Effects of Acne on Your Teen
By the Seed SistAs
Acne is an embarrassing condition that most typically develops in teenage years but recently, it has become increasingly common for people to develop acne whilst in the pre-teen age group too, between the ages of eight and twelve.
Unfortunately acne is extraordinarily common. Loads of our teenagers suffer from some form of acne, ranging from the mildest of cases, which manifest with just a few isolated spots and blackheads, through to the most severe, which produce an angry mass of spots, pustules and cystic lesions which cover the majority of the acne sufferer’s body and may heal to leave permanent acne scarring.
Medical studies have shown that 90% of the teenage population suffer from some form of acne, and 50% of teenagers develop acne classed as severe enough to require medical treatment. Over the last few years we have seen many patients on orthodox medicines with varying side effects, none so detrimental as the Acne Drug Roaccutane that seems to be all too easily prescribed to teenagers with acne. Reported adverse reactions caused by the drug include gastrointestinal disorders, suicide, and birth defects.
Causes of Teenage Acne
Sebaceous glands are tiny glands found near the surface of your skin. The glands are attached to hair follicles. A hair follicle is a small hole in your skin that an individual hair grows out of.
The purpose of sebaceous glands is to lubricate the hair and the skin in order to stop it drying out. The glands do this by producing an oily substance called sebum. In acne, the glands begin to produce too much sebum. The excess sebum mixes with dead skin cells and both substances form a plug in the follicle.
If the plugged follicle is close to the surface of the skin, it will bulge outwards, creating a whitehead. Alternatively, the plugged follicle can be open to the skin, creating a blackhead.
Normally harmless bacteria that live on the skin can then contaminate and infect the plugged follicles, resulting in papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts, which are all classifications of different types of spots.
How do Hormones Work?
The cause of nearly all teenage acne is the complex hormonal surge that occurs around the time of puberty. Hormones released at the onset of puberty are responsible for the appearance of acne during the teen years. These hormones stimulate the skin’s sebaceous, or oil glands, creating an oily skin that is more prone to the pore blockages and breakouts.
Stress and diet are also major acne triggers. Unfortunately, in this modern lifestyle people are extremely stressed. Stress provokes the release of still more hormones which can overload the delicate processes happening within the liver as it struggles to cope with the hormonal onslaught. The diet of lots of teenagers commonly includes lots of sugars and fats, which also overload the liver.
Healing the Skin with Daisy
There is often a lot of scar tissue formed around the damaged areas from the pustules that form under the skin in acne. Healing herbs for acne are important to help break down this fibrous tissue and restore soft, clear skin. As herbalists we use herbs that grow prolifically around us believing that help is always close at hand. To support the healing, we apply the common Daisy, Bellis perenis.
Daisy (Bellis perenis)
The common daisy that grows in the grass is one of the most under used and wonderful remedies. She is a fantastic herb, so prolific and easily recognisable a really simple safe herbal remedy.
She is our native arnica healing physical bruises after a knock and emotional bruising, reflected in that when you stand on a daisy, it bounces back. She brings out the child in us all, renews joy.
Her use here in the treatment of acne is as both a lymphatic and healing agent. Making daisy medicine is as simple as going out into any grass lands or unsprayed garden and picking the flower heads of the delicate pink, white and yellow flowers, this is a delightful task!
Then drying them out, lying the herb on newspaper and then leave in the airing cupboard, turning them daily until they are bone dry. Then put them into various old glass jars, which look wonderful my kitchen and then finally make colourful, delicious mixes to drink as tea.
Clear Complexion Skin Tea Recipe
10g of dried Red Clover Flowers
10g of dried Calendula/ Marigold flowers,
10g of Dried Daisy Flowers,
10g of Dried Yarrow Flowering Tops
5 g of dried Burdock Root.
Take these dried herbal ingredients and mix them all up together in a bowl, whist mixing them focus your intention. I often say something like –Thank you for your abundance, please create healing and cleansing for ……….. whom ever you are making it up for.
Then put your Herbal Tea Mix into an airtight container – The dose is a generous pinch in a teapot – drink 4-6 cups a day.
Extra Treatment for Teenage Acne
Steam Facials are a good tool to use encouraging circulation to the face and providing antibacterial agents into the open pores.
For a steam facial – fill a basin with boiling water or freshly brewed chamomile tea and add a few drops of lavender essential oil then put a towel over the head of the person and leave their face in the steam for 5-10 mins.
Nutrition and Acne
Diet plays a major part in skin health. Cutting out fats and sugars will really help, so no fizzy pop and visits to the chippie not easy for your average teenager but vital to develop good habits for the future.
A recent study introduced a group of teenagers with acne to a low glycaemic index diet rich in whole grain breads and pasta, legumes, and high protein foods. Compared to the control group, who stayed with a more “typical” teenage diet consisting of white bread, potatoes, and sugary drinks and snacks, the whole-food eaters saw a 70% reduction in the severity of their acne. This was through diet alone.
Case Studies for Acne
Sophie is 16 and has suffered from her acne for the past 3 years after various steroid creams and antibiotic treatments from her GP she started on her herbal treatment. She was given a mix that included all the herbs discussed above, and she noticed an immediate improvement within 3 month.
“All of the large painful boils, have stopped appearing around my forehead and the redness has gone down loads. I am sticking to not eating many sweets or fry-ups either and taking a multi vitamin as well as the herbs.” Sophie, Hertfordshire
Davey is 19 and has had acne for the last 6 years. He has had lots of steroid treatment for asthma and powerful drug treatment for toxoplasmosis which he has had from a young age. He had been using lots of strong facial washes designed for acne that dry-out and damage the skin.
He started herbal treatment with a mix of the above herbs and taking 3 capsules of milk thistle every day. His diet and exercise levels were good but he was advised to cut out energy drinks for exercise and use low glycaemic index foods to control blood sugar. He started to notice a reduction in the pustules within a month and over the next 8 weeks saw a decrease in the red raised scarred areas around his chin and face. He also applies a healing balm of lavender, calendula and St. John’s Wort and bathes in chamomile tea.
“The spots stopped appearing really quickly then it took a couple of months to really start noticing the red lumps decrease. My skin looks really good now” Davey, Wales
These blog articles are herbal education resources, produced by the Seed Sistas. Gain insights and join us in the evolution of healthcare, please do leave a comment or question. Wellbeing empowerment for all…
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