ACNE
Acne is an inflammatory, papulopustular skin eruption commonly occurring in or near sebaceous glands in the face, neck, shoulders and upper back. Most commonly occurring among males, with the onset at puberty. This is due to the sex hormone testosterone stimulating the cells that line the follicular canal to produce keratin.
Keratin is a fibrous protein that is the main part of the outermost layer of skin. Overproduction of keratin can block skin pores. Testosterone also causes sebaceous glands in the skin to produce more sebum. The severity of acne though is determined by a complex interaction among hormonal factors, keratin-producing cells, sebum, and bacteria. Blackheads form if the blockage is incomplete – Whiteheads form if the blockage is complete.
With complete blockage the bacteria Propionibacterium acnes (Corynebacterium acnes) can overgrow and release enzymes that breakdown sebum and cause inflammation (redness) seen with acne. This bacterium can cause damage to the surface tissue – deeper within the skin it can cause a nodule or cyst to form leading to scar formation.
Acne is not always an excess of testosterone within the blood, but it can be more how the skin metabolises this hormone. There has been shown to be greater activity of an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase within the skin surface, which converts testosterone to a more potent form know as dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Another contributor to acne is intestinal toxemia (one study showed that 50% of patients with severe acne had increased blood levels of toxins absorbed from the intestines.
Acne that is not Acne??
How can this be, well there are a number of agents/actions that can cause acne-like lesions.
- Drugs: Steroids, diphenylhydantoin, and lithium carbonate.
- Industrial pollutants: Machine oils, coal tar derivatives, and chlorinated hydrocarbons.
- Local actions: Use of cosmetics or pomades, overwashing, or repetitive rubbing.
Dietary Considerations
In addition to a general healthful diet, a few specifics are in order:
- Reduce/Avoid refined and/or concentrated simple sugars.
- Reduce/Avoid high fat foods.
- Reduce/Avoid trans fatty acids (milk, milk products, margarine, shortening, and other synthetically hydrogenated vegetable oils)
- Reduce foods high in iodine as can aggravate some individuals (Iodised Salt, Ocean fish, Shellfish, Spinach, Garlic, Watercress, Pineapples, Peas, Artichokes, Citrus, Egg Yolks).
- Reduce foods high in hormones (cows milk, non-organic meat products)
- Increase protein (Organic Meat and Non-meat protein) it has been shown to lessen the conversion of testosterone to (DHT).
Products to help you:
- 4 Complexion Tea will help with cleansing your liver, digestion & skin, decreasing the inflammation, reducing acne formation, healing your skin from the inside out. 1-3 cups a day it’s easy to take and extremely economical!
- Topically the Bye Acne Soap is perfect to wash your face on a daily basis. Green Clay is rich in minerals & plant material such as seaweed/kelp, so especially good for acne, oily, combination skin. Clays have the ability to absorb excess oils, dirt & impurities from the body, while the essential minerals within the clay are released into the skin. They will gently exfoliate removing dead skin cells as well as toning & strengthening connective tissue to leave skin smooth, fresh & radiant. Helping to reduce blemishes – while maintaining a healthy appearance. Charcoal has been used medicinally for 1000’s of years. Ancient Egyptian papyri traces the use of charcoal to 1500 BC. North American Indians used charcoal for skin infections as well as easing inflammation. This bar will last you many washes and smells fantastic too!
- We also have something for those with acne scarring. Our Superfruit Facial Serum, rich in Omega oils, vitamins to help with healing, reducing the appearance of the scars themselves. Massage in when you don’t have an inflamed outbreak of acne.
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