Acne Explained

Real Life Forensics

2007-02-07T19:45:00.001-08:00

We’ve all seen the huge growth in crime and detection related entertainment programmes on the television lately. I guess that has a lot to do with the fact that we like to try and understand the criminal’s mind as much as seeing the “good guys” bring them down.

However, much of what you see on your television screen is dumbed down, sometimes by necessity to fit the content into the allotted timescale, sometimes purely to make it seem more interesting.

In reality though, crime fighting is a hugely diverse field. Take a popular show like CSI for example – this focuses mainly on forensics, but did you know that this field can be further broken down into many specialized areas?

Forensic science covers the obvious, such as DNA testing and anthropology, yet also goes much wider into the realms of accounting, computing, ballistics, psychology and many other areas.

There is a huge amount to be learned in each of these areas, from the theory behind them to the scientific techniques and also the types of crimes they have been used to solve. Forensics FAQ is a resource site that aims to find out everything there is to learn about this fascinating subject, presenting the findings in quick overview format and detailed analysis.

blackheads and blocked pores

2006-11-18T17:47:00.000-08:00

how to get rid of blackheads

Blackheads are caused by partially blocked pores. The "black" appearance of them is not caused by dirt, but by the oxidising effect of air on the sebum (oil) in a blocked pore and the melanin pigment from the dead skin cells.

The best way to get rid of blackheads is to remove the cause of them — excessive sebum (oil) and dead skin cells. Use only products made with natural ingredients that are not too astringent. Harsh products can strip the skin of oil, causing it to produce more sebum which leads to more blocked pores. Don't be afraid of using cleansing products containing natural oils, such as jojoba or coconut oil to cleanse the skin. These oils are close to our natural oils, so they don't block the pores. Use a gentle exfoliator every day to remove dead skin cells so they don't block pores. Just remember to be very gentle, over exfoliation can exacerbate the problem. Avoid products containing the following: alcohol, isopropyl mystate, lanolin, sodium lauryl sulphate, sodium laureth sulphate, propylene glycol, mineral oil and parabens.

Do not to try and extract them forcibly, either using your fingers, fingernails or a comedone (blackhead) remover. This can cause permanent damage to the pores and stop them working properly for ever. You may squeeze some of the blackhead out, but you could also force some of it even deeper into the skin, which may lead to infection (large spots, pimples or even cysts) or permanent damage. Touching your skin should generally be avoided to prevent cross infection.

diet

You can help reduce the occurrence of blackheads by eating the right kinds of foods -- this will reduce sebum production, increase good moisture in the skin and help the production of new skin cells. Avoid cooked carbohydrates and fats, replace these with fresh fruits, vegetables and raw fats (avocadoes, olives, olive oil etc). Read our article of the scientific link between diet and acne for more information.

make up

If you do wear make up, make sure any foundations and concealers are non-comedogenic and oil free so they won't block pores. Try not to apply make up if your face is sweating. Always remove your make up with a cleanser at the end of the day. Keep all your make up brushes and sponges clean. Wash them in mild shampoo once a month and let dry completely before using.

reducing the appearance of blackheads, blocked pores and open pores

The best way to reduce the appearance of blackheads is to do the following, twice a week:

Wash the skin using a gentle, natural exfoliating product and pat the skin dry
Fill a bowl/basin with boiling water, and a few drops of tea tree oil
Steam your face for about 5 minutes to open the pores and soften the skin
Apply a clay mask, such as bentonite clay or seaweed clay mask

These masks will attract and absorb the oil in the blocked pore.

Let the mask work for the allocated time (10 minutes to an hour)
Rinse off with warm water and pat the skin dry
If you have scars or red marks from previous acne, this is a good time to apply a good scar treatment

our products

We have a range of natural skin care products for acne and blackheads.

treating scars

2006-11-18T17:46:00.000-08:00

A scar is the red, purple or even brown mark left by a previous infection (spot, blemish, pimple etc).

treating acne scars on the outside

Scars can be helped to fade faster by applying rosehip seed oil directly to them. Rosehip seed oil is great for reducing scar tissue because it is high in essential fatty acids. Apply straight on to the skin or add a few drops to moisturiser. Neem oil also has moisturising properties from its high fatty acid content that are great at reducing acne scars.
Aloe vera juice and gels are also good both to apply topically and to drink for healing scars
Lavender essential oil is also known for treating scars.
Use a moisturiser that will help clear scars, but won't block pores causing more blemishes - such as Manuka Face Cream

treating acne scars from the inside

The following supplements can help reduce scarring and help the skin heal more quickly:

treatments

2006-11-18T17:45:00.000-08:00

There are many treatments for acne, but I'm not going to discuss antibiotics here. If you have very severe acne and/or are very depressed, please discuss this with a sympathetic doctor or dermatologist. Prescribed oral antibiotics also destroy the healthy bacteria that live in your gut. A lack of heathly bacteria in your gut can, ironically, aggravate acne. There are also many related side effects, including thrush (candidiasis). If you do have to take antibiotics, take a probiotic supplement such as Nature's Biotics to help restore the healthy bacteria and eat lots of garlic.

In my experience, it's far better to clean the skin from the inside by eating healthily and drinking plenty of water. However, there are various treatments you can apply to the skin and herbal supplements that help.

Daily care — details about cleansing, make up and shaving
Blackheads and blocked pores — reducing the appearance of blackheads, blocked pores and open pores
Treating spots
Treating scars

aromatherapy for skin problems

Use jojoba or almond oil as your carrier oil (dilute 5 drops essential oil to 10ml carrier oil). Jojoba oil is very similar to the skin's own oils, has cleansing and anti-bacterial properties and promotes good skin texture. Coconut oil/butter is also good, look out for it in health food stores.

Geranium oil to balance oily/dry areas
Patchouli to improve texture
Juniper to detoxify
Tea tree to clear infections
Lavender to soothe redness
Sandalwood to nourish dry areas.

types of acne

2006-11-18T17:44:00.000-08:00

what is acne?

Acne is the appearance of blackheads, spots and pustules on the face, back and chest. Contrary to popular belief, it is not just teenagers who have acne. It affects 25% of all adult men and 50% of adult women at some time. No matter how severe acne is, it affects different people in different ways and many people with acne suffer from insecurities and depression.

acne vulgaris

Blackheads -- are caused by partially blocked pores. The "black" appearance of them is not caused by dirt, but by the melanin pigment from the dead skin cells.

Whiteheads -- are caused by completely blocked pores. The white appearance of them is caused by the bacteria inside the blocked pore turning the sebum to "free fatty acid".

Papules -- are small, red, tender bumps or spots.

Pustules -- are larger, red and inflamed pus-filled spots.

Nodules -- are large hard bumps under the skin's surface.

Cysts -- are similar to nodules, but can be deeply inflamed and infected.

acne roseaca

Acne roseaca is similar to acne vulgaris (oily skin, spots, pustules), but people with acne roseaca also experience skin flushing and a general redness of the area. These flushes can be set off by certain foods, such as spicy food and alcohol. People with acne roseaca rarely have blackheads (comedones).

what causes acne?

2006-11-18T17:43:00.000-08:00

do you really want to know how to get rid of acne?

You really can get rid of acne, naturally. How? By learning about the causes of acne and how to rebalance the body. By understanding that applying harsh chemicals to the skin can actually exacerbate the skin's natural oil production and make acne worse. Why is it that people who don't eat a Western diet don't have acne? You, too, can get rid of acne by understanding why it's predominantly a Western problem. In parts of the world where a Western diet is being adopted, they are now getting acne.

Our bodies are fine-tuned machines, continually creating new cells and getting rid of dead cells. There are three processes vital to human health; appropriation (taking in food, air, water etc), assimilation (absorbing nutrients to create new cells) and elimination (expelling waste/toxins). If any one of these is unbalanced, this can lead to less than vital health. We need to take in the right fuel, use it effectively and get rid of by-products and waste. For example, we get rid of waste via the digestive system, the lungs and the skin; if the digestive system is sluggish waste may have to be expelled via the skin as blocked pores and acne.

To really get rid of acne, you need to equip yourself with information about hormones, food, skin care products, dehydration, yeast and antibiotics.

By listening to your body you will find the long-term path to clearer skin.

what causes acne?

hormones

Rebalance these by:

Avoiding stress -- stress causes the over production of hormones
Use relaxation techniques, such as Yoga, T'ai Chi and deep breathing
Avoid caffeine -- caffeine stimulates hormone production
Exercise -- exercise rebalances hormones and reduces stress
Include the hormone balancing food maca in your diet

diet factors

Foods to avoid include:

Dairy products (milk, cheese, cream, yogurt etc)
Refined and cooked carbohydrates (flour, bread, rice, crisps and chips, sugar etc)
Cooked fats (fried food, hydrogenated oils, roasted nuts)
Meat (beef, pork, chicken, lamb etc)

All the above foods are acid-forming in the body. If you really want to get rid of acne, you need to eat more alkaline-forming foods -- fresh vegetables and fruit, nuts (sparingly) and seeds. The foods to avoid listed above also cause a sluggish digestive system. If food travels too slowly through the body, toxins build up and aren't carried away by the usual processes and are expelled via the skin, causing acne.

A diet without some of the staples you have become used to may sound scary, but it doesn't have to be. Clear Skin contains over 80 delicious recipes that benefit those with acne.

harsh skin care products

People with acne are often advised to use harsh, drying products on the skin. These dry the skin out too much, causing the sebaceous glands to excrete more oil to compensate. Dry skin also leads to excess dead skin cells. More oil + excess dead skin cells = blocked pores and more acne!

Ingredients to avoid:

Alcohol, isopropyl myristate, lanolin, sodium lauryl sulphate, sodium laureth sulphate, propylene glycol, mineral oil and parabens
Benzoyl peroxide

Don't be afraid of using oil in products. This can be the best thing for those wanting to get rid of acne -- using oils that mimic the skin's natural oils (coconut and jojoba) will rebalance the oil production of your skin. These oils won't block your pores. Use more of the following (these can be found in natural products in health food stores):

Tea tree oil -- antiseptic and antibacterial, great for existing infections
Lavender oil -- soothing and healing, great for accelerating healing of scars
Coconut oil -- look out for products that use this as a base. Can also be used on its own.
Jojoba oil -- look out for products that use this as a base

Exfoliate twice a week to get rid of dead skin cells
- Use natural products

dehydration

To get rid of acne, the skin needs to be hydrated from the inside to prevent blocked pores -- drink plenty of water and eat plenty of water-rich foods, such as fresh fruit and vegetables. This will also help speed up a sluggish digestive system.

the yeast link

People with acne often have a build-up of yeast in the body and are susceptible to yeast infections, such as thrush (Candida Albicans). This can also impact the digestive system bringing on problems such as constipation. Antibiotics and a diet high in yeast and sugar will aggravate this further.

Avoid the following:

Sugary foods
Yeast products (bread, beer, yeast extract, soya sauce and mushrooms)

If you are taking antibiotics, or have taken them in the past, supplement with a good quality probiotic, such as Nature's Biotics.

antibiotics/probiotics

Many people with acne are prescribed antibiotics, which may help destroy the bacteria that breed inside the blocked pores, but they also destroy the healthy bacteria that help support the activity of your intestines. If your intestines are not working efficiently, there will be a buildup of toxins in the digestive system which can aggravate acne. The body also builds up a tolerance to antibiotics, meaning you need larger and larger doses to get the same effect. If you have been taking antibiotics for your acne, take a probiotic supplement and drink aloe vera juice every day to heal your intestines.

A high quality probiotic, such as Nature's Biotics, will restore the good bacteria in the gut. This will improve the health of your digestive system, enabling it to better absorb the vitamins and minerals from your food. Food will also pass through at the right speed, preventing constipation and/or diahorrea. A sluggish digestive system is often linked to acne because the toxins aren’t being eliminated correctly by the digestive system and so are eliminated via the skin.

how to get rid of acne

2006-11-18T17:41:00.000-08:00

do you really want to know how to get rid of acne?

To really get rid of acne, you need to equip yourself with information about hormones, food, skin care products, dehydration, yeast and antibiotics.

By listening to your body you will find the long-term path to clearer skin.

what causes acne?

hormones

Rebalance these by:

Avoiding stress -- stress causes the over production of hormones
Use relaxation techniques, such as Yoga, T'ai Chi and deep breathing
Avoid caffeine -- caffeine stimulates hormone production
Exercise -- exercise rebalances hormones and reduces stress
Include the hormone balancing food maca in your diet

diet factors

Foods to avoid include:

Dairy products (milk, cheese, cream, yogurt etc)
Refined and cooked carbohydrates (flour, bread, rice, crisps and chips, sugar etc)
Cooked fats (fried food, hydrogenated oils, roasted nuts)
Meat (beef, pork, chicken, lamb etc)

All the above foods are acid-forming in the body. If you really want to get rid of acne, you need to eat more alkaline-forming foods -- fresh vegetables and fruit, nuts (sparingly) and seeds. The foods to avoid listed above also cause a sluggish digestive system. If food travels too slowly through the body, toxins build up and aren't carried away by the usual processes and are expelled via the skin, causing acne.

A diet without some of the staples you have become used to may sound scary, but it doesn't have to be. Clear Skin contains over 80 delicious recipes that benefit those with acne.

harsh skin care products

Ingredients to avoid:

Alcohol, isopropyl myristate, lanolin, sodium lauryl sulphate, sodium laureth sulphate, propylene glycol, mineral oil and parabens
Benzoyl peroxide

Don't be afraid of using oil in products. This can be the best thing for those wanting to get rid of acne -- using oils that mimic the skin's natural oils (coconut and jojoba) will rebalance the oil production of your skin. These oils won't block your pores. Use more of the following (these can be found in natural products in health food stores):

Tea tree oil -- antiseptic and antibacterial, great for existing infections
Lavender oil -- soothing and healing, great for accelerating healing of scars
Coconut oil -- look out for products that use this as a base. Can also be used on its own.
Jojoba oil -- look out for products that use this as a base

Exfoliate twice a week to get rid of dead skin cells
- Use natural products

dehydration

the yeast link

Avoid the following:

Sugary foods
Yeast products (bread, beer, yeast extract, soya sauce and mushrooms)

If you are taking antibiotics, or have taken them in the past, supplement with a good quality probiotic, such as Nature's Biotics.

antibiotics/probiotics

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2006-11-18T17:35:00.000-08:00

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