Acne Causes and Alternative Treatments

Acne and spots have caused misery for teenagers, and often adults, for centuries. The key causes of acne and blemished skin is overactive sebaceous glands and blocked pores.

Blocked follicles or pores happen when natural oil or sebum mixes with dead epidermis cells. This plugs the opening. Often, bacteria multiplies when the zit is touched with a not so clean finger.

Inflammation causes the blemish to swell and surrounding skin reddens. If you are able to ease inflammation the blemish is not as unpleasant and heals quicker.

Not all marks become blemishes or whiteheads. Pus is a hint that bacteria has entered the skin. It is most vital that pimples not be squeezed especially when forming. Surrounding cell walls rupture very easily and bacteria spreads below the skin surface and creates more blemishes.

When a zit has a noticeable head, a clean gauze dunked in very warm water can be applied. The majority of the time, the pus will erupt and empty. An easy germ killer like hydrogen peroxide applied on a cotton tip works very well to finish the pimple. Use the peroxide only on the blemish, not on the encompassing good skin. Salt water is another alternative for sanitising.

Hormones have a tendency to cause the overproduction of sebum and frequently this oil is reasonably thick which again is a reason for blocked pores. The teen years are the worst for this.

Sugar foods also increase pimples together with alcohol and junk food piled high with trans fats and sugar.

Products used to heal acne and blemishes include those formulated with salicylic acid, Benzyl peroxide, glycolic acid and witch hazel. These ingredients can be quite harsh and cause the skin to dry out quite badly.

Alternative Natural Acne treatment gels and lotions are available and can include a naturally derived active constituent called ac net ™, Vitamin A, Vitamin B3 (AKA niacin or Nicotinamide), and MSM powder.

In more severe cases of acne prescription creams and gels are utilized. Vitamin A or tretinoin creams are formulated in 3 strengths and are extremely impressive. Antibiotic gels are also available from a medical practitioner.

Irene McDonald is a developer of Natural Skin Care products in Australia. Important lotions include Natural Acne Treatment to help the many people who suffer from pimples and acne.