We believe that everything you read on a products packaging or in a magazine should be researched before you spend the money on these “all natural” herbs and supplements. The fact of the matter is that most products are far from all natural. This is why it is so important that you research each and every product before you buy. Many products are just glorified creams and vitamin supplements.

With that being said, there are in fact many natural herbs that can be used to treat acne, as well as many other conditions. So which ones work? Hopefully this article will guide you in the right direction.

Botanicals

Botanicals and herbs are essentially the same thing, and are often used in the place of one another. But by definition an herb is an herb (a particular kind of plant), while botanicals are anything that comes from a plant including flowers, herbs, and roots just to name a few.

Calendula: Also known as the pot marigold, calendula is actually commonly used in home gardens and nurseries across the country. The flowers of this plant can be used to compliment many creams and lotions.

Green Tea: As you probably guessed, this substance is from the green tea leaf. Green tea is said to have many benefits, including acne.

Tea Tree Oil: The tree tea plant finds its home in Australia, where it has been used as topical acne treatments for a long time. Active ingredients found naturally in the oil from this tree has been proven to slow the spread of acne causing bacteria, or P. acnes. Many believe this to be the most effective botanical acne treatment.

Aloe Vera: Aloe vera is one of the most popular botanical treatments, and has been for some time. Aloe vera helps you shed dead skin, and stimulates the growth of new skin. At the same time, it helps smooth the skin to reduce inflammation and irritation.

Herbs

There is an extremely large selection of herbs that can have positive effects on acne. But be careful, herbs can have profound, and sometimes dangerous effects and side effects. We suggest to talk to your dermatologist before trying any herbal treatments at your own discretion.

Over the Counter Herbal Remedies

As we mentioned earlier, many cosmetic products contain an array of botanicals. While the accessibility of these products is great, it also floods the market with a bunch of junk products that get little benefit for the botanicals they contain. The most popular botanical ingredient found in cosmetic products today is green tea.

Vitamins and Mineral Supplements

Many botanical products can attribute their effectiveness to vitamins and minerals, so why not go directly to the source. Supplements follow this exact concept. Supplements are essentially extracted and concentrated vitamins and minerals, as well as any number of other ingredients.

Vitamin A & B: Vitamin B and vitamin A are both found in most creams, gels, and lotions. It is particularly effective for controlling inflammation.

Zinc: Zinc supplements and extracts come in both topical and oral applications. Both methods are quite good at reducing inflammation. It can also prevent future cases of acne by opening up the pores. A side effect of zinc is nausea and my interact negatively with medications you may be taking.

Vitamin C: Vitamin C with bioflavanoids are the only C vitamins that have a direct effect on inflammation.

Vitamin E: Vitamin E plays an interesting role in the treatment of acne. Rather than directly having an effect on acne, this vitamin actually helps the body absorb all the others.

Of course supplements aren’t the only way you can absorb the vitamins and minerals your body needs to naturally fight acne. By ensuring you are getting the nutrients from your food, you are ensuring the long term health of your skin.

Before we begin, let me say that many alternative medicines haven’t been tested as thoroughly as they should be, so we can’t know the true potential of such treatments. One thing is for sure, many people have tried the following methods and have seen amazing results, and at the same time many have tried theses treatments with little to no results. We believe this comes down to our individual body chemistries, and how they react with alternative treatments.

About Traditional Chinese Medicine

Alternative medicine’s origins can be traced back to the Eastern world. Chinese medicine in particular has grabbed the attention of many, as they’ve been practiced for thousands of years. Chinese medicine focuses on balancing one’s chi, the body’s natural energy. Chinese medicine focuses on the balancing of one’s chi, the said cause of disease, instead of the disease itself.

Chinese Herbs

Chinese herbalists are masters of the art of healing, and know the effects of each herbs impact on a person’s body. They typically use a mix of different herbs to create the perfect blend of healers. Herbs are typically processed into a liquid and are applied to the skin or made into teas to be ingested. For those not willing to consume this often harsh tasting concoction can typically get the blend of herbs in a capsule supplement form.

Acupuncture

Many people are aware of the ancient practice of acupuncture, but very few are aware of its possible effect on acne. By inserting tiny needles into the skin, acupuncture is said to open the pathways through which you chi travels, reducing stress, and restoring balance to your body’s energy.

These are just the two most popular ancient Chinese treatments for acne, but there are many many more. Almost every city in the Western world now has a Chinese herbalist or acupuncture specialist that can be reached very easily. A quick look in the phone book, or a Google search will return a wide variety of specialists to choose from.

I want to stress again how untested these methods are by Western medicine. Make sure whoever you decide to work with to treat your acne with alternative medicine is well respected. Avoid buying the latest herbal fads, as many of these products are unregulated, and can contain almost any number of ingredients. For example, it’s almost never a good idea to buy special herbal remedies from a kiosk in the halls of your local mall.

However, it is important that you keep an open mind about these things. Some Chinese medicines will in fact work, while others are just fads created by people trying to make a quick buck. Read up on these methods of healing and decide for yourself if you think something is worth trying; you’ll be happy you did.

Photodynamic Therapy

Photodynamic therapy, or PDT, uses a specified light source to activate the active ingredients in a photosensitizing agent, that is applied to the affected areas of ones skin. When introduced to the correct light, the ingredients in the medication become active, and treat the acne.

The photosensitizing drug, known as an aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is applied to the skin by the dermatologist or technician. This acid is totally painless, and you won’t even known its on your skin. You keep the agent on your skin for an hour at most, so that it can saturate the cells that need to be treated in your sebaceous glands.

Your skin, and the photosensitizing agent, are exposed to a visible blue light at a particular frequency, to activate the active ingredients in the ALA, for a short period of time, usually under 10 minutes.

This procedure leaves your skin very vulnerable to the sun. Because of this you must keep your skin out of direct sunlight for a couple of days to avoid damage to the skin. Additional side effects include, minor skin color changes, dry skin, and inflammation.

The United States FDA, responsible for the approval of all medical treatments recently approved a non-laser light treatment for use. This treatment uses a visible high-intensity blue light treatment for use against inflammatory acne, which works by killing P. acnes, the bacteria responsible for the development of acne.

The goal of this procedure is to slow the production of chemicals known as porphyrins by your sebaceous glands. The specific type of light used in this treatment either slows these glands dramatically and/or kills the bacteria cells all together.

Similar to laser treatments photodynamic therapy must be repeated periodically, as acne causing bacterias regenerate rather quickly. PDT, in most cases, is not a permanent solution to acne.

Other Light Treatments

Intense Pulsed Light: Intense Pulsed Light or IPL is similar to laser treatments in many ways, but set themselves apart my utilizing a far wider range of wavelengths of light. These devices can be fine tuned to control particular parts of the skin causing acne. IPL is a very new treatment and long term benefits are yet to be determined.

Pulsed Dye Laser: Pulsed dye lasers or PDL is an even younger acne treatment that targets inflammation, blemishes, and redness. PDL is used more commonly for controlling rosacea, rather than acne.

Pulsed Light and Heat Energy: Also known as LHE, pulsed light and heat therapy uses both light and heat, as shown in it’s name, to kill p. acnes, and reduce the size of sebaceous glands.
Diode Laser: Diode lasers vary from most other light and laser treatments, as it uses invisible infrared light to treat acne, and acne scarring.

Things to Avoid

Ultraviolet light treatments were very popular acne treatments in the not so distant past. We now know that UV rays can do more bad than they do good. These treatments were believed to work because they essentially burned off the acne, and promoted a tan or sunburn, that made acne scars appear as if they were treated.

Of course, we now know that UV light can cause cancer, and rapid aging. They may work temporarily, but we now know that this form of treatment can cause sever long term damage to the skin.

Skin treatment lasers are able to make their way below the skin, effecting the parts of your skin that are need to clear up your acne, without doing any damage to your skin. Your dermatologist can pinpoint the cause of your acne, and then adjust the laser to attack particular causes.

Those taking advantage of laser acne treatment are typically instructed to continue their topical acne treatments, such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid treatments. Laser treatments aren’t overnight cures for acne, as many believe. You must return for routine laser treatments at least once a month, or however long is instructed by your dermatologist. The procedures must be continued from months to years, in worst cases.

Scars and Inflammation

Acne laser treatments are commonly used to reduce the appearance and causes of scarring. One popular method is to use lasers to tighten the skin by warming collagens. They can also be used to effect the upper layers of skin, and remove the physical appearance of acne scars all together. This acne treatment has been used effectively for quite some time, but it is still a very new field, and finding somebody to perform these treatments may still be difficult.

Preventing and Treating Acne with Lasers

If you manage to make your way to a skin laser specialist before scarring begins, they can utilize lasers to shrink oil glands, and kill off acne causing bacteria. Those with the money can get these treatments to prevent acne from ever occurring. However, many don’t turn to lasers to treat acne, till they’ve tried almost everything else.

Unfortunately, laser skin treatments aren’t by any means cheap. To make things worse, most insurance policies don’t cover laser treatment since, it is what they call a “emerging technology.” This isn’t necessarily a bad thing though.

Many of these treatments are, in fact, “emerging technologies” and aren’t as perfected as many other acne treatments. Many treatments are still very much so in the experimental testing stages. These treatments have been proven to be effective procedures for many people, but you should take advantage of all other acne treatments before you begin trying experimental treatments.

Laser Treatment for Dark Skin

It’s been a long standing rumor that people with dark skin should avoid laser treatments at all costs. This is not always the case. There are many dermatologists that specialize in the treatment of dark skin types. If you have an experienced laser treatment specialist at your disposable, they should be able to help you. But again, laser acne treatment is still very new, and shouldn’t be used to all other options have been exhausted.

The eventual goal of laser acne therapies is to minimize the necessity of using drugs to control acne. It will probably be another few years before these treatments are perfected, but when they are, lasers are likely to be the leading treatment for acne.

Benefits of Chemical Peels

Chemical peels help you shed the dead skin the accumulates on the surface of our skin. By shedding this top layer of skin, they allow lower layers of skin to breath, exfoliate, and grow back healthier and clearer than ever. Chemical peels are also known for anti-aging, and the reduction of wrinkles, making this a popular cosmetic procedure.

Strong acids used in some chemical peel applications can even reduce the appearance of acne scarring. However, most chemical peels aren’t strong enough to get through the top few layers of skin. The potency of acid you can use depends on your skin type, so its best to check with your dermatologist to determine how much you can handle. Don’t overdo it though. Highly potent chemical peels can cause permanent damage and discoloration of the skin. If you are prone to easy scarring, its best you avoid the stronger chemical peels.

Chemical peels are not a good option for blackheads and whiteheads, however. In fact, getting a chemical peel with a lot of blackheads and whiteheads may actually cause scarring and inflammation.

AHA and BHA Chemical Peels

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) and beta hydroxy acids (BHA) are the 2 most widely used chemicals in chemical peels. Their popularity is due to the mildness, and short recovery time. Those that get these kind of chemical peels won’t see any after effects in as little as 30 minutes. For an even milder approach, you have a large selection of over the counter treatments that contain these chemicals.

AHA and BHA chemical peels are fairly painless procedures and you won’t feel much more than a tingle, and usually don’t take more than 20 minutes. Of course everyone’s skin is different, so expect a variety of different regiments.

Glycolic Acid: This type of AHA peel is an extremely fast procedure, with hardly any side effects. Glycolic acid based chemical peels require routine visits to get best effects. Since this treatment is so mild it may take as many as 8 treatments for optimal results.

Salicylic Acid: Salicylic acid, is found in most (effective) over the counter acne treatments. However, over the counter treatments are far more diluted than the salicylic acid used in chemical peels. Unlike glycolic acid, salicylic acid is a BHA. But similar to glycolic acid, this treatment is rather mild, and requires multiple visits.

Side Effects of Chemical Peels

Depending on your skin type and the concentration of the acids used in a chemical peel, you may experience scarring. Try to stick to mild chemical peels to avoid any damage. After a chemical peel you will notice your skin is very dry and easily irritated. Use soft scrubs and soaps to avoid further irritation, and apply plenty of moisturizer.

Increased redness and discoloration of skin pigments are also common side effects, but usually only with higher concentration chemical peels. The reappearance of cold sores is also a side effect that a small percentage of people experience. If your skin is very sensitive, and easily scarred, chemical peels may not be an option for you.

Cost of Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are fairly expensive, and most insurance companies will not cover the procedures, as they are often regarded as cosmetics procedures. The most common use for chemical peels is for purely cosmetic reasons, and the worst cases of acne. But really they are for those that have the money to shell out for such procedures for rapid acne treatment.

Antibacterial oral medications go straight to the source, killing of the bacteria that causes acne, from the inside out. Many times multiple medications will be prescribed to attack the problem from multiple angles. Talk to your doctor to determine which treatments you should continue using, and ones that may have a negative effect on your treatment.

Tetracyclines

You’ll probably be getting tetracyclines based medications as your first type of oral antibiotic. The three types of tetracyclines; generic, minocycline, and doxycycline which work by stopping future growth of bacteria. In combination with a topical acne treatment the bacteria will eventually be eliminated. It usually takes no more than a couple weeks for noticeable improvements to be seen.

Tetracycline Side Effects

As with many prescription medications, some oral tetracyclines have a fairly large list of possible side effects. Don’t let all these nasty side effects turn you off. Most people don’t see any side effects, but some do get affected by a few at most. If you experience any of the following side effects, get in contact with your dermatologist immediately so he can diagnose the problem and let you know if you should continue use of the medication(s).

• Sensitivity to the Sun – Some people’s skin is to sensitive, especially when on skin medication. Some people will find that they sunburn more easily when taking tetracyclines.
• Rashes – Most people get very irritating rashes or don’t get them at all. It all depends on your type of skin.
• Upset Stomach & Loss of Appetite – Sometimes oral acne medications will play games with your digestive system. Causing a number of things from cramps to loss of appetite.

Erythromycin

The next common type of oral therapy for acne is erythromycin. These don’t have as strong effects on acne, but are good for younger children, and doesn’t cause as much irritation. Like tetracyclines, erythromycins can cause an upset stomach, except usually considerably worse.

Amoxicillin

Amoxicillin, an antibiotic based off of penicillin, is a common medication for much more than just acne. Amoxicillin, is weaker than other treatments, but can still get the job done, with minimal side effects.

Azithromycin

Azithromycin is recommended for woman that experience severe acne at times surrounding their period. These pills aren’t taken every day. Instead, azithromycin is taken for only a week at a time based on the timing of your menstrual cycle.

Trimethoprim sulfasoxazole (TMZ)

Trimethoprim sulfasoxazole (TMZ) is usually used as a last resort treatment against acne. If any combination of the above do not work, these may be your last option, usually in place of Accutane. This is a last resort because it is strongly associated with severe side effects.

After you have gotten your acne under control, it is strongly recommended that you slowly ween yourself off the medication, and resort solely to topical acne treatments, to avoid building resistance.

Most topical acne solutions come in the form of gels, lotions, creams, and cleansers. You either manually apply these treatments directly to the skin with your hand or you’ll be provided with cotton swaps to apply it more thoroughly.

Types of Topical Treatments

The kind of topical solution you get prescribed depends on many factors. No one solution will work for everybody, as every one has different skin types and different degrees of acne. Your dermatologist will be the person that best person to find a treatment that will actually cure your acne. Many people won’t find the perfect solution on their first try. It usually takes some testing to find out what will and won’t work for you.

Topical creams and gels are used to treat the skin itself. Sometimes that aid of oral medications is also required. The primary purpose of most topical treatments is to clean hair follicles and pores, kill bacterias, and control inflammation and breakouts. The use of multiple treatments usually yields better results.

Retinoids

There are numerous different types of topical treatments, the most common being retinoids. Retinoids are obtained through the intake of vitamin A. They work by helping the skin shed more easily, preventing it from getting blocked up by dead skin. Retinoids essentially help keep you skin clean, discouraging the growth of acne causing bacterias. In turn, reducing the appearance and development of white heads, black heads, and inflammation.

The topical medication you’re prescribed by your dermatologist will not necessarily require a prescription. Depending on your particular scenario, an over the counter treatment may be equally effective.

The label on the topical medication will give you specific details on how to apply the treatment. In most cases, they require you to apply small pea-sized amounts at a time to the affected area. Some light sensitive products will require you to apply them before bed, but in most cases you can apply them at night or in the morning.

Seeing Results with Retinoids

You will likely start seeing results with 2 months of starting a treatment, that is if you have been using it regularly in the way instructed. Peak rate of improvement usually occurs a few months into the healing process.

Retinoid Symptoms and avoiding the Side Effects

When you first begin use of a topical treatment, many people report signs of extra irritation, and inflamed looking skin. Don’t let these symptoms discourage you from continuing the treatment. In 99% of cases, this is just the medicine doing its job. You skin may be irritated in the beginning, but this is just the active ingredients fighting off the acne.

To avoid these side effects there are a number of things you can do. Again, these symptoms usually occur in the first few weeks of treatment. After a few weeks your skin will build a tolerance to the product and side effects will slowly diminish. If the irritation just won’t stop, you may be using a treatment that has an overly powerful concentration of active ingredients; a milder treatment may be in order. Use a moisturizer to curb the effects of the peeling skin. Excessive use of these products bay be counter productive.

If you have any questions about how to apply to topical solution or how the handle the side effects, your dermatologist should always be available to answer your questions.

Antibiotic Topical Treatments

The next kind of topical treatment are antibiotic applications. These treatments go directly after the nasty bacterias that cause acne. Because the directness of their treatment, results are reached much faster.

Antibiotic solutions are applied just like retinoids, in small amounts. Instead of applying once daily, most of these treatments require you apply them twice daily.

If you have exceptionally sensitive skin antibacterial treatments may be too much for you and your skin to handle. To avoid irritation opt for a ointment based solution.

The first place most people turn for acne, and most other health issues for that matter, is there primary health care provider. This is a good start. Who knows you better than your own doctor that has probably been treating you for quite some time? You probably see this doctor for routine checkups, colds, and any number of other health needs. What most people don’t do is see their doctor about acne.

Getting Acne Help From Your Doctor

The first thing you should do is see if your doctor actually has any experience treating acne. If not, ask them for a referral to a dermatologist. If your doctor does have acne experience they will first analyze your situation. If they know their stuff they’ll probably write a prescription or two for acne products. In most cases, these treatments are topical applications or oral.

These medications aren’t likely to work magic overnight, so give them a few weeks to do their thing. After a bit of time, revisit your doctor and have him or her help you evaluate the effectiveness of the treatments. Acne takes quite some time to get rid of. If you and your doctor agree that the medication is working, keep with it, and your acne should slowly disappear with time.

If you aren’t so fortunate, it may be time to see a specialist. Again, your doctor should know a dermatologist that he can send you to. All acne is curable, all it takes is to find the person that known how to treat your specific case. This person is almost always a dermatologist.

Seeing Your Dermatologist

Some health care plans require you to get a referral from your doctor. If not, it’s always a good idea to shop around for the best dermatologist in your area. First you’ve got to make sure your health care plan accepts these specific dermatologists. You should then give each of their offices a call, ask about their specialties, treatment methods, and other important questions. Another good source of dermatologists is to simply ask friends and family. Many people suffer from acne, the chances of finding someone you know that can recommend you a dermatologist are pretty good. If you find a dermatologist that sounds good set up an appointment or get a consultation set up.

The natural next step is to set up a consultation between you, your general practitioner, and your new dermatologist. Between the 3 of you, you can establish a game plan for treatment of your acne. This will help your dermatologist get up to speed with your acne situation.

Dermatologists are doctors that specialized in the treatment of skin. They have much more experience in treating skin conditions when compared to general practitioners. Its safe to assume that the majority of people that dermatologists see are for the treatment of acne, since so many people suffer from it.

There are a number of things you need to me aware of before you see your dermatologist that will help them build a portfolio of your type of skin, and develop a particular treatment. Make sure you well assess your medical history, with the help of your general practitioner if possible. It’s a good idea to show up a bit early so you have time to fill out the required paper work.

Some important things to take note of:

Skin - When did your acne start? Have any previous treatments or medications work for you partially?

Medications and Supplements – Make sure you let your dermatologist know if you are taking any medication. This way you can avoid getting a prescription that may react with something you are already taking. Are you on anti-depressants or birth control? These and similar medications are particularly important to mention. Are you also taking vitamin supplements or performance enhancing supplements like creatine, any hormones, or diet products?

Allergies – Food allergies and medication allergies included. Face products that worsened your acne, of anything the made you break out should be brought up at the first appointment.

Getting Prepared for the Dermatologist

Aside from being mentally prepared for the trip to the dermatologist, it’s equally important to be prepared physically. If you’re under 18 make sure you bring a parent so you can get their advice. Some prescriptions require a parent’s consent so save yourself yet another trip just to get your prescription.

Bring your insurance card, and ID, your referral (if applicable), and any medical records that could be related to the treatment of your acne. The insurance card is particularly important, most dermatologists won’t bother to see you with out it.

Make sure your face is nice and clean, and makeup free. Not doing so will make it hard to get a real idea of how your skin is.

After you’ve been called back to the examination room, you’ll have a brief discussion with the doctor, a nurse, or an intern about your acne history and possible causes of it. These are the exact questions you’d expect to be asked, from your diet to daily habits.

Other typical questions include:

• Is acne something most of the people in your family have suffered from? Most people do have parents that also had acne in their youth.
• How long have you had acne?
• What medications are you already using to treat your acne or other medications?
• Do you smoke or drink regularly?
• Does the use of makeup make conditions worse?
• Does your period have an effect on your breakouts?

Your Chance to Ask Questions

After your doctor has made an assessment of your current condition, they will then make their recommendation for treatment. This is your chance to ask questions. Find out how the treatment is supposed to work, and how long it should take. Be well aware of side effects of the treatments. It’s equally important for you to be informed as it is the doctor. The doctor will see that you are genuinely trying to cure your acne, and will likely become more involved in your treatment.

If in addition to medication, your doctor you instructs you to take care of your skin in a particular, they’re doing so for a good reason. It is important! The medication alone won’t cure your acne for you. It’s also required that you take care of your skin properly while on the medications to ensure best results.

Your doctor and their staff should always be available to answer your questions, and help you out with anything skin related. If your dermatologist refuses to give advice outside of an appointment, run fast, this is not the kind of doctor you want treating you. Insurance and additional fees are expensive, don’t let an unhelpful doctor scam you out of your money.

Darker skin has many advantages and disadvantages when it comes to skin care. One thing that people with dark skin rarely have to worry about is getting sunburned. A resistance to cancer and wrinkles are just a few of the advantages that come from darker skin. The compound that determines skin color, melanin, is created in more volume, distributing more color throughout the skin.

Unfortunately it’s now time to get to the disadvantages. You’re probably reading this because you’re well aware of the disadvantages, but we’ll go into detail to figure out how they are caused, and what we can do to neutralize them. And just to make it clear, these are conditions that darker skin complexed people of all races face; black, white, Asian, Hispanic, and everything in between.

Dark Spots

Dark spots are the most common problem for many. These are the same as red and purple inflamed spots that people with white skin have to deal with. With darker skin, these spots appear in darker colors. Dark spots are a more important concern than acne itself for people with dark skin. Dark spots are essentially battle scars, caused by healing lesions originally caused by acne. For many lucky people these spots will slowly fade on their own, but if you take care of your skin properly, dark spots can be avoided from the beginning.

Avoid irritating dark spots to make them worse

Avoiding irritation is key to preventing dark spots. Popping pimples, and other unhealthy ways of getting rid of acne are the leading cause of dark spots. Resist the temptation to pick at your acne, and you’ll be much better off. Excess face washing causes a great deal of irritation for those suffering from acne, make sure you’re cleaning your face properly.

Prevention and Treatment of Dark Spots

The first line of defense against dark spots is the regular use of sunscreen. In the sun, majority of your skin pigment will attract to the dark spots, making them darker, and preventing your lighter skin from darker pigmentation. SPF 15+ is recommended.

Depending on the sensitivity of your skin, benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are very viable treatments. Begin use of benzoyl peroxide first, applying directly to your skin daily. For added effect, assuming your skin can handle it, apply salicylic acid. Both of these products are widely available over the counter. If you find they irritate your skin too much, you can try a lower concentration product.

Seeking Additional Help

If over the counter product can quite get the job done, its time to turn to the help of a dermatologist. There are even dermatologist that specialize in dark complexions. A dermatologist will be able to better analyze your particular skin condition. They will then be able to prescribe and appropriate treatment.