There's a confusing array of product claims and treatment methods
for acne that make it difficult for acne sufferers to determine their
best course of action. The fact that there are several forms of acne,
including cystic acne and the common acne vulgaris, complicates the
picture. While the medical community does not have a cure for severe
acne, there are a variety of products that will subdue moderate cases of
acne and provide the sufferer with clear skin once again. Among these
effective products are natural acne treatments that provide viable
alternatives to the use of antibiotic medicines and ointments.
Natural
remedies are derived from plants that have been used for generations
because of their medicinal properties. The prestigious National
Institutes of Health recently formed the National Center for
Complementary and Alternative Health to evaluate the efficacy of herbal
remedies by funding controlled scientific studies. Herbal remedies can
be effective natural acne treatments. Antibiotics are frequently
prescribed for acne because there is a known bacterial component to
cases of acne but certain herbs like Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolio)
have known antibacterial properties as well. A soap made from Echinacea
and other herbal ingredients is a viable antibiotic facial cleanser that
helps fight and clear acne. This type of soap is also used for eczema,
psoriasis, and acne rosacea. Scientific studies show that Echinacea
helps the body provide the proper enzymes at the cellular level to
protect cells against invasion by bacteria. Echinacea's ability to aid
in wound healing is beneficial not only for acne but also for insect
bites and burns. Echinacea is the hardy purple coneflower that is a
staple of roadside plantings and home gardens. A more exotic and
expensive herbal acne treatment is tea tree oil. There are over 300
species of tea tree but only one species (Melaleuca Alteronifolia) found
in New South Wales, Australia is known to have antibacterial
properties.
What is Tea Tree Oil?
Tea tree oil is
derived from the leaves of the tree and is four to five times stronger
than household disinfectants in killing bacteria. At the same time, tea
tree oil is gentle to the skin. Tea tree oil is effective in killing the
bacteria even in pus and will cause the body to eliminate pus from
inside a pimple. Tea tree oil also acts as a mild local anesthetic
which reduces discomfort and also helps to eliminate the red irritation
from the skin, improving appearance and reducing acne social problems.
Tea tree oil is readily available from herbal suppliers and is simply
applied to the affected area with a Q-tip. Tea tree oil is used
sparingly. Witch hazel is not just a brand name but an actual herb
(Hamamelis virginiana) that is still recommended as a topical
astringent and natural acne remedy. When using these topical acne
treatments it is important to be gentle. While it seems to make sense to
attempt to vigorously scrub away the offending acne, both medical
doctors and herbalists recommend a gentle face washing with even just
the fingers as the best approach. Scrubbing merely dries the skin and
causes it to produce more oils that are implicated as one of the causes
of acne. Don't over-wash either; specialists recommend washing the face
just twice a day.
Along with topical products, herbal dietary
supplements can be beneficial as a natural acne treatment as well.
Burdock root (Arctium lappa) has long been used to treat boils and
abscesses and is an acne treatment. One of the reported properties of
burdock root is that it will bring problem-causing agents out of the
bloodstream, thus potentially making a condition seem to worsen rather
than improve. However, the theory behind its use states that it is
simply eliminating toxic elements from the body and providing healing
properties. When used as an acne treatment, herbalists recommend
that topical burdock root be applied as well as taking a supplement that
contains burdock. Burdock is typically combined with dandelion root
(Taraxacum officinale) and golden seal root (Hydrastis Canadensis).
Golden seal root was once used to prevent pitting of the skin caused by
smallpox. Herbalists also recommend red clover (Trifolium pratense). All
of these ingredients are implicated in improving skin conditions. Be
sure to take these supplements only in the dosage indicated by the
manufacturer or your herbalist.
Diet plays an important role in
overall health and maintenance of healthy skin. A balanced diet that is
rich in vegetables and fruits provides the necessary vitamins and
minerals to support clear skin. A diet containing lots of vitamin A may
lower sebum production and excessive sebum is one of the contributing
causes of acne. The various B vitamins, especially vitamin B-6, can be
beneficial as it is needed for proper metabolism of steroid hormones and
sexual hormones are implicated in acne. Zinc is promoted as a cure for
acne but there seem to be as many studies against zinc supplements as
there are ones that promote zinc as an acne treatment. These vitamins
are available as supplements but again, more isn't always better; follow
label dosing instructions. There are plenty of old wives tales
surrounding diet and acne outbreaks. Chocolate and fried foods have long
been blamed for acne but there is no evidence to support this. However,
the link between acne and dairy products is being subjected to
scientific studies. A study published in the medical journal Dermatology
in early 2005 found a link between teen acne and consumption of dairy
products. For those whose acne is aggravated by dairy consumption,
eliminating dairy products promotes clear skin. Another misconception is
that acne is caused by dirt because the pores are clogged. Thinking
that dirt is a cause of acne prompts sufferers to possibly over-wash the
face and further aggravate the acne condition. Wearing make-up doesn't
cause acne either. Look for modern cosmetics that are:
- non-comedogenic (won't clog pores)
- oil-free (water-based)
- hypoallergenic (no added fragrance)
Acne isn't just a teen-age condition and adults suffer
from acne as well. The natural acne remedies have provided relief from
acne symptoms for people of all ages.
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