Wellness Positive

  Here in this section you will find several solutions and treatments to help you effectively control and deal with an acne problem.

We'll start with the basics.. what IS acne, and how does one control and treat it?

  Acne is a condition that affects a large number of people worldwide - it's exact causes are not known, but it is postulated that some people have a genetic predisposition to acne.

  And of course, the increased hormonal activity that occurs during puberty often triggers acne. Poor skin hygiene, and a lack of sunlight and exercise are all factors that will often aggravate the condition.

  Acne Vulgaris, or common acne, is basically a disorder of the sebaceous glands - when acne occurs, the pores in the skin become clogged with sebum and dead cells.. These 'plugs' of sebum and dead cells may then become infected by bacteria causing pus filled inflammations, or more simply.. pimples.

  This, in simple terms, is what leads to outbreaks of acne. In prolonged and extreme cases acne can lead to eventual facial scarring. In this section we will discuss some effective solutions, cures, and ways of controlling acne...

STAGE 1:

CORRECTING THE UNHEALTHY HABITS THAT LEAD TO ACNE, AND SOME LIFESTYLE CHANGES:

• 1) Correct Eating Habits: Bad eating habits can lead to acne - eat at regular hours, avoid an excess of starch, sugar or fried or fatty foods in your diet. An excess of these sorts of foods leads to an excess of waste products in the blood stream and to an increase in the occurrence of acne. Avoid an excess of unhealthy foods in your diet and you'll find it reduces the proportions of your acne problem as well.
• 2) Exercise: Another thing that helps acne a lot is regular and spirited exercise. Exercise improves the circulation, tones the muscles under the skin and prevents constipation, all of which are factors that directly affect and reduce acne. Spend some time in the sun - exposure to sunlight is known to trigger chemical and physical factors in the body which prevent acne.
• 3) Steaming: Steaming your face is another simple home remedy that helps acne. Steaming opens the pores of the skin and improves circulation. Wash your face with cold water immediately after steaming it - this not only improves circulations but also tightens the muscles of the face.
• 4) An Alcohol wash: An alcohol wash is a good alternative to steaming, or it can be used in addition to it. This method is VERY effective, except that you must not overdo it or it will dry out your skin. Once a day is quite adequate while you're first dealing with the problem - once the problem reduces in proportions, you can reduce the treatment to once a week.
      Procedure:
  • Step 1: Put rubbing alcohol on a cotton pad or wash cloth and rub your face well with it - concentrate on the areas affected with acne, but also the cheeks, nose and forehead. Thoroughly clean the face - your pad or cloth should actually get dirty.
  • Step 2: Now, rinse your face with hot water, take a cloth dipped in hot water and place it over your face. This opens up the pores, readying them for an even deeper level of cleansing. Once your face is warmed well, repeat the process of rubbing it with the pad or cloth dipped in alcohol.
  • Step 3: Finally, rinse your face in VERY cold water - rinse long enough to make your face cold to the touch. The heating and sudden cooling of the face not only opens the pores to cleansing, and shuts them to dirt, but it also vastly improves circulation beneath the skin, and tones the very muscles of the face, all of which are factors that make this one of the best remedies for acne ever developed.
  • Step 4: As your face will be very dry after the alcohol treatment, it may be a good idea to moisturize it with a small amount of MILD moisturizer.
    This method is not only very successful, it gives your face a very clean and healthy feeling - we recommend it highly.

A combination of the four remedies mentioned above should be adequate for dealing with most mild cases of acne.

STAGE 2:

CURES: SIMPLE HOME REMEDIES THAT HELP DEAL WITH ACNE:

  You can try the following simple home remedies in conjunction with the above treatments in persistent cases of acne..

• Turmeric powder: Turmeric powder mixed in a teaspoon of coriander and mint juice is an extremely effective remedy for acne, pimples and blackheads. Turmeric powder has been found to be extremely effective in dealing with a large variety of skin related ailments and diseases. Turmeric powder can be used without the coriander or mint juice if necessary, just mixed in a little water. Wash the face thoroughly every night with warm water, then apply the mixture before going to bed. Note that Turmeric powder stains the face and any cloth it may come in contact with so it would perhaps be best to use this remedy over the weekend and to take precautions to protect your bed linen.
• Garlic: Garlic is a potent home remedy. Rub the affected areas with raw garlic several times a day, and eat three seeds of raw garlic once daily for at least a month.
• Orange peel: Orange peel, pulped with water and applied to the affected areas has been known to be beneficial.
• Lemon juice: Another effective home remedy is lemon juice applied to the affected areas on a regular basis.
• Grated cucumber: Grated cucumber, applied to the face, makes for another cleansing face pack.

THE CLINICAL CURE FOR ACNE..

    Multivitamin tablets containing the vitamins A, D and E have been known to be effective in the treatment of acne. Zinc treatments are also known to be effective. In the cases of extreme facial scarring dermabrasion and laser treatments have been known to reduce the problem.

    Remember, if your acne crosses the line from being an embarrassment to becoming a serious and painful problem, you would be well advised to see your doctor.