Acne or pimples are often associated with teenagers; however it can occur at any age. Empirical evidence suggests that over 8% of individuals who had clear skin in their youth can develop acne as adults. Acne and pimple marks of the skin can be fairly distressing and often associated with emotional and psychological stress. Fortunately, there are variety of home remedies, supplements, alternative medicinal therapies and measures to control acne outbreaks.
What are Acne? Acne Causes
Acne are characterized by raised red blemishes, whiteheads or blackheads which affect the face, back, chest, neck, shoulders and other areas of the body. In severe cases acne can be painful, firm, fluid filled cysts which lead to unsightly pitting and acne scarring which are often permanent.
Here are some simple homebased treatment options for the management of pimples and acne on the skin. These simple home remedies are more effective when used in conjunction with acne diet to ensure a sustained cure,
Thoughy Self care is considered beneficial in improving the occurance of acne on the skin, there are certain precautionary considerations that need to be borne in mind,
What are Acne? Acne Causes
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| Acne and Pimples may result in unsightly appearance and permanant skin scars |
Among the several causes of acne, some of the leading acne causes include,
- Hormonal imbalance, often observed during adolescence, especially among males and menstrual periods or pregnancies among females is one of the leading acne causes
- Emotional stress is also considered as an important cause for developing acne
- Certain medications like steroids, contraceptive drugs or hormonal replacement therapy, etc have been identified as acne causes
- Often acne can be aggravated by food allergies among some individuals.
- Heredity is also considered to contribute to the appearance of acne.
Here are some simple homebased treatment options for the management of pimples and acne on the skin. These simple home remedies are more effective when used in conjunction with acne diet to ensure a sustained cure,
- Local application of essential tea tree oil is considered as an effective home remedy for acne. As per a recent study conducted in Australia, a 5% solution of tea tree oil is highly effective whilst being gentler than 5% benzoyl peroxide (often used for drying up acne), in cases of mild acne blemishes. Further higher dosage of up to 15% of tropical tea tree oil can be useful in the management of severe forms of acne.
- In another study conducted in the United States, it was observed that patients with acne who received 30 mg of zinc each day for two months had clearer skin compared to the control group. Zinc therapy however needs to be used with caution.
- Regular consumption of flax seeds which are rich in zinc and also contain essential fatty acids is very beneficial. EFAs dilute the sebum and prevent the pores from clogging and play a vital role in controlling pimples and acne.
- Regular exfoliation of the skin can help remove dead skin and prevent clogging of the pores, thereby reducing the risk of acne. However exfoliation of the skin should be avoided during an acute episode of pimples and acne, as it can aggravate the condition.
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| Tea Tree Oil is considered very valuable in Acne Treatment |
Evidence has been suggestive of the role of vital nutrients in regulating acne. Here are a few supplements that have been found to be effective against acne,
- Vitamin A is considered to play a crucial role in treatment of acne as it regulates the production of sebum which is considered to be the primary cause of acne. Vitamin A is the most essential supplement for acne. Increase intake of foods like carrots, bell pepper, papaya, tomatos, etc.
- Vitamin B6 on the other hand, has been found to play a crucial role in balancing the levels of acne related hormones which in turn can prevent aggravation of acne during menstrual cycles or menopause.
- Vitamin C is known to boost immunity levels and plays a crucial role in keeping a check on acne causing bacteria, while zinc reduces inflammation.
Thoughy Self care is considered beneficial in improving the occurance of acne on the skin, there are certain precautionary considerations that need to be borne in mind,
- If acne doesn’t respond to home based treatment within three months, seek medical advice. There are several factors that may contribute to formation of acne which need to be critically reviewed by a trained medical professional.
- Prolonged use of zinc therapy can interfere with the body’s ability to absorb copper which in turn can result in anemia. 2mg copper supplement is recommended if zinc therapy is continued for more than a month
- Synthetic supplements of Vitamin A should be avoided during pregnancy as isotretinoin (a derivative of Vitamin A) is associated with birth defects. Alternatively increase the intake of natural sources of vitamin a.
