tomarnidhi
Well-known member
Acne is the most common skin problem that affects both men and women.
Ugly to look at and painful in general, the outbreak of acne can be extremely de-motivating and have an adverse affect on the confidence of an individual. But acne can be nipped in the bud. However, even though nearly everyone gets pimples, very few understand what causes it or how to treat it. HMU expert and dermatologist Dr Kiran Lohia, MD explains that causes and treatment of acne.
What causes acne?
Acne is a skin condition that causes pimples, whiteheads, blackheads, and red inflamed patches of skin. Our skin has pores and each pore opens to a follicle, which contains a hair and an oil gland. The oil glands are connected to the pores through follicles and pimples grow when these follicles get blocked and infected.
This occurs by a simple process:
The oil released by the gland helps remove old skin cells and keeps your skin soft. When glands produce too much oil, the pores can become blocked and dirt, bacteria, and cells build up. The blockage is called a plug or a come done. If the top of the plug is white, it is called a whitehead and if the top of the plug is dark, it is referred to as a blackhead.
Once the plug occurs, bacteria called Propionibacterium Acnes starts to grow in the follicles.
The bacterium then sets off a cascade of inflammation. The plug becomes red and bigger and ultimately turns into a pimple.
When the inflammation doesn't stop, the pimple becomes even bigger and goes deeper into the skin, ultimately becoming a cyst. This is why acne should be treated as early as possible to prevent the formation of these deep cysts that can leave scars and marks.
Stress
Recently scientists have suggested that cells that produce the oily substance sebum have receptors for stress hormones. Sebum is a bad substance that mixes with dead skin cells and bacteria and in the process clogs up hair follicles, resulting in acne and pimples. When you are highly stressed, a lot more sebum or oily substance is formed, causing a lot more acne.
How to treat your acne
Change your routine
Changing your daily habits can go a long way in improving your complexion. Below we have listed changes that you can make to get glowing skin.
If you wear make-up, wear products that are oil-free or water-based. Choose products that are labelled as 'non-comedogenic', meaning that a dermatologist has certified that there are no ingredients that can cause pimples in the product.
Always remember to wash off your make-up at night. Otherwise it can clog your pores, resulting in even more pimples.
Try not to squeeze, scratch, pick, or rub pimples. Although it might be tempting to do this, it can lead to skin infections and scarring. Also, avoid touching your face with your hands or fingers.
Be healthy from the inside out. Eat lots of green vegetables and fruits and always remember to exercise.
Look for active ingredients
Many different ingredients or medications can treat acne. However, a doctor always delivers the gold standard of acne treatment so that acne can be treated before too many scars occur. So, remember to go to a dermatologist to get the best treatment for your pimples.
Many different ingredients or medications can treat acne. However, a doctor always delivers the gold standard of acne treatment so that acne can be treated before too many scars occur. So, remember to go to a dermatologist to get the best treatment for your pimples.
Salicylic acid
Salicylic Acid decreases oil secretion while also unclogging follicles to help get rid of your pimples. So, clean your skin twice daily with a cleanser containing 2% Salicylic Acid. Make sure this cleanser has a skin-safe pH to ensure that your skin stays soft and strong and look for a daily cream that contains at least 1% Salicylic Acid to ensure that you get double the effects from this ingredient.
Retinoids or vitamin A derivatives
Retinoids such as tretinoin, tazarotene and adapalene are very effective for treating Acne. They act by making newer skin cells rise up to the surface, thus exfoliating away older cells. This ultimately reduces pimples while also reducing post-acne scars. However, these retinoids can cause dryness, redness and irritation. Retinol and Retinyl Palmitate are slightly weaker versions of Retinoids, however in the right percentage, they are highly effective against Acne, without the side effects.
Sulfur
Many people believe they are allergic to sulfur, however this is a myth. Sulfur is a natural element that is present in every cell in your body. It is Sulfa drugs that can often cause an allergy. Sulfa drugs use a large molecule with many different elements in it, and it is this molecule that can cause an allergy in some people. So, remember sulfur is natural, sulfa is not. Sulfur is a highly effective and natural treatment for pimples. It acts on many different levels: it reduces oil secretion, it is anti-bacterial, it is anti-inflammatory and it is an exfoliating agent. That is why it is such an effective and time tested remedy for Acne. BioSulphur is an even better version of Sulfur, where the natural element Sulfur has been encapsulated in a skin-safe vehicle, making it gentler on the skin.
Benzoyl peroxide
This ingredient is highly effective in reducing bacterial activity. By eradicating the bacteria in the follicles, pimples stop developing, thereby reducing your pimples.
Multani mitti (Fuller's Earth)
Multani Mitti is called bentonite. It only works by reducing oil on the skin, but otherwise is not very effective for pimples.
Ayurveda treatment for acne:
Mix lodhra - from the lodh tree, dhanyaka - coriander and vacha - acorus calcmus with water and apply it to face. Leave the mixture on for about 20 minutes and wash it off with luke warm water.
Ayurveda treatment for acne
Apply a mixture of haridra/haldi - turmeric, chandana - sandalwood and water. Leave this mixture on your face until it dries and then wash it with warm water.
Consume one teaspoon of amla or Indian gooseberry powder, once in the morning and once again in the evening. Amla will help cleanse the system internally.
Make a mixture of neem, haldi, saffron, red sandalwood, tulsi and fuller's earth or clay-like material with milk. Spread this paste evenly across your skin.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes have beneficial properties that will reduce acne and reduce suntan. Prepare a mixture of ripe tomatoes and cucumber juice and apply it to on your face.
This mixture will benefit you in several ways:
- absorb excess oil
- tones skin
- fights bacteria to prevent acne
Aloe vera
Cut an aloe vera leaf and apply the gel on the surface of your skin to reduce acne. If you do not have an aloe vera plant, there are several aloe vera gel products available in the market.
Honey
Apply a paste of apple and honey to reduce pimples and acne. This mixture also makes your skin healthier and rejuvenates your skin.
Skin specialist Dr. Sandeep Bhasin of Care Well Medical Centre brings some home remedies which will help you get rid of acne easily.
1. Always do a skin test: Home remedies are easy to make and apply but before that one should definitely go for a skin test to a dermatologist before inception of any kind. Your skin type and reason for your acne can be different from others in which only a dermatologist can help you out. Applying the remedies without knowing the reason or skin type may harm your skin and give you more side-effects from the same.
2. Leafy intake: Vitamin A & Iron supplements are really good for acne. Consume more of green leafy vegetables, dairy products, fish, liver and fortified cereals; the top sources of provitamin A include carrots, broccoli, cantaloupe and squash. Daily intake of 20,000 IU would help in reducing the acne formation as well as the scarring caused by the acnes.
3. Exercise regularly: Regular workouts, physical exercises and a fit body with a balanced weight will help you in the long term; reducing sweets, carbohydrates and high calories in diet would help in controlling acne.
4. Nature's helping hand: Tea tree oil is a common antiseptic oil which is very helpful in reducing the inflammation of acne. It is highly beneficial and it helps in reducing the redness of the acute stage of acne. Take some tea tree oil and apply it to the acne overnight.
5. Herbal cure: Neem and chiraita are excellent herbs which help in decreasing the acne formation. Crush some leaves and make a paste out of them, apply the paste daily for a cleaner looking and an acne free skin.
6. Baking soda: Baking soda is one of the ingredients which can be found in every kitchen easily. Mix baking soda with some water in a bowl as thick as a paste and apply it over the face as a facial mask. Remove it after 20 minutes and wash your face with lukewarm water or as the dermatologist prescribes as per your skin type. Natural bleaching agents of baking soda will definitely help in speeding the healing, clearing up and reducing of the scars.
7. Oatmeal: Mix some water with oatmeal ground in a blender from which you will get a thick paste. Apply the paste to the face as a facial mask and let it dry for 15 minutes. Wash it with lukewarm water and pat dry your face with a white clean towel. Natural properties of the oatmeal will help in cleaning up the acne and reduce the scarring.
8. Organic yogurt: If you are not allergic to milk products then organic yogurt is very gentle and is a must for acne reduction. Apply the yogurt on the acne and let it remain for at least 10 minutes. Lactic acid in the yogurt contains natural alpha hydroxy acids and has milk exfoliating effects which helps the skin rejuvenate and reduce acne scarring.
9. Egg-white: Making a facial mask from egg-white is very helpful in healing acne scars and reducing acne inflammation at a fast rate. Apply the mashed egg-white over the face as a facial mask and wash it after 20 minutes with lukewarm water. But, be sure that your skin is not allergic to eggs and taking the advice of dermatologist is a must. If you can undergo it then also try after mixing few drops of lemon with it.
10. Cold pressed olive oil: Olive oil is a great skin moisturiser and in use from years for personal care as it contains four different antioxidants one of which is linoleic acid which prevents water to evaporate from our skin. Take some cold pressed olive oil and apply it to the scars. It helps in reducing the visibility of acne scars and helps in softening them.
11. Ice magic: Place an ice-cube over your acne pimples one by one and it will really help reduce the redness and swelling from them. Ice cubes also helps in reducing the size of acne scars by tightening them.
