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Acne starts when greasy secretions from the skin's sevaceous glands plug up the tiny openings for hair follicles. If the openings are large, the clogs take the form of blackheads which are small flat spots with centers darkened by air exposure. If the opening stays small, the clogs take the form of white heads which are small closed flesh-colored bumps. Both types of pimple can develop into swollen tender inflammations.
Acne commonly starts during puberty and tends to be worse in people with oily skin. Acne is most commonly found on the face but can also occur on the neck, chest, back, shoulders, scalp, upper arms and legs. Some forms of acne neonatorum and acne infantum occasionally affect newborns and infants usually boys. A pimple like rash appears on the face. Usually clears up with in weeks with no lasting effect. Some factors of acne are a family history of acne, stress and use of contraceptives or corticosteroids. In some cases the outbreaks are allergic reaction to cosmetics or foods, while others are linked to menstruation.
While poor hygiene, poor diet and stress can aggravate acne, they do not cause it. Some causes are hormones; at the increase of hormone production and bacteria; excess sebum and keratin clog the openings to hair follicles. Bacteria grows in these clogged follicles. This makes blackheads or whiteheads form on the skin's surface which is called non-inflammartory acne. Sometimes the follicle wall breaks under the pressure of this build up which results in the sebum leaking into nearby tissue and forms a pustule which is called inflammatory acne. If pustules become infected, this infection can create cysts. Ruptured cysts can cause temporary or permanent scars.
Symptoms of acne are persistent, recurrent red spots, swelling on the skin (known as pimples). These swellings may become inflamed and fill with pus. Typically they appear on the face, chest, shoulders, neck or upper portion of the back. Dark spots with opening pores at the center are blackheads. Spots that bulge under the skin and have no opening are whiteheads. Red welling or lumps, sometimes visibly filled with pus, are pustules, which develop from blackheads or whiteheads. Cysts are inflamed, fluid filled lumps under the skin. These nodules may become as large as an inch across.
Dr. Jerome K. Fisher conducted a clinical study of 1,088 teenage patients over 10 years and reported to the American Dermatological Association that milk was a principal contributor to some patients' acne. Dr. Fisher found that their acne tapered off as their milk consumption was reduced. Dr. Fisher noted that dairy products often contain large amounts of butterfat and milk sugar, both of which, he believed, aggravate acne. He also suspected that the hormones produced naturally in the milk of pregnant cows may break down into androgen when consumed, which stimulates the production of sebum, the waxy substance secreted by the sebaceous glands that clogs pores and creates acne when the pores become infected. Milk may also contain excessive amounts of iodine, which can irritate pores, bringing on acne flare-ups. Iodine gets into the milk through the use of contaminated milking equipment and medication given to the cows.
Grapefruit Seed Extract
Grapefruit seed extract's astringency dries up glandular secretions (sebum) thus reducing breeding opportunities for bacteria and keeps pores from clogging with it's cleaning action. Grapefruit seed extract leaves your face feeling very clean and refreshed.
Acne: Add (?) drops of grapefruit seed extract to your regular liquid cleaner makes a superior solution. Or make a facial cleaner by mixing (?) drops grapefruit seed extract with 1/4-cup olive, sesame, avocado, almond or vegetable oil and rub into affected area. Twice daily.
