Pimples occur for a variety of different reasons. The most hated types however are the pimples caused by inflammation in the skin’s sebaceous (oil) glands. These cause the typical ‘white head’ pimples, also known as ‘miliums’, which are caused by an over-accumulation of sebum (natural oils and waxes) in the skin’s pores.
Another cause of white head pimples is the build-up of dead skin cells, effectively blocking the pores and causing the build-up of sebum.
Bacteria growth within pores is also a common reason pimples develop. Bacteria can cause the blockage of the sebum glands, and can also cause inflammation. In cases where bacteria are the cause, ‘popping’ a pimple often causes the offending bacteria to spread further, making the problem worse.
Consumption of a high amount of cooking oil is also a well-known cause of white head pimples. In this case, it causes the overproduction of oil within the sebaceous glands.
At times, a combination of all three major causes can be behind the development of pimples.
Teenagers often have the worst problem with pimples, as their body is maturing and a number of the bodies processes are changing, it is common for teenagers to experience pimples for multiple reasons, not solely due to the consumption of oils.
The reason people refer specifically to ‘teenage acne’ is because it is different to adult acne. Teenage acne is most often due to the sudden onset of hormone production and hormonal balancing, which often results in excessive sebum production.
The onset of periodic acne in adults is often not related to the same cause as teenage acne, however some people experience teenage levels of acne into adulthood. This can be due to a skin condition and should be evaluated by your doctor, who may refer you to a dermatologist to assist in finding the best way to reduce your acne, or try some topical ointments beforehand to see if you respond well to them.
For periodic acne however, most times it does not need treatment, and will have receded back into a normal skin condition over a week or so. If the break outs are periodic but severe, you may wish to approach your doctor about treatment.
Diet can also play a significant role in sudden onset of periodic acne.
The problem with excessive cooking oil consumption
Consuming foods with a highly available fat/oil content, such as deep fried food, results in the oil being directed to various parts of the body, for use either immediately as energy or for conversion into fat storage areas.
During the fat storage process, the hypodermic areas under the skin become the main place for new fat to be deposited. This coincidently is also the area the sebum glands for your skin’s pores are located. As new fat arrives, it is released and then stored. During this phase, the sebum glands can take up excessive amounts of oil, resulting in over production of sebum, and causing inflammation of the glands. The result of which is often either very oily skin and/or ‘white head’ pimples.
For both teenagers and adults, consuming food which has not been oil saturated can often be a good first line intervention to prevent pimples. As teenagers are more prone to pimples however, lowering the consumption of oil-saturated foods may not completely remedy the problem, but it will often reduce it.
Natural remedies to try for removing the inflammation which causes white head pimples
Natural remedies for pimples range from the fairly common to the unbelievable! Many people will often be quick to offer advice on natural ways to treat pimples, and while there are many home remedies used for pimple treatment, nothing 100% natural is known to have a consistently high success rate, in other words, natural remedies which work well for some people may not work for others.
Here are three of the most common natural methods for you to take a closer look at:
1: Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil application is a commonly used method for treating white head pimples. Application to the exact area of the pimple is often best, using a cotton bud.
Soluble tea tree oil contains a high amount of ethanol, which can dry out the skin. This can be both a good and bad thing for acne. The soluble version is absorbed a little easier into the skin, but can cause the skin to dry out and close up the pores even more. The ethanol can also cause the top layer of skin to die off, and could provoke acne further.
Pure tea tree oil isn’t absorbed as easily into the pores, but is a well-known topical anti-bacterial treatment. Some people report that application of tea tree oil makes their acne worse.
Pure tea tree oil can be mixed together with a little petroleum jelly to lower the amount of oil which will be delivered to the skin. You can then apply the petroleum jelly directly to the affected area by means of a small cotton bud. Avoid application using your fingers directly.
If you prefer not to use Petroleum jelly, you can make your own natural substitute using a mixture of 1 part beeswax to 4 parts olive oil, then placing it on the stove at very low heat, stirring constantly until it melts and combines, following this point you can add a small amount of tea tree oil, stir again and then remove from the heat to cool.
While tea tree oil can work for some people, it is not a proven method that will benefit everyone’s acne, and could cause further break outs for some people.
2: Aspirin
Also known as acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), aspirin was first discovered in the bark and leaves of the willow tree, and has become one of the most important drugs in western medicine. It can benefit acne by drying the pimple along with reducing the inflammation causing the pimple in the first place.
To use aspirin for pimples, place an aspirin tablet in a small container with a little water added. The aspirin tablet will begin to fall apart slowly. Add just enough water to turn the tablet into a paste, not a liquid. Once you have a paste, it can be applied directly to the skin area affected by the pimple. Leave it on for 2 minutes then wash off gently with soap and water. This process can be continued daily until the pimple is gone.
3: Apple Cider Vinegar
Vinegar, also known as acetic acid, is commonly produced from ethanol using a special bacteria. Leaving ethanol exposed to air also produces a small amount of vinegar.
Apple cider vinegar however is made as the name suggests, using lower grade apples in a traditional method used to make drinkable apple cider. This lower grade does not affect the quality of vinegar, but would not make the best drinkable apple cider. Fermentation of the apples removes the sugar content, and converts the sugar into primarily acetic acid. Apple cider vinegar also contains a significant amount of malic acid.
While acetic acid/vinegar is quite acidic and very hygroscopic (meaning it draws out moisture), malic acid acts as a mild antidote to these problems, as well as promoting hydration of the skin and countering some of the acidic effects. For acne treatment, use 50% Apple Cider Vinegar to 50% water, and apply using a cotton bud.
Have you found success using any other natural treatments? If so, please comment below with your advice!
Natural treatment options for common acne
Hiç yorum yok:
Yorum Gönder