Acne is an inflammatory disease of the skin, which mainly affects the face. The inflammatory process involves the hair follicle and its sebaceous gland and may depend on hormonal factors, but also on stress. Let's find out how to cure it.
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Stages of acne formation
How acne is formed
Acne is a physiological manifestation typical of adolescence; it usually tends to disappear with puberty and, in rare cases, in adulthood.
What happens is that the sebaceous glands, stimulated by hormones, process excess sebum that has a "cork" effect because it obstructs the follicle opening. In this first phase the blackhead is formed. Subsequently the skin suffers due to the consequent inflammatory reaction that damages it.
Symptoms
About 80% of young people suffer from acne and the symptoms are quite obvious. Pomorphic acne has comedones, papules, pustules or nodules. The manifestation of acne varies depending on the type of skin.
From the symptoms (comedones, papulo-pustular, cystic nodular, nodular, conglobated, mixed) we understand the type of acne and it goes back to the degree of severity of each type (mild, moderate, severe, fulminans).
The symptoms also reveal any associated systemic conditions (in women) such as alteration of the ovarian or adrenal hormone metabolism, presence of micropolicistic ovary (PCO). The areas that are most affected by acne are: the face, the neck and the decoltèe, the back, the scalp.
Causes and diagnosis of acne
The diagnosis may highlight one or more of the numerous clinical variants of acne. The disorder is due to genetic factors, aggravated by anxiety or stressful phenomena.
There is reverse acne or suppurative hydrosadenitis (an inflammatory / infectious process ) , acne fulminans (triggered by an immunological mechanism) , premenstrual acne, acne neonatorum, androgenetic acne (often associated with hypertrichosis and hirsutism) . Excoriate acne is also linked to psychological aspects. Acne from medicaments or iatrogenic, acne from cosmetics.
Other types of acne are observed in those who use them mineral oils, oil from falls, tar, hydrocarbons, oils for greasing (the diagnosis in that case is of professional acne). The mechanical acne occurs in the places of mechanical rubbing (acne of the violinist, of the swimmer etc.); hydration acne usually diagnosed in people who spend a lot of time in very humid or dry environments.
THE CARE FOR ACNE
Nutrition in acne care
Acne is often the result of hormonal imbalance and it is necessary to use foods that do not weigh down the liver, the body's central biochemistry, including milk and derivatives, refined flours and alcohol. Foods that contribute negatively to the state of the skin must also be completely eliminated: refined carbohydrates, all foods containing industrial oils and therefore "trans" fatty acids: fried foods, margarine, vegetable oils such as canola oil, palm oil and olive oil sunflower or corn seeds.
Acne is a natural diet based on whole grains, legumes, fruit and vegetables, with a moderate consumption of animal proteins, preferably vegetables. To avoid red or white meat too rich in hormones (such as veal and chicken), prefer small fresh fish. This ensures that all the nutrients supporting the acne are:
- Vitamin A : carrots, pumpkin, melon and apricots;
- B vitamins : whole grains;
- Minerals : magnesium, chromium, selenium and zinc: the deficiency of the latter unbalances the hormonal balance. The oil seeds and the wheat germ oil are rich in it ;
- O mega 3 and omega 6 : these are essential fatty acids that balance inflammatory reactions. They are found in greater quantities in fish but also in oil seeds (sunflower, sesame, pumpkin and linen) and in vegetable oils: wheat germ oil and cold-pressed linseed oil.
You can learn about the benefits of minerals and learn about the foods that contain them
Herbal remedies for acne
To cure acne, medicinal plants are indicated which carry out a detoxifying and purifying action on the blood, to help eliminate toxins, and thus enhance the functionality of the liver, kidneys and intestines, so as to regulate secretion. sebaceous and thus counteract the impurity of the skin, when the disorder is due to hepato-intestinal disorders or food intolerances . Among the plants with purifying action with which to prepare herbal teas, or to take in tablets and drops, we find:
- Burdock: ( Arctium Lappa ) its root is very useful when the increase in the greasiness of the skin (seborrhea) and the true and proper pimples, inflamed or with the presence of pus, are caused by the presence of metabolic waste in the body. Burdock mother tincture is also useful for skin problems .
- Pansy : ( Viola tricolor ), the most important property of flowers and leaves is purifying specific on certain skin disorders. The plant can be used both internally and externally, ie with infusions and poultices to be applied directly to the skin.
The gemano-derivative of the Platano ( Platanus orientalis ), as draining of the skin, is used in case of juvenile acne and acne rosacea; that of Walnut ( Juglans regia ) for acne rosacea with blackheads and boils complicated by staphylococci and streptococci.
This disorder is also a symptom of an alteration of the bacterial flora (intestinal dysbiosis), for this reason the elective treatment often involves the simultaneous use of lactic acid plant remedies , in order to rebalance and support the internal probiotics.
Finally the hormonal imbalances in the puberty phase, during the menstrual cycle or the period of pregnancy can be other causes at the base of the acne, which justifies the use of plants with rebalancing action of the endocrine system.
Bach flowers for acne
The flower therapy uses Crab apple for the treatment of acne, pimples and dermopathies in general. It is the remedy associated with purification .
The skin is one of the most important organs of emotional expression; it constitutes the external covering of the human being, its envelope and its border . When this envelope becomes "dirty" and dermopathies develop, it is the signal that the "boundary" with one's environment is no longer in balance. Acne in this light translates a bad relationship with oneself. Self- love is lacking, a rejection of one's own personality is experienced that pushes the subject to distance others, to avoid contact.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
For the regulation of endocrine metabolism and the expulsion of Wind and Heat to treat acne, important points are:
TAI CHONG (on the back of the foot, between the II and III metatarsus), regulates the Liver, cools the Blood;
TAI XI (above the apex of the internal malleolus and the Achilles tendon), tones the energy.
Discover also how to take care of acne skin with natural cosmetics
Aromatherapy and acne
The essential oils most commonly used in the treatment of acne, on the one hand, exert an antiseptic and purifying action on skins that show pimples, blackheads or excessive oiliness; while on the other hand they repair and regenerate scar tissue.
These essences can be applied directly on the skin, diluting a few drops in a little aloe gel or they can be used in the preparation of purifying masks or in addition to their own cream to give it an astringent and rebalancing effect. Among the most effective oils we remember:
- Lemon essential oil : it is useful in case of acne, oily and impure skin, as it counteracts the excessive production of sebum and closes the enlarged pores. Furthermore, this essence has lightening and regenerating properties, suitable for promoting the healing process.
- Myrrh essential oil: its antiseptic action is effective in the presence of inflamed comedones or with pus; while the healing property regenerates the damaged skin.
- Lavender essential oil is used in case of burns, wounds, sores, as it promotes the growth of new cells and therefore tissue regeneration. It burns and relieves redness.
Sandalwood essential oil also alleviates many discomforts and blemishes caused by acne. This is due to an internal component, the farnesol, which has antibacterial and antifungal activity. Other essential oils containing farnesol are the essential oil of jasmine, palmarosa, and ylang ylang .
Homeopathy
The homeopathic treatment for acne must be customized according to the shape, depth and extension of acne lesions, so we always recommend relying on a specialist. Basically, the treatment stands out as symptomatic and basic.
The first is based on the intake of preparations such as Kalium bromatum, Eugenia jambosa, Selenium ; while the deeper treatment requires remedies such as Natrum muriaticum and Sulfur iodatum .
You can go into all the homeopathic remedies to treat acne
Exercises
The first exercise is almost a meditation oriented towards non-action : it is better to avoid giving in to the temptation to crush, squeeze. The germs walk and often, when you go to tease a boil and immediately after another - worse still if you did not carry out a preventive action of hand hygiene - you risk worsening the situation.
The good advice is to live the cleansing of the face as a ritual to be consumed regularly, preferably with natural products and perhaps letting yourself go to some smile to wear in the mirror, when you least expect it (this will have an incredible effect on the your self-esteem).
Shiatsu face self-massage requires time to devote to the forehead, eyes, cheeks, chin, nose, ears and head. Each technique must be performed by combining circular movements or pressures alternating with inspiration and expiration. It is not just a local massage, as it rebalances the entire flow of qi, vital energy, and tones the tissues. The meridians starting from the head and face are those of the bladder, the biliary bladder and the stomach; those that end are the Governor Vase, the Conception Vase, the meridian of the Large Intestine, the Small Intestine and the Triple Heater.
