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Acne can be one of the most distressing of afflictions, given that it tends to strike during the teens (although it can, of course, occur at any time of life too). As a highly visible problem, acne can cause acute embarrassment at the very time when a person is struggling to become comfortable with themselves. The symptoms are varied, and do not just consist of the familiar scarring and skin pitting. Other symptoms can include blackheads, whiteheads, pustules, inflamed and infected nodules, sacs, and cysts.
Caused by over-activity of the sebaceous glands, acne tends to show where these (oil) glands are most numerous (i.e the face, neck, chest, and back). Scarring and permanently expanded pores can result, and this is the symptom most familiar to acne sufferers.
Why does acne occur? Well, every hair follicle produces oil to lubricate the skin and hair. Over-production of this oil can lead to clogging, in which bacteria can multiply. This usually leads to inflammation, and if this sebum, plugs the pores it can lead to blackheads. Whiteheads form when sebum collects below the skin surface. The most likely time for these outbursts are between the ages of 12 and 24, when the teen hormones are running wild, and androgen production goes into overdrive. There is some evidence that overindulgence in junk foods, the taking of oral contraceptives, certain allergies and stress can also cause acne.
So how can you deal naturally with acne? First of all, cleanliness is vital, and you must always keep your skin washed and clean. Do not be tempted to apply any oils or moisturizers to the affected areas. Instead, use freshly-squeezed lemon juice 3 times a day as a natural antiseptic face wash. Grease from your hair can also exacerbate the problem, so shampoo your hair regularly. Diet also plays a role in acne, so stay off the junk (saturated fats in fried food, go carefully with dairy products, carbonated drinks, caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco). Instead, eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. Sleeping soundly will also help, as will regular exercise. regularly, and get adequate sleep at night.
Diet in more detail – raw vegetables can be a life saver for the acne sufferer. Together with non-citrus fruits, raw vegetable juice, cooked vegetables, salads, whole grains, and a few low-fat seeds and nuts, you can construct a diet that can make it very hard for the sebaceous glands to overproduce. Stay right away from peanut butter, cheese, milk, and cream. Some sufferers have reported good results by trying ‘vegetable juice' fasts of 1 to 3 days, although you should consult a doctor before considering any kind of fasting.
The second part of the natural remedy for acne is dietary supplements that have been shown to have a beneficial effect. You must ensure you get enough vitamin B6, zinc, and essential fatty acids. A general multivitamin once per day will probably be sufficient to make sure you are getting enough.
Finally, there are certain herbs which have been shown to be beneficial as a natural remedy for acne. Applied to the skin, dandelion root, echinacea, alfalfa, chaparral, and red clover are most beneficial, and are available from most health stores. Most importantly, stay positive! The problem CAN be beaten if you take care of yourself!