Treating Acne Naturally
Alana Korol
September 13, 2022
Acne can be embarrassing at any age. Even just a small blemish can leave you feeling self-conscious and think that it’s all anyone notices when you see them. If you do suffer from acne, you'll try just about anything to get rid of it. This is why acne treatment is a multi-billion dollar industry. Unfortunately, most of the treatments on the market can be very costly, ineffective, and chock full of harsh chemicals leaving your skin dotted with dark spots, scars, and dry skin.
What is Acne?
The first thought is pimples. However, a person who has acne can have any of these other types of blemishes:
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Blackheads
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Whiteheads
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Papules
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Pustules (what we call pimples)
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Cysts
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Nodules
Acne can appear in many other areas other than the face. Such as on the back, chest, neck, shoulders, upper arms, and buttocks. Although the symptoms of acne are primarily cosmetic, it can cause some emotional and behavioral problems. People struggling with acute cases of acne can suffer from low self-esteem and severe depression. In a society when we are told to put our ‘best face forward’, it can be devastating and make it nearly impossible to want to be social when a breakout occurs.
What Causes Acne?
When pores in our skin clog, acne will appear. (Individuals with larger pores seem to be more susceptible to clogged pores.) Dead skin cells are generally the culprit to clogged pores. Dead skin cells will rise to the surface of a pore and the body sheds the cells.
Our skin produces a natural body oil called sebum, which helps to keep our skin from drying out. If the body produces too much sebum, dead skin cells can stick together inside the pore causing them to become trapped inside the pore. Bacteria that naturally live on the skin can also get inside a pore causing the pore to become inflamed (red and swollen). If the inflammation goes deep into the skin, an acne cyst or nodule appears.
Here are some other causes for acne breakouts:
Hormones can also cause acne, particularly in the teenage years. Puberty in preteens and teens will cause hormones to elevate, causing skin glands to produce more sebum.
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Pregnancy can also cause acne due to hormonal changes.
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Certain medications can cause acne.
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Certain foods that you may be sensitive to or allergic to can cause Acne and or Rosacea. Refined carbs, such as fructose, sugar, and grains -- will also increase inflammation in your body, which may trigger acne.
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Stress is another big trigger. Meditation can help with that. So get your "Ommmmm" on.
Acne Treatments, Drugs, and Therapies
There are many over the counter acne treatments readily available without a prescription. Unfortunately, many of these treatments don’t work very well and can dry the skin more which can make the situation even worse. There are a variety of treatments a doctor can prescribe which can be costly and can leave you with scars and dark spots. Most of these treatments contain harmful acids and or steroids and do have side effects, one of which can cause even more acne!
Some of the most common prescription treatments include:
Topical Prescription Treatments - Topical treatments may contain a retinoid, prescription-strength benzoyl peroxide, antibiotic, or salicylic acid, which can cause skin side effects such as redness and dryness. You may also be directed to wear sunscreen and limit sun exposure during use.
Oral Medication -
Antibiotics: Some doctors may prescribe oral antibiotics to kill bacteria and reduce inflammation. The problem with antibiotics is that they are generally over-prescribed and over time your body can eventually build resistance. They also cause their own host of unpleasant side effects such a digestive and stomach discomfort.
Combined oral contraceptives: Birth control pills and other hormone-related prescriptions may be prescribed to control acne producing hormones. The most common side effects of these drugs are headache, breast tenderness, nausea, weight gain, and breakthrough bleeding. A serious potential complication is a slightly increased risk of blood clots.
Isotretinoin - Oral isotretinoin is a very effective treatment but comes with very dangerous and harmful side effects and must be monitored very closely by a doctor. Side effects include ulcerative colitis, an increased risk of depression and suicide, and severe birth defects. Because of the serious risk of side effects with Isotretinoin, women of reproductive age must participate in a Food and Drug Administration-approved monitoring program to receive a prescription for the drug.
Procedures and Therapies - A doctor may recommend procedures and therapies such as light therapy, chemical peels, extraction and drainage of blackheads, whiteheads and acne cysts, or steroid injections. The side effects from some of these procedures include severe redness, blistering with chemical peels, skin discoloration, and scarring.
As much as you want to get rid of embarrassing and sometimes painful acne, some of the risks truly outweigh the benefits. They can also be extremely costly and insurance carriers may not cover treatments they deem as being cosmetic.
All-natural, safe, effective acne treatment
Fortunately, you can get relief from your acne with an all-natural, safe, and effective homeopathic treatment with Naturasil Acne Treatments. Unlike most common treatments, ours is a homeopathic remedy that promotes healthy, clear skin and assists in relieving the symptoms of acne, common acne, cystic acne, whiteheads, and blackheads.
It works to assist in the relief of the symptoms of acne without harsh chemicals or side effects found in many traditional methods by using Phosphoric acid (a more gentle acid used to balance out the pH in your skin) and natural plant extracts.