Category: Acne skin condition

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]So you know you’ve got more than just a breakout…it’s too regular, too constant to be called “the odd spot” and it’s affecting your life with it’s presence. The question is, before treatment can begin…what type of acne is it?

There are two main types of acne; non inflammatory acne and inflammatory acne. Non inflammatory acne consists mainly of a type of blemish known as a comedone…blackheads and whiteheads to the uninitiated.

This type of acne is easier to deal with than the inflammatory type and with good hygiene, minimal products and regular exfoliation you can expect this to clear up on its own. Medical experts can of course speed the process up with treatments such as deep cleansing and microdermabrasion or even with vitamin c rejuvenation facials.

 

Non inflammatory acne is mainly down to clogged pores and without the redness which accompanies inflammatory acne it isn’t too hard to get rid of.

Inflammatory Acne can be looked at as mild, moderate, severe and extreme. In mild cases, only a few spots will appear but they won’t go away like ordinary spots…they’ll hang around on your lower face and neck for much longer than an ordinary breakout. The more severe cases can of course be disfiguring and upsetting…some people who are suffering from a bad case will have very low self esteem indeed.

To try to classify your own acne, it is necessary to learn about the different types of spots and pimples which characterise acne.

• • Whiteheads: These are formed from trapped sebum and bacteria just below the skin’s surface. They appear as tiny white spots which are difficult to squeeze. (Don’t try!)

• • Blackheads: These are caused by sebum becoming visible in an open pore; ordinarily sebum is not dark in colour but once it is exposed to the elements it becomes black in colour.

• • Papule: A swelling which may be sore but not very large; it is caused by a break in the follicular wall and the rush of white blood cells which is the body’s attempt to heal the break.

• • Pustule: This is yellowish green in colour and usually forms after a papule has appeared. It looks particularly nasty and can be sore.

• • Cyst: Caused by extreme swelling and the presence of a lot of pus beneath the surface of the skin.

• • Nodule: A large, uneven swelling which is extremely painful to touch and may be red or purplish in colour.

 

The presence of all of the above in proliferation on your face, neck, shoulders and back would indicate a severe form of acne. This is the worst type to have and the most debilitating.

In moderate cases, sufferers will have just some of the above but may still feel extremely unhappy about their skin’s appearance and seeking assistance with acne is the only way to break the cycle of misery.

If you are suffering from acne and want to hurry along the healing process, it might be a good idea to look into some of the latest laser techniques; from mild to severe acne there will be a treatment designed just for your needs…improving your skins’ texture and appearance with a non-invasive and safe therapy can be a wonderfully freeing experience for anyone who has suffered with their skin on a long term basis..

Remember…don’t try to squeeze spots or pimples, you will only damage your skin and make it more susceptible to infections. Do practice good hygiene and avoid touching your face more than necessary. Change your pillowcase often and keep your hair away from your face. There is help out there no matter how severe or mild your case is…seek it and change your life.

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For many years researchers and skin specialists believed that there was no connection between diet and skin health. Acne was caused by hormones or by poor cleanliness and a whole host of other outside elements.

research into acne causes

However, in recent years more and more evidence is coming to light regarding diet and skin health. A recent study by RMIT University in Australia and the Department of Dermatology at the Royal Children’s and Royal Melbourne hospitals has turned up some compelling evidence to indicate that diet plays an enormous role in the health of our skin.

diet and acne

Part of the study pointed to the unarguable fact that whilst acne is very prevalent in Western societies it is practically non-existent in more traditional communities; hunter gatherers are rarely reported to suffer from acne and Eskimo communities who eat seasonal and caught foods only began to suffer from acne in the 1950s…when American companies began working in their land and employed many locals. This led to those employees and their families suddenly chancing their dietary habits and within 15 years acne had reared its ugly head.

Those dietary changes were of course the inclusion of processed foods and much more sugar than these people had ever before been exposed to.

 

What is acne and what causes it?

Before the acne diet is discussed, it is important to fully grasp what acne actually is…it’s not just a breakout of spots or pimples which is something which many teenagers and even people in their 30s are prone to now and then.

Acne is a chronic skin condition where the spots, pustules and cysts are more extreme and they don’t only affect the face but can appear on the back and shoulders as well as the neck.

Acne can be painful as well as unsightly and at a time when a young person wants to feel their best, it is a particularly cruel condition…sapping confidence and making young people very unhappy.

When hair follicles and pores become blocked with old skin cells and naturally occurring oils, the sebaceous glands beneath the skin’s surface keep on creating oil regardless…this creates in turn a “back up” of oil….that’s the lump or bump which can look so red, sore and unsightly.

types of acne

There are various types of acne and they’re generally classified as :

• mild
• moderate
• severe

Mild acne

consists of blackheads and whiteheads which don’t become especially raised or sore in appearance but can still be unsightly. They won’t usually appear anywhere else but the face.

Moderate acne

can include papules which are raised and inflamed lumps and pustules, which are raised, inflamed and include an infected looking “head” of white or yellow.

Severe acne

is the most debilitating of the types and it includes cysts and nodules which are very large, inflamed, sore and uneven in appearance; this type of acne can strike the face and the body at the same time.

How can the Acne Free Diet help?

For many years, the link between diet and acne has been ignored and this has been based on two poorly controlled studies both of which were published over 30 years ago! Now the team from RMIT University, led by Doctor Neil Mann have not only challenged this but have created a carefully constructed diet which can change the course of acne over as little as 12 weeks.

On the face of it, the diet is very simple…and that is also the core of the idea behind the Acne Free Diet. By following a diet unlike most other modern Western societies, people are finding that their acne is clearing up and becoming a minor issue or even a thing of the past.

The diet is based on the diets of those hunter-gatherer societies who never suffered from acne.

eliminating processed and sugary food

It is a diet free from processed and sugary foods…an extremely healthy diet and one which is simple to manage and easy to stick to; it involves eating more lean protein and low Glaecaemic index foods such as Basmati rice and beans.

The study involved two focus groups, all of which were young men between the ages of 15 and 25. One group stuck to a normal Western diet which included processed foods high in sugar and fat and the other group ate a diet which imitated that of the hunter gatherer…so plenty of fish, lean meat, eggs, pulses and greens.

results of test

At the end of the test period, the young men who had followed the healthier diet showed more than 50% improvement in their acne symptoms whilst the other group showed no such improvement. The men on the healthy diet also showed a reduction in insulin resistance as well as a reduction in the presence of hormones which are linked to acne.

The improvements in skin was said to be significant and noticeable and the decrease of insulin resistance was a wonderful side-effect which could help people prone to diabetes in the future.

Well-being and confidence was also said to be at an all-time high amongst the young men who ate the hunter gatherer style diet.

The Demonization of Carbs

In recent years, carbohydrates have suffered a severe knocking from various “experts” who claim they are responsible for everything from weight gain to skin issues when in fact they are a vital part of a healthy diet.

Carbs play a vital role in the supply of energy to healthy, active people and they are also the only food which affects blood glucose levels. This is linked to the Glaecaemic Index mentioned earlier…or GI for short.

Glaecaemic Index

GI measures the rise and fall effect which certain foods have on blood glucose.

Foods with a high GI measurement include sugary breakfast cereals and biscuits as well as white bread and potatoes. These foods are digested fast, absorbed fast and they cause blood glucose levels to shoot upwards rapidly…providing a short lived “kick” of energy. This cheaply gained energy causes the pancreas to produce high insulin levels…and it’s those insulin levels which stimulate the hormones associated with acne.

Low GI carbs such as Basmati rice, beans, porridge and wholegrain bread do the opposite. They provide energy over a sustained period of time…and don’t cause insulin levels to spike.

What the Anti Acne Diet Involves

The foods which you can safely eat on the Anti Acne Diet include the following:

 

• High fibre breakfast cereals such as rolled oats and natural muesli
• Grain bread, fruit loaf and sourdough
• Basmati rice, Doongara rice, wholegrain pasta, noodles
• Crispbreads with grains
• Fresh fruits and vegetables especially bananas, apples, carrots, sweet potato and sweet corn
• Plain popcorn and unsalted nuts
• Honey
• Water, fruit juice and low fat milk

Pretty much any fruit and vegetable or salad is a great choice so when participants experienced the desire to snack on sugary foods, the advice is to grab a handful of berries instead.

• What about meals?

When planning your meals, remember that a portion of lean meat is advised with lunch and dinner. You can vary the types of meat which you choose and keep portions to realistic size.

It is advised for those following the diet to eat at least 3 portions of red meat per week. Lamb, beef, veal or fish are all good choices for dinner. For lunch, a portion of lean chicken, turkey or fish is a good idea as they’re packed with nutrients and low in fat. Dairy should be eaten 3 times per day and do remember to include eggs.

Add leafy green vegetables and salads to your plate as well as legumes, rice or beans where possible.

• Remember to go low GI

Breakfast is the perfect time to get strict and remember to choose a good kick start to your day; porridge or muesli is ideal as they are low GI and will see you through until your next snack or meal.

Fruit should be included as a snack and aim for around 3 pieces per day. During the evening which is a danger point for many people…a time when unhealthy snacks seem more tempting, have popcorn (unsweetened) to hand as well as dried fruit or nuts. These are all proved snacks for the Anti Acne Diet and with results expected within 12 short weeks, it’s worth making the extra effort.

Meal Ideas

Sometimes it’s hard to stick to special diets because food is habit forming…meaning that it feels “easier” to open a packet and throw something into the microwave than to plan a healthy meal…but this needn’t be the reality if you are willing to plan a little and to ensure that you always have plenty of choices at hand.

Breakfast ideas

• Two boiled eggs with two slices of wholegrain toast
• Baked beans with two slices of wholegrain toast
• Fruit smoothie made from one piece of fruit, spoon of honey and small tub of natural yogurt or half tub natural yogurt and half glass of milk
• Two slices wholegrain toast, sautéed mushrooms and tomato slices

Lunch ideas

• Ham salad sandwich made with wholegrain bread, 100g ham, mixed salad and a little mustard
• Chicken and pasta salad made with 100g skinless chicken, cup of wholegrain pasta, mixed salad and a sprinkle of seeds
• Lamb salad made with 100g diced lamb, mixed salad and oil-free dressing.

Dinner ideas

• Roast lamb with mixed roast vegetables
• Chicken stir fry with Basmati rice made with 100g of lean, diced chicken
• Salmon and rice made with grilled salmon and fragrant Basmati rice infused with lemongrass, served with fresh green salad
• Steak sandwich made with lean steak and served on wholegrain wrap with mixed peppers and salad

Keeping Things Interesting

Remember to use herbs and spices…keep pots of fresh herbs to hand in order to spice up your meals. Keep an imagination when it comes to desserts…you are allowed two small scoops of ice cream a week in addition to a cup or large pot of natural yogurt. These are great when mixed with soft berries or with honey. Snack foods should be kept accessible and in small portions…don’t put popcorn in a large bowl and smother it in butter. Use a small bowl and a little salt…this makes a great alternative to crisps or chips.

eating out

If you’re eating out, you don’t need to completely avoid sauces and dressings but do ask that they are served on the side or in a separate container. Then you only need a small taste of them and won’t over indulge so easily.

When trying to work out if a food is good for your skin or not, ask yourself how much it has been “altered” by any processing…is it an unnatural colour? Has it been coated in anything such as breadcrumbs or sugar? If the answer is yes then avoid it!

Keep your skin clean and free of perfumed lotions and potions and wait for the improvements to begin with your acne free diet!

Next Steps

If you live in London and would like a free skin consultation to discuss your skin concerns, contact us today we have 9 clinics across London for your convenience.

Acne is one of those things which can be hereditary and which can also be partly caused or exacerbated by the lifestyle choices we make. There are many bad habits which we’re all guilty of which can make your acne far worse than it needs to be and which with a bit of planning and grit, can be done away with. If you’re serious about improving your acne and perhaps even ousting it for good then read on to learn the 10 worst acne inducing habits which we’re all guilty of at some time.

Continue reading “10 Acne Inducing Habits We All Do”

Are You Spending Money On Expensive High Street Acne Products?

Acne is the scourge of many people’s lives and as they try many treatments in an attempt to cure themselves, sufferers find that they are often out of pocket as well as disappointed. Acne can hit at any time in your life…it’s not just a teenage issue with many people reporting their first breakouts in their 30s and even their 40s.

Continue reading “Drink Lemon to Beat Acne”

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Why You Should Listen To Your Acne

Far from being a silent blight, acne and where it tends to crop up on your face could be an indicator of your inner health and those regular breakouts could be your acne’s way of trying to communicate with you silently.

Most acne sufferers have got a regular breakout spot or more than one regular problem area; the chin, cheeks, forehead and nose are the biggest offenders and if you listen to traditional therapists from China, you’d soon learn that each of these areas corresponds to another part of the body…usually an internal organ.

The cheeks for instance are split into two sections; upper and lower with the upper being linked to the lungs and the lower the teeth and the gums. If you have breakouts in these areas it’s time to look carefully at your dental hygiene and to stop smoking!

Other parts of the face which are linked clearly to internal organs are as follows.

• Chin centre

This area is directly linked to the small intestine so if you breakout here then it’s possible that a better diet and more roughage could help you.

• Chin sides

Breakouts here could indicate a hormonal imbalance and this is especially important for females to take note of.

• Forehead

Directly linked to digestion and hydration, the forehead is a good indicator for your health in general. If this is one of your problem areas then make sure you drink plenty of water and eat a varied diet.

• T-zone

This area is linked to your liver. Drinking too much alcohol or not getting enough water on a daily basis could both affect you in this area.

Try to take notice of your breakouts, where and when do they occur? Keeping a food diary and noting events you’ve taken part in can also help to isolate the causes of your breakouts.

For treating acne breakouts which have already taken hold, it is a good idea to look into some of the newer treatments for acne prone skin such as anti acne peels which are suitable even for skin which is very acne prone. Anti acne peels use Beta Hydroxy Acids and Alpha Hydroxy Acids to help your skin’s ability to heal and become smoother. In addition to Anti Acne Peels, there is IPL Photorejuvenation treatments to consider. IPL is short for Intense Pulsed Light and it is the pulses of laser light which help acne sufferers get rid of even pitted scarring caused by old breakouts.

Don’t suffer in silence…listen to your acne, take note of it’s patterns and above all seek the help that is out there!

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The scars left by acne can cause just as much misery as the acne itself. People who have suffered from this upsetting skin condition often find that even when they have rid themselves of the spots, they have sustained damage to their skin thanks to the:

• deep pustules,
• papules,
• nodules
• or cysts

Acne Scars Can be Treated

Some people mistakenly believe that acne scars cannot be removed and continue to live with them, struggling to find makeup which will reduce redness and cover up the pits and uneven skin left behind.

The scars from acne can affect sufferer’s day to day lives to such an extent that social lives shrink, self consciousness takes over and an endless round of looking for the ultimate scar removal cream begins.

Bright, clear skin is a sign of youth and health. It’s natural that everyone should want this; acne need not mean that you’re left with damaged or uneven skin. There are many excellent treatments out there for ridding yourself of all traces of acne and one of the most impressive is that of Medical Microdermabrasion.

This treatment is as its name would suggest, a highly controlled and effective way of “resurfacing” the skin.

 

 

How Does Microdermabrasion Work?

Medical Microdermabrasion consists of a thorough and deep exfoliation using a specialist diamond treatment head which allows a unique serum to penetrate deep into the dermis. The combination of abrasion and the special formulation which is packed with antioxidants and vitamins, allows for a real recovery for damaged skin. The upper layer of skin is not left red or sore and life can continue as normal after treatment so it’s a very convenient treatment for busy people.

An Effective Acne Scar Treatment

If you’re thinking of an effective solution for acne scars then a course of Medical Microdermabrasion could be just what you need. While it acts as a one-off skin freshener for those without skin damage,for those who do have uneven skin tone, discolouration or scars it can be an ongoing treatment which will eventually rid you of the evidence of acne.

For scarred skin a course of treatment is usually recommended and this will give the treatment time to really work…getting into those deeper layers of damage and ousting the rough, uneven or pitted skin which is the cause of so much misery for many people.

Look into Medical Microdermabrasion and say goodbye to damaged skin…your skin can recover from acne.

Your makeup bag can be a hive of bacteria if you’re not taking good care of not only your cosmetics but your brushes and other tools. It’s very easy to simply keep using your brushes, applicators, tweezers and eyelash curlers and to forget about washing them regularly! Bacteria can hide in all kinds of nooks and crannies and the bristles of your brushes are a very comfortable environment for all kinds of nasties.

A dirty makeup brush can be the cause of eye infections, acne and even in extreme cases, MRSA which is a pretty awful infection that can cause serious illness so to be certain that your skin isn’t suffering due to your lax attention to detail, start learning how to take care of your makeup equipment today! Ideally you should see that your equipment is washed once a week…if this seems excessive, just think about how you use those things…brushing them into pots and jars and then onto your face on a daily basis is going to ensure that they pick up quite a lot of bacteria so don’t be shy, get into the habit and keep to your routine!

Continue reading “Could Your Cosmetic Accessories Be Causing Your Acne?”

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Acne sufferers are always searching for the cause of their skin problems and is it any wonder? Acne is a miserable condition to suffer from and people will try anything to gain the clear skin of their dreams. The problem is that there are often a combination of factors at play when someone begins to suffer from acne but recently it has been discovered that many acne sufferers are zinc deficient.

The Importance Of Zinc

Zinc is a vital trace mineral which many people simply aren’t getting enough of and because it plays a huge part in cell regeneration there is a visible effect on the bodies of those who are deficient. Some of the symptoms of a zinc deficiency are as follows.

Continue reading “Are You Suffering From Acne? Maybe You’re Zinc Deficient!”

Acne is a skin condition which can cause real misery for those who suffer from it. Although there are varying degrees of severity ranging from a few minor but regular breakouts to extremely sore and raised pustules which can affect the life of the sufferer in the extreme.

The good news is that for those who have not tried herbal or natural treatments, there are a number of weird and wonderful acne treatments which are both effective and affordable.

Continue reading “12 Weird And Wonderful Anti Acne Super Foods”