CYSTIC ACNE

Cystic acne is a type of severe acne that occurs when oil and dead skin cells clog pores, leading to painful and inflamed lesions deep within the skin. Unlike other types of acne, cystic acne cannot be treated with over-the-counter medications and often requires the help of a dermatologist to effectively manage.

Cystic acne typically affects the face, chest, and back, and can result in scarring if left untreated. It is most common in teenagers and young adults but can occur at any age.

The exact cause of cystic acne is not fully understood, but it is thought to be related to hormonal changes and imbalances. During puberty, the body produces an excess of hormones called androgens, which stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce more oil. This excess oil, combined with dead skin cells, can clog pores and create the perfect environment for bacteria to grow, leading to inflamed cysts.

Treatment for cystic acne often involves a combination of medications, including antibiotics to kill the bacteria that cause the inflammation, and medications that reduce oil production and unclog pores. In severe cases, a dermatologist may also recommend isotretinoin, a powerful medication that helps to reduce the size of the sebaceous glands and prevent them from producing excess oil.

While there is no cure for cystic acne, it is important to see a dermatologist for proper treatment. Self-treating with over-the-counter medications or attempting to pop the cysts can cause further irritation and even scarring.

It is also important to practice good skincare habits to prevent cystic acne from worsening. This includes washing the face twice daily with a gentle cleanser, avoiding harsh scrubs and exfoliants, and not picking or squeezing at the acne. Additionally, eating a healthy diet, staying hydrated, and managing stress can also help to prevent the development of cystic acne.

If you are experiencing cystic acne, it is important to seek the help of a dermatologist to find the right treatment plan for you. With proper treatment and care, it is possible to manage and reduce the symptoms of cystic acne.

ACNE VULGARIS

Acne vulgaris, commonly known as acne, is a chronic skin condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by the appearance of pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads on the face, chest, and back.

Acne is caused by a combination of factors, including the overproduction of oil, clogged pores, and the presence of bacteria. During puberty, the body produces an excess of hormones called androgens, which stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce more oil. This excess oil, combined with dead skin cells, can clog pores and create the perfect environment for bacteria to grow, leading to inflamed pimples.

Acne can range from mild to severe and can be treated by an esthetician or prescription medications from a dermatologist. Mild acne can often be treated with professional skin care containing salicylic acid, Turmeric, Marjoram, Cinnamon bark extract, Mandelic, and Azelaic Acid which help to unclog pores and kill the bacteria that cause acne. Your esthetician may also include retinoids (Vitamin A) as a part of your clearing routine.

For more severe acne, a dermatologist may prescribe medications such as antibiotics to kill the bacteria and unclog pores, and reduce inflammation. In some cases, a combination of medications may be necessary to effectively treat acne.

It is important to note that while acne is a common and treatable condition, it can also cause scarring if left untreated. Seeking the help of an esthetician is crucial in managing and treating acne to prevent scarring.

In addition to medication, practicing good skincare habits can also help to prevent and treat acne. This includes washing the face twice daily with a gentle cleanser, avoiding harsh scrubs and exfoliants, and not picking or squeezing at the pimples. Additionally, eating a healthy diet, staying hydrated, and managing stress can also help to prevent the development of acne.

If you are experiencing acne, it is important to see an esthetician first for proper treatment. With the right combination of products and skincare habits, it is possible to effectively manage and treat acne.

ADULT ACNE

While adult acne and juvenile acne involve infections generated by the same bacteria, skin conditions can be very different requiring different forms of acne treatment. Factors that stimulate adult acne are frequently different than those involved with juvenile acne, acne vulgaris, cystic acne, blackheads, whiteheads, or milia.

Adult onset acne (acne that begins in the adult years) usually involves normal or combination skin or even dry and/or sensitive skin, rather than the oily skin that is typical of juvenile acne. Most acne products, however, are developed for juvenile acne and contain high concentrations of benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, azelaic acid, and other agents that can be excessively drying and potentially irritating to adult skin. Adult skin may not tolerate persistent use of these acne treatment agents and skin sensitivity may become problematic.

Adult acne occurs in as many as 50% of women in their 20’s and 35% of women in their 30’s, which is a significantly higher rate than seen in males. While many of the same factors that cause acne in teens play a role, hormonal levels, specific testosterone, can be the primary cause of adult acne. Typically, adult acne tends to be mostly on the lower face, along the jawline and neck, rather than the forehead and cheeks as is often the case with teenage acne. Hormonal fluctuations, especially just prior to, and during menses, make women more prone to breakouts than men.

ACNE AND PREMATURE SKIN AGING

Adult acne infections stimulate skin production of hydrogen peroxide which generates volumes of free radicals. The chemical rebuilding involved in healing infections and repairing the skin damage caused by infections, also generates volumes of free radicals. In this manner, adult acne causes premature aging of the skin, just like the volumes of free radicals caused by sun exposure. Control of adult acne is not only important to the appearance of the skin today, it is an important strategy to prevent the premature aging of the skin. If skin damage has already become a problem, achieve control of the adult acne first and once this is accomplished, address the issue of skin rejuvenation.

 

BENZOYL PEROXIDE AND PREMATURE SKIN AGING

Benzoyl peroxide creates free radicals in the skin and is known to cause premature skin aging, just like repeated sun exposure or persistent adult acne. Damage is determined by the concentration of benzoyl peroxide and the frequency of use. In June of 2014 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning that the use of certain acne products containing the active ingredient benzoyl peroxide can cause rare but serious and potentially life-threatening allergic reactions or severe irritation. Benzoyl peroxide products must state that they should be used with sunscreen as well as outline new warnings, such as the products should not be used on broken skin or warnings about potential skin irritation. ITB does not use benzoyl peroxide or any other ingredient that might damage or prematurely age the skin.

 

CAUSES OF ADULT ACNE

There are a number of factors that may initiate adult acne. Stress can be a major factor, via the production of cortisol, a steroidal hormone that promotes adult acne. Coffee consumption, like stress, promotes the production of cortisol. Adult acne can be caused by sebum. Sebum clogs pores, which become inflamed due to bacteria. For most adults, breakouts are a result of hypersensitivity to androgens (male hormones). But an imbalance in both male and female hormones (estrogen) can also cause breakouts. For women, this can happen during pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause. Other issues may be involved, such as smoking, low consumption of free fatty acids, foods with high glycemic content, like packaged foods as well as pasta, bread, and rice, and foods that are heavy in hormones, like dairy products. Achieve control of adult acne with ITB acne products and reduce those factors that may promote a recurrence of acne. Long-term use of antibiotics, both orally and topically, can lead to resistance which can lead to continued adult acne that is far more difficult to treat.

If follicle congestion, whiteheads, milia, and/or blackheads are involved refer to the page on Acne & Essential Fatty Acids as this could be a factor in the development of adult acne on-set.

ACNE ROSACEA

Acne rosacea is difficult to treat because it involves the treatment of two different conditions. Some of the ingredients used in many acne treatments are irritating and inflaming to the skin and may be especially irritating to the rosacea. Using these acne products may cause an acne rosacea flare-up, which in turn will stimulate or aggravate the acne.

Vasodilation causes approximately a 0.2 degree (F) increase in the skin’s temperature, which can significantly increase the reproduction activity of bacteria on the skin. In turn this increased bacteria population generates additional bacterial “lipases,” enzymes produced by bacteria that create irritating free fatty acid from sebum. Propionibacterium acnes (the bacteria involved with acne), bacterial lipases and free fatty acid all irritate and inflame the skin and thus are rosacea flare-up promoters as well as acne promoters. Experience has taught us that washing the skin with an effective antibacterial cleanser within twenty minutes of vasodilation reduces bacterial populations, lipases and free fatty acids that promote acne and a rosacea flare-up. ITB’s Bacteriostat Cleanser (the antibacterial cleanser developed for acne rosacea and sensitive or dry skin) effectively kills numerous forms of bacteria (including propionibacterium acnes that causes acne) and removes lipases and free fatty acids from the skin. Used on a routine bases and within twenty minutes of vasodilation, this unique cleanser has shown to reduce rosacea flare-ups and rosacea-induced acne.

Areas of the skin affected by rosacea are sensitive to stimulants that cause vasodilation (opening of the capillaries). These physical conditions and foods should be avoided, as they may provoke rosacea and in turn provoke acne.

• Direct sunlight without Titanium Dioxide Suncream
• Hot temperatures
• Vigorous exercise
• Hot showers and saunas
• Hot drinks
• Spicy foods
• Cold weather
• Alcohol consumption
• Smoking
• Medications that cause flushing such as Niacin
• Topical steroids used on the skin area such as hydrocortisone cream

BIOCHEMICALLY SPEAKING, ACNE IS EASY TO UNDERSTAND

The very initial stage of a rosacea flare-up also involves inflammatory “histamines” produced by the skin. They cause redness, puffiness and sometimes itching. Histamines promote the production of inflammatory skin “cytokines” such as interleukin-1, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-alpha and collectively they produce a full flare-up. Bacteriostat Cleanser, plus Green Tea/Clay Poultice and Moisture Complex contain natural ingredients that block the production of histamines and inflammatory cytokines and thereby inhibit vasodilation from becoming a full rosacea flare-up.

 

Ingredients used in topical skin care products can cause vasodilation, such as benzoyl peroxide, menthol, alcohol, witch hazel, a higher concentration of glycolic acid and salicylic acid, etc. These ingredients are traditionally used in acne products to keep follicles open and may stimulate rosacea inflammation and in turn provoke acne. ITB’s Follicle Clearing Lotion was developed for acne rosacea. It contains a variety of natural ingredients from plant extracts that inhibit the type of over-production of cells that block and plug follicles and induce infections. This product will not stimulate vasodilation and is non-irritating to even the most sensitive skin. The acne rosacea product does contain salicylic acid, but only 0.10% (one-tenth of one percent) which is well below the threshold of irritation, but enough to provide exfoliation benefits.

Science does not have a clear understanding of the causes of rosacea. There has been research showing a relationship between intestinal bacteria, Helicobacter pylori, and rosacea, and other research questioning this relationship. The bacteria is associated with higher serum (blood) levels of interleukin-8 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (mentioned above), which can travel to the skin, or these two cytokines can also be manufactured within the skin. Both chemicals can cause skin inflammation, which can aggravate or stimulate acne. High levels of interleukin-8 are found in the crusty skin produced by flare-ups in the advanced stages of acne rosacea. Several ITB skin care products inhibit the production of these flare-up promoters for acne rosacea.

Significant systemic (bodily) zinc deficiency is associated with moderate to severe acne. Zinc deficiency is also associated with skin diseases that produce high levels of interleukin-8, such as seborrhea. Zinc deficiency is almost always associated with rosacea and acne rosacea. ITB acne products contain zinc in the form of zinc additives and as a natural element in the montmorillonite clay used in our products. These products (such as Green Tea/Clay Poultice) block acne rosacea promoting skin chemistry. A multivitamin with 20-25mg of zinc is also beneficial.

Disruption of the skin’s calcium gradient occurs in the infection sites of acne as well as in the crusting that follows an acne rosacea flare-up. Skin antioxidant levels are reduced in active acne sites and rosacea flare-up sites. Inhibiting Gel contains volumes of zinc, calcium, and antioxidants needed to correct the chemical imbalances caused by acne or by rosacea. These ingredients and this product can be especially beneficial in the effective treatment of more severe cases of acne rosacea.