Acne Scars

By: Dr. Loretta Lanphier, ND, CN, HHP, CH

Acne is a common inflammatory disease of the skin that affects all types of people worldwide. In the US, acne is typically considered a teenage problem because over 80% of adolescents develop some form of acne. However, acne can strike people of any age, from infants to senior citizens. Acne vulgaris, as it is medically known, is a particularly troublesome disease because it most often appears on highly visible parts of the body such as the face, neck, chest, and back. Acne varies by type and degree. One of the difficult issues associated with severe acne is its tendency to leave ugly scars that can mar your skin for life. Let's learn a bit more about acne and how unsightly scarring can be avoided.

How Does Acne Form?

The most common cause for acne is an overabundance of the sex hormone androgen. Androgen levels naturally rise during puberty, and although they are predominantly male sex hormones, females have them too. Androgens cause the skin's oil glands to produce more oil, which can then combine with other debris on the skin to block oil glands. These clogged glands can then swell and become infected with a bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes. The result is acne and its associated blemishes. Backed-up glands can also potentially burst, causing cysts to form under the skin. Secondary causes for acne include contact with oily substances, certain medications, and poor diet. (Some people find that items such as dairy, red meat, or fast food will trigger or aggravate existing acne.)

Types Of Acne

Acne blemishes are classified using four different grades, ranging from mild to very severe.

Grade I: Mild acne falls into this category. People with grade I acne generally have blackheads and whiteheads, but other pimples are not present.

Grade II: Moderate acne exhibits blackheads, whiteheads, and small pimples with minimal inflammation, and they are limited to the face.

Grade III: Severe acne yields blackheads, whiteheads, and deeper pimples with significant swelling.

Grade IV: Very severe acne is found on the face, neck, shoulders, chest, and back. Pustules and deeper cysts appear, and scarring is likely to occur.

Preventing Acne Scars

If you have acne, the #1 thing you must remember is to NEVER pick, pop, or squeeze your blemishes. These behaviors never help, but they definitely can spread your acne and lead to scarring. Instead of "picking," let's discuss a few acne treatment options.

Many herbs can help you deal with acne and prevent scars. Echinacea and pokeroot are known for their anti-inflammatory abilities. Red clover has a reputation for its estrogenic properties. Witch hazel is a natural astringent and is commonly used to treat acne.

Relieving Acne Scars

Acupuncture: Stagnant of Chi in the channels of the face is said to be the cause of acne. Acupuncture performed on these points of the face may help relieve acne, and prevent the development of acne scars as well.

Surgery: In more severe cases of acne, surgical procedures may be performed to delve into blemishes and extract blackheads and whiteheads. Results are quite immediate, and acne surgery is often very effective at improving the appearance of people with acne scars. Another excellent treatment option is the combination of three products: Hydra-Tone™, Oxy-Balm™ and a strong aloe vera concentrate AloeCalm™ available from www.acne-answers.org .

About the Author

Loretta Lanphier, ND, CN, HHP, CH is a Doctor of Naturopath, Clinical Nutritionist, Holistic Health Practitioner and Clinical Herbalist in Houston, TX and Founder / CEO of Oasis Advanced Wellness. Under her leadership, Oasis Advanced Wellness is known and respected as one of the leading companies in providing safe and clean hi-tech natural health and wellness solutions. Because of the need for high-end natural and organic skin care products, Dr. Lanphier has developed Lanique Organics, an all-natural skin-care line which promotes natural health for the skin. All Lanique and OAW developed products are free of toxic ingredients, excipients and preservatives and are certified organic, organic, wild crafted or of the highest purity and quality that we can obtain while still providing the utmost degree of active ingredients. All product batches are laboratory tested to ensure that you are getting exactly what the label states. We will never knowingly compromise health in order to provide a cheaper product or to get a product out quickly. Lanphier is Editor and contributor to the worldwide Free E-newsletter Advanced Health & Wellness. We invite you to visit us at Oasis Advanced Wellness, the PMS-Progesterone-Menopause Resource Center, the Acne Resource Center, the Skin Care Resource Center, the Glyconutrient Resource Center, the Allergy-Asthma-Sinus Relief Resource Center and www.oasisserene.com