Acne

Acne can occur at any age but is more common during the “teens.” Mild cases of acne are characterized by red pimples and blackheads, but do not leave lasting impression on the skin. Severe cases can cause painful abscesses, widened pores and knots of scarred tissue. Scratching spreads the infection to other areas.
Those who appear to develop acne on the cheeks and nose at a later stage of life, probably suffer from acne rosacea, an adult skin condition that looks similar to acne, but does not develop until after thirty years of age.
Acne usually occurs at the most self-conscious time for boys and girls and always produces a crop of spots-just when they don’t want them!
This annoying skin problem is caused by over-production of sebum, an oily substance which helps protect the skin. A build-up of sebum blocks and infects pores, which produces pustules and blackheads. The black colour of blackheads is a result of their exposure to air at the skins surface. People with naturally oily skin are more susceptible to acne.
The underlying cause of increased sebum production lies internally. Hormonal disturbances usually cause acne in most adolescents. The hormonal imbalance is usually coupled with blood impurities caused by poor diet, included deep-fried food, saturated fats, sweets and junk food, chronic constipation, and an overburdened, sluggish liver, unable to detoxify the blood thoroughly since the skin in another means of detoxification, wastes that remain in the blood are eliminated through the skin. Nicotine and alcohol affect the skin, as do individual susceptibilities to certain foods and allergies.
Certain fats can be the best dietary weapon against acne. Unrefined, cold-pressed flax seed oil contains the essential fatty acids which lower the body’s production of sebum, reducing the pore clogging which causes acne. A deficiency in the essential fatty acids will trigger increased production of sebum. Also flax seed oil http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/43221/Flora-Flax-O-Mega-90-Capsules/ensures regular bowel movements, which encourage the elimination of toxins through the bowel, rather than the skin.
In some cases, acne is triggered by certain foods. Common culprits are chocolate, nuts, eggs and fatty foods. If a certain food is suspected of causing acne, it should first be eliminated from the diet for a few weeks, then reintroduced and the effect carefully observed.
One of the most successful herbs used in the treatment of both male and female acne is Vitex-Agnus-Castus http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/43311/Agnus-Castus-Tincture/. Taken for three months, it will help the body to balance its hormonal swings.
Another important herb is Bogbean http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/43315/Bogbean-Tincture-215ml/ which will help the body eliminate toxins from the blood- in fact 50% of patients with severe acne have increased blood toxins.
Minerals such as zinc have been found very helpful; 45mg of zinc Picolinate each day especially adolescents since their need for zinc in high.http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/11212/Quest-Synergistic-Zinc-15mg-with-Copper-30-Tablets/
Externally use Tea-tree oil http://www.thenaturalway.ie/store/product/41724/Atlantic-Aromatics-Tea-Tree-Oil-Organic-20ml/ to help keep the skin clear of harmful bacteria (which will make the acne worse). Dab one drop of Tea-tree oil on the head of the pimple twice daily. Using rose hip essential oil will help eliminate scarring if used early enough.
Do not squeeze pimples or whiteheads. This spreads infection and cause scarring.