Acne: Causes,Prevention, Healing.

There's a reason it's called "common acne" -- nearly everyone suffers from a pimple outbreak at some point in life.

It starts when greasy secretions from the skin's sebaceous glands (oil glands) plug the tiny openings for hair follicles (plugged pores). If the openings are large, the clogs take the form of blackheads: small, flat spots with dark centers. If the openings stay small, the clogs take the form of whiteheads: small, flesh-colored bumps. Both types of plugged pores can develop into swollen, tender inflammations or pimples or deeper lumps or nodules. Nodules associated with severe cases of acne (cystic acne) are firm swellings below the skin's surface that become inflamed, tender, and sometimes infected.

Although acne remains largely a curse of adolescence, about 20% of all cases occur in adults. Acne commonly starts during puberty between the ages of 10 and 13 and tends to be worse in people with oily skin. Teenage acne usually lasts for five to 10 years, normally going away during the early 20s. It occurs in both sexes, although teenage boys tend to have the most severe cases. Women are more likely than men to have mild to moderate forms into their 30s and beyond.

Acne lesions are most common on the face, but they can also occur on the neck, chest, back, shoulders, and upper arms.

Contrary to popular belief, acne isn't caused by a harmful diet, poor hygiene, or an uncontrolled sex drive. The simple truth is that heredity and hormones are behind most forms of acne. Swearing off chocolate or scrubbing your face 10 times a day won't change your predisposition to this unsightly, sometimes painful, and often embarrassing skin problem.

A bacteria, known as Propionibacterium acnes, is a normal inhabitant of the skin. It uses sebum as a nutrient for growth, therefore increases in follicles during puberty. People with acne have more Propioni bacterium acnes in their follicles than people without acne. The presence of bacteria attracts white blood cells to the follicle. These white blood cells produce an enzyme that damages the wall of the follicle, allowing the contents of the follicle to enter the dermis. This process causes an inflammatory response seen as papules (red bumps), pustules, and nodules. The bacteria also cause the formation of free fatty acids, which are irritants, increasing the inflammatory process in the follicle.

Causes For Acne

Normal Follicles
Sebum produced by the sebaceous gland combines with cells being sloughed off within the hair follicle and "fills up" the hair follicle. When the follicle is "full", the sebum spreads over the skin surface giving the skin an oily appearance. When this process works correctly, the skin is moisturized and remains healthy.

Obstructed Follicles
Problems arise when the sebum is trapped in the hair follicle. For reasons that are still unclear, some hair follicles become obstructed. The sebum is produced but gets trapped on the way out, and the cells that are normally sloughed off become "sticky", plugging up the follicle. The process of obstructing follicles is called comedogenesis. It causes some follicles to form a type of acne called comedones, also known as blackheads and whiteheads.

Acne & Bacteria
A bacteria, known as Propionibacterium acnes, is a normal inhabitant of the skin. It uses sebum as a nutrient for growth, therefore increases in follicles during puberty. People with acne have morePropionibacterium acnes in their follicles than people without acne. The presence of bacteria attracts white blood cells to the follicle. These white blood cells produce an enzyme that damages

the wall of the follicle, allowing the contents of the follicle to enter the dermis. This process causes an inflammatory response seen as papules (red bumps), pustules, and nodules. The bacteria also cause the formation of free fatty acids, which are irritants, increasing the inflammatory process in the follicle.

Here are some factors that don't usually play a role in acne:

Heredity: With the exception of very severe acne, most people do not have the problem exactly as their parents did. Almost everyone has some acne at some point in their life.
Food: Parents often tell teens to avoid pizza, chocolate, greasy and fried foods, and junk food. While these foods may not be good for overall health, they don't cause acne or make it worse. Although some recent studies have implicated milk and pure chocolate in aggravating acne, these findings are very far from established.
Dirt: "Blackheads" are oxidized oil, not dirt. Sweat does not cause acne and is produced by entirely separate glands in the skin. On the other hand, excessive washing can dry and irritate the skin.
Stress: Some people get so upset by their pimples that they pick at them and make them last longer. Stress, however, does not play much of a direct role in causing acne.

The following may be contributing factors:

Pressure: In some people, pressure from helmets, chin straps, collars, suspenders, and the like can aggravate acne.
Drugs: Some medications may cause or worsen acne, such as those containing iodides, bromides, or oral or injected steroids (either the medically prescribed prednisone [Deltasone, Orasone, Prednicen-M, Liquid Pred] or the steroids that bodybuilders or athletes sometimes take). Other drugs that can cause or aggravate acne are anticonvulsant medications and lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid). Most cases of acne, however, are not drug related.
Occupations: In some jobs, exposure to industrial products like cutting oils may produce acne.
Cosmetics: Some cosmetics and skin-care products are pore clogging ("comedogenic"). Of the many available brands of skin-care products, it is important to read the list of ingredients and choose those which have water listed first or second if you are concerned about acne. These "water-based" products are usually best for those with acne.

Preventing Acne

There are various preventative measures that may prevent or reduce acne flare-ups.

Examples include:

• To prevent the incidence of scarring, never squeeze or pick acne lesions.

• Establish a daily skin-care regimen, which includes cleansing the skin with a soft wash cloth, warm water and an appropriate facial soap at least twice a day.

• Use only oil-free skin and hair care products.

• Avoid scrubbing the skin when cleansing.

• Women should use makeup that is oil-free or labeled "non-comedogenic."

• Always cleanse skin after sweating

Foods that help reduce flare ups

Olive oil lotion absorbs into skin without clogging pores, allowing skin to breathe which in turn help prevent acne
.Lemon juice helps in eliminating acid waste and cleansing the liver with citric acid and building up enzymes to eliminate blood toxins. It also flushes out pores and keeps your skin feeling fresh and bright.
Watermelon is very useful for removing blemishes on the skin. It is rich in vitamins A, B and C and keeps the skin fresh, radiant and hydrated. It also prevents eruption of acne and remove scars and marks of acne.
Eating a balanced diet is the best way to have a healthy skin. Low-fat dairy product consists of vitamin A, which is one of the most important components of healthy skin.
Raspberries are a healthy as they are loaded with vitamins, antioxidants and fiber. These are rich in phytochemicals that are protective of skin.
Yogurt has anti fungal and antibacterial qualities, so it is useful for cleansing the skin and unblocking clogged pores
.Eating walnuts regularly help to improve the smoothness and softness of the skin.

Walnuts oils contain linoleic acid, which helps to maintain the skin's structure, keeping it watertight and well hydrated.
Dietary selenium comes from nuts, cereals etc. Some studies show that even skin damaged by the sun may suffer fewer consequences if selenium levels are high.
Apples contain lots of pectin and it is the enemy of the acne. So, remember to eat the skin too as pectin is mostly concentrated there.
Water carries nutrition and oxygen to your internal body, keeping organs nourished, vital, and fit to fight acne.

Natural ways to heal Acne
Use baking soda. Mix equal parts baking soda and water to form a paste. Apply the paste onto acne individually, not over the entire face. Dip a Q-Tip into the baking soda mixture and apply that way.

Leave the baking soda paste on your face for about 10 minutes, or until dry.
Wash off with very cold water. It will help close the pores significantly.
Repeat at most two times a day. If your skin becomes irritated or excessively oily due to use, make sure to discontinue treatment.

Try using lemon juice as an acne remedy. Cut a lemon in half and gently rub the open-side of the lemon onto the acne. The stinging feeling means it's working. Lemons contain citric acid, which attacks the bacteria that cause acne.
- Make sure to wipe/wash the lemon juice off, and use sunscreen afterwards. Citric acid can bleach the skin and puts it at significantly higher likelihood of sun damage.
Slice a raw potato and apply to skin. Slice a raw potato in half and apply onto acne. Raw potato can heal as well as act an anti-inflammatory. Again, wash the residue off your skin gently with water after using.
Use toothpaste for pimples. If you have a single, mighty pimple you want destroyed overnight, consider using toothpaste to cover the pimple with. Toothpaste contains silica, which is the substance you find in beef jerky bags, used to keep any moisture out of substances. Silica will dry out and diminish the size of the pimple overnight if left on.
- Try using a natural toothpaste — with silica but without sodium lauryl sulfate. Sodium lauryl sulfate is a harsh chemical that's also an irritant to some people. It's best to avoid it, and any of the big, name-brand toothpastes, for that reason.
Use ice to close your pores and reduce inflammation. A lot of people with big pores like to take ice cubes and gently hold or rub them over their problem spots. Ice specifically, and cold in general, constricts the blood vessels underneath the skin, making the irritation or inflammation less noticeable.
Use tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is a renowned anti-fungal and antibacterial herbal remedy, making it great for mild to moderate acne. In a study comparing the efficacy of tea tree oil and benzoyl peroxide, tea tree oil proved just as effective in fighting acne and reducing lesions.Whereas benzoyl peroxide works quicker than tea tree oil, tea tree oil produces less side effects in patients.
Crush up some aspirin and use it as a paste. Crush up a pill or two of aspirin and mix it with just enough water to form a paste — as you might have done with the baking soda. With a Q-Tip or your hands, apply the paste onto individual pimples, leaving to dry.
- Why does aspirin work? Aspirin has salicylic acid in it, which is what most topical acne treatments use to bust up acne-causing bacteria. Salicylic acid dries out pimples and fights the bacteria simultaneously.
Apply alum to the pimples. Potassium alum can usually be found in the spice aisle in some grocery stores. Although widely used as a natural deodorant and styptic (lessens bleeding after a cut), alum is a natural antiseptic and astringent, meaning that it shrinks skin tissue.
- Try to get a big block instead of in powder form. Powdered alum can be a little too abrasive. Gently wipe the alum over the affected areas, being careful not to irritate or inflame any pimples.

Part Two: Diet and Exercise

Cut back on eating refined carbohydrates (bread, pasta, etc). Also, cut back on eating sugar (any sugar, a little natural sugars might be okay).
Take fermented foods (sauerkraut, kefir, goat cheese, or natural yogurt) and/or take a good pro-biotic and enzymes.
Stop using your cleansers, face creams, makeups, etc. If you are going to use these, get natural products.
Eat more veggies! They clean your blood of toxins that cause the acne.
WATER! Get 1/2 your body weight in ounces of water.
Move around. Trampoline is a great way to move your lymphatic system. Running or jump roping is also good.
Take a multivitamin each day. Make sure that you especially get enough vitamin A. Vitamin A will help your skin regenerate quicker, reduce wrinkles, and clear away spots and blemishes.

Part Three: Washing Your Face and Other Tips

You can wash your face with soap twice daily, If you have oily skin, rinse throughout the day with lukewarm water, to remove excess oil, that is causing breakouts.
Get the materials you need. You will need a mild facial soap (bar or liquid), clean hands, and a wash cloth. *The milder the soap the better-irritation will only cause more acne.
First make sure your hands are clean, then you can wet your face with warm water to open your pores. Don't use hot water, because it will cause irritation, that worsens acne.
- Don't wash with a wash cloth or anything that is rough. Just gently use your fingertips or a soft clean sponge.
- Use a mild soap with a low percentage of benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, sometimes they can cause dryness or redness, so only use in the morning or at night, not both. The other cleanser should be very mild. What ever you are using, make sure you only use a little bit.
- Rinse all of the soap off over the sink, making sure there is not residue.
- Next splash cool water onto your face to close the pores that you have just cleaned. Don't use cold water, because this will cause irritation and broken capillaries.
- Dry your face with a soft towel or sponge by patting, never rub your face.
- Moisturize each time after you wash your face. After washing your face, it can cause your skin's pH balance to be to alkaline so applying moisturizer helps with it changing back. Just as your face needs to be washed in order to keep it healthy, you skin needs moisturize in order to stay vibrant and healthy.
- Find a moisturizer that works for you. Cream-based moisturizers are generally recommended for people who have drier skin; they are denser, oilier, and don't disperse as easily. Gel-based moisturizers are recommended for people who have oilier skin; they disperse really well into the skin and don't leave oily traces.
Get enough sleep. The more you sleep, the less stress you put your body through. You have about 15% more stress for every hour of sleep you lose per night.Why does this matter? Stress can cause the hormone that regulates sebum to go bonkers, causing acne. So, as another rule of thumb, don't let stress mount up in your life.
Try not to pick at or pop your pimples. You're using natural remedies for your acne treatment — that's great. Don't wipe away all your gains by popping your pimples. The short-term gratification might be overwhelming, but it's really not good in the long run.
- Acne is a bacteria that lives in your pores. Popping the pimple gives the acne a chance to spread over the skin to other pores, infecting them.
- Popping pimples causes inflammation and may lead to scarring. So if you want your acne to be less visible, resist the urge to pop. Stop before you pop.
If the acne is really bad, see a doctor. Acne can be really persistent, especially during the teenage years. You try a new drug or method, it seems to get better, and then a week later you're back to the same old breakouts and zits. Dermatologists can diagnose your skin condition and offer targeted approaches to curing acne. If you're thrown for a loop with acne, and you've tried everything under the sun, don't be afraid to ask for a little help.

Thanks for Reading!