The reason we get acne is because oil glands become overactive and pores become blocked. Acne is a condition that afflicts boys, girls, women and men. Although most prevalent in our teenager years when hormones are most active, acne will rage whenever the timing is most inappropriate.

Heredity factors can also play a role in who gets acne, who doesn’t, and how severe the acne breakouts become. Those who are genetically inclined to acne will often get more severe cases than those who are simply going through their “growing-up” acne phase. Hereditary sufferers also have a more difficult time clearing up acne blemishes.

Fighting Acne

Blemishes that occur on the skin are often unsightly and embarrassing, so acne prevention and treatment should be our first line of defense and what we focus on most. Keeping your hands away and reducing the amount of face rubbing you do helps prevent acne, because it limits the amount of dirt and oils we push into and contaminate our pores with. Proper health is also very important. Diet, exercise and sleep all help to reduce stress, which can cause all types of health issues including acne.

Using a mild soap to keep your face clean is a great start at preventing acne breakouts. If you have an outbreak, home remedies, over the counter medications and prescription medications can all help. There are also several topical creams and soaps used to treat acne. Most can be found in the cosmetics department of your grocery store or pharmacy section. Benzoyl peroxide creams, vitamin A and zinc are all used to help treat acne.

For more severe cases a prescription oral antibiotic may be prescribed along with a topical cream that is stronger than the over the counter medications. Always, always, always talk to your doctor before trying prescription treatments.

Acne Nutrition Tip 1

Retinol, one of the animal forms of vitamin A, is found not only in some cosmetic creams but also in liver, fish oils and dairy products. Produced by plants, this vitamin is also known as Beta-carotene or pro-vitamin A, and is found in yellowish-orange fruits and vegetable; yams, cantaloupe, carrots apricots, and in green vegetables like spinach, kale and parsley. When it comes to nutrition this vitamin plays an essential role in vision, particularly night vision, normal bone and tooth development, reproduction, and the health of skin and mucous membranes.

Acne Nutrition Tip 2

Vitamin B Complex, a group of water-soluble vitamins, are found in leafy vegetables, fish, milk, eggs and whole grains and have many functions. Although vitamin B-2 can irritate acne, it’s also known to help alleviate stress, as do vitamins B-1, B-6 and B-12.

Stress relief has been shown to reduce acne. Another B vitamin, B-3, is found in avocados, eggs, peanuts, lean meat and liver, and has reportedly been shown to reduces cholesterol level.  This vitamin also has an anti-inflammatory effect on the skin, improves your metabolism and circulation; all of which may benefit acne reduction.

Acne Nutrition Tip 3

Ascorbic acid, also known as vitamin C, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help penetrate skin and prevent the return of acne.  Most notably known for the prevention of scurvy, vitamin C has been studied for years in its ability to repair damaged scar tissue.

Acne Nutrition Tip 4

Vitamin E refers to a group of eight fat-soluble compounds found mainly in almonds, broccoli, peanuts, sunflower seeds, wheat germ and vegetable oils. Vitamin E has been said to help with scar tissue healing, has many biological functions, of which the antioxidant function is the most important and/or best known. Researchers consider tocotrienol (referred to as high potency E or HPE) as having the most antioxidant properties that may be able to aid the skin when ingested.

Acne Nutrition Tip 5

Although carnitine is not a proper vitamin, its biologically active form is L-carnitine, a supplement that is reported to help repair skin damage from acne for young and old. The highest concentrations of carnitine are found in red meat and dairy products.

Acne Nutrition Tip 6

Zinc (found in eggs, mushrooms, nuts and whole grains) and selenium (a trace mineral in most soils and absorbed my a variety of vegetables) are known to improve the overall health of the body, including the skin.

Studies have shown that a lack of zinc can contribute to acne. Although selenium is an essential trace element, it is toxic if taken in excess.

Summary of Acne Nutrition Tips

When natural dietary absorption of these vitamins is not possible, high quality multi-vitamins help supplement the recommended daily allowance, which may help with acne prevention. Combined with plenty of fluids, water specifically throughout the day, these acne nutrition tips will provide a healthy dietary intake.

Acne laser treatment appears to be a good therapy for acne and one without complicated and adverse side effects. During the past decade lasers and light-based systems have become one of the most common practices for treating a wide range of skin disorders, including acne vulgaris.

Many patients respond poorly or develop side effects with the various oral and topical treatments that are commonly used today to treat acne. Hence, there has been a growing demand by acne sufferers for a faster, safer, and side-effect-free acne solution.

Scientific Acne Research

The Dermatology and Lasers Clinic, Tel Aviv Msq, Caesarea, Israel, concluded that “Laser and light-based therapy is a safe and effective modality for the treatment of mild to moderate inflammatory acne vulgaris. Amelioration of acne by light therapy, although comparable to the effects of oral antibiotics, offers faster resolution and fewer side effects and leads to patient satisfaction.”

Following a series of clinical trials, results show that 85 percent of the acne patients show a quantitative reduction in at least 50 percent of their lesions after four bi-weekly treatments. Approximately 20 percent of those tested demonstrate acne eradication as high as 90 percent. Three months following the last treatment, acne clearance was approximately 70 to 80 percent; while non-respondent rates were in the 15 t to 20 percent range.

A Good Acne Therapy Without Side Effects

Based on current scientific research it appears that acne laser treatment is a good acne therapy without side effects, especially when compared to acne treatments dependent on antibiotics. Acne laser therapy offers faster resolution, fewer side effects, and higher patient satisfaction.