Acne Remedies

Acne is a skin disease that affects the oil glands leading to inflammations or lesions. Acne lesions usually form on the oil-producing areas of the body such as the face, neck, chest, and back. The skin inflammations are also known as pimples or zits. It is a common disease that affects 60-70% of Americans at some point in their lives. It can occur at any age, but it is more common in teenagers and young adults.

The exact cause of acne remains unknown but there are several factors known to contribute to its development. The oil glands, sebum, and bacteria play a role in the formation of acne. Follicles connect oil glands to skin pores. When the follicle is clogged, sebum builds up underneath. Sebum buildup will causes bacteria to multiply resulting in the inflammation of the surrounding tissues.

Hormonal changes, especially during puberty and pregnancy, are also linked to the development of acne. In addition, there are also myths pertaining to greasy foods, chocolate, dirt, and stress as contributing factors to acne, but there is no concrete evidence to support these theories.

Acne Types

Acne comes in different forms. Non-inflammatory acne is categorized into whiteheads and blackheads. Inflammatory acne is categorized into papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts.

• A whitehead is formed when the trapped sebum stays underneath the skin, appearing as a tiny white bump. A blackhead is formed when the follicle opens and the trapped sebum rises to the surface and oxidizes, resulting to a black color.
• Papules are inflamed follicles that appear as bumps that are red and sore to the touch.
• Pustules are red bumps with white pus at the center.
• Nodules are large bumps underneath the skin and are firm and sore to the touch.
• Cysts are painful, large bumps that are filled with pus.

Acne is not a serious medical condition and it does not pose any health risks; however, severe conditions of acne may lead to decreased self-esteem and self-confidence. In severe cases, it is recommended to seek medical advice and get treatment to avoid scarring.

Nine Remedies for Acne

Medications for acne are widely available – from over-the-counter acne medications to more advanced acne treatments and natural alternatives.  Let’s go through some of the most frequently prescribed acne treatments before taking a look at the organic and natural acne treatments.

Benzoyl Peroxide works by killing the bacteria and drying up the lesion. Only 5 in 1,000 people report adverse affects mostly associated with allergic reactions.

Acne No More is a pharmaceutical strength, 100% organic treatment designed by Doctor Peter Klapper. It is specially formulated to fight the bacteria that causes acne while also helping to rejuvenate damaged skin. Allergic reactions are rare and limited to redness of skin. Tea tree oil is one of the medicinal plant ingredients and the product is supported by a full one-year money-back guarantee.

Salicylic acid is a common ingredient in many acne medications such as creams, cleansers, and toners.  It works by exfoliating the surface of the skin to prevent the follicles from clogging up. Allergic reactions are rare and tend to be limited to dry, peeling, red, or scaling skin.

Antibiotics can be applied directly to the acne to kill bacteria and reduce inflammation.  There are also oral antibiotics available. However, overuse of antibiotics can lead to bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics (MRSA) requiring increasingly stronger antibiotics – see Tea Tree Oil, below.

Tea Tree Oil is a popular alternative medication. It contains antibacterial properties that fight acne and is known for its strong activity against staphylococcus aureus including MRSA. MRSA is, by definition, any strain of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria that has developed resistance to antibiotics. MRSA is a serious problem in hospitals.

Retinoids are very frequently used for treating whiteheads and blackheads. However –

“…[are] frequently associated with mucocutaneous side effects, liver toxicity and abnormalities of serum lipid profiles, which might be related to an increased risk of coronary heart disease. Of particular concern is the teratogenic effect of all retinoids, which limits their use in women of child-bearing potential. Chronic toxicities from long term therapy with retinoids may result in skeletal abnormalities, usually mimicking diffuse idiopathic hyperostosis syndrome. Furthermore, the chronic use of retinoids in children may inhibit their growth due to premature epiphyseal closure.

Adverse effects of retinoids. (Link Opens in New Window)
David M, Hodak E, Lowe NJ.
Department of Dermatology, Beilinson Medical Center, Sackler Medical School, Tel Aviv University, Israel.

Isotretinoin is used for treatment of severe acne – however it associated with numerous and severe adverse reactions above and beyond allergic reactions including just as a few examples – eye irritation; hair thinning; optic neuritis; menstrual disturbances; inflammatory bowel disease; pancreatitis; depression; among others for starters. Isotretinoin is also well known for causing birth defects when taken during pregnancy – ranging from visual impairment to facial dysmorphism and mental retardation.

Laser surgery is used to burn the sebaceous glands and to kill bacteria. This is an expensive form of treatment. All surgeries carry some element of risk.

How to Care for Sensitive Skin

If you suffer from acne, you have sensitive skin.  The cause of sensitive skin may vary from person to person.  It is often caused by genetic factors, an underlying skin condition, and over-exposure to detrimental environmental factors such as UV rays, harsh wind, or excessive cold/heat.

There are a wide variety of skin-sensitive products available in the market today.  Experts say that those that contain only a few ingredients, fragrance-free, non-comedogenic are the best option.  If you think you have sensitive skin, have a dermatologist examine your skin.

Here are some tips on how to care for sensitive skin.

1. Use soap-free cleansing products or those that are specially formulated for sensitive skin.  Do not over wash your face.  Experts say that washing your face twice a day is enough.

2. Choose hypoallergenic and fragrance free skin products.  These are ideal for sensitive skin because they contain very few ingredients and chemical preservatives.

3. Always use sunscreen that contains at least SPF 15.  Also, your sunscreen should contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as these do not cause any allergic reactions.  Remember, the sun is harshest between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. so avoid going out during these hours.

4. Moisturize as often as possible. 

5. Apply less make up.  Avoid oil-based make ups.  Non-comedogenic cosmetics are best for sensitive skin.

6. Before applying a new product, skin test first to see if there are any allergic reactions.

7. Eat a healthy diet.  Drink plenty of water and eat lots of fruits and vegetables to keep skin healthy.  Be careful with what food you eat as some foods may trigger skin reaction.