Acne: all you need to know to cure it, to live serenely and self confidently.

Acne is one of the most common skin disorders, it mostly affects youngsters starting from age 12 and 13 but it may even start from age 30 onwards. This dermatosis tends to disappear after a few years, but if not cured it may deeply scar the skin. Aside from these terrible complications acne may also cause psychological problems, especially in youngsters, for it tends to affects the facial skin thus it is important to act immediately.

These are the causes

Each centimeter square of skin, contains approximately 100 sudoriferous glands and 15 sebaceous glands. The sebaceous glands are located at the base of hair and produce a substance called sebum, that together with sweat forms a liquid- acid protective layer for all the body. This allows for a passive (barrier) active (disinfecting) defense against bacteria, parasites and fungi.

In certain occasions the sebaceous glands produce more sebum than normal, this happens during puberty and menopause. In these periods the body undergoes major hormonal changes as the increase in puberty's androgens (male hormones that even females have in limited quantities) and the increase of progesterone during menopause. Well, acne is a disease which regards the sebaceous glands, and it has been proven that those that are affected by this disease have glands that are particularly sensitive to hormones. The reason for this particular sensitivity in some people rather than other is not clear, most research indicates it may be due to a series of factors. Let us see some:

Genetic Factor
A particularly oily skin may be inherited, but it has not been proven that this causes acne or that children of people who suffer from acne will suffer from it too. On the other hand one can assert that oily skin leads to acne for the excessive sebum, as we will see, leads to the formation of blackheads or comedos which are the first step to acne.

Excessive Hormonal Production
In some people suffering from acne blood tests show an excessive presence of hormones, in others the hormone level is normal. But it is true that in all people suffering from acne an increased hormonal concentration at skin level was found.

Diet Factors
The excessive intake of fats, sweets, carbohydrates, alcohol, and dairy products has a direct effect on the sebaceous glands. They seem to accentuate, more than cause, acne. Experiments show that medicine which reduce glycemia,(used for diabetes), taken in small doses can improve acne (this obviously must be done under a doctor’s supervision).

Stress
During periods of tension, as exam time for example, acne tends to increase. The fact that stress is a cause of acne still must be proven, though it is proven that stress increases our hormonal activity. Acne itself can be a cause of stress for the social unease it causes, especially for teenagers, thus causing a vicious circle: acne-stress-hormonal production-acne.

Intestinal factors
Constipation can often be a cause of acne. Rather than affecting our hormones, a lazy intestine does not allow for certain toxins to be eliminated. These toxins accumulate in many parts of the body, particularly in the skin, thus reducing the effectiveness of the protective layer produced by the sebaceous and sudoriferous glands. Often in cases of light acne a correction of the intestinal problem brought a sensible improvement in the skin.

Psychosomatic Factors
Skin diseases have always interested psychologists. Today, even the most traditionalist dermatologists admit that the psychosomatic component is important, pointing at the relation between anxiety and increase in skin problems. Turn white for fear, blush for embarrassment, and turn green with envy, are not only figures of speech which indicate a relation between emotional state and skin.

Cited below are to examples of psychosomatic interpretations of acne:

The first interpretation is that of the psychoanalytic school of thought. According to this school acne (along with eczema, psoriasis, and other skin diseases) represents an internal conflict between the desire for love and the fear of being denied it. This conflict follows from the mother son relation in the first few years of life of the child, in which skin contact is very important. During puberty this conflict manifests itself as an "acne mask" which makes us "ugly", keeping others "at a distance" and avoiding the feared and desired relationships and contact.

The second interpretation is that of the Riza psychosomatic school of thought. Here acne is considered a "fire" which draws on the skin during particular moments of our life. Puberty, for example, is a breakthrough , both hormonal and mental, to the world of sexuality. Often youngster suffering from acne have an impressive candor contrasting with an excessively adult and mature personality, often tied to the need to appear self-confident, independent and self-sufficient. A youngster suffering from acne on one hand seems aware of the noticeable change in him, but on the other he seems to deny all changes brought about by puberty, in particular the appearance of his sexuality. This is why the face, symbol of our identity, is transformed into a "red mask" imitating in this way the explosion of the Eros there where it is most visible.

Instead, according to this school, acne in adults something that has not been resolved and that is still "under our skin", something that has to do with "fire" (passion, Eros, fantasies) which is both desirable and inappropriate.

These are the symptoms

The area mostly hit by acne is the face, but it is not rare to have it localized on the shoulders and thorax.

Initial Phase
It is characterized by blackheads (or comedos), which are clogs of cells and other substances which block the opening of a sebaceous gland. The result is a small lump caused by the swelling below due to the sebaceous secretions that do not find a way out. This clogging is caused by an excessive production of sebum which is tied to the hormonal activity.

Second Phase
It is called inflammatory (or pustulous). During this phase a remarkable localized inflammation is created. Here we are describing one "pimple", although during acne this process is frequently repeated. Thus in this phase the skin is full of yellow pimples, or pustules, caused by colonies of bacteria which infect the clogged ducts of the sebaceous glands.

Third Phase
This is the phase that therapies try to avoid, it is called noducystic phase. This phase is when nodules form, these are hard expansions of the pustules, which will inevitably scar. In adulthood (especially for those who smoke, drink and at the beginning of menopause) another type of acne called "rosacea". The difference between his type of acne and the adolescent one is in the initial phase. In this acne the first symptoms are red spots with a dilation of the superficial blood vessels. This acne leads to the pustulous and noducystic phase as well.

 

 

All therapies

For there is more than one factor which may cause acne the cures are various. This is how official medicine treats this dermatosis.

Local Therapy
During the initial phase it is not advisable to squeeze blackheads, unless an expert beautician does it. There are products which can be used locally that reduce the production of sebum and exfoliate the skin eliminating all "clogs." These products are derived from vitamin A, found in liver, cabbage, and spinach, and from beta carotene, found in vegetables. There are also creams which act on the glands sensitivity towards hormones, these are indicated during the inflammatory phase, but only under a doctor's supervision.

Systematic Pharmacological Therapy
There are two pharmaceuticals commonly employed when fighting acne: antibiotics, which can come as pills or cream and are used during the inflammatory phase, and the contraceptive pill, which reduces the hormonal production. For the noducystic phase various potent antibiotics are used, these have serious side effects and counter indications, thus it is necessary to consult a doctor.

Surgical Therapy
Laser is used in the most sever cases of acne, both to reduce the inflammation and to improve the marks of scars. Another method is dermabrasion, this is a surgical operation in which the superficial layer of skin is scraped to reduce the scars.

Alternative cures

Homeopathy
For many teenagers suffering from acne, this acne mask is a way to protect themselves from a reality considered menacing. There are many homeopathic medicines which reduce this fear of the world and the need to protect oneself. There also are strong creams which can be used to improve the symptoms.

Phytotherapy
In the healing with herb, the burdock along with the artichoke helps the liver drain the toxins, or used locally it works as an antibiotic, and it helps regularize the amount of sugar in the blood. The Tricolor violet or pansy violet is the most indicated plant for acne, thanks to its decongestant and anti-inflammatory qualities.

Acupuncture
According to Chinese medicine acne is the "fire which harbours under the skin" and which is unable to exit completely. There are two manifestations of this, the first is with many comedos and few pustules associated with itching oily and irritated skin, thirst for cold beverages, and constipation. The second is a pustulous acne (called "due to toxic heat"), associated with a red tongue with a yellow patina. In both cases aside from the energetic balancing which characterized acupuncture, a local intervention with needles, creams and Chinese herb decoction are used. A very useful cure is one in use for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine: cupping. Glass cups are used, and with a match suction is created, quickly the cups are placed in certain areas of the back for ten minutes.

When to go to the doctor

In all cases of pimple a doctor's opinion is favorable, especially in determining whether or not it is a hormonal problem.

In the initial phase, during a lightening of the acne, for a localized acne, and for the rosacea acne the alternative healing methods are strongly advised, for they help balance the organism without the intake of chemicals.

Another important figure is a nutritionist who will help us correct our eating habits, eliminate foods we are incompatible with, and help our organism eliminate toxins.

Please send an email to antonioturetta@mybestlife.com
for further information about the content of this web site.

Home Mybestlife - Basic Principles - Health - Bio-architecture - Music for the soul - Classical Music - Miscellany - Books
Search - Feedback form -

Copyright © 1999 mybestlife.com all rights reserved
when not already owned by somebody else.