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What Causes Acne?
Medically, we know that acne is caused by hormonal imbalance, the
bacteria P. acnes, and over production of sebum by sebaceous glands.
But there are lots of other general factors which contribute in making
control or total eradication of acne almost impossible. These factors
can be as important as the nutrients
in your diet or as trifle as how you wash your face.
Diet and Acne
While certain foods do not cause acne specifically, diet plays a significant
role in skin disorders, including acne. Sometimes a lack of certain nutrients
causes acne, and sometimes the presence of certain food items worsen
acne. Researchers
have found strong indications in their different studies that friendly
bacteria (probiotics) greatly help in eliminating skin disorders.
The reason is said to be that toxins and food, which are not processed
properly by the digestive system in absence of necessary nutrients,
sometimes end up getting eliminated through skin as acne or eczema.
The friendly flora of human intestines can diminish due to unhealthy
food habits or erratic lifestyle. In such cases the toxins produced
by unprocessed food in the digestive tract manifest as skin or digestive
disorders.
Toxins and Acne
It’s not that any food item directly triggers an outbreak of
acne, but the chemical decomposition of certain food in digestive systems
increases the amount of such elements which help in acne proliferation.
Like saturated fat in animal products and the hydrogenated fat in processed
food, refined sugar, coffee, alcohol etc. All these produce bio-chemical
toxins after decomposition in the GI tract and these toxins are released
through the skin pores causing or inflaming acne.
Digestion and Acne
Not only food, but improper digestion also helps acne to increase.
This is often caused by too little hydrochloric acid in the stomach.
In such conditions, the body is unable to absorb important nutrients
which results in a weak immune system that cannot fight the bacteria
effectively. Thus acne gets a chance to spread unhindered even if you
are eating proper food and taking enough nutrients in your diet. The
poor digestive system should be restored with help or the right kind
of food and digestive supplements.
Cosmetics and Acne
Most of the cosmetics also cause flaring up of acne because of chemicals
present in them. The cosmetics which have oil bases are not ideal for
people suffering from acne, as these will increase the already high
amount of sebum (oily substance) in skin. Even water-based cosmetics
sometime contain certain chemicals which worsen acne. Recent findings
about acne-inducing cosmetics include blushers in which red tints have
been used. Some of these red tints are comedogenic (acne producing)
because they are coal tar derivatives.
Stress and Acne
Apart from the junk food, one more “gift” of modern day
lifestyle contributes to acne indirectly. The stress factor in the increase
of acne has been established in some studies. In one such study, researchers
from Stanford University School of Medicine say that stress might actually
worsen acne. In a study conducted among the students, researchers found
that “subjects, who had the greatest increase in stress during
exam period, also had the greatest exacerbation in acne severity.”
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Spreading Acne by Scrubbing Too Hard
Sweating and humidity may worsen the acne condition. On the other hand,
being overzealous with your face washing routine to get rid of acne
may also backfire if you rub or scrub the skin. Remember, acne causing
bacteria is not on the surface of the skin but under the skin. By scrubbing
or rubbing you will only spread the infection all over the face.
Exfoliating, the Forgotten Step
In order to kill the bacteria that lurks under the skin, the same
P. acnes bacertia that causes acne, you must first remove the top layer
of skin that acts as its shield. If on the other hand you don't do
that, you will have wasted time and money on products that simply kill
bacteria on already dead skin. Also, if you simply exfoliate the skin
but do not take the next step of cleansing the pores and then killing
the bacteria, you are still at square one. After exfoliation, use a
toner to cleanse the pores, and a restoring 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide cream
to kill the bacteria. If you continue to use this three step process
every day, there is a good chance you may never have acne again. Click
here for more information on three-step processes. A three-tep
kit we put together that conforms to all of these specifications can
be found here - Tru-derma.
Rosacea
A chronic inflammatory skin disorder, acne rosacea, is not actually
acne, but resembles a whitehead, though bigger in size. It’s
sometimes accompanied by papules and pustules and
thus, is categorized with acne. Acne rosacea’s cause is obscure,
but it is supposed to be related to vascular damage by ultraviolet
and infrared radiation, and certain drugs.
Lastly, one of the major reasons of flare up of acne is the person
suffering from it. Yes, most of the time people keep scratching at their
pimples, trying to pick out black heads and pinch acne to get rid of
it as soon as possible. It only results in the infection spreading to
larger area and worsening the acne. Let it heal naturally, otherwise
you will be left with more acne and pits and scars on the skin as well.
Other Resources:
www.usanpower.com
http://www.acne.as/cosmetic-acne.html
http://www.healthscout.com
http://www.acneguide.com
http://www.health911.com/disclaim.html
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