Breaking Through Myths: All acne is not the same
Just know that in the case of acne (especially cystic acne) there is no one right answer or cause. This site was created to allow you to become informed about your acne and make an informed decision about the best acne treatment plan for you whether it be naturally or chemically. It's true that information is power. By learning the information here within you will be able to form a natural acne remedy or acne treatment plan that will not only help temporarily but arm you with the tools to keep your skin acne free for life. Whether you have smaller pimples or cystic acne, there is help for you-naturally.
You may or may not know this but there are quite a few different forms of acne conditions out there. That explains the different characteristics and looks of various acne from cystic to non cystic pimples. Let's start off by squashing the myth that your acne is from dirty skin, assuming you are a cystic acne sufferer. That is only a sad half truth. OTCs or over-the-counter product makers will try to tell you that the reason you are breaking out is because you have too much dirt and oil on your skin so they make products to dry up that oil which in turn dries out your skin! It doesn't work. Now, not only are you left with the acne you always had, but now you have red, irritated, dry skin to boot! Not only that, I love how it helps perpetuate the stigma that acne sufferers have acne because they are not clean. So not true! Then you are cast to the corner of shame. It can definitely deflate any confidence you had in your looks. Not good. Actually scrubbing and over washing your skin excessively can cause more damage as this is not the cause of your cystic acne and you would only be further irritating the source. Remember not to do this especially if you have cystic acne!
Myths: Looking at dirt & diet
Dirt. You may or may not be surprised on how much misinformation is out there and what many people believe the cause of cystic acne is. Many think that it's just a matter of not taking enough showers or properly clean -in other words poor hygiene. The acne sufferer is dirty -or so it is thought. While there is a small minority that also have a problem with hygiene, the vast majority of people with acne actually wash there face much more than the average person and may have average to superior hygiene practices because they are working harder to get rid of it, not make it worse.There are some acne that are a result of improper cleaning habits or due to poor hygiene but that is rarely the case. Acne is a skin disease, not result of something as simple as clogged pores. Acne, especially cystic acne is a signal from your body that something is not right. Dirt and bacteria can linger on the surface of the skin but it is usually a result of what is being pushed out from the inside not the other way around. It does not cause cystic acne but is the result.
Diet. Some people think that it's caused by eating greasy foods, chips and junk food. This is actually only half true and I'll explain why. Think about this, if that were true COMPLETELY why doesn't everyone who eats junk food regularly have acne? There are obese people who eat fast food and sodas in triple numbers who have absolutely no acne or cystic acne. It is just not a problem for them. That does not mean it is not affecting them in some other adverse way. However, I'm not saying that fast food can't have detrimental effects on the body, it can. According to Media Monitors Network, over 60% of Americans live on high fat diets and do little to no exercise outside of occasional walking. I personally know persons who never ate vegetables through high school, lived on Pepsi, lived on fast food and greasy cheese fries and burgers just about every day for lunch and dinner and for breakfast on weekends, yet face stayed clear and smooth always. Truth of the matter is we all have different inside in how our bodies get rid of toxins. Some have stronger systems than others, but weaker factors in other areas. There is one thing that a regular junk food diet does to all people and it contributes to slow deterioration of the organs. Whether it is seen now, or in the long term the damage is being done each time you put packaged chemicals in your mouth. Other things you should understand to get rid of acne fast below.
Did you Know?
Did you know that your skin is actually considered an organ? It is most definitely the largest organ on your body. Many times the problem that is reflected in the skin is an indication of what is not well inside. While different types of acne is indicative of different types of problems the more severe cystic acne usually has to do with toxin overload. You may try a detox program and wonder why the acne has maybe gotten better but not completely left. There are two answers to this question. 1) It took a while for the body to build up all the toxins from junk food and other preservatives ingested so it will take some time to restore the body to a better condition and 2) once the internal problem has been made better, there is still the active bacteria living on the face that needs to be destroyed.
Did you know that when there is an overload of toxins and hormonal output into the face which causes increased sebum secretion(a sticky oily substance produced from our glands) that this can be a breeding ground for common bacteria to grow such as staphylococcus aureus bacteria. If you've tried OTC products to no avail, you are not alone. This type (acne vulgaris or cystic nodule type cystic acne) does not respond to these chemical treatments. There are only a handful of things that treat and rid the face of this type of live bacteria. In order to clear your skin it is important you find out exactly why you are breaking out. Is it an infection? Diet? Stress? Later we will look at a few different types of skin infections that plague more people than you think. Once you find out what type of acne you have and why it is you are breaking out, you can help your doctor come up with a plan of treatment or cure yourself as I did. Now that you I have armed you with a few of the reasons you may have acne, lets work on a cure. Below are a series of questions you should be asking yourself to begin finding a cure and make necessary changes.
Don't be fooled
When you are listening to these infomercials and commercials trying to sell you some 'pie in the sky' story of how severe cystic acne miraculously got healed, you have to be skeptical. You have to listen if they address the root causes or are they focusing on the surface. Do they carefully explain why their product works? Does it sound too good to be true? It usually is. The simple problem of having dirt caused by too much sebum production or skin oils does affect some, but it puts that type of acne sufferer in a different class of acne. That type of acne produces small whiteheads or blackheads. That is merely from a pore surface being clogged. That type of acne is relatively simply and easier to cure.
Acne Types
Now, if you are the larger majority which suffer from cystic acne or papules, then the over the counter products sold in most stores have no remedy for you. See, there research stops short at only the simple symptom, not the cause. Cystic acne is a breakdown of the follicles at the root of your skin which can cause a deeper inflammation that produces a larger redder bump(s). That type of acne needs to be handled all together differently. First we are going to talk about some of the types of acne you may have and then we are going to talk about some of the causes. See if this sounds like something you may be experiencing. Let's talk about a few types of acne conditions:
Cystic/Nodular
Cysts tend to be soft fluid filled lumps that are painful and form under the skin. Hard painful lumps that form under the skin are referred to as Nodular acne. One can have one or both types on their face simultaneously. Many times the lumps under the skin will be hard and have fluid lumps that form on top of the nodular lump on the surface of the skin that are fluid.
Folliculitis
This type of acne often looks like regular acne or may look like acne rosacea. It is also referred to as Barber's itch. It is common in males who shave. This type is caused by a rupturing of the hair follicles. Once this happens, the ruptured follicles can become vulnerable staph bacteria and inflame the area. Common areas where this can occur aside from the face is on the groin, back, and leg areas.
Hormonal/Imbalances
First of all let's look at what a hormone is. Many people throw this term around without fully knowing its function or purpose. A hormone is a natural chemical secreted by tissues and organs produced in one location to help regulate functions in the body. One it is secreted into the blood stream it can be used by other target organs and systems, and later metabolized slowly. So its function is to be used and then discarded. The hormones control the target organs.
There are a plethora of reason why changes might naturally or unnaturally occur in the way that body systems are controlled. Some triggers could be unusual stress, abuse, less than healthy environment, deep emotional feelings, bad diet and age. Some target tissues become less sensitive to their controlling hormone. The amount of hormones produced may also change. This amount can increase or decrease depending on several factors. Blood levels of some hormones increase, some decrease, and some are unchanged. Excessive hormone output will undoubtedly cause cystic acne. But many believe that treating the cystic hormonal acne as just an excess of hormones is wrong. The body is only able to get rid of so many natural hormones. But it is the cause of that excess that is the root of the problem. Whatever it can't discard quick enough unfortunately many times goes straight to the skin, the largest organ. That much is true. Clogged organs can be another reason for excessive hormonal waste output. That will result in cystic acne or cystic pimples
Many doctors have diagnosed hormonal skin disorders then attempt to stop the hormone producing tissues or neutralize them by putting patients on drugs without getting to the root cause. But your body is outputting extra hormones for a reason it is signaling you for help, not to tell you to turn this function off, which drugs will do. If you have hormonal acne in specific areas of your face such as jawline, or hairline then being diagnosed with hormonal acne is not the end all solution. In fact, it is the beginning. Your body has signaled you that there is a great imbalance that has taken place. As mentioned above, our skin is the largest organ we have. The question of WHY your body is outputting more hormones than the body can take is what we should be asking. Hormonal acne is a sign that there is an imbalance in the body that must be addressed. This particular acne is especially responsive to diet changes and mild skin treatments. Once balance is restored to the body, the excess hormonal output will cease.Your skin will thank you and return to normal.
Papules
Papules are usually formed on the outer surface of the skin as opposed to under as with cystic acne. They are identified as pink or tiny red lesions. Often flesh colored. They can also be white and yellow with red skin surrounding it. This can occur anywhere on the skin, but notablly on the face.
Pustules
Pustules are fluid filled bumps formed on the surface of the skin. This type of acne is caused by certain bacterias.
Staph Causing Boils
Boils, also known as furuncles is a skin infection that involves the entire hair follicle and nearby skin tissues. A boil or furuncle may start off as a nodule. It can spread to other parts of the skin or join with another boil on the skin and increase in size. Once the follicle has been ruptured this allows surface skin bacteria or fungi to go into the deep recess of the skin tissue and cause serious damage. These rarely ever drain on their own. For this type of infection draining the boil is necessary. Of course do not do this on your own! By no means, instead see a dermatologist who can do this with sterile utensils in a sterile environment. If you try it yourself you will regret it as you will worsen the situation. Let a trained professional help you!
What type of acne do I suffer from?
Remember, no two acne sufferers are alike. The type of cystic acne you suffer from and the reasons you may suffer will differ greatly from one person to the next. As the video on the Home page pointed out, the type of acne you have will point to the underlying cause for the breakout. A doctor can help you diagnose your particular type of acne. You may also have the bacteria on your face analyzed. They can specifically tell you the types of fungus or bacteria that is living on your face causing the acne. Be sure to request this from your local doctor or medical laboratory. The medical lab will provide a one-time single test for you independently for a fee. You can use this report to present to your doctor if your doctor or hospital does not have a lab that they use regularly or one they can recommend. If you are in California, there are many to choose from.
So what's the cause?
Don't be surprised if your doctor is as baffled as many professional dermatologists and doctors alike are when it comes to acne. If they are sincere in helping you it can be a good things. However, if the doctor doesn't seem to have your interest nor the knowledge necessary to treat you, keep looking. Many will pump you full of prescriptions and send you on your way. That is never the answer and only wastes your time. There are different factors as mentioned above that can be single or joint causes to the problem of aggressive acne or acne vulgaris. Its also possible to have different types of acne on different part of your face at one time. Which is why certain parts respond to treatment and other areas don't. Everyone's skin and acne is different. There is no one acne cure-all solution. Everyone has different skin conditions, hereditary factors, lifestyle, etc. It would be to your benefit to learn as much as you can about your skin and how it works as well as common causes of acne. Hopefully, this site has helped you in that journey.
Step 1: Finding the cure.
These are questions that you should ask yourself:
You may or may not know this but there are quite a few different forms of acne conditions out there. That explains the different characteristics and looks of various acne from cystic to non cystic pimples. Let's start off by squashing the myth that your acne is from dirty skin, assuming you are a cystic acne sufferer. That is only a sad half truth. OTCs or over-the-counter product makers will try to tell you that the reason you are breaking out is because you have too much dirt and oil on your skin so they make products to dry up that oil which in turn dries out your skin! It doesn't work. Now, not only are you left with the acne you always had, but now you have red, irritated, dry skin to boot! Not only that, I love how it helps perpetuate the stigma that acne sufferers have acne because they are not clean. So not true! Then you are cast to the corner of shame. It can definitely deflate any confidence you had in your looks. Not good. Actually scrubbing and over washing your skin excessively can cause more damage as this is not the cause of your cystic acne and you would only be further irritating the source. Remember not to do this especially if you have cystic acne!
Myths: Looking at dirt & diet
Dirt. You may or may not be surprised on how much misinformation is out there and what many people believe the cause of cystic acne is. Many think that it's just a matter of not taking enough showers or properly clean -in other words poor hygiene. The acne sufferer is dirty -or so it is thought. While there is a small minority that also have a problem with hygiene, the vast majority of people with acne actually wash there face much more than the average person and may have average to superior hygiene practices because they are working harder to get rid of it, not make it worse.There are some acne that are a result of improper cleaning habits or due to poor hygiene but that is rarely the case. Acne is a skin disease, not result of something as simple as clogged pores. Acne, especially cystic acne is a signal from your body that something is not right. Dirt and bacteria can linger on the surface of the skin but it is usually a result of what is being pushed out from the inside not the other way around. It does not cause cystic acne but is the result.
Diet. Some people think that it's caused by eating greasy foods, chips and junk food. This is actually only half true and I'll explain why. Think about this, if that were true COMPLETELY why doesn't everyone who eats junk food regularly have acne? There are obese people who eat fast food and sodas in triple numbers who have absolutely no acne or cystic acne. It is just not a problem for them. That does not mean it is not affecting them in some other adverse way. However, I'm not saying that fast food can't have detrimental effects on the body, it can. According to Media Monitors Network, over 60% of Americans live on high fat diets and do little to no exercise outside of occasional walking. I personally know persons who never ate vegetables through high school, lived on Pepsi, lived on fast food and greasy cheese fries and burgers just about every day for lunch and dinner and for breakfast on weekends, yet face stayed clear and smooth always. Truth of the matter is we all have different inside in how our bodies get rid of toxins. Some have stronger systems than others, but weaker factors in other areas. There is one thing that a regular junk food diet does to all people and it contributes to slow deterioration of the organs. Whether it is seen now, or in the long term the damage is being done each time you put packaged chemicals in your mouth. Other things you should understand to get rid of acne fast below.
Did you Know?
Did you know that your skin is actually considered an organ? It is most definitely the largest organ on your body. Many times the problem that is reflected in the skin is an indication of what is not well inside. While different types of acne is indicative of different types of problems the more severe cystic acne usually has to do with toxin overload. You may try a detox program and wonder why the acne has maybe gotten better but not completely left. There are two answers to this question. 1) It took a while for the body to build up all the toxins from junk food and other preservatives ingested so it will take some time to restore the body to a better condition and 2) once the internal problem has been made better, there is still the active bacteria living on the face that needs to be destroyed.
Did you know that when there is an overload of toxins and hormonal output into the face which causes increased sebum secretion(a sticky oily substance produced from our glands) that this can be a breeding ground for common bacteria to grow such as staphylococcus aureus bacteria. If you've tried OTC products to no avail, you are not alone. This type (acne vulgaris or cystic nodule type cystic acne) does not respond to these chemical treatments. There are only a handful of things that treat and rid the face of this type of live bacteria. In order to clear your skin it is important you find out exactly why you are breaking out. Is it an infection? Diet? Stress? Later we will look at a few different types of skin infections that plague more people than you think. Once you find out what type of acne you have and why it is you are breaking out, you can help your doctor come up with a plan of treatment or cure yourself as I did. Now that you I have armed you with a few of the reasons you may have acne, lets work on a cure. Below are a series of questions you should be asking yourself to begin finding a cure and make necessary changes.
Don't be fooled
When you are listening to these infomercials and commercials trying to sell you some 'pie in the sky' story of how severe cystic acne miraculously got healed, you have to be skeptical. You have to listen if they address the root causes or are they focusing on the surface. Do they carefully explain why their product works? Does it sound too good to be true? It usually is. The simple problem of having dirt caused by too much sebum production or skin oils does affect some, but it puts that type of acne sufferer in a different class of acne. That type of acne produces small whiteheads or blackheads. That is merely from a pore surface being clogged. That type of acne is relatively simply and easier to cure.
Acne Types
Now, if you are the larger majority which suffer from cystic acne or papules, then the over the counter products sold in most stores have no remedy for you. See, there research stops short at only the simple symptom, not the cause. Cystic acne is a breakdown of the follicles at the root of your skin which can cause a deeper inflammation that produces a larger redder bump(s). That type of acne needs to be handled all together differently. First we are going to talk about some of the types of acne you may have and then we are going to talk about some of the causes. See if this sounds like something you may be experiencing. Let's talk about a few types of acne conditions:
Cystic/Nodular
Cysts tend to be soft fluid filled lumps that are painful and form under the skin. Hard painful lumps that form under the skin are referred to as Nodular acne. One can have one or both types on their face simultaneously. Many times the lumps under the skin will be hard and have fluid lumps that form on top of the nodular lump on the surface of the skin that are fluid.
Folliculitis
This type of acne often looks like regular acne or may look like acne rosacea. It is also referred to as Barber's itch. It is common in males who shave. This type is caused by a rupturing of the hair follicles. Once this happens, the ruptured follicles can become vulnerable staph bacteria and inflame the area. Common areas where this can occur aside from the face is on the groin, back, and leg areas.
Hormonal/Imbalances
First of all let's look at what a hormone is. Many people throw this term around without fully knowing its function or purpose. A hormone is a natural chemical secreted by tissues and organs produced in one location to help regulate functions in the body. One it is secreted into the blood stream it can be used by other target organs and systems, and later metabolized slowly. So its function is to be used and then discarded. The hormones control the target organs.
There are a plethora of reason why changes might naturally or unnaturally occur in the way that body systems are controlled. Some triggers could be unusual stress, abuse, less than healthy environment, deep emotional feelings, bad diet and age. Some target tissues become less sensitive to their controlling hormone. The amount of hormones produced may also change. This amount can increase or decrease depending on several factors. Blood levels of some hormones increase, some decrease, and some are unchanged. Excessive hormone output will undoubtedly cause cystic acne. But many believe that treating the cystic hormonal acne as just an excess of hormones is wrong. The body is only able to get rid of so many natural hormones. But it is the cause of that excess that is the root of the problem. Whatever it can't discard quick enough unfortunately many times goes straight to the skin, the largest organ. That much is true. Clogged organs can be another reason for excessive hormonal waste output. That will result in cystic acne or cystic pimples
Many doctors have diagnosed hormonal skin disorders then attempt to stop the hormone producing tissues or neutralize them by putting patients on drugs without getting to the root cause. But your body is outputting extra hormones for a reason it is signaling you for help, not to tell you to turn this function off, which drugs will do. If you have hormonal acne in specific areas of your face such as jawline, or hairline then being diagnosed with hormonal acne is not the end all solution. In fact, it is the beginning. Your body has signaled you that there is a great imbalance that has taken place. As mentioned above, our skin is the largest organ we have. The question of WHY your body is outputting more hormones than the body can take is what we should be asking. Hormonal acne is a sign that there is an imbalance in the body that must be addressed. This particular acne is especially responsive to diet changes and mild skin treatments. Once balance is restored to the body, the excess hormonal output will cease.Your skin will thank you and return to normal.
Papules
Papules are usually formed on the outer surface of the skin as opposed to under as with cystic acne. They are identified as pink or tiny red lesions. Often flesh colored. They can also be white and yellow with red skin surrounding it. This can occur anywhere on the skin, but notablly on the face.
Pustules
Pustules are fluid filled bumps formed on the surface of the skin. This type of acne is caused by certain bacterias.
Staph Causing Boils
Boils, also known as furuncles is a skin infection that involves the entire hair follicle and nearby skin tissues. A boil or furuncle may start off as a nodule. It can spread to other parts of the skin or join with another boil on the skin and increase in size. Once the follicle has been ruptured this allows surface skin bacteria or fungi to go into the deep recess of the skin tissue and cause serious damage. These rarely ever drain on their own. For this type of infection draining the boil is necessary. Of course do not do this on your own! By no means, instead see a dermatologist who can do this with sterile utensils in a sterile environment. If you try it yourself you will regret it as you will worsen the situation. Let a trained professional help you!
What type of acne do I suffer from?
Remember, no two acne sufferers are alike. The type of cystic acne you suffer from and the reasons you may suffer will differ greatly from one person to the next. As the video on the Home page pointed out, the type of acne you have will point to the underlying cause for the breakout. A doctor can help you diagnose your particular type of acne. You may also have the bacteria on your face analyzed. They can specifically tell you the types of fungus or bacteria that is living on your face causing the acne. Be sure to request this from your local doctor or medical laboratory. The medical lab will provide a one-time single test for you independently for a fee. You can use this report to present to your doctor if your doctor or hospital does not have a lab that they use regularly or one they can recommend. If you are in California, there are many to choose from.
So what's the cause?
Don't be surprised if your doctor is as baffled as many professional dermatologists and doctors alike are when it comes to acne. If they are sincere in helping you it can be a good things. However, if the doctor doesn't seem to have your interest nor the knowledge necessary to treat you, keep looking. Many will pump you full of prescriptions and send you on your way. That is never the answer and only wastes your time. There are different factors as mentioned above that can be single or joint causes to the problem of aggressive acne or acne vulgaris. Its also possible to have different types of acne on different part of your face at one time. Which is why certain parts respond to treatment and other areas don't. Everyone's skin and acne is different. There is no one acne cure-all solution. Everyone has different skin conditions, hereditary factors, lifestyle, etc. It would be to your benefit to learn as much as you can about your skin and how it works as well as common causes of acne. Hopefully, this site has helped you in that journey.
Step 1: Finding the cure.
These are questions that you should ask yourself:
- How is my diet? Does the junk/fast food I ingest outweigh healthy choices such as veggies and fruit?
- How much (store bought or otherwise) packaged food do I eat as opposed to fresh live raw food? Weekly? Daily?
- How long have I been eating this way? Have my eating habits recently changed?
- Do I have a history of acne in my family or am I the only one?
- How much sleep do I get? How many hours on average daily?
- Do I exercise? How active am I?
- What are my facial habits? Do I pick my face and scratch and pick at bumps?
- How many OTC products am I using on my face? Am I making it worse?
- How often do I make bowel movements? Am I constipated or other related problems?
- Am I tired a lot? Depressed?
- Do I take medication? Regularly? How often? Could it be side effects from meds?
- How do I feel about myself? Do I have supportive people around me?