Introduction
The sudden onset of a ‘zit’ before a date is every teenager’s nightmare. Most teenagers – and a large percentage of adults – suffer from Acne Vulgaris, which can shows up as whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples on the face, neck, shoulders, back, and chest. A recent study conducted in the USA revealed that 17 million people suffer from acne, spawning a large market for anti-acne products.
Causes
Skin pores contain oil glands which keep the skin and hair lubricated. Sometimes, these sebaceous pores become clogged with excess oil and bacteria, resulting in acne. Broadly, the causes of acne may be the following:
- Bacteria, which easily infects oil glands and pores
- Wrong diet, irregular meals, excessive intake of starches, sugar, and fatty foods
- Chronic constipation
- Hormonal activity, particularly in teenagers
- Incorrect use of cosmetics that clog the pores
- Genes
Types of acne
- Whiteheads: Whiteheads are caused when a pore is completely blocked, trapping sebum (oil), bacteria, and dead skin cells, causing a white appearance on the surface.
- Blackheads: Blackheads result when a pore is only partially blocked, allowing some of the trapped sebum (oil), bacteria, and dead skin cells to slowly drain to the surface. The black color is caused by a reaction of the skin's own pigment, melanin, reacting with the oxygen in the air.
- Papules: Papules are inflamed, red, tender bumps with no head.
- Pustules: A pustule is similar to a whitehead, but is inflamed, and appears as a red circle with a white or yellow center.
- Severe acne vulgaris is characterized by nodules and cysts.
- Nodules are large, hard bumps under the skin's surface, and are prone to leaving behind scars.
- An acne cyst can appear similar to a nodule, but is pus-filled and painful.
- Acne Rosacea can look similar to the acne vulgaris and is visible in patches.
- Severe forms of acne include acne conglobata (large lesions) and pyoderma faciale (severe facial acne afflicting only females.
Prevention
- Eat healthy. Include fresh fruits and vegetables and anti-oxidants such as tomatoes in your diet.
- Stay clean. Use a natural antibacterial, non-oily face wash/body wash. Those containing tea tree oil are a good option. Do not scrub your face, which can irritate the skin. The aim of washing is to remove dirt and oil from the pores.
- If you have constipation, treat it immediately.
- Drink lots of water.
- Avoid chocolate, fried food, and refined sugar.
- Take B-complex and zinc supplements daily to strengthen the skin's resistance to acne.
- Watch where you put your face: don’t place your cheek against things and surfaces that may carry infection, such as telephone receivers, window panes, used pillow cases etc.
Remedies
- Do NOT squeeze or pop a pimple. Squeezing can push bacteria and pus deeper into the skin, leaving permanent scars.
- Wash your face with warm salt water. This will get rid of the oil and dirt without irritating the acne.
- Apply cucumber paste on your face. Wash it off after 20-30 minutes with lukewarm water.
- Aloe vera gel is an effective natural cure for acne. Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.
- If you get a bad case of acne, see a dermatologist.
Herbal Remedies for Acne
Skinelle
Skinelle cream is an effective and safe natural treatment for Acne and pimples. Its main ingredients Manjishtha, Haridra and Sariva have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties which eradicate infection in acne. Skinelle has no side effects and is safe for long term application.
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Neem
Neem is a very popular herb in India; it is abundant in the Indian region. There are several benefits of Neem like it cures skin, dental diseases. It has very good medicinal properties. Neem or Azadirachta indica has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal & blood purifying properties. It is useful in skin disorders and keeps the skin healthy and glowing. Other benefits of Neem are that it cures general skin problems like dandruff, dry skin, wrinkles, itchy scalp, and skin ulcers.
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Purim
Purim from Himalaya Herbals is a herbal, ayurvedic formulation. Purim also known as Hemocare is a blood purifier. The various constituents of Purim have antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, hepatic stimulant, wound healing and anti-allergic properties. Most of the constituents of Purim are used in the treatment of skin disease and promote wound healing. Purim with its anti-allergic property is beneficial in the control of pruritus associated with skin infections. Purim's hepatic stimulant property helps in the improvement of liver functions, and removal of toxic metabolic products in various systemic and skin infections. Hence, Purim acts as a detoxifier.
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