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Nano 'Bombs' Filled With Lauric Acid To Fight Acne

So, vitamins. The sad truth is that most of us are deficient in vitamins and minerals. I found a statistic that says that just 9 to 32 per cent of Americans eat the recommended three to five servings of vegetables every day. And that is really poor nutrition. I flog this point because nutrition and diet are key elements in combating acne, because other than vitamin pills, food is where you get your vitamins.

Which vitamins help prevent acne to the greatest acne? Well, Vitamin A strengthens the protective tissue of the skin, and you know what that means. You also ought to know that a Vitamin A deficiency can actually cause acne. Vitamins B (1, 2, 3, 5 & 6) play a huge role in reducing anxiety and stress, which as we know are major contributors to acne. But all the B vitamins need to be taken together to be effective. Vitamins C and E are antioxidants that aid tissue growth and repair. Vitamin C also protects against infection and enhances immunity.

Still wondering about the multi-vitamin pills?

Yes, we have heard of recent research (I assume you have) that has isolated the genome sequence of the acne-causing bacteria P. Acnes, which provides some hope that a definitive treatment for acne may be discovered in future. As of now, however, most dermatologists still use a combination of treatments to control acne, depending on its severity, and then pray for it to fade away on its own like the rest of us ordinary mortals, I guess.

Since the skin acts as the outlet for the maximum number of toxins residing in our body, keeping the skin healthy and detoxified would still appear to be our best bet in the battle against acne. To be fair, a combination of treatments can usually reduce the amount and severity of acne in most cases. However, the most effective treatments tend also to have the greatest side effects and so a dermatologist’s advice is crucial. So the next time a ‘friend’ suggests a cure for acne, you know what to say!

Essentially, LASER (I keep writing this in all caps because LASER stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation) therapy for acne involves the use of a ‘yellow light’ to kill the acne-causing bacteria. What this yellow light does is react to a chemical called porphorine found in the bacteria to produce oxygen, which destroys the critters. Best of all, LASER therapy helps produce collagen, which prevents scarring from acute acne.

So far so good, but the catch is that researchers around the world have been reporting mixed findings on using LASER therapy for acne. The process was initially used as an anti-ageing treatment in the USA, until doctors discovered that it also acted as an effective cure for acne. In the UK, too, the initial reports were positive. But doctors from the University of Michigan Medical School, who have conducted recent research on the subject, have said that there is need for more research into the therapy.

I think this statement from a representative of the UK Acne Support Group sums it up best: “We would advise patients and their families to explore the options fully before having this treatment.”

The bottom line seems to be that though LASER therapy could be a powerful new weapon in the war against acne, we simply do not know too much about it. No one seems to have an answer to a basic question like ‘If the light is strong enough to kill bacteria, does it harm my body as well?’

Besides, it is far more expensive than other options, which is perhaps justified by the results, but I feel the jury is still out.

To go over the basics once more, acne is caused by the actions of the male hormone androgen on oil glands that enlarge and become increasingly sensitive, producing excessive oil and leading to clogging of pores. That in turn causes white heads and blackheads, which, with the help of acne bacteria (P. Acnes), inflame to become ugly red pimples and pustules.

It has been discovered that anti-testosterones in combination with estrogens significantly reduce androgenic hormone levels. A casual chat with your dermatologist or physician ought to give you more details.

Allied to this process is the direct injecting of cortisone into particularly large acne pustules, which basically flattens it and thus reduces both the redness and the swelling. You may experience a slight whitening of the area around the injection point, but that’s about it.

I know for a fact that hormonal treatment for acne has benefited several of my friends, and I would recommend it to the ladies out there. Let us know how you get on, eh?

The case that springs most readily to mind is that of Ramona, the girlfriend of one of my closest friends, who used to obsessively wash her face because she imagined that it would make her acne better. As night follows day, however, not only did her acne NOT get better, it actually got worse. By the time she managed to dump her obsession, Ramona had acquired pustules that have left permanent scars, though she no longer has acne.

So tread carefully with dry skin and acne. The trick is to remember that excessively dry skin tends to become flaky, with the result that your skin cells start to peel off. And then clog your pores. See what I’m getting at? The basic point about acne is that it develops as a result of clogged skin pores that trap dirt and other debris.

Unfortunately, as long as people equate dryness with cleanliness, dry skin acne will persist. Whether your skin is dirt-free is far more important than whether it is oily or dry. So concentrate on cleanliness, and keep your skin moisturized as and when required. Don’t smear it with gobs of oil-based moisturizer, but just choose a nice water-based moisturizer to do the trick.

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New Techniques for Acne Treatment Emerging

Link:
New Consumer-Focused Acne Treatment Website Launches (PRWeb via Yahoo! News)

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Acne information on the Morning Show (FOX 28 South Bend)

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Nuvilex, Inc.'s Marketing Partner, CK41 to Launch purEffect(TM) in May (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)