Holistic Solutions For Acne Problems

Holistic Solutions For Acne ProblemsrnSkin is thought of as a covering, similar to clothes, something that covers their bodies to make them more attractive and protect what lies beneath it.rnOur skin is actually the largest organ of the body. One of its purposes is to deliver the oily substance called sebum to the surface of the skin via fine hair follicles, through the openings called pores. This is part of our bodies cleansing process.rnWhen the hair, sebum and the cells that line the follicle form a plug which prevents sebum from reaching the surface; this is the beginning of acne.rnThe mixture of oil and cells allows bacteria Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) that normally live on the skin to grow in the plugged follicles. These bacteria produce chemicals and enzymes that attract the white blood cells causing inflammation.rnWhen the wall of the plugged follicle breaks down, it spills everything into the nearby skin - sebum, shed skin cells, and bacteria - leading to pimples.rnWhat is acne?rnAcne is an imbalance believed by doctors to result from an increase of male sex hormones in both males and females, which causes the sebaceous glands to enlarge making more sebum. Research indicates genetics may have an effect on the tendency to develop acne, also the use of certain drugs or greasy cosmetics. rnAcne can occur during puberty, pregnancy, or while starting or stopping birth control pills. It is most commonly found in teenagers and usually disappears by the 20's or 30's, but has been known to extend into later adulthood.rnAcne is not usually a serious health threat, but can be accompanied by both emotional distress and physical discomfort. Permanent scarring can result in severe cases.rnHow can acne be treated?rnAcne, like all chronic health problems, it requires a systematic and comprehensive approach for its control.rnThe goals of treatment are to heal existing outbreaks and stop new ones, prevent scarring, and minimize psychological stress and embarrassment caused by this disease. The treatment options include drug treatment, skin treatments, diet, and lifestyle changes. Any and all treatment should be conducted under the supervision of a doctor.rnDrug treatments are aimed at reducing several of the problems that play a part in causing acne: * abnormal clumping of cells in the folliclesrn * increased oil productionrn * bacteriarn* inflammation. For all treatment ensure that you read the enclosed leaflet to be aware of any side effects.rnTea tree oil has been proved to be effective at killing the acne bacteria and healing scars, it does not clog pores, but many acne sufferers have found their skin is sensitive to the oil. To begin with start out with a very mild dose - add only a drop or two of pure tea tree oil to an ounce of pure aloe vera gel, which is particularly soothing and healing to irritated skin. Increase the amount of tea tree oil as you wish.rnThere has been limited research that indicates that tea tree oil applied to acne lesions on the skin, whilst working more slowly, causes fewer adverse effects (skin dryness, itching, stinging, or redness) than do other commonly prescribed acne drugs. The speed of action depends on the strength of the tea tree oil application.rnAside from individual experiences of irritation, there are no known side effects from using tea tree oil, but the oil may cause excessive drying of the skin when used with some other drugs that are used to treat acne, such as tretinoin (Retin-A, Renova) or isotretinoin (Accutane). Dietary and lifestyle changes can helprnIt is important to understand that your diet will not cause or prevent acne, but if you are predisposed to getting acne, certain eating habits will encourage flare-ups, other habits will help your body fight the problem.rnEating refined carbohydrates and sugar leads to a surge in insulin and an insulin-like growth factor called IGF-1. This in turn leads to an excess of male hormones, which encourage the skin to excrete large amounts of sebum.rnDiets rich in raw foods and antioxidants mean that we consume more nutrients and fewer acne aggravating free radicals.rnLifestyle changes eliminate other factors that may trigger or worsen acne outbreaks. These include avoiding oily skin products and grease in the work environment - if these cannot be avoided then extra care in personal hygiene is essential. (Some problem areas are kitchen environment with deep fat fryers, pressure from tight sports uniforms and equipment, environmental irritants eg. Chemicals, pollution, high humidity, touching your skin excessively, squeezing the spots or pimples.)rnFor further information go to:-http://tinyurl.com/68urf5grn