How to get rid of your acne naturally: the inside-out approach

          Acne is a skin problem that affects almost 95% of all teenagers and is one of the most common skin diseases today. Studies in the U.S. have shown that it can be emotionally crippling, causing young, teen, acne sufferers to score significantly poorly in tests for anxiety, depression, and well-being, even in comparison with patients suffering from debilitating diseases. Studies have also found acne reoccurrence in women between the ages of 20-50.

          The causes of acne are numerous and vary among individuals. However, the primary culprit is hormonal imbalances in the human body which are accentuated in teenage years. During adolescence, the pituitary and the thyroid glands become very active and develop the sexual organs and sexual hormones in males and females. These organ developments include predominantly the testes and prostate glands in males and the ovaries and mammary glands in females. During this period, the child's body is transformed into an adult. Hormone production is increased. Results of this increase in hormones is a rapid generation of cells in the walls of hair follicles and an overproduction of oil by the sebaceous glands which are located at the base of hair follicles (each skin follicle consists of hair follicle and a sebaceous gland). The areas most likely to be affected by acne are those where the sebaceous glands are large, namely the face, the chest, and the back. The sebaceous glands produce an oil call ed sebum which is a thick, fluid-like substance containing fatty material and soft cellular debris. Often, teenagers have a tendency to be constipated and sexually stimulated, which are likely causes of acne breakouts. This is clearly illustrated by the aggravation of acne in women just before the beginning of the menses, when hormone production in the female body is at its peak.

          Other causes of acne include family background (heredity) which can increase the likelihood of developing acne problems through oily skin and a sensitivity to the effects of the hormones generated by the body if other members of the family also had a history of acne and oily skin. Other factors which induce acne flare up are emotional stress, tension, fatigue, humidity, and cosmetics.

          Dermatologists usually treat acne externally. They prescribe such treatments as benzoyl peroxide, retinoic acid drugs such as tretinoin (Retin-A), salicyic acid, sulphur, zinc sulphate, and antibiotics such as minocycline (minocin), clindamycin (Cleocin), or erythromycin (ATS Gel or T-Stat solution). For more severe cases, they prescribe isotretinoin (Accutane). All of these treatments offer temporary solutions as they are topical and mask symptoms leading to a reoccurrence of acne upon halting the treatment. Many of these harmful chemicals have severe side effects. Accutane contributes to eye, bowel, and liver problems and can cause deformity of the fetus. Use of antibiotics over lengthy periods of time may result in irritation of the gastrointestinal system and sensitivity to light among other side effects. Retin-A causes redness and scaliness of the skin and can only be used as a temporary solution. Many of these treatments dry the skin excessively and cause other skin ailments such as rashes and other adverse reactions. Uncle Harry suggests an internal and external approach to relieving acne. First, one should relieve constipation and purify the blood. Secondly, Uncle Harry's Natural Acne Care Treatment uses a non-soap Antibacterial Face Wash, an Antibacterial Vinegar which is very effective, an Oregano/Colloidal Silver Roll-On Dabber, a Sandalwood FaceMask, and a Hemp Blemish Salve. As a minimum daily treatment, use the antibacterial face wash and vinegar. The face wash is a non-soap cleaner made with cleansing clay, borax, and essential oils. The vinegar is enriched with goldenseal, bayberry, yellow dock, myrrh (the Byzantines fumigated acne with myrrh and aromatic incense), tea tree, eucalyptus, and oregano. Wash two or three times a day with the face wash and sparingly follow-up with the vinegar directly on the affected areas. For deep blemishes and long term infections, use the Oregano/Colloidal Silver Facial Roll-on. Uncle Harry's pure essential Lavender oil can also be used as an effective anti -acne facial steam by diluting a couple drops in a hot pot of water, covering the head with a towel, and then by placing your face over the pot. The lavender steam opens up the pores and is antiseptic. The Sandalwood FaceMask can be used 1-2 times per week to shrink and tighten pores and renew the skin by eliminating old skin layers. The Hemp Blemish Salve will heal and moisturize the skin. Use it overnight.

          For internal cleansing and nourishment, Uncle Harry suggests five or more tablespoons of his Food For Hair Teeth & Skin which not only nourishes the body but also acts as an intestinal broom that gently moves the accumulated debris from the intestines. Uncle Harry also suggests drinking three cups per day of Uncle Harry's organic red clover tea as a natural blood purifier. Besides purifying the blood, there are dietary suggestions one can follow which can facilitate a quick recovery from outbreaks of acne. Eat a diet high in Vitamins A, B-complex, and C or if need be, take daily oral doses of these vitamins. A study by Dr. Samuel Bluefard of Northwestern University found that "a combination of one gram of vitamin C, orange juice-plus 100,000 units of vitamin A administered daily benefits adolescent acne". Avoid eating meat, fish, eggs, fried foods, white flour and white sugar products, coffee, tea, soft drinks, alcohol, tobacco, drugs, including contraceptive drugs and any other stimulating over the counter medicines. Eat plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, organic dairy, organic grains and cereals and freshly squeezed vegetable and fruit juices. Exercise, drink water, and bathe using Uncle Harry's Body Scrub or Body Buffer to keep the pores of the skin open and active for elimination. Sweat bathes are excellent. Please refer to Uncle Harry's forthcoming pamphlet on hydro & seaweed therapy in your home or how to use your bathtub as a European spa. Sweating promotes toxic elimination of impurities from the blood and improves circulation.

          Here are some tips for daily care of the skin and for controlling and reducing your acne:

• Do not use creams containing Vitamin A or Vitamin D as these vitamins are not absorbed by the skin and thus such lotions are unnecessary.
• Use a cleanser that is alkaline (the coating which clogs pores is acidic and thus becomes neutralized).
• Do not clean your face with soap which is harsh and irritates the skin follicles and the oil glands. In fact, a report by physicians issued by the Kansas State department of Health quoted states that, "Twenty-five percent of acne can be managed successfully by washing the face four or five times a day...But this cleansing should not be done with soap...The sebaceous glands are irritated by soap and the irritation causes the glands to secrete still more sebum than normal". Soap has been demonstrated frequently in medical literature to have irritating qualities.
• Do not scrub your skin. Excessive scrubbing, especially with abrasive soaps increases the number of dead, loose skin cells which contribute to an increase of the plugging of the oil glands. If you like to use a facial scrub, only do so once a week, scrubbing gently and lightly.
• Do not pick your acne or touch your face and avoid anything that puts pressure on or rubs against the skin (such as headbands or hats) as this increases the irritation of acne. Picking your acne spreads infection and causes permanent scarring by forcing the oil and bacteria into the deeper skin layers which causes cysts which is the inflamed acne that causes scarring.
• When washing your face, especially when washing off make-up, splash on cold water first as it helps to tighten the pores. Then apply your cleanser or mild soap and rinse with warm water. Follow-up with a quick cold water splash. Warm water opens up and loosens the pores of your skin. People do not realize that when rinsing the face with warm water, the pores open-up and are exposed to the bacteria, dirt, and make-up build-up which can absorb further into the pores or can get smudged around the face through the washing process. Washing in such a way only spreads the germs and does not effectively eliminate unwanted dirt and build-up. Splashing the face with cold water first contracts the pores, sealing them off from further contamination, thus facilitating the complete removal of dirt and build-up without contributing to the spreading of dirt and bacteria. Rinsing with cold water after washing tightens the pores to seal them off from further exposure.
• Avoid using cosmetics as much as possible. According to Dr. Klingman from the University of Pennsylvania's acne clinic of the Department of Dermatology, "Half of all cosmetics cause pimples..." From the results of his research, he coined the term acne cosmetica which referred to a type of acne which does not have the characteristic large lesions and blotches which cover the face, arms, and back. They start out as small, virtually unnoticeable bumps which gradually increase in size and in number. Dr. Klingman noted that "week after week, the patient uses more and more makeup to cover more and more bumps...The most extensive eruptions occurred in women who were trying to mask the lesions under heavy coatings of cosmetics". Further study of acne cosmetica in a report by Dr. Epstein revealed "the appearance of a low grade, persistent comedonal acne in adult women that simply does not exist in men...The only difference, it appeared, was that the women use artificial cosmetics and most men do not".
• If you do wear cosmetics, try to use as many natural cosmetic as possible or choose cosmetic products which state that they are either oil-free (water based) or non-comedogenic which means that they have a low potential for producing acne. Also, always remember to wash off your make-up at night.
• Avoid applying synthetic chemicals and products on your skin which leave residue build-up o the skin, provoking acne. Such chemicals include but are not limited to propylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, propylene glycol, mineral oil, and parabens.