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Acne vulgaris: a disease of Western civilization (2002)

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

11–20 of 64 posts

Re: Acne vulgaris: a disease of Western civilization (2002)

#11
Whilst living in hotels a few years back, I experimented with the provided moisturiser as aftershave. I soon noticed that rubbing any excess on my face reduced the number of spots I had, and now I apply it daily and get no spots.

Not applying it for a single day has a >50% chance of having spots appear. My hypothesis is it adds a mechanical barrier to my pores. The paper suggests various environmental factors might be behind it, so reduced exposure to anything airborne could be related.

Using moisturiser daily is certainly something that would have shocked my (more closed-minded) younger self - not being something that 'real men' would do.

Re: Acne vulgaris: a disease of Western civilization (2002)

#12
post #7

I read lots of research papers about acne and I tried many things including diets, removing dairy, removing sweets, changing pillow sheet daily, many kinds of anti acne treatments. The only thing that worked was roaccutane. After the treatment it slowly comes back so I beat it permanently with low-dosing (a 10 or 20mg pill every now and then) I realize there must be a reason deep down that caused it. Typically dermat…

It's not permanent but once you are over with it the age of acne has "gone through" (though yeah some pop up eventually)

I am way above age of acne. I still get acne every now and often.

I am vegetarian, no sugar. I worked out 3 times a week

I consume dairy in form of curd and cheese. I am lactose tolerant.

Consuming balanced diet and deficient in nothing, according to the latest report but i still get acne.

I've good face cleansing routine involving walnut scrub, alovera gel.

Re: Acne vulgaris: a disease of Western civilization (2002)

#13
post #2

I used to get bad acne as a teenager. I remember thinking it was some kind of cruel joke that I’d look in the mirror on Sunday night and see a fresh spot emerging, just as the others had cleared up, just as the school week was about to begin. Looking back, I think I understand what was happening. On Fridays I’d always eat a lot of sweets. They were banned in the household except for Fridays, and so we’d gorge on conf…

Eating sugar increases the sugar level in your body for some time.

Sugar is also food for bacteria and that leads to pus and inflammation and caries (the sugar in the saliva is converted to acid by bacteria).

There are also other bio-chemically active substances like certain fats and oils. Notably oils containing much Omega-6 acids (inflammation) like in sunflower seeds or sunflower oil.

Chocolate is bad not only because of the sugar.

Re: Acne vulgaris: a disease of Western civilization (2002)

#14
post #6
post #2

I used to get bad acne as a teenager. I remember thinking it was some kind of cruel joke that I’d look in the mirror on Sunday night and see a fresh spot emerging, just as the others had cleared up, just as the school week was about to begin. Looking back, I think I understand what was happening. On Fridays I’d always eat a lot of sweets. They were banned in the household except for Fridays, and so we’d gorge on conf…

Sugar and dairy products may be one of the problems. Lack of exercise could be one as well. There's some research on this, although some reviews seems to indicate that the evidence isn't 100% clear. I think the other piece of puzzle, where there's a dire need of research, is on the microbiome of the skin. Having a healthy culture of good bacteria on your skin may be important. That's why washing with soap can cause a…

What do you mean by "Mother Dirt" ?

Re: Acne vulgaris: a disease of Western civilization (2002)

#15
I think the microbiome on the skin and face is a large factor.

Controlling it is not as straightforward as a 'quick-fix', as it literally has a life of its own.

For me, the fix was wiping my face only with cotton face-wipes and water, and avoiding soap. (To be clear, I use soap everywhere else, but just use face-wipes on my face).

I actually came across this quite accidentally whilst camping. At the time, I thought it strange that an apparent lack of skin amenities made my skin better.

My theory is that disruption to the microbiome is a large factor, caused by detergents affecting the skin, and diet affecting the gut (which we know connects to other systems and microbiomes).

Re: Acne vulgaris: a disease of Western civilization (2002)

#16
post #7

I read lots of research papers about acne and I tried many things including diets, removing dairy, removing sweets, changing pillow sheet daily, many kinds of anti acne treatments. The only thing that worked was roaccutane. After the treatment it slowly comes back so I beat it permanently with low-dosing (a 10 or 20mg pill every now and then) I realize there must be a reason deep down that caused it. Typically dermat…

+1 for Roaccutane/ Isotretinoin - worked really well for me with a one-time 3-month treatment and I wish I had tried it earlier.

Re: Acne vulgaris: a disease of Western civilization (2002)

#17
post #7

I read lots of research papers about acne and I tried many things including diets, removing dairy, removing sweets, changing pillow sheet daily, many kinds of anti acne treatments. The only thing that worked was roaccutane. After the treatment it slowly comes back so I beat it permanently with low-dosing (a 10 or 20mg pill every now and then) I realize there must be a reason deep down that caused it. Typically dermat…

As long as it's only the face, BPO works, although tedious. For other body regions it becomes impractical. Isotretinoine is the big gun then - it works perfect, but has serious implications for the dopamine system. That is the huge problem.

Keto-ish diet works very often with the same effectiveness, but is also very hard to pull off.

Re: Acne vulgaris: a disease of Western civilization (2002)

#18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not permanent but once you are over with it the age of acne has "gone through" (though yeah some pop up eventually)

How long it takes? I'm 30 now and I would have breakouts if I didn't apply benzoyl peroxide twice a day.

That stuff is the devil. Thought I had oily skin. I didn't. It was a reaction to benzoyl. Switched to Cetaphil which I add pure tea tree oil to.

Re: Acne vulgaris: a disease of Western civilization (2002)

#19
post #3

Going paleo did a trick for me. Looking back, a was eating such amounts of shitty food, that I am very fortunate to end up being pretty healthy at all

What do you mean by paleo ?

Hopefully not a diet with much fat and much animal products.

https://livinontheveg.com/omnivore-or-herbivore/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXj76A9hI-o

http://gamechangersmovie.com/

Re: Acne vulgaris: a disease of Western civilization (2002)

#20
post #7

I read lots of research papers about acne and I tried many things including diets, removing dairy, removing sweets, changing pillow sheet daily, many kinds of anti acne treatments. The only thing that worked was roaccutane. After the treatment it slowly comes back so I beat it permanently with low-dosing (a 10 or 20mg pill every now and then) I realize there must be a reason deep down that caused it. Typically dermat…

It's not permanent but once you are over with it the age of acne has "gone through" (though yeah some pop up eventually)

For most westerners, acne is a stage of puberty, but for a minority (1% of males, 5% of females) it's a part of their life well into their 40s. Persistence is more likely for people who "dodge" teenage acne but develop it in their early 20s.
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