Acne. Causes & Remedies
Acne, is a common usually self restricting condition involving inflammation due to clogging of hair follicles with sebum and dead skin cells of the face and upper trunk (back, upper chest & shoulders).
Acne signs and symptoms vary depending on the severity of condition:
Open plugged pores (Blackheads), Closed plugged pores (Whiteheads), Papules (Small red, tender bumps), Pustules (Pimples) are papules with pus at their tips, Nodules (Large, solid, painful lumps beneath the surface of the skin), Cystic Lesions (Painful, pus-filled lumps beneath the surface of the skin)
Causes or Progression of acne:
1) Increased sebum/ oil production by sebaceous gland which build up under skin.
2) Bacteria P. acnes, which lives on our skin, colonizes more leading to release of inflammatory substances.
3) Hormonal factors like increase in circulating androgen (gets converted to estrogen in women) causes sebaceous glands to increase their size and activity. Sebum then, in increased amounts becomes trapped and solidified making pimple formation.
4) Acne can also run in families which have genetic predisposition
5) It can also flare up during menstruation, pregnancy or PCODs
6) Other factors such as :
Usage of some cosmetic products
Stress
Certain medications such as steroids, lithium and other drugs.
Wearing item regularly that place pressure on the affected area.
Smoking can contribute acne in older people.
How do you overcome it?
Preventing or eliminating the clogged follicles can stop acne cascade.
Non medical measures should be towards cleansing of skin, reducing triggering factors, have good balanced less oily diet, use of good skin/ topical products.
Use of face wash no more than twice a day with mild glycerine or honey soap or soapless cleanser. Scrubbing should be minimized to prevent follicle tear.
Skin type should be considered while choosing your skin care product.
e.g.: an Oily skin type (high sebum production with greasy appearance) should have non oily, dry vanishing cream base.
Cream bases should act as neutral & soothing carriers to impart botanicals for them to help overcome or stop progression of acne.
Organic herbal ingredients with anti acne properties prove to be very efficacious in many people with acne.
Good thing with herbs & organics over synthetic drugs like Salicylic acid, Tretinoin etc. Is that side effects are negligible and they also possess other good qualities apart from particular defined effect as with synthetic drugs.
The herbs should possess qualities like Anti Bacterial, Anti sebum, Retinoids (Vitamin A related compounds) & Anti inflammatory.
Few examples are:
Indian Madder: Acts as an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. Very useful for skin with acne and pimple. Valuable application helps in overcoming discoloration of the skin.
Turmeric: An antiseptic and an age old cosmetic wonder. Makes skin fair, clean and glowing. Helps in increasing blood circulation.
Sandalwood: Provides a protective film & brings about a balance between the surface oil and moisture content of the skin. A complexion enhancer.
Holy Basil: Helps clean the pores. Acts as an antiseptic.
Kumkumadi oil: Effective for fairness & beautifying skin, makes skin glowing and improves skin texture. Helps in curing problems of acne & pimples. Ingredients in the preparation have skin lightening properties.
Bakuchiol or Babchi: Anti oxidant, a great alternate to synthetic retinoids.
Lesions or pimples count should start decreasing by about 20% within 3 to 4 weeks of therapy and lifestyle modification.
Focus should be on preventing further clogging of pores, decreasing excess oil production, lengthening of acne free periods throughout usage & following of therapy, no further scarring or pigmentation and maintaining healthy skin.
