No More Zits Newsletter

May, 2005

The No More Zits Monthly is a newsletter that provides featured articles on acne prevention, proper skin maintenance techniques, reviews of natural acne treatments, interviews with dermatologists, and information on both adult acne and teen acne treatment. The No More Zits Monthly is brought to you by Acne-Answers.org.

Acne Treatment

Acne is an annoying skin condition that affects people of every age, gender, and race. The scientific name for the condition is acne vulgaris because acne usually strikes in plainly visible locations such as the face, neck, chest and back. Acne is an age old problem that has likely been plaguing people for centuries. But there are numerous treatment methods available for this bothersome condition. Read on to learn more about acne, and what you can do to treat it.

Who Gets Acne?

Acne usually begins around the time of puberty. More than eighty percent of teenagers and preteens will develop acne to some extent. It affects both males and females, but boys are more likely to have severe acne and to have acne that continues into adulthood.

What Causes Acne?

Acne can be caused by a number of factors. Contact with an oily substance such as mineral oil, vegetable oil, or petroleum is a common cause of acne, as is the use of certain medication, steroids, on the contraceptive pill. However, acne is most often cause by the secretion of androgens. Androgens are sex hormones that are initially secreted at the onset of puberty. Acne is also caused by ingesting a lot of red meat, milk, sugar and white flour. They are male hormones but they are secreted by females as well. Androgens stimulate the production of oil from the skin's oil glands. Acne occurs when these oil glands become overactive and the exit from the gland is blocked, causing the oil to build up in the gland and swell. A bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes normally colonizes this swollen gland causing the development of inflammation and pus. In particularly severe cases, the glands may burst into the skin and produce cysts.

How Should I Treat My Acne?

Over ninety percent of acne patients respond to treatment, although the treatment may need to be continued for months or even years. Here are a few common treatment methods that can be used for acne.

Remedies: Herbs such as chamomile, lavender, juniper, bergamot, dandelion root, and burdock root can be used to reduce toxicity and improve the overall condition of the skin. Echinacea and poke root are often used for their anti-inflammatory properties and red clover may be beneficial for its estrogenic action.

Complementary Treatment

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

Conventional Treatment

Medication: Conventional acne medications may be topical- applied directly to the skin-, or they may be systemic- taken internally.