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Accelerate your treatment regime for better results with combination therapy>
Factors to address in order to treat acne
Excessive Sebum production
Bacteria on the skin, which breakdown the Sebum into fatty acids which cause an inflammatory reaction in the follicle(skin pores).
Blockage of skin pores with sticky plugs made up of a mix of dead skin cells,Bacteria and Sebum. (This leads to the formation of a MICROCOMEDONE)
All of the topical preparations work in the treatment and prevention of acne by having a unique property.
The advantages of using more than one topical product in the treatment of acne.
Retinoids
work to prevent MICROCOMEDONES and keep pores open and unblocked
Benzoyl peroxide
is antibacterial and keratolytic.
Antibiotics
work by reducing inflammation and reducing the bacterial population (propionibacterium acnes) on the skin.
back to topHow to enhance and accelerate your acne treatment with combination therapy.
The formation of a microcomedone on the skin is a major event in the developement of Acne. The Microcomedone(plugged pore) is THE precursor of both inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne.
back to topIs it possible to enhance and achieve better and faster results?
By using products that address ALL the known factors that lead to the formation of a Microcomedone and the acne, it is possible to do just this.
The factors that can be addressed are SEBUM, DEAD SKIN CELLS and BACTERIA on the skin.
back to topReducing the excessive production of sebum on the skin.
Reducing or eradicating the population of the bacteria that breakdown the plugs to form acids that cause the inflammatory reaction in the pore.
Keeping the pores open and free of plugs that cause the blockage that leads to spots and scarring. back to top
Reduce Sebum
Following the cleansing regime suggested will help reduce Sebum levels on the skin and within the follicle. Sebum is continuously replaced by your body and needs to be removed,so wash at least twice a day with a foaming wash.Washing with a product that is medicated with at least 2% Salicylic acid will also aid in the removal of plugged pores and gentle exfoliation.The best way to use this type of wash is to gently rub the wash into wet skin with your fingertips for a few minutes and then wash off using warm water.
Sebum production can also be addressed by Anti-androgenic medication(prescribed by your Doctor). Spironolactone has anti-androgenic properties and may be suitable for people who fail to respond to other treatment.Cyproterone acetate is used in a combined contraceptive pill for women to help reduce sebum production.back to top
Remove Bacteria
Antibiotics have antibacterial as well as anti-inflammatory properties and will aid in the eradication of Bacterial population on the skin.Some people do not respond well to antibiotics and it is thought that this may be due to dilution of the concentration of the antibiotic in the follicle due to excessive sebum production in addition to Bacterial ressistance to the antibiotic.
Tea tree oil is widely used to eradicate acne causing Bacteria on the skin.It is very effective and there in no resistance to its action. In addition,it has anti-inflammatory properties and helps reduce the redness of spots. Benzoyl peroxide products also are very effective in eradicating Bacteria off the skin.There is no Bacterial resistance to these products and in addition they also enhance the shedding of dead skin cells from the follicle,helping to unplug the pores and prevent formation of the microcomedone.back to top
Remove Dead skin cells
Exfoliate regularly to remove any accumulation of dead skin cells.Peel off masks are really effective here(they exfoliate without scratching)
Prevent MICROCOMEDONES:
Keep pores open and unblocked
Topical Retinoids are comedolytic. Their continual use normalizes the growth and developement of cells(KERATINOCYTES) within the follicular duct(pore).The blockage in the pore eventually falls out of the pore and can be helped along by regular exfoliating.A peel-off mask is really useful here.Some Doctors seem to have the opinion that because oral Retinoids can have undesirable side effects,that topical Retinods should also be restricted only to patients with severe acne.Topical Retinoids are excellent at preventing the formation of Microcomedones and should form part of the treatment regime for ALL patients.You should demand a topical retinoid as part of your treatment regime.Excellent results are obtained when a topical antibiotic (or oral antibiotic) is combined with a topical Retinoid.
The idea therefore is to COMBINE treatment by using two to three different products at the same time to target each of the factors that lead to acne.back to top
Some examples of combination therapy are:
Benzoyl peroxide cream/gel + Exfoliate and wash regularly + Tea tree oil product + Devina`s Choice
Antibiotic cream,gel + Retinoid cream/gel + Exfoliate and wash regularly + Devina`s Choice
It is best to apply one product in the morning and another at night. Retinoids are best applied at night because they tend to cause photosensitive reactions and are best used so as to prevent exposure to the sun.
Duac once daily gel is a new combination product containing the antibiotic Clindamycin and the antiseptic and exfoliating agent Benzoyl peroxide.
Benzamycin gel is a combination product containing Benzoyl peroxide and the antibiotic Erythromycin.back to top
Acnegenic and Comedogenic Cosmetics and Acne
It is a well known fact that certain chemicals and other materials used in the manufacture of cosmetics can cause and aggravate existing ACNE.These substances are called “comedogenic” materials. However, since the end result is the production of an ACNE flare up, these substances are often described as “ACNEGENIC”.
An acnegenic substance has the ability to cause and aggravate both COMEDONES and ACNE (pimples).
You should try and identify products that are not suitable for your skin and then avoid them.
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Diet and Acne
Diet has nothing to do with acne,but we must remember that people report their own experiences with particular foods.You may notice that a particular food may exacerbate your existing acne.I myself breakout in whiteheads overnight if I eat eggs.This is termed food intolerance and is an individual response.The best approach is to find out which foods make you break out and then avoid it.
Rather than AVOIDING blacklisted foods such as Chocolates,sweets,nuts and high fat foods,it would be better to follow a healthy diet which INCLUDES foods that may actually help your condition.eg:foods high in essential fatty acids which are thought to play an important part in skin function.
Visit http://www.acne-advice.com for information on how to include suitable foods to improve your complexion.back to top
Add Devina`s choice to your skin care regime
Acne is best treated and prevented by addressing ALL the factors that lead to the formation of lesions. Therefore it is logical to combine treatment with products that address different causative factors(sebum, bacteria, dead skin). The action of each preparation will be ADDITIVE and lead to a more effective and faster result than can be achieved by a single product alone. It is usual to apply one product in the morning and a different one in the evening. However there are also products available that contain TWO of the active agents in the one application. All sufferers want instant results. You can help yourself by using this technique.
Complement, augment and enhance your existing acne treatment by taking advantage of the fact that by adding a product that addresses a different causative factor to your regime will enhance the existing treatment synergistically (An additive action) by produ
cing FASTER and more EFFECTIVE results. Add DEVINA`S CHOICE peel-off face and body mask to your existing medical treatment for acne to enhance its effects. back to top |
