Acne Treatment

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

Acne, or acne vulgaris as it is officially titled, is an inflammatory skin disorder that can strike individuals of any age, gender, or ethnic background. Acne is typically found in highly visible locations on the body, such as the face, neck, chest, and back. Acne has been afflicting people for centuries, but these days there are more hopeful treatment options available. Please read on to learn more about acne and what can be done to combat it.

Who Gets Acne?

Most acne surfaces in adolescence. Up to 85% of teens and preteens develop acne to some degree. It strikes both genders, but boys are more likely to develop severe acne and to carry it on into adulthood.

What Causes Acne?

Researchers are not certain as to the exact cause of acne, but there are a number of identifiable factors. The most common trigger for acne is androgen, a hormone initially produced during puberty. Androgen is a male sex hormone (but females have it too) that stimulates the production of skin oils. When too much skin oil (sebum) is present, the sebaceous glands that produce sebum may become clogged. This can lead to bacterial infections from a common skin bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes. These plugged glands become inflamed and swollen, and the development of acne has begun. In severe cases, the glands may burst under the skin and form cysts, the most severe form of acne lesions.

Secondary causes for acne include exposure to oily substances and the use of steroids and other medications. Dietary issues can also affect acne. Common irritants include red meat, sugar, white flour, and dairy products.

How Should I Treat My Acne?

As difficult as acne can be, the good news is that over 90% of patients respond well to treatment. Therapy, however, can be quite a long process, lasting for months or even years. Here are a few treatment methods that are commonly used on acne.

Natural is always best, so we will begin with them. I highly recommend the skin rejuvenation program that uses three main products: Hydra-Tone™, Oxy-Balm™ and a strong Aloe Vera concentrate, AloeCalm™ available at www.acne-answers.org

Herbal remedies can be quite effective against acne. Some suggested herbs include dandelion root, burdock root, chamomile, bergamot, juniper, lavender, Echinacea, and poke root. All of these help to detoxify the skin, and thus reduce inflammation that can produce acne.

Complementary Treatment

Acupuncture: Stagnant of Chi in the channels of the face is believed to be the cause of acne. Acupuncture performed on these points of the face is often helpful against acne.

Homeopathy: Patients with pustules and blind boils, especially on the face, neck, and back, may be helped by Kali brom. Selenium is often recommended for acne sufferers with oily skin, blackheads, and pustules. And hepar sulph. Is usually suggested for patients who suffer from painful, swollen pustules that are filled with yellow pus.

Conventional Treatment

There are many different conventional acne medications available. They come in both topical forms that are applied directly to blemishes, and as systematic drugs that are taken internally.

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