Health Topics > Skin > acne

ACNE

Acne is no longer the incurable problem it was 30 years ago. In the past, acne caused profound suffering for many people.  Acne is a skin condition which may occur on the face, neck, chest and back. Acne is associated with blockage of the sebaceous gland ducts. Sebum continues to be produced by these glands forming comedones (blackheads and whiteheads). These often become inflamed to form papules, pustules and cysts. Acne usually begins at puberty and clears around the age of 25; although many people find that it persists into middle age.

Some possible causes are:

• Hormones - male hormones increase the production of sebum from the sebaceous glands in the skin. Male hormones are likely to cause acne during adolescence, and in apple shaped women who are overweight and in women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. It is important to have your male hormones measured, as if they are found to be high, hormonal therapy may be very successful.  
• Bacterial infection which occurs in the sebaceous glands.
• Hereditary factors are important and there is often a family history of acne.
• Poor diet.  Acne is a disease of modern society.  It does not occur in cultures following traditional diets.  Acne can be caused by a diet high in glycaemic index foods - including sugar, biscuits, cake, confectionery, breakfast cereals, bread and pasta.
  
• Poor hygiene and improper cleansing of the skin.
• Stress.

Treatment and general recommendations

• Gentle cleansing of the skin twice a day with antiseptic soap or tea tree oil soap.
• Get plenty of exercise.
• Avoid smoking
  
• Drink 2 litres of water daily to improve detoxing through the skin.
• Moderate sunlight exposure (10 - 15 minutes a day) can help - use caution and avoid the midday sun.
• For hormonal acne, the anti male hormone, called Cyproterone and/or feminine types of oral contraceptive pills, can provide a cure.  For more information see my book "Hormones, Don't Let Them Ruin Your Life"   Altering hormone levels in women can cure acne. In this regard, oral contraceptive pills containing the more feminine progesterones like desogestrel, gestodene or the anti-androgen cyproterone acetate are excellent. Examples of these are “Marvelon”, “Minulet” and “Diane”, respectively. If these don’t achieve the desired effect, the pill may be combined with additional cyproterone acetate (“Androcur”) in doses of 2.5 to 50 mg daily for the first 10 or 15 days of the pill cycle. NOTE: Androcur is not available in the USA - but may be obtained on prescription in Canada, and all other countries.  Tablets with a hormonal action can often have very good results especially in women who have premenstrual acne. The diuretic drug Aldactone (Spironolactone) may be effective in reducing hormonal acne. Aldactone blocks the action of the male hormones on the skin and it can also reduce facial hair. Small doses of Spironolactone are usually well tolerated but larger doses can cause menstrual irregularity, nausea and headaches.  This is because it can be liver toxic.  In general the anti-male hormone medication Androcur (cyproterone acetate) is better tolerated and more effective. 

Diet

• A poorly functioning liver will aggravate acne – particularly the type of acne called acne rosacea; this type of acne is more common in mature aged people.  Acne rosacea causes red pimples around the nose, cheeks and chin.  It is recommended to follow the lower carbohydrate higher protein eating plan in the book Can't Lose Weight?  You Could Have Syndrome X.  Regardless of your weight, the eating plan in this book will help to clear your skin.
  
• Drink at least 8 - 10 glasses of pure water daily.
• Avoid margarine, ice cream, junk food and deep fried foods.
• Eat plenty of raw fruits and vegetables every day.

• A Benzoyl Peroxide cream can be applied at night to dry out the lesions.

• If there are infected lesions with yellow pus, then an antibiotic solution containing Clindamycin is helpful; this requires a prescription.

Recommended supplements:

Selenium

• Take 1 to 2 tablets twice daily, to provide a daily dose of 50 to 100 mcg selenium.  Selenium greatly enhances the function of the immune system and exerts anti-inflammatory effects. A combination of selenium, zinc and vitamins C and E can reduce infections and scarring.

Olive leaf capsules

• Take 1 capsule up to three times daily – extra benefit can be found if a formula contains a combination of herbs plus zinc to support the immune system. Olive leaf exerts anti oxidant effects and is beneficial for its anti- microbial actions. It may assist with recurrent skin infections.

Liver tonic powder or capsules

MSM with Vitamin C powder

• Take 1/2 teaspoon twice daily in water or raw juice. MSM contains organic sulphur, which is a powerful blood and skin cleanser.  MSM stands for Methyl-Sulfonyl-Methane and is an organic naturally occuring form of sulphur. Although there are many forms of sulphur, dietary MSM yields the most bioavailable form of this compound.

To assist with hormone balancing:

Phyto-estrogen capsules