ACNE

1. A complete acne cure requires a holistic approach. One product alone will rarely resolve acne pimples or blemishes.  

Acne, zits and pimples are the end result of a complex systemic process which involves the whole body. See “What causes acne”. Common acne (acne vulgaris) which is the focus of these 10 tips is in fact very common and 3 of 4 teenagers will sufferer from it to varying degrees. The best treatments require a Holistic Approach involving;
1) lifestyle changes, 2) systemic therapy and/or supplements and 3) topical therapy.

2. Stick with your chosen regimen! Almost all acne cases can be cleared within a few weeks….but not overnight.

Once you start on our 10 Top Tips, expect to see some improvement after 3-4 days but full resolution and a clear complexion can take 3-4 weeks or more. So be patient and stick with your chosen lifestyle, systemic and topical regimen!  

3. Choose safe, gentle, natural products whenever possible and especially once your acne is under control.

Most teenagers with acne will remain acne prone for 5 to 6 years. (14 to early 20's). You don’t want to be using harsh or risky chemicals internally or topically all that time when safe, effective and natural alternatives are readily available. In some cases the stronger more aggressive topical products such as benzyl peroxide and rentenoids may be necessary for a short while but in most cases the holistic approach plus the gentler therapies such as the Derma Cleanse herbal acne system or the Dermapure Rx System or the DCL Acne System.

4. Lead a healthy lifestyle and manage your stress.

Most teenagers are acne prone because of the hormonal changes of puberty. Simple, healthy lifestyle changes can help maintain a better balance of hormones and help prevent acne at its source. Do an aerobic exercise every day for at least 45 minutes and make sure it is something you enjoy such a jogging or swimming. Exercise reduces stress which can cause hormonal spikes and suppress the immune system. If stress is part of your life due to school, exams, parents,your love life or anything else then get it under control! It's simpler than you may think. Breathing exercises, jogging, yoga and mantras are all surprisingly effective.

5. Drink plenty of water and eat the right foods.

Drink lots of water to ride you body of toxins. Don't eat spicy foods such as hot peppers and any other food that is known to stimulate hormonal secretions. In some people bread and other wheat based foods trigger bouts of acne. Coffee, sugar and alcohol consumption should be kept to a minimum. You may want to use a detoxifying food supplement such as Detox Drops that will ride you of toxins which can exacerbate the inflammation of acne.

6. Be careful to avoid acne scars which can be with you for the rest of your life.

Don't pick at your acne and when you cleanse massage your face gently with clean finger tips, not with your nails or a face cloth. It is the inflammation of acne which can lead to scars. Be sure to treat your acne with systemic and topical products that target inflammation and bacterial infection. The products and systems we propose here all have anti-inflammatory properties. If inflammation flares up you can also add products like Advil or Aleve for a while to your regimen until the redness subsides. Never pick at your black heads if there is any inflammation present. Even in the absence of inflammation you should avoid removing black heads more than once a week if at all. If you do remove your black heads use the tools you can purchase at your local pharmacy and only very gently. We recommend that you use DDF Pumice Acne Scrub immediately before removing black heads. Regular gentle use of this scrub as directed should be enough to keep black heads from reappearing.

7. Consult a dermatologist in more severe cases.  

If you have several cysts, painful nodules or many pustules with lots of inflammation you should see a dermatologist to get this under control using the stronger prescription medicines at his disposal. These prescription products although they can have serious side effects are usually very effective for managing severe acne. Once your acne is under control we do recommend that you revert back to a much more gentle yet effective holistic regimen including products such as Dermapure Rx Acne Formula or DCL Acne Healing System to minimize the risk of serious side effects while maintaining good control.

8. Wash frequently and gently with a very mild cleanser.  

Frequent washing of the face and hair is a key to success with acne. But you must use the right cleanser. One that is both gentle and that can remove sebum and germs on the skin and in the pores. Zenmed Facial Cleansing Gel and Dermapure Mild Cleansing Gel are both mild, natural cleansers which can bean important part of any good acne regimen. We can also recommend Cellex-C which is also gentle for every day use and can be most helpful in dislodging black heads. In all cases use your finger tips to thoroughly but gentle massage cleansers onto and into the skin for two full minutes. Oily hair and scalp contribute to your acne especially on the forehead. shampoo everyday with a gentle, residue free shampoo. We recommend DHS Shampoo which is formulated for acne prone skin.

9. Use natural, safe and effective systemic medicines to control the underlying causes of acne.

Treatments to your skin are important but do not address the underlying problem, hormonal imbalance Derma Cleanse Capsules or alternately DermaPure Rx Capsules along with simple lifestyle changes can help prevent hormonal spikes and imbalances and make your topical treatments all the more effective.

10. Choose a gentle topical acne gel to disinfect, exfoliate and prevent inflammation between washings.

Benzyl peroxide gels are very popular and quite effective for many cases but should be avoided because of their stinging, drying side effects. Equally effective product which are far more in tune with your skin are readily available. The three gels we would look at first are; ClearSkin-A Acne Gel or Zenmed Acne Gel or DCL Alpha Beta Acne Gel. This last one is particularly good at controlling black heads but perhaps a little more aggressive to the skin.

 

The commentary on this web site is researched and based upon the writings and opinions of medical doctors, nutritionists, herbalists and other health and wellness experts as well as upon the experiences of others who have suffered from acne. Nevertheless, it is not meant to replace in any way the advice you can get from your medical practitioner. Please consult your physician with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health. You and your doctor can then determine together if any of the advice found here constitutes a suitable therapy or adjunctive therapy in your particular circumstances.