What Is Acne?

My quest to understand acne started with questioning extraction procedures.  My Journey
But then quickly changed to what actually goes on in the body when a person suffers from acne?
What are the bacteria cells doing?
What chemical breakdowns are happening?
What is the chain reaction of events?

We were are all taught in school

Acne is caused by dead skin cell accumulation in the follicle (hyperkeratinization) mixed with p- acne bacteria and sebum, combined with a lack of oxygen.  This creates a pimple. Simply put, that is true, but there is much more that goes on. This is not for the client that has breakouts here and there during menstruation.  This research is for clients that suffer from chronic acne.

ACNE IS A DISEASE

Acne is not a skin condition, but rather an inflammatory skin disease. Acne is a disease just like any other genetic disease.  Take diabetes, for instance.  As yet, there is no known cure for diabetes.  There is insulin that helps control it, but no known cure. Acne is not as serious as diabetes, but the comparison is important. Acne also knows no cure.  We have treatments and products that keep it under control, but no known cure.

SO WHAT GOES WRONG? The chain of events that lead to acne.

1) At puberty the body starts producing testosterone
2) An enzyme in the skin changes testosterone to dihydrotestosterone
3) Dihydrotestosterone stimulates the sebaceous glands to begin producing sebum
4) In the acne-defective follicle, sebum sets off retention hyperkeratosis (acne).

The first three processes occur in everyone.  We all begin producing hormones at puberty.  Everyone's pores begin to flow with sebum in adolescence.  But it is only in the individuals with a special vulnerability to the fourth that a reaction occurs- retention hyperkeratosis, which produces the acne explosion.

HORMONES THEMSELVES DO NOT CAUSE ACNE! 

"Acne sufferers do not necessarily produce more testosterone.  Hormones merely trigger the process in genetically acne-prone skin.  Oily skin does not cause acne. True, most acne sufferers do have oily skin, but you can possess very oily skin and still never sprout a pimple.  Oily skin is just the triggering component, once again affecting only those with the genetic defect. In those individuals, sebum provides the match that ignites the acne fire."  Dr Fulton: Acne RX

Genetic Connection

Acne is often inherited as a dominant characteristic, which means that if both parents had acne approximately three out of four offspring will develop acne.  If one parent had acne, one or two offspring out of four will develop it. In addition to genetics, cultural and environmental factors could affect the entire population.

Stay tuned for my next article.  An inside look at the chemical reactions, and breakdowns that cause acne.

Benefits of Egg Whites

Health Properties of Eggs

• High in Protein, Vitamins, and Minerals.
• Eggs contain selenium and B complex.  Selenium helps prevent the hardening of the arteries, and B complex helps in the development of red blood cells.

How to Use on The Skin

• Egg whites can be used as a mask to tighten the skin.
• To make, just separate two eggs into a bowl, whip the egg whites with a fork for 10 seconds.  Apply with fingers, and leave on the skin for 30 minutes, or until they dry completely.
• Hydrate The Skin- 2 egg white, olive oil, and honey.  Mix two egg whites with a teaspoon of honey and 1/2 a teaspoon of olive oil.  Apply and leave on for 10-15 minutes.
• Puffy Eyes- Apply one egg white under the eye and leave for 10 minutes.
• Skin Irritation- One full egg whipped for 10 seconds and apply to the face for red irritated skin.  Eggs contain amino acids that help to reduce inflammation.
• Hair Moisturizer- Take 1 teaspoon of honey, 1/2 teaspoon almond oil or olive oil, 1 tablespoon of plain no sugar yogurt, and 2 egg whites.  Apply to hair and leave on for one hour.
• Blackhead Remover-  THIS IS AWESOME!!!!    All you need is one egg white, fan brush, and tissue paper.  Take one egg white and beat for 10 seconds.  Paint the egg whites on your face in a thin layer.  Take one piece of tissue paper and cut holes for your eyes,lips, and nose.  You can also just cut pieces and place them in certain areas on your face.  When you apply the tissue paper do it gently so the paper doesn't come apart. Take the fan brush and paint another layer of egg whites over the tissue paper.  Let dry and peel off, rinse with luke warm water. Then look in amazement at all the blackheads.  Gross, but very cool.

Warnings & Considerations
Make sure you use organic eggs if possible.  Eggs that are not organically produced contain traces of hormones, pesticides or herbicides.  Eggs can sometimes cause skin irritations on some people so always do a patch test.

Milk of Magnesia = Awesome Makeup Primer

O.M.G!!!!!!!!!  Milk of Magnesia is the best makeup primer for oily skin. This is the best DIY skin care trick I have ever used, and that's saying a lot. I saw this the other day and just had to try it for my extremely oily skin that I could not get under control. I had to have a historectomy when I was 29; now that I am about to turn 32 I have started to notice that my skin is going through some crazy changes and one of them being excessive oil, and acne around the chin. If you study face mapping you know that the chin area represents hormonal changes brought on by the androgen hormone.  I have tried all kinds of matte foundations and not much has worked.   I have never been able to use primers because my skin is very reactive. I decided to give this little DIY trick a try, I have used it for a week now.  I was amazed at how well it works. Not only did it dry out my existing pimples, it calmed the redness down, and provided a matte finish to my skin all day.
Here is a list of what Milk of Magnesia is good for.

• Acne and or Very Oily Skin
• Sunburn
• Deodorant ( It really does work. Its a better alternative to aluminum based antiperspirants)
• Seborrheic Dermatitis
• Dipper Rash
• Poison Ivy
• Calms skin that suffers from Rosacea

DON'T USE FLAVORED MILK OF MAGNESIA AND ALWAYS SHAKE UP THE BOTTLE BEFORE USING IT.
Ways to Use It

•  You can use it as just a mask once or twice a week for skin that is combination oily or just to dry up pimples. Just apply on clean skin and leave on for 20 min. It will dry up the excess oil in your Tzone. Rinse off with lukewarm water
• Makeup Primer for Oily Skin-  If you have just an oily Tzone I would recommend you  apply it to that area only because it will dry out the rest of your face. If you have oily skin all over then take a cotton ball and apply a very thin layer to your face and let dry before applying makeup.  You may have to work with it a few times to get the consistency  or combination that is right for you.

As always, do a patch test. Milk of Magnesia is an Alkaline substance so it could over dry your skin, but if you have truly oily skin it won't. If it does start to over dry your skin then use every other day as a primer, or just as a mask.