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.
