ACNE

What is it?
Acne is also referred to as ‘acne vulgaris’ and it manifests as white heads, blackheads, papules,
pustules and deep cysts predominantly on the face or upper back and chest. Acne vulgaris originates in ‘pilosebaceous units’ in the skin, each unit consisting of a sebaceous gland, hair follicle, follicular canal and keratinocytes (cells which line the follicle). The sebaceous gland manufactures an oily substance called ‘sebum’ that empties onto the skin surface through the opening of the follicle – a pore. The sebum lubricates the hair and skin and helps the skin retain
moisture.

Symptoms
Acne occurs when the hair, sebum and keratinocytes block the skin pore, and the sebum builds up beneath the surface and causes a ‘white head’. If the sebum is exposed to air but still stuck in the pore it becomes a ‘blackhead’.

The mixture of sebum and cells allows bacteria to grow which in turn attracts white blood cells that cause inflammation. When the wall of the plugged follicle breaks down, it spills everything (ie sebum, dead skin cells and bacteria) into nearby skin leading to pimples.

Why it happens?
Current thinking suggests that the causes of acne may include:

• Hormones – the male sex hormone ‘androgen’ increases the size of sebaceous glands, sebum secretion and keratin production. Androgens increase in both sexes during puberty. Other hormonal changes may relate to starting or stopping the contraceptive pill or may occur just before a menstrual period (premenstrual). Acne that begins outside puberty may indicate a disorder of the endocrine system.
  
• Genetics – there is a school of belief that says if other members of an individual’s family had acne as teenagers, there is a chance that there will be an inherited tendency towards the condition.

From a naturopath’s perspective, acne is related to food sensitivities and a build up of toxins due to poor elimination from the liver. Therefore many naturopathic treatments for acne focus on strengthening liver function and reducing or eliminating ingredients that aggravate your acne. The liver purifies the blood removing toxins and hormones that aggravate acne.

It is also recognised that there are several factors that may make acne worse and should therefore be avoided:

• Squeezing pimples ~ which forces sebum into the surrounding normal skin, causing redness and swelling
  
• Harsh scrubbing or rubbing of skin ~ which irritates the skin
  
• Certain cosmetics that are comedogenic (promote acne)
  
• Some medications ~ such as steroids and lithium
  
• Emotional stress and nervous tension ~ a recent study found that acne severity correlated with increasing emotional stress.

What natural therapies can help?

Vitamin A – is important for maintenance of epithelial tissue, which covers the external surface of your body – your skin.

Zinc – helps heal acne blemishes, reduces inflammation and may help reduce sebum
production. If you are zinc deficient, your vitamin A levels may not be too crash hot either. Zinc is required in the liver for synthesis of retinol binding protein and without adequate zinc, vitamin A also suffers.

Vitamin E and selenium – increase glutathione peroxidase, an enzyme that prevents inflammation of the hair follicle.

Probiotics – normal flora also helps absorb nutrients. Naturopaths believe if the digestive system isn’t in balance this can lead to food sensitivities and decrease your body’s ability to heal.

B group vitamins – help support the nervous system, skin and aid proper digestion.