Home Remedies For Acne ←

Acne affects over 80% of our population at some point in their lifetime. It is the most common skin disorder and can cause pain, affect self esteem, and be a general nuisance to people that are affected. Dermatology has many treatments that are very effective on acne, but certain medications may come at a negative cost to your health. Recent studies have linked long term antibiotics and accutane to inflammatory bowel diseases like Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease.

If you have acne, but don’t want to subject yourself to drugs that may be harsh on your body, here are some natural treatments that can work just as well:

Witch Hazel Home Remedy

One natural remedy that has recently gained alot of popularity, is witch hazel extract. Witch hazel is a natural astringent that comes from the North American Witch-hazel shrub. Extract from the leaves and bark of this plant can shrink swollen pores and kill the bacteria that causes acne. This plant had been used by Native Americans to disinfect cuts and insect bites for hundreds of years. It is a cheap and very effective way to treat inflammatory acne. One study showed it to reduce redness by constricting blood vessels and also inhibit the growth of bacteria on the skin.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree Oil is another herbal acne remedy that has scientific studies to back up its effectiveness. This native Australian plant has been used by indigenous people for 100′s of years to treat skin ailments and colds. It was discovered as a natural antibiotic in the 1920′s, but mostly abandoned after the discovery of penicillin. As interest has grown into natural remedies, a resurgence of it’s use has occurred. Almost 100 chemical components have been isolated from the oil, but the compound terpinen-4-ol is believed to be responsible for much of it’s anti-bacterial qualities. Tea Tree oil should only be used topically as ingestion of this substance can cause negative health effects. Experts recommend a solution of no more than 5% for the treatment of acne, even though higher concentrations exist.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is usually only thought of as a disinfectant for cuts and scrapes, but it is actually occurs naturally in our own bodies. H2O2 is made by our own white blood cells to fight infection. It helps destroy the cell membranes of invading bacteria and sterilizes wounds. It can also be a very effective way to fight acne in 2 different ways. When peroxide is used topically, it can kill the bacteria that cause acne. Researches believe that it also may signal white blood cells and alert them to the infection. It may help our own immune system locate invading acne bacteria and destroy it.

Egg White Mask

One natural remedy that has gotten alot of praise on the acne.org review pages is the egg

white mask. This mask may owe it’s beneficial effects to the sulfur that is contained in it. Sulfur is a natural anti bacterial that can destroy p. acnes on the surface ofthe skin. It has been used for centuries and still holds up against man-made anti-biotics. This mask can also exfoliate dead skin cells that clog pores. The only negative effect is the smell that is easily washed off with soap and water.

Egg White Mask Recipe

1) Separate the white from the yoke of 1 egg.

2) Wisk the whites with an egg beater or fork.

3) Wash your face

4) Spread the Egg White on Your Face and let dry for 15-20 minutes. (When it dries it will feel tight on your skin)

5) Wash off the mask with warm water.

With the rapid progress of mainstream medicine today, we often feel like it has all the answers. Sometimes negative health effects can show up years down the road, as with the drug accutane. This medication is one of the most effective treatments available for acne, but the side effects are horrendous. It was considered safe when it was first introduced in the 80′s, but as the years went by, side effects like crohn’s disease, depression, and birth defects were discovered. When ever possible, using a harmless substance like egg whites is preferable to a drug with a laundry list of damaging side effects.

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What Is High Dose Red Light PDT?

Researchers have been experimenting with red light therapy to control the output of sebum by the sebaceous glands in the skin.Sebum is an oily substance that secreted by the skin to help keep it moisturized. Unfortunately it is one of the main contributors to clogged pores and is also used by bacteria as a food source.

Doctors hoped that light therapies could be used to sterilize that sebum before it reaches the surface of the skin.

The Problems with Light Therapy

Our skin can be very sensitive to light, especially direct sunlight. When the search began for a light based therapy designed to aid skin in fighting off the effects of acne, it was begun with the testing of different forms of ultraviolet light.

This kind of research has to be delicate in nature, because the risk of actually destroying skin cells with the light source is high. The light has to be able to penetrate the skin far enough to have an effect on the sebaceous glands. But, at the same time not cause damage to the skin cells.

Another issue in this kind of testing is pain. Light at close range can hurt, especially if it is being passed through the first few layers of skin and into the pores. Blue used in combination with another color, like red, dulled the pain but not the effectiveness of the red light.

Red light seemed to have the greatest effect on the acne, once they were able to get rid of the pain issue. The next step was to up the dosage of red light.

The Controversy Surrounding High Dose Red Light PDT

Some researchers became more aggressive with the red light, as it had shown promise for treating acne. Along with photosensitizing agents and blue light pre-treatments to help dull the pain, test subjects with moderate to severe acne were exposed to higher doses of the red light photodynamic therapy.

The effects on the acne were dramatic, but at a cost.

The bacteria that trigger acne in the skin were effectively killed off by controlled sessions at the higher dosage, with a reaction akin to sunburn on the outer skin by the third session.

The problem was that the red light, especially at high dosage, penetrated a lot farther into the skin than they originally thought. It actually penetrated so far that it destroyed the sebaceous glands underneath the skin, effectively drying up the source for the naturally moisturizing oil our bodies create.

The long term effects of non-functioning sebaceous glands remain to be seen, at this point in time and this treatment has triggered a controversy over its use among dermatologists worldwide.

 

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Cortisone Shots For Acne

Cystic or nodular acne can be painful, very noticeable, and take a long time to clear up. A visit to the dermatologist can often be necessary when dealing with this type of acne. In order to get rid of a cyst a doctor may inject it directly with cortisone. This will have an immediate effect on the cyst and will often decrease in size considerably by the next day.

Dermatologists are used to people making emergency appointments to have cysts injected with cortisone. They usually will try to accommodate you, as the injections can be done very quickly.

What Exactly is Cortisone?

Cortisone is a steroid that helps our body fight off inflammation. It is very quick acting, but also quickly excreted from the body. It is a steroid, but not the same as anabolic steroids, which are illegal and used increase muscle size. Cortisone is produced by the adrenal glands in times of injury or mental stress.

Because of its effectiveness in reducing inflammation in tissues, researchers began studies to see if it could have a benefit on cysts and nodules. The results of these studies were very dramatic.

Not only did the cortisone study prove that inflammation in the skin can be reduced, it also showed it to boost the healing of the skin around the acne and lessen the chance that scarring would form.

Are There Any Side Effects?

The main side effect of cortisone is that it might cause a depression in the skin where it was injected. This effect is usually temporary and returns to its normal appearance after a few months time. These shots usually only affect the local area that they are injected in, but there may also be affects to other bodily systems if it is absorbed into the blood steam.

There is a possibility that the area of the injection might become darker or lighter than normal. It is possible for the shot to cause hyper or hypopigmentation.

If used infrequently, there will usually be no noticeable side effects.

The Effects on Scars

Cortisone shots are also used on raised scars. These painful red scars (known as keloids) can develop at the site of any injury. The shots can be given once per months to reduced the raised appearance.

This type of scarring is not common as a result of acne.

Summary

Cortisone injections can provide quick relief if you notice a cyst or nodule forming. The sooner you get the injection done, the better the result will be. Before a cyst forms there may be a familiar pain associated with it. If an injection is done right away, many times the cyst will not have the chance to form.

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High Dose Vitamin A For Acne (Why it is NOT RECOMMENDED)

If you suffer from acne breakouts, especially the cystic type, you may have heard of Accutane. Accutane is an derivative of Vitamin A that shrinks the size of the sebaceous glands. This can dramatically reduce breakouts, even leading to a complete remission of acne in some patients. Patients often wonder if high dose vitamin A would be an effective treatment without the nasty side effects. But, here is why taking high doses of Vitamin A can be extremely dangerous:

Accutane Explained

Once considered the biggest breakthrough ever for acne, Accutane can have dramatic effects on the skin. In just one course of treatment (which is normally around five to six months), some patients reported a complete remission of their acne. There can be a nearly 85% improvement over other types of treatments. Accutane does not work for everyone, and some patients may need more than one course of treatment to see any lasting effects.

This treatment is usually only prescribed for sufferers of severe nodular acne, which is normally resistant to many types of treatments (including antibiotics). Accutane has been in use for decades, but lately there has been alot of focus on its side effects.

Recently, it has been shown to negatively effect the liver, intestines, eyes, ears and bones and is thought to have been the leading factor in reports of miscarriages and birth defects among pregnant users. Its usage has been severely restricted now and there are many lawsuits as a result of its side effects.

Where the Carotine Form Can be Found

Recent studies have shown that the dietary forms of Vitamin A, including alpha and beta carotine, do not present serious side effects because of a low dosage. In order for natural Vitamin A forms to have the same effects as Accutane, users would have to ingest high doses (But high doses of vitamin A can cause life threatening side effects). But, if taken as recommended by a doctor it may have some benefits.

Vitamin A is most prevalent within certain types of food like carrots or sweet potatoes. Aside from the benefits of its use in treating acne, vitamin A can also contribute to keeping your body’s natural PH in balance and help to prevent cognitive decline through aging, like memory loss.

The foods that can be incorporated into your diet to help provide those natural forms of vitamin A include:

Sweet potatoes, carrots, goji berries, cantaloupes, mangoes, apricots, spinach, kale, chard, turnip greens, dandelion greens, beet greens, mustard greens, collard greens, watercress, cilantro, fresh thyme, broccoli, parsley, romaine lettuce, ivy gourd, rose hips, winter squash, pumpkin and cassava melons.

Summary

The prescription acne treatment Accutane incorporates a derivative of Vitamin A. But this is much different than the type of vitamin A you would find in the supplement isle. If you do decide to take vitamin a supplements to help treat acne, take only the recommended daily allowance while you are under the care of a doctor. You can also get your daily dose of Vitamin A through food such as leafy greens.

 

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Thyroid Problems And Acne

Scientists have recently found a link between high sugar diets and acne. This has led to a renewed search for environmental factors or medical conditions that may lead to skin breakouts. One recent major study has been searching to find a link between thyroid problems and acne.

What is Thyroid Disease?

Thyroid disease is a condition where a person under-produces or over-produces hormones from the thyroid gland. These hormones can affect many systems in the body including metabolism and energy production. Many people with thyroid hormone deficiencies also have acne at a rate that is greater than in the average population. If a link is found, it could open up new treatments for acne that would target it at the true source, rather than continuing to treat it topically.

The European Study on Thyroid Problems and Acne

A study done in Europe followed nearly two hundred women in the first round of testing. Out of these women, 107 of them had acne and a control group of 60 did not. What they were looking to determine was if thyroid autoimmunity had any direct effect on the sebaceous glands. The sebaceous glands are responsible for producing sebum, a protein that aids in hair growth. This sebum travels to the surface of the skin when the hairs grow out and can clog pores. Excess production of sebum is commonly blamed for contributing to acne breakouts.

The researchers were looking for raised levels of antithyroglobulin antibodies, a hallmark sign for the potential of a person to have thyroid autoimmunity. Of the women in the study that had adult acne, around 25% of them were found to have the higher levels of antithyroglobulin antibodies. Out of the control group of 60 women without acne, 8% of them also had the elevated levels.

What Does the Test Results Mean for Adults With Acne?

The results of a study like this, show that acne may be the symptom of another illness. In teenagers, acne is believed to be caused by the increased amounts of androgens and other hormones that are brought on by puberty. But if acne problems continue into adulthood, it can mean that they are a signs of another underlying problem.

If you have a severe case of adult acne, it might be wise to go and have a full physical. Other diseases that can cause acne are Polycystic ovarian syndrome and Cushing’s syndrome. So, if acne breakouts are new to you along with other symptoms, it might be wise to have them checked out.

Symptoms of Thyroid Disease

There are two types of thyroid disease: hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.

Hypothyroidism: This type occurs when the thyroid gland under-produces thyroid hormone. It can be due to an auto-immune disorder that attacks the gland itself or the gland may be underproducing the hormone. Symptoms can include low energy, concentration problems, weight gain, poor mood, and lower than normal blood pressure.

Hyperthyroidism: This condition occurs when the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. This can be cause by inflammation in the thyroid gland, an extremely high intake of iodine, or Grave’s Disease. Symptoms of elevated thyroid hormone levels are abnormal fat loss, anxiety, insomnia, and protrusion of the eyes due to inflammation.

Thyroid conditions can develop at any time in a person’s life. If you notice any of these symptoms, a blood test help diagnose the disease. Treatments include supplementation with thyroid hormones or even removal of the gland itself, in case or hyperthyroidism.

Summary

Much more research has to be done before there is a strong enough link between thyroid disease and acne. Currently there are some strong indicators that point to this connection, but currently it is too early to make a conclusion. If you suspect that your acne is connected to thyroid disease, visit your doctor and have yourself tested.

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Retinoids to Treat Acne

The most popular acne treatment is benzoyl peroxide, but there are also products with retinoids—derivatives of vitamin A that are effective in addressing comedonal acne, whiteheads, and blackheads.

Usually, retinoids are found in the form of prescription gels, and to get them you will of course need to consult with your dermatologist.  Controlling acne is the main goal of any person who is suffering from this skin condition, but after that, one should still exert an effort to keep the skin clear.  Most retinoids (except for Accututane) are applied topically.  Studies show that oral treatments like Accutane is extremely effective at treating certain type of acne, but can cause negative effects, especially when taken by pregnant women.

Tretinoin is the most popularly used topical retinoid, and can be found in the market as Retin-A, Avita, and Renova.  The gel form is the most potent, but also comes in cream and liquid forms.  Tretinoin cannot be applied at the same time of the day with a benzoyl peroxide product, because benzoyl peroxide completely breaks down tretinoin.  Before using this kind of retinoid, one must be aware that it’s used can increase sunburning and skin sensitivity.  There are users who report skin irritation, but there are new formulations in the market that address this unpleasant side effect.

Adalapene is one of the newer varieties of retinoid, and is available in the mainstream market as Differin.  Adalapene causes significantly lesser skin irritations than tretinoin, and is more stable when applied with benzoyl peroxide products.  Aside from effectively clearing up acne in patients with moderate to severe acne, adalapene is also a good maintenance “therapy” that will keep the blemishes invisible.

Another new kind of retinoid, tazarotene (known in the consumer market as Tazorac) is often available in gel form with 0.05 and 0.1 percent formulations.  Compared to the other retinoids in the market, this carries a higher price tag, and can be more irritating to the skin compared to its cheaper counterparts.  However, tazarotene is the most aggressive of the retinoids, and can effectively combact acne symptoms in significantly shorter periods of time compared to the other retinoid varieties in the market.

Compared to the benzoyl peroxide products, retinoids are a little more costly, but the extra dollars are definitely worth the speed and effectiveness of retinoid-based acne treatment products.

 

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Baking Soda for the Treatment of Acne

What is Baking Soda?

Baking soda is basically sodium bicarbonate, which is a crystalline fine white powder that has a slightly alkaline and salty taste.  It’s found in many mineral spring waters around the world and it’s typically used for many reasons; from helping to neutralize stomach acid to baking.  It was also used historically as an ingredient in cleansers by the Egyptians, and today is used as an odor free cleaner for refrigerators. Large deposits of nahcolite have been found and have been mined and used in a multitude of products.

Baking Soda for Skin Care

Baking soda has been known as an effective home remedy for many complaints over the decades, such as helping with skin problems, as it has no harsh chemicals.  It’s even safe enough to use on a daily basis because it helps exfoliate and get rid of dead skin.

Many people use baking soda to treat acne. After washing the face leave it wet. Now three tablespoons of baking soda are mixed with a teaspoon and applied to the area where the outbreak of acne has occurred.   It should be about the same consistency as toothpasteWhen applied in a circular motion it helps exfoliate the face and helps remove a lot of the oil which is the cause of outbreaks.  It shouldn’t be left on more than about one minute as it may give slight burning sensation, and when rinsed off with warm water, it leaves the skin feeling soft and smooth.

There are some warnings about using baking soda, though.  For people with very sensitive skin, it can cause the face to become red, and have a “burned” feeling.  In addition it can also cause an imbalance in the pH levels of the skin causing it to become redder and to increase the bacteria in the acne.

This is an excellent treatment for cleaning pores and removing those dry, dead skin cells, and the added bonus is that the bacterium that causes acne simply can’t survive when baking soda is applied.  One way to do this is to put some baking soda in to a spray bottle, add water until it’s liquid enough to pass through the sprayer, and after the face has been cleaned, spray this baking soda directly onto the face.  This helps to tone the face and help eliminate skin irritations and is a great way to prevent acne outbreaks.

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The Recession Causes ZITS! …Learn About 3 Effective “Grocery Store” Acne Remedies That Cost $3.00 (or less)

The Great Recession” causes huge amounts of stress (financially and psychologically) for millions of people across the United States… Unfortunately for us, it’s been proven that stress can be a major contributor of acne breakouts.

We all know that dermatologists can be extremely expensive (even if you have insurance). So, If you don’t have insurance or the money to cough up for treatment at a
dermatologist
, should you just let your face breakout in red blotches?

The Answer is NO! Acne is a disorder that is completely treatable in 2011, so no one should feel like they have to walk around with acne. The only problem is that medical treatments like antibiotic creams, lasers, light treatments, and retinoids are EXPENSIVE.

Here are 3 Treatments for Acne that are effective, can be found in the grocery store, and cost under $3.00:

#1) – Hydrogen Peroxide - This colorless liquid is most commonly used to disinfect cuts and scrapes. It is even present in our own bodies and new finding suggest that it can be released by our tissues to activate our white lood cells.

People don’t realize that this $2.49 item found in the grocery or drug store, is a very effective acne treatment.

How to Apply Hydrogen Peroxide to Treat Acne

- Us a cotton swab to dab the peroxide on the affected areas of the face or body.

- Apply the hydrogen peroxide directly to the skin 2 times daily. Once in the morning and once at bedtime.

- Be careful to avoid contact with your eyes as it may cause burning and irritation.

- That’s it…this peroxide solution can help kill the p. acnes bacteria that is believed to be responsible for breakouts.

#2) – Witch Hazel - This is a natural astringent that can help kill bacteria, clean the skin, and shrink pores. This little known treatment for acne has received 5 out of 5 ratings on acne review sites. It is also “extremely cheap”.  You should be able to find witch hazel at a health food store that has a supplement section for around $3.00.

Witch hazel most likely works on acne by destroying p. acnes bacteria. It can also help to exfoliate dead skin cells that can clog your pores.

How to Apply Witch Hazel for Acne Treatment

- apply the liquid with a cotton swab 2 times per day.

- the witch hazel astringent may cause the skin to dry, so you might try using a moisturizer if you notice the skin flaking or peeling.

- the liquid can be used on the face or body, but avoid any contact with the eyes.

#3) – Lemon Juice - Treating breakouts does not get much cheaper than using the raw, unfiltered juice of a lemon. Lemons contain citric acid which can exfoliate the skin and may help clean clogged pores. Citric acid is also an effective anti-bacterial which is used in many eco-safe cleaning materials. It can be used on the face or body, but the juice will sting if it gets in your eyes!

How to Apply Lemon Juice to Treat Acne

- squeeze a lemon or buy frozen/fresh lemon juice. (Do NOT use Lemonade ;)

- apply the juice to your face or body 2 times per day.

- lemon juice in the eyes can sting, so be careful!

These 3 very cheap acne treatments can help save your skin from breakouts that can be embarrassing and affect your social life. Even though the recession is hurting our pockets drastically, try the treatments above to avoid the dermatologist and walk around with clear skin!

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Sulfur for Acne: an old remedy that is still effective

What is Sulfur?

Sulfur is a non-metallic, bright yellow crystal which oxidizes most metals. It is found as pure elements such as sulfate minerals.  It is abundant in its natural form and was used in ancient Egypt, Greece, and China as balms and an anti-parasitic, and was considered significant enough to be given an alchemical symbol.  It is used in gunpowder, fertilizers, insecticides, fungicides, and has an unpleasant odor.  It contains biotin and thiamine and is an essential element to sustain life.  There are many health benefits from sulfur as well, and it is referred to in the Torah and the Bible and even Homer’s Odyssey.

The Skin Care Benefits of Sulfur

Ancient Romans knew the benefits of sulfur to help heal various ailments and skin disorders, and was one of the most ancient treatments for acne, dermatitis, and fungal infections.  It works on acne because it helps the body to shed the dead keratinized skin cells that block the pores and causes comedones that induce acne.  It also clears these comedones and prevents new ones from forming because it helps dry the infected skin and cause the dead cells to slough off.  It reduces oiliness and unblocks pores that are closed.

Generally sulfur is used as a topical medication; generally as a lotion or a mask.  In most cases, it’s best to use as a mask from one to three times a day; some can be left on for only a few minutes while others can be left on for several hours. Be sure to wash it off immediately if redness or stinging occurs, and discontinue use.  Don’t use soaps or exfoliators that tend to dry the skin when using sulfur.  Make sure to work with the doctor if using any form of prescription medication for acne before using sulfur to ensure it doesn’t overdry the skin and cause different problems in addition to the acne.

Side Effects

Most of the side effects that are seen with using sulfur include burning sensations, peeling, itching, redness, and exceedingly dry skin.  In most cases, the topical applications don’t have a lot of these side effects, but patients should discontinue use immediately if they do occur.  In addition, some lotions that contain sulfur can discolor the skin and some have the distinctive sulfur (rotten egg-like) odor.

With all the natural remedies for eliminating acne, sulfur has been a treatment since ancient times because it dries the skin and helps the body shed dead skin.

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Spironolactone for Acne: Does it Work?

Spironolactone is a synthetic 17-lactone drug that is normally prescribed as a “water pill” because it’s been found to be quite effective as a diuretic which increases the amount of sodium and water to be expelled while retaining potassium.  It’s also frequently prescribed for hypertension, as well as those with congestive heart failure to help expel excess fluid.

Since Spironolactone is an anti-androgen, which is typically considered a male hormone that is present in lower quantities in women.  Since some females produce more of these “male” hormones than others, anti-androgens have been found effective to block the receptors for androgen in the body and prevent the hormones from fluctuating – which has been found to contribute to the breakouts of acne.  Therefore, women who have acne breakouts can help treat the root cause of the disorder.  When the androgen hormone receptors are blocked, the body’s natural production of oil is decreased, which helps lessen the acne breakouts.  In addition, since the Spironolactone is effective in blocking the androgen hormones from even forming, acne is less likely to occur, and the combination helps to control – and even prevents – acne breakouts.

There have been several studies done, and some have seen excellent results in clearing the acne breakouts in 66% of the women studied.  When this Spironolactone was combined with an oral contraceptive, the number jumped by nearly 20%.  Since it is a diuretic, it’s a bonus to reduce or eliminate acne, and the bloating that comes with water retention.

Typically, Spironolactone is not recommended for men because some of the side effects include gynecomastia and galactorrhea – which is breast growth and milk production.  Certainly, these are side effects that are not favorable to men; therefore, it’s generally only used to treat acne that is caused by fluctuating hormones in women.

Most dermatologists work with their patients in determining the best dosage to treat the acne outbreaks, but in most cases a 25mg table is taken twice a day in the beginning.  Eventually, it is increased to up to 100mg a day, with the results becoming obvious within a few weeks.  Side effects also include menstrual abnormalities and even tenderness in the breasts.

 

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