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- What is acne?
- Symptoms of acne
- Causes of acne
- Prevention of acne
- Risk factors for acne
- Complications of acne
- When to see a doctor about acne
- Diagnosis of acne
- Conventional treatment of acne
- Alternative/complementary treatment of acne
- Living with acne
- Caring for someone with acne
People who have acne need to know that they have a number of options for treating this often debilitating skin disorder and that they need to get treatment as soon as possible to prevent worsening of symptoms or scarring (and other complications).
To get the best out of the skin and prevent worsening of symptoms, a few strategies should be followed:
- Clean skin regularly - a regular skin care routine should be followed in the morning and at night to help ensure the skin cells are as clean as possible and remove any debris from the pores. This routine should include exfoliation and skin masks, which can really exfoliate the skin and loosen debris from within the pore and this can reduce symptoms
- Exercise - get adequate levels of physical activity every day, as it will help the body's circulation improve which can help remove toxins more quickly and this may reduce severity of symptoms
- Healthy diet - a diet which is rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, wholegrains, legumes, dairy and some protein (fish) needs to be followed to get the best out of the skin. This is because these foods are naturally rich in many vitamins, minerals and other nutrients which can help to support the skin to heal
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- Limit saturated fat intake - foods that are high in saturated fat need to be strictly limited in the diet, because they can continue to clog the pores and cause worsening of symptoms. Highly processed foods, full cream dairy and red meat usually have high levels of saturated fat and should be avoided as much as possible in the diet (red meat intake should be limited to only once a week, use only low fat dairy and avoid all processed foods altogether)
- Stop smoking - cigarette smoking is very damaging to the skin and should be stopped. Being around people who smoke should also be avoided
- Sunshine - a little bit of sunshine every day is needed (not just for the vitamin D it provides) for good health overall
- Use topical treatments - the topical treatments recommended by conventional doctors and dermatologists may help to reduce symptoms in people with mild to moderate acne
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< 10: alternative treatment 12: caregiving > Last reviewed: 15 August 2008 || Last updated: 26 February 2009
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NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.
