While there is no one cause of acne, several factors have been identified such as heredity, oily skin, and hormonal imbalance. In fact, most adolescents have acne because the sebaceous glands are stimulated by testosterone, a hormone secreted in greater amount during puberty. Acne is often seen in women near their menstrual cycle as progesterone levels decrease and estrogen levels increase. Other causes include birth control pills, food allergies, stress, poor nutrition, and toxicity from chronic exposure to small amounts of mercury from "silver fillings".
Royal Recommendations for Prevention and Treatment
1. Keep the face as clean and free from oil as possible by using a non-allergenic soap or lemon juice. a weak solution of Witch Hazel (1 teaspoonful to a pint of water) should be applied to the skin surface before retiring to bed. Simply soak a cloth in the solution and apply in the same manner as if you were washing your face.
2. Avoid common foods known to aggravate the condition such as alcohol, caffeine, milk, chocolate, sugar, and wheat. Dairy products such as milk, cheese, ice cream, and yogurt should be rotate out of the diet for at least one month (See “Food Allergies”). Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables--preferably raw, steamed, or baked but not fried.
3. Do not allow yourself to get constipated (See “Constipation”.) The bowel itself can be a source of toxicity. If stagnant, the body may attempt to eliminate toxins via the skin. For this reason, the skin is also known as “the second gut” or “the second kidney.” This can be avoided by increasing your fiber intake. Also consider coffee enemas and/or colon hydrotherapy.
4. Increase your water consumption.
5. Exercise regularly.
6. Avoid prescription medicines if possible as these tend to suppress acne. Antibiotics (e.g., Minocin) that are commonly used in the conventional treatment of acne may result in body flora imbalances and symptoms of yeast infection (See “Candidiasis”).
7. Girls should not use oil-based makeup, as this further clogs the skin pores. Non-oil-based cleansers, rouges and moisturizers are okay.
8. Consider hormonal imbalances. This may manifest as a hormonal deficiency or excess, which is a common byproduct of internal (e.g., adrenal glands--See “Stress”) and external (e.g., environmental pollutants) stress. In women, this may be first noticed by irregular menstrual cycles and/or menstrual-related symptoms (See “Premenstrual Syndrome”). This effect can be counteracted by natural sources of progesterone cream or gel. However, even natural hormones usually require a prescription from a health care provider. Nevertheless, they are not associated with the side effects so common in synthetic hormones and, provided you are not sensitive to the cream or gel medium, are safe enough to be applied directly to the face.
9. Supplements of Vitamin A, B-Complex, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Zinc, Chromium, and essential fatty acids (such as Primrose Oil) are all needed by the body to combat infections, reduce stress, aid in healing, and encourage healthy regeneration of the injured skin.
10. Herbal preparations from burdock root, dandelion, echinacea, goldenseal and Pau d'arco all combat infection and promote healing. These can be made in teas and combined or alternated daily.
11. Homeopathic remedies found to be helpful include: Sulphur (especially if pimples are red, raised, sore and worse with water), Kali Bromatum (useful in chronic acne), Calcarea Sulphurica (this occurs naturally in the liver and has a cleansing and purifying effect throughout the system), Pulsatilla (effective in women who are aggravated by heat and have no thirst), and Antimonium Crudum (especially if infected acne of the face is associated with digestive disturbances). The selected remedy can be taken in a low potency of 6X or 12X pellets or drops 3-4 X daily until an improvement in symptoms is noted.
12. Gentle skin detoxification through a medical spa with steam sauna, infrared sauna, and/or contrast shower.
Unless you do something to aid in the healing process, acne will often return again once medicine has been discontinued. To learn more about healing and health optimizing therapies, go to www.RoyalMedicalClinic.com or call ROYAL CENTER FOR ADVANCED MEDICINE at (702) 836-0961.