Condition: Acne

What is Acne?
We often think of acne as a problem faced by adolescents, but plenty of adults in their 20s through their 50s struggle with skin that is affected with the occurrence of acne either occasionally or on a regular basis. What might surprise you more about this common condition is the fact that the source of a breakout is a hair follicle.
Sebaceous glands in the hair follicle produce sebum. Sebum is an oily substance that, under normal conditions, travels up the hair follicle and out to the skin surface. As the sebum travels up towards the hair shaft, it encounters normal skin bacteria and dead skin cells that have been shed from the lining of the hair follicle. The greater the sebum production, the greater the likelihood that the hair follicle will become clogged as the sebum causes the cells of the follicular lining to shed more rapidly and stick together forming a plug at the opening of the hair follicle.

What Causes Acne?
The mixture of sebum and dead cells becomes a pool for bacteria to grow in greater numbers than usual. The sebum, bacteria and shed keratin dead skin cells get trapped in the skin causing inflammation, swelling and pus, resulting in acne. The body responds to this bacterium pool by producing chemical defenders that can lead to the formation of free radicals as a by-product of the energy production. Acne lesions are most common in the areas of the skin where there is the greatest number of sebaceous glands including the forehead, chin and mid-back but acne can also flare-up on the shoulders, chest, neck, upper arms and scalp.

Hormones are the most common link to the causes for acne. The adrenal hormone DHEA along with increased levels of testosterone are associated with the exacerbation of severe acne. Testosterone, a potent male hormone, when oxidized is converted to DHT (djhydrotestosterone) by means of an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. This is also the hormone linked to the loss of hair in both men and women.

Many women with acne are suffering from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, a condition that involves the overproduction of male hormones, such as testosterone. If the acne is accompanied by changes in menstrual periods, fertility complications or weight gain, the acne might be linked to hormonal imbalance with high insulin levels in the blood and affect cravings that are difficult to control. A shift in diet to include many more vegetables and fewer carbohydrates might help in the control of this cause of acne.
Another hormonal link to acne is excess estrogen. An indication this might be a link would include other symptoms, including breast pain and headaches that might be accompanied by other skin complaints. Again, diet and supplements by the doctor might help regulate these hormonal imbalances.

Reports are indicating that the deficiency of progesterone might lead to the increased production of androgens (male hormones) that can result in acne conditions. The use of progesterone cream in some patients has been found to improve the appearance of acne.

Even infections caused by Candida and mucous membranes have been linked with an increase in acne. Even though this has been considered a weak link by many doctors, there are studies that indicate that managing the overpopulation of Candida might improve the appearance of acne.

Types of Acne
Infantile Acne
Adolescent Acne
Adult Acne
Traditional Treatments Are Not Lifestyle Choices
Broad-spectrum antibiotics
Hormonal therapies and corticosteroids
Chemical peels
N-Lite® Laser
Dermabrasion
Collagen

The Wellness Solution

The wellness approach to Total Oxidation Management of acne can be a lifestyle choice and one that is easily incorporated into your daily life with two steps, two minutes, two times a day.

The first step in this wellness approach to prevent and control the symptoms associated with acne uses 15% naturally-derived, freshly activated, preservative-free L-ascorbic acid form of vitamin C combined with 1% zinc; which is proven in clinical studies to gently, yet effectively kill bacteria on skin. This freshly activated L-ascorbic form of Vitamin C, at pharmacological levels, is the only form of vitamin C clinically proven to scavenge free radicals known to cause inflammation. EC Mode’s revolutionary air-less duo-chamber delivery system guarantees quick and easy activation to assure ingredient integrity, stability and freshness.

The second step uses a non-irritating, non-acnegenic, non-comedogenic, non-drying wellness moisturizer formulated with an advanced ingredient technology that normalizes sebum distribution and is dispensed in a revolutionary air-less delivery system to help prevent exposure to bacteria.

Committed to ingredient integrity, EC Mode’s advanced breakthrough technology, proven with benefits in clinical studies, is intended to “trick” the response of sebum production and secretion to the surface layers, thereby minimizing symptoms associated with acne-prone, oily or combination skin without dryness or irritation. Together, these gifts from nature visibly and significantly improve the appearance by providing the following benefits:

• Normalizes sebum distribution to help eliminate the appearance of acne-prone, oily & combination skin
• Naturally enhances cell renewal
• Helps to protect skin against P.acnes (bacteria leading to damaged skin cells & scarring)
• Alleviates the appearance of a reddish complexion
• Helps normalize, rather than, accelerate exfoliation
• Soothes inflamed, sensitive skin
• Hydrates skin & replenishes moisture by creating a trans-epidermal seal
• Beneficial for all ages and skin types, especially sensitive/problematic skin
• Absorbs into skin with no greasy residue
• Free of alpha/beta hydroxy acids, & benzoyl peroxide that can radically exfoliate or oxidize skin
• Fragrance-free, Paraben-free, Propylene Glycol-free, DEA-free

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