Acne is the most common of all skin conditions that affects most people at some time during their lives. It is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by skin eruptions on the face and possibly the chest, back and shoulders. Acne vulgaris, the least severe form of acne, affects the skin’s oil glands and hair follicles, manifesting as blackheads, whiteheads, and redness. Acne conglobata, a more severe form, is characterized by the formation of pustules and cysts with the potential for subsequent scarring. Both forms are more common among males than females with the onset typically at or shortly after puberty. For some people it may not appear until their mid twenties and can persist into middle age.
Signs and Symptoms:
Blackheads – dilated skin follicles with central dark plugs, pinhead size
Whiteheads – red, swollen follicles with or without white pustules
Pustules – tender nodules of pus deep in the skin that discharge contents to the surface
Cysts – deep firm nodules that fail to discharge contents to the surface
Causes:
Acne can typically be attributed to one or all of the following three reasons:
Hormonal shifts:
Acne originates in the skin’s pores, each of which contains a hair follicle and a sebaceous gland. During hormonal fluctuations, increases in levels of testosterone cause the sebaceous glands to enlarge and produce excess sebum (oil). In addition, increased testosterone within the skin stimulates the cells that line the follicle canal to produce keratin (a protein that is the main component of the skin’s outermost layer). An overproduction of either keratin or sebum can result in trapped bacteria and blocked pores. Incomplete blockages allow sebum to reach the surface of the skin resulting in blackhead formation. Complete blockages cause bacteria that is normally present in our pores to overgrow, release enzymes that break down sebum and promote inflammation, resulting in redness and pimples.
Poor Intestinal Health:
Besides the hormonal changes in the body, acne can be caused by bacteria, constipation and dietary problems. Constipation is an issue that results from inadequate amounts of fruits, veggies and water in the “Standard American Diet”. Toxins (from preservatives, additives, pesticides, pollution) in our digestive track are reabsorbed when there is stagnation. The body may find an alternate route to eliminate the waste through the skin. Acne can be toxins expressed on the skin. Long term antibiotic use may help skin problems temporarily but over a period of time they can damage the intestinal wall leading to an increased absorption of toxins furthering the original problem. In addition soil where our food is grown has been over used leaving it mineral deficient. These vitamin and mineral deficiencies do not allow the skin to regenerate or the body’s immune system to fight off bacteria.
Agents producing acne-like lesions:
Various drugs, such as oral contraceptives, progesterone, or corticosteroids can produce this effect. Occupational exposures such as hygienist masks, machine oils or coal tar derivatives can contribute to acne. In addition greasy cosmetics, over cleansing skin with inappropriate products, and touching face with hands or unclean objects (i.e. cell phones) can also increase acne lesions.
Treatment:
Treating acne usually requires a combination of solutions to control the disease. Below is a description of those solutions used at Derma Health Institute. The severity of an individual’s acne will determine which treatments are recommended.
Skin Care:
The most obvious first step is skin care. It’s important to use physician-grade products (skin care in its purest form). Many over-the-counter products contain impure ingredients that can end up over drying the skin which will cause the body to counteract by producing even more oil. Cosmetics can create issues as well because they are generally oil- based and lead to clogged pores and increased acne. Mineral make-up is recommended due to its pure crushed minerals that allow the skin to breathe. Another important factor in skin care is using a clean wash cloth each time. A wash cloth will help exfoliate and thoroughly clean the skin. Other areas to consider are oil and dirt build up on cell phones, pillow cases and hands that are constantly in contact with the skin. In addition oil from our hair and hair care products can contaminate the skin and cause more outbreaks.
Below are the skin care products that are commonly prescribed for our acne patients.
Skin Care Products:
Blemish Control Cleanser- with 2% Salicylic & 2% Glycolic along with Tea Tree. This acne control cleanser will increase cellular turnover bringing oil and debris to the surface of the skin; salicylic then dries the uplifted oil. Tea tree calms and soothes the skin.
Blemish Control Toner - with 2% Salicylic & 2% Glycolic Cleanser with Tea Tree. This acne control toner assists the cleanser in cellular turnover bringing oil and debris to the surface of the skin – the salicylic dries the uplifted oil. This step also removes excess dirt, oil and makeup left after the cleansing process. Tea tree calms and soothes the skin.
Blemish Spot Treatment – contains a5% benzoyl peroxide. This spot treatment rapidly dries each blemish and encourages healing.
Light Aloe Moisturizer -This ultra light moisturizer hydrates and protects oily and blemished skin. It is very important to lightly hydrate even oily skin. Lack of hydration will result in excess production from the oil glands
Glycolic and Retinol Pad -with Kojic. These pads break up surface oil to refine pores and reveal fresh, healthy skin. Kojic lightens sun spots and scars left from blemishes.
Retinol 2% Exfoliating Scrub - with Kojic. This scrub is a powerful cellular turnover scrub with Retinol (Vitamin A) and jojoba beads to clean, soothe and polish the skin. The retinol encourages the breakup of blackheads and clogged pores, jojoba beads gently exfoliate dead skin cells, while kojic lightens age spots and blemishes left from scars.
Clarity Topical Serum – is an all natural serum that addresses hormonal influences. Its unique herbal blend blocks hormonal stimulation of sebum while exfoliating and decreasing bacteria within the skin.
Neova R2 Lotion Intermediate - A moisturizer specifically for rosacea-prone skin. It is formulated for sensitive skin to help visibly suppress redness and signs of irritation.
Diet and Nutrition:
Fast food/junk food/processed foods top the list of what Americans put into their bodies. Cutting back on refined sugars and high fat foods in the diet is important in controlling acne. A well-balanced diet that is high in beans, grains, fresh fruits and vegetables is always good for the skin. Drinking a lot of water keeps the circulation well flushed of the toxins that cause acne or make it worse. A rule of thumb is to drink ½ your body weight in ounces per day, adding in an additional 8oz for each vice (coffee, soda, sugar containing foods, or cigarettes) and each ½ hour of exercise.
Nutritional Supplements:
The fact is most people are deficient in vitamins and minerals that are important for your body to function properly.The nutritional value of our fruits and vegetables is not nearly what it was fifty years ago due to pest controls and soil demineralization. As mentioned previously, we are not getting the proper nutrition needed and almost everyone can benefit from a nutritional supplement:
Nutrient 950® Without Iron –Your skin is the largest organ of your body and it requires proper nutrition to function properly just like every other part of your body. Taking a multivitamin can provide vital nutrients that help to boost the immune system and help you manage stress better. Collectively, strong immunity and stress control help reduce breakouts and PREVENT acne.
Tri-EFA –Essential fatty acids (EFA’s) are very powerful anti-inflammatory agents. Some people have systemic deficiency of EFA’s due to low consumption especially in the case of diets high in processed foods, high consumption of trans-fats, or help control the production of androgens – the hormones that surge during the teen-age times, which causes excess sebum oil to clog your hair follicle and contribute to creating acne hereditary factors that frequently involve digestive enzyme issues. These conditions becomes a driving factor in acne and other skin problems.
Nicomide – A pharmaceutical grade water-soluble vitamin and mineral therapy that targets inflammation associated with acne. This is a safe therapy associated with few side effects or long-term risks.
Clarity Supplement – This is a proprietary blend of antibacterial herbs and nutrients that help detoxify the skin through a cleansing process that will reduce inflammation and sebum (oil) production, improving acne on the face and body. It works from within your body by supporting your body’s natural processes to battle acne at its source without the undesirable side effects associated with Accutane and antibiotics. It is beneficial to use this in conjunction with Clarity Topical Serum.
Restore Colon Cleanse – The American diet lacks many of the essential nutrients necessary for digestive health leading to a damaged digestive track that is unable to absorb/eliminate nutrients properly. One of the best ways to improve skin health is to improve digestive health. This proprietary blend in powder form is mixed with water or juice twice a day. It eases the digestive process by eliminating toxic build-up from our diets and restoring the “good” bacteria vital to colon health and healthy glowing skin.
Deep Pore Cleansing/Peels:
For those individuals that have minimal to moderate acne or have not tried many solutions, we typically start here. Under the direction of the Doctor, the aesthetician will educate the use of proper skin care products, techniques and foods to help control acne. It takes about 6 to 10 sessions to clear the skin. The combination of deep pore cleansings and a good skin care line have proven highly successful for most patients with minimal to moderate acne. Treatments may combine extractions, exfoliation and a mask to deep clean pores and hydrate the skin. An intense salicylic or glycolic peel may also be added for a more aggressive approach to treat active acne. Blu-U Light Therapy is often combined with Deep Pore Cleansing facials to help control acne.
Blu-U Light Therapy:
BLU-U technology is a very specific wavelength of light that gets to the root of the acne and releases the acne fighting molecules called porphyrins. The porphyrins start a chemical reaction resulting in the release of peroxides, which finally destroy the bacteria causing acne within the skin. The sessions can be 15 minutes 2x/week or 30 minutes 1x/week for 5 weeks. Click here for more info.
Levulan® Photodynamic Therapy:
Treatments with Levulan® are a more intensive approach to help control active acne. Levulan® or aminolevulinic acid originally designed to treat actinic keratoses (pre-cancerous lesions) has become a therapy that is routinely used to enhance acne laser and light treatments. It is a “natural” product found in all humans throughout the body, a precursor for hemoglobin synthesis (you wouldn’t be able to make red blood cells to carry oxygen without ALA in your body). Research has demonstrated, that topically applied Levulan® activated by BLU –U light has the ability to destroy the bacteria and shrink sebaceous glands. Decreased oily skin and pore reduction is seen in most patients, as well as, improvements in smoothness and texture. Usually 3 treatments every 3-4 weeks is recommended. Click here for more info.
Laser Toning:
Developments in laser technology now offer a breakthrough in the treatment of active acne. A laser is used to transfer heat into the skin targeting the bacteria that produces inflammation associated with acne. The level of heat does not cause skin damage but rather stimulates a heat-shock response in the bacteria. Heat shock proteins (porphyrins), activated by bacterial cells under the heat stress, cause the self-destruction of bacteria within the lesion, reducing inflammation and allowing the skin to return to a healthy state.
Laser Peels for Acne Scarring:
Once the acne is gone, many individuals are left with scars. Lasers have been used to treat acne scars for several years. In such treatments a laser is used plane down the skin and heat the collagen layer. By heating the collagen layer the laser stimulates the body to create more collagen. With increased collagen the skin appears more “plump” thus decreasing the appearance of the scarring.
For more information, see http://www.dermahealthinstitute.com .
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