Does Constipation Cause Acne & If So How
How rich would you be if you had a nickel for every time you heard about some kooky acne cure? Was overcoming constipation included in that list? While, clinical studies of the relationship between acne and colon health are lacking, medical research does lend validity to the possible link. For example, regular bowel movements help maintain hormonal balances that are critical to clear skin.
There is overwhelming evidence that constipation and acne do affect significant number of people. Just this past march, a survey in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics interviewed over 500 people. And of this sample group, at least 96% used laxative treatments and of those, 47% were dissatisfied with their constipation relief. Similar to constipation, acne affects people from early adolescence and can mysteriously reappear in the adult years.
Overlapping cases of acne & constipation
Even though numerous people suffer from constipation and acne, this does not validate the link between the two conditions. However, findings from the American Dietetic Association do make the connection.
According to the American Dietetic Association, a fiber rich, and therefore constipation-preventing diet, lowers blood cholesterol levels and helps normalize the blood glucose and insulin levels.
Cholesterol & acne
Moreover, research studies have implicated both insulin resistance and cholesterol in the development of acne. To illustrate, a report in Journal of Investigative Dermatology points out that the skin can actually use circulating cholesterol to make the hormone androgen.
Androgens can provoke acne lesions by increasing the amount of oil secretion on the skin. With regular bowel movements, the hair follicles and oils glands do not have excess cholesterol floating around the skin that can be used to create zit-promoting androgens.
Insulin resistance induced acne
In addition to cholesterol, insulin resistance can provoke a pimple invasion. Insulin resistance, acne, excessive hair and obesity are just a few of the traits that characterize the endocrine disease called polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Convincing evidence has linked a jump in circulating androgens in PCOS patients to insulin resistance.
An excess amount of the hormone androgen in women promotes facial hair growth and can lead to infertility. Additionally, surplus androgen boosts facial oil secretion. This extra oil can cause more clogged pores and acne.
Medical Treatment for Insulin Resistance Treatments for PCOS include the drug metformin. A study published in Gynecological Endocrinology found that treating women with metformin reduced the symptoms of PCOS because the treatment lowered the patients’ fasting blood sugar level and testosterone levels. Testosterone is a member of the androgen family and can likewise lead to acne lesions.
In brief, acne is a multifaceted skin condition that can be triggered by a number of variables including hormonal shifts, nutritional changes or immunological weaknesses. Constipation undeniably influences the body’s endocrine system in measurable ways. A backlogged bowel can increase circulating cholesterol levels and increase the chances of developing insulin resistance. Both of these hormonal changes can generate excess androgens, surplus facial oil secretion and ultimately more acne outbreaks.
Sources:
Johanson, JF and J Kralstein. Chronic constipation: a survey of the patient perspective. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics; Mar 2007, vol 25, no 5, pp 599-608.
Kazerooni, T and M Dehghan-Kooshkghazi. Effects of metformin therapy on hyperandrogenism in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome. Gynecological Endocrinology; February 1, 2003, vol 17, no 1, pp 51-56.
Thiboutot, Diane, Sami Jabara, Jan M McAllister, Aruntha Sivarajah, Kathyrn Gilliland, Zhaoyuan Cong and Gary Clawson. Normal Sebocytes, and an Immortalized Sebocyte Cell Line (SEB-1). Journal of Investigative Dermatology; June 2003, vol 120, no 6, pp 905-914.
Wijeyaratne, Chandrika N, Adam H Balen, Julian H Barth, Paul E Belchetz. Clinical manifestations and insulin resistance (IR) in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) among South Asians and Caucasians: is there a difference? Clinical Endocrinology; September 2002, vol 57, no 3, pp 343-350.
Copyright (c) 2007 Naweko Nicole Dial
Home Remedies Acne Treatment For Chin And Forehead Acne
Looking for ways to get rid of chin acne and forehead acne? Searching for home remedies acne treatments online to solve your skin problems? It is true that acne can be a big pain especially if you can’t hide it.
People of all ages can generally get facial acne. Acne commonly develops in the T-Zone area. The T-Zone consists of the middle and sides of the forehead, the nasal area and down to the chin. This zone is very susceptible to acne lesions and where the most acne breakouts occur.
Reasons Why the T-Zone Is A Hot Spot For Acne Breakouts
Yes, the T-Zone is the area of the face where acne commonly appears. Why?
– T-Zone is the area that is being touched the most. The culprit here is our hands. We sometimes forget to wash our hands after touching a soiled rag or anything that is dirty.
– The T-Zone collects the most oil in the facial area, and we all know that one the main cause of acne is the clogging of pores and follicles.
– In this area of the face, there is a combination of oily, dry or normal skin.
– Stress can cause acne breakouts especially in the T-zone.
How to Control Acne In The T-Zone (Forehead, Nose, Chin)
There are several ways to control acne in the T-zone area. Here are some of them:
– Wash your face at least twice a day with an antibacterial facial wash. Remember not to use ordinary bar soap since it will just dry your skin. Use lukewarm water to open up your pores, usually done before washing. On the other hand, use cold water to rinse. Cold water closes the pores.
– Be gentle when you’re drying your face. Do not rub your skin because this will only irritate your facial skin. In addition, rubbing your skin with a towel will spread infection and will also remove the skin’s natural moisture.
– Use facial wipes sold in local stores and supermarkets to remove excess oil in the face. – Make sure that you keep your hands off your face. Wash your hands after using hair products so that when you need to apply makeup on you will not transfer germs, dandruff and bacteria from your hair to the skin of your face.
Home Remedies Acne Treatment
Did you know that you can actually find excellent remedies for acne in your kitchen? To get rid of your forehead acne, nose and chin acne you should try some of these home remedies:
– Rub fresh garlic on and around pimples. Garlic has antibacterial properties and with regular use, your pimples will disappear without a mark.
– To get rid of pimples, blackheads, and cracked skin use fresh lime juice mixed to a glass of boiled milk as a facial wash.
– Mix baking soda and water and use it as a mask. After application, you’ll notice your skin has greatly improved.
– Create a paste with ground orange peel and water then apply it on the affected area of your face. Use lukewarm water when rinsing of the mixture.
– Drink a glass of wheat grass juice to get rid of acne.
Summary
If you want to treat mild acne in your T-zone area, you can find your kitchen very helpful. The kitchen is where you can find simple home ingredients that are effective to treat acne. On the other hand, it is best to contact your dermatologist for severe cases of acne.
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