Phone: 0295222540
Acne is a skin disease which occurs primarily in early adolescence & young adulthood but some forms may also be common in adults, although the incidence decreases after the age of 25.
Some people, particularly women, develop Acne for the first time in their late 20’s or 30’s. Severe Acne tends to run in families and it presents more often in males.
Is Acne incurable ?
Acne help is available…..Acne generally is a skin condition with symptoms that can be cleared up successfully by treatment with Acne creams, ointments and a good healthy living protocol, which is the best Acne treatment, and is the dermatology treatment that is available from us to help clear up the symptoms.
Acne should not be confused with Acne Rosacea which is a skin condition that is mentioned separately. Acne Rosacea is normally considered to be a type of Rosacea.
Please see our Rosacea page. CLICK HERE
People who have adnormalities in circulating androgens and those who suffer from some endocrine disorders may also develop Acne, and some drugs can also either cause or make the Acne worse.
Dermatology of Acne:
Acne begins when sebaceous glands secrete excess oil and flood the follicle. When the oil presses up close to the skin and hardens to form a plug this is called a “blackhead.” A blackhead, despite the name, is not caused by dirt, and poor hygiene by itself does not result in Acne or blackheads. The black colour of the blackhead is the oil and skin debris accumulated at the opening the gland. “Whiteheads” are formed in similar manner, but the plug is much deeper under the skin.
Both blackheads and whiteheads disrupt the flow of sebum. Both can result in lesions that are bumps, nodules, cysts, or pustules. Whiteheads are keratin plugs, which close the gland opening. Blackheads are also keratin plugs in the gland opening but the gland remains open to the outside. Both Whiteheads and blackheads may be present in people who suffer from Acne.
There are many different types of Acne, but the most common types are Acne Vulgaris (the most common type and the one that troubles most young people) and Cystic Acne (which is the type that is mostly responsible for permanent scarring due to cysts). There is debate as to whether Acne Rosacea is a third main type of Acne or whether it is Rosacea, but the most common opinion is that it more closely resembles Rosacea.
CLICK HERE for further information on Acne Rosacea.
Acne Vulgaris is also then subdivided into 3 classes: Mild, Moderate and Severe Inflammatory Acne.
Mild inflammatory Acne is caused when the area just under the plug becomes infected by an abundance of white cell matter battling skin bacteria. The area becomes inflamed and reddened. There are two types of mild inflammatory Acne: papules and pustules. Papules are reddened, inflamed acne while the pustules are reddened Acne with a white collection of pus at the top.
Factors that exacerbate Acne:
- overproduction of sebum
- bacterial growth
- abnormal hair growth
- environmental factors, such as humidity, drugs, and cosmetics
- occlusion of the hair follicles by headbands, bra straps or chinstraps
- emotional stress
There are numerous treatments for helping to prevent serious outbreaks. When treating Acne, one should never try to squeeze the lesions as this can leave the skin open to infection which can lead to scarring.
Treatment involves:
- Reducing the inflammation by avoiding rupture of the pustules
- Limiting bacterial growth
- Washing with soap and water once or twice daily to reduce the accumulation of debris and oils
- Try to keep oily or greasy materials off your face.
- Do not squeeze or pick at the Acne as this may cause serious infections in those already inflamed follicles, and usually doesn’t allow the Acne to heal any faster
- Teenagers should reduce intake of stimulants.
- Use cleansing and healing topical products as prescribed by your health professional
Body Acne, Back Acne, Chest Acne:
It is not well understood that the reasons for Body Acne, Back Acne, Chest Acne or Acne in other areas of the body, stem from the same root causes as the more common Facial Acne, such as dietary and hormonal considerations. There are, however some additional causative factors with Body Acne, Back Acne and Chest Acne which relate to perspiration and general hygiene which are not always involved with Facial Acne to any great extent.
The skin is an organ of elimination and as such is partially responsible for removing waste products from the system, especially when the liver, bowel and/or kidneys are in any way compromised. This is not to suggest that these organs are defective in any material way, but there are often short-term excessive pressures on internal organs which may cause them to become sluggish. In these situations the skin has to take on an increased role and thus the concentration of waste materials in the perspiration becomes excessive, thereby blocking folicles and resulting in Back, Chest, Body Acne or Acne occurring elsewhere such as the groin and underarms.
Our treatment for Back or Body Acne, just like Facial Acne, concentrates on relieving excessive pressure on the waste management functions of the skin by improving the waste functions of internal organs that are more appropriate for handling large volumes of waste, eg bowel, liver and kidneys. Our Practitioners can help assist you to achieve total optimisation of your waste management and thereby lessen the load on your skin. Call us today on 02 9522 2540
Our protocols for the treatment of Acne are based on clearing up symptoms using dietary advice and through the use of naturally-based topical and oral medicines such as ointments, creams, gels, lotions etc as well as targetted oral medicines, under the brand name of Dr Michaels, as well as some other brands, which assist in breaking the cycle from within.
Address the internal causative factors with respect to nutrients lacking in your diet, or metabolically blocked by your body, by seeing a Skin Professional who can assess which nutrients are lacking in your diet and which ones your body is blocking.