natural over the counter acne treatments, where it is often combined with witch hazel.

Zinc is known to help reduce the inflammation associated with acne. Zinc is found in red meat, poultry, whole grains, fortified breakfast cereals, some seafood, nuts and beans. It can also be taken as a dietary supplement, although you must take care not to exceed the recommended amount of zinc in your daily diet as too much zinc can cause all kinds of nasty side effects, including stomach cramps, nausea, headaches., and loss of appetite. You must also be careful not to take zinc supplements at the same time as antibiotics as one inhibits absorption of the other.

What herbal medicinal ingredients can be used to fight acne?

Herbal medicine can help improve the symptoms of acne. A commonly used Chinese herb called dong quai has been found to have similar benefits to antibiotics prescribed in the treatment of acne.

Licorice also has significant anti-acne properties and is often used in Chinese medicinal cures for acne and other skin complaints. Licorice has been used as an ingredient in herbal medicines since the Middle Ages and is known to stimulate the body’s adrenal system, which helps with the removal of bacteria and toxins that cause acne and its associated skin lesions.

Guggul is an herb used in traditional Indian herbal medicine and studies have shown that it can help to reduce the skin lesions experienced by acne sufferers when taken as a daily supplement for three months.

Green tea is a popular drink in Asian cultures. Green tea contains powerful antioxidant properties and can help lower excessive hormonal activity in the body, which is often a major cause of acne related skin conditions, particularly in pubescent teenagers and women.

Ginger is another powerful ingredient used in Chinese herbal medicine and can be taken to reduce the inflammation and redness associated with acne. Ginger can be infused in boiling water and drunk as a tea or it can be taken as a dietary supplement.

Echinacea is widely available in health food shops and can be used to boost the immune system when treating acne the natural way. Echinacea can be taken as a dietary supplement or included in herbal teas.

What natural ingredients can be applied as a topical remedy for the treatment of acne?

Oatmeal is very soothing for inflamed and sore skin and can be used as a natural face mask for calming inflammation and promoting healing of the skin. Mix some oatmeal with boiling water and leave to cool before applying it on the face and body. Leave it to soak in for around ten or fifteen minutes and then wash off. You should find that the itchy inflammation is soothed and your skin feels much softer.

Honey also has a similar effect. Honey contains natural antibacterial properties and can also be used as a topical face mask to promote healing and sooth inflammation of the affected skin.

Distilled white vinegar can be applied directly to the areas of skin affected by acne lesions. It helps to deep cleanse the pores and promote healing by way of its natural antibacterial qualities.

Citrus juices have natural antibacterial properties and can be included in home made face masks and facial cleansing scrubs. They help to deep cleanse clogged pores and exfoliate the dead skin cells, which can reduce the appearance of skin lesions and promote healing.