Acne Causes and Treatments
Good old bad old hormones.
It’s all about surging androgens during puberty forcing the selaceous glands to grow larger and puff up production of sebum, which is the substance that lubricates your skin. Let it be known that androgens are male sex hormones, so if you’re a girl you now have one more reason to blame boys for affecting your appearance. Of course, heredity plays a role, too, so it may not be entirely the fault of the male.
The best way to avoid acne is also the cruelest: A balanced diet and regular exercise. Let’s face it, that hasn’t worked for weight loss, so it’s not your best bet for treating acne, either. But it’s a fine place to start and you’ll want to start by making sure you get your fill of those good old standbys Vitamins A and C. These vitamins are the building blocks for maintaining healthy skin and healthy skin if what it’s all about when it comes to acne. The next thing you want is to get plenty of Vitamin B.
Remember that sebum stuff? The androgens stimulate body hair growth, body hair growth results in the shedding. Shedding of keratin, actually, which is a protein found in hair. The shedded keratin clogs your pores, which blocks the flow of sebum and results in swelling of glands which results in acne. So how do you keep the flow of sebum going? B vitamins! Eating grain-based cereals, breads, beans (dry), and lean meats will provide B vitamins and zinc and this will help fight that whole kertain/sebum problem.
But you don’t want to eat cereals and bread, or beans and lean meats, right? So you’re going to take B vitamin supplements instead and still keep eating french fries and pizza, right? Fine, go ahead. Just be sure you realize that some studies have leaned toward the conclusion that high doses of B1, B6 and B12 vitamin supplements have actually been to worsen acne, along with causing flaking skin and hair loss.
So what else can you do to treat acne? Well, start by washing your skin at least twice a day with UNMEDICATED, unscented soap. And while you’re at it, rinse using cool water, not hot. Like you would, right? Well, even if you would, don’t! And once you’re finished rinsing, don’t take a towel and scrub yourself dry, gently pat dry. Gently, gently pat dry.
If you want to take the next step and move up to non-prescription drugs, there’s benzoyl peroxide, which comes in 2.5 to 5 percent strengths. As if those choices weren’t enough, you also get the extra added benefit of choosing between gel, lotion or ointment application. For the first week, give yourself an application at night. After that add a morning application. If your face hasn’t cleared up noticeably after three weeks, you may move up to the 10 percent strength.
If things are still not improving after that, consult a dermatologist. Your future will probably include a prescription strength medication, tretinoin, a topical medication. Unless, of course, you’re doctor decides to go with an antibiotic, which comes in topical form and pill form.
Of course, you could just start eating better. Stay away from using makeup based heavily on oils. If you’re an athlete, you’ve just found one more reason not to use steroids: they can cause acne. And if you’re smoking, you might want to stop. And get plenty of sleep. And stay out of the sun.
FOR GOD’S SAKE, STAY OUT OF THE SUN!
Oh, and if you’re really up for anything to help clear up acne, get some watercress and rub its juice on your face. It’s an unproven treatment, but it’s been known to work in selected cases.
