| There are several factors that contribute to | | | | said diet was a factor. Then, they said it was not. |
| severe acne, including family history and genetics. | | | | Now, most of them say that it might be. |
| Because the causes are numerous, finding a cure | | | | The changes in the viewpoint are mostly due to |
| can be complicated. | | | | how much more we know about what causes |
| Most conventional treatments address only one or | | | | inflammation throughout the body and what we |
| two of the causes, rather than all of them. Family | | | | can do to keep it from becoming chronic. Some |
| history and genetics are currently the only causes | | | | native communities have no acne. While that may |
| that cannot be addressed with natural treatments. | | | | be because their genes are different, it could also |
| Hormones are often blamed for the initial | | | | be because their diets are different. |
| occurrence of acne. The condition does not | | | | If you have severe acne, it makes sense to do |
| normally affect children, although there are some | | | | everything that you can; everything that |
| conditions that are similar, such as allergic | | | | researchers believe will be effective. Researchers |
| reactions to chlorine or other toxins. | | | | know that there are foods which contribute to |
| As hormonal activity and production increases | | | | inflammation and others that have natural |
| during puberty, the first acne breakouts are often | | | | anti-inflammatory activity. |
| seen. Hormones that are believed to play a role in | | | | If you're a teenager, you might not want to hear |
| acne include testosterone, dihydrotestosterone | | | | it, but junk food is your enemy. Fruits, vegetables, |
| and insulin-like growth factor 1. Interestingly, these | | | | fish and whole grains like wild rice are your friends. |
| hormones are often blamed for male pattern | | | | Dietary supplements containing beta-carotene and |
| baldness, too. | | | | alpha-tocopherol may be beneficial. Omega-3 fish |
| Assuming that you are not taking steroids or | | | | oil supplements can help, too, as they reduce |
| drugs, hormones probably play a role in your | | | | inflammation. |
| problem. But, inflammation of the sebaceous gland | | | | It is important to use good skincare products. |
| and overproduction of the P. acnes bacteria are | | | | Your cleansers should be sulfur-based, rather than |
| the actual causes of a blemish. | | | | detergent-based. The pH level created by the |
| Inflammation occurs as a normal function of the | | | | sulfur helps to keep the P. acnes bacteria under |
| immune system. It can be aggravated by | | | | control. |
| pinching, squeezing or scratching an existing | | | | After cleansing, a lotion containing tea tree oil will |
| blemish. So, the first step is to treat your skin | | | | further reduce the number of bacteria on the |
| gently in order to avoid aggravating the | | | | skin. If your skin feels dry or looks flaky, don't be |
| inflammation, spreading the bacteria and causing | | | | afraid to use a moisturizer, but choose one that |
| more pimples to form. | | | | contains natural plant oils, like grape seed oil. |
| The second step may be to change your diet. | | | | The combined approach of dietary improvements |
| Although dietary changes will not make a huge | | | | and the use of good skincare products should |
| difference right away, they could be the actual | | | | improve the symptoms of severe acne and |
| long-term cure for the problem. | | | | reduce the number of breakouts. We call it a |
| The viewpoint of the mainstream medical | | | | treatment, but you might think of it as a cure. |
| community has fluctuated over time. At first they | | | | |