Just Acne

Acne is a condition that leaves people desperate. No one wants to be seen in public with unsightly pimples on their face so they are constantly on the look out for the fastest and best acne treatment available. The problem with this approach is that best is a very relative word. What will work for one person may not work for someone else. That being said, the best acne treatments that work for many people are the ones that treat the underlying condition and are not necessarily the fastest forms of treatment. Understanding what acne is and how it starts is imperative.

Acne is a systemic inflammatory condition. Systemic means a condition that affects the body as a whole. Therefore, when seeking treatment for acne it is best to take a whole body approach. The whole body approach to treating acne starts with your diet. Part of treating an inflammatory condition involves avoiding foods that will promote inflammation in the body. Saturated fats and sugar are two main culprits causing inflammation. Decades ago people noticed the relationship between junk food and pimples. They may not have understood the cause but the advice to stay clear of greasy foods and junk food in general is solid. When you have acne, the unhealthy fats in processed foods, in particular Trans fats and saturated fats can cause inflammation in the body which is a cause of acne. Such foods include processed meats and hotdogs, chips, fries and fried fast food in general. High amounts of sugar in a diet is also related to inflammation. Cut down or cut out completely, soft drinks, candy and chocolate.

Omega-3 fatty acids, olive oil and canola oil all have anti-inflammatory properties. Omega-3 can be found in oil fish that came from cold water. Nuts and seeds are another good source. Eat walnuts, pumpkin seeds and sprinkle flax seeds on yogurt or on breakfast cereal. Low fat protein as well as complex carbohydrates and plenty of fiber will also help lower inflammation in the body. Stick with whole grains and lots of fruit and vegetables.

In addition to eating anti-inflammatory foods it is also beneficial to add supplements to your diet that are known to reduce inflammation. These include N-acetyl cysteine, zinc, essential fatty acids and alpha lipoic acid.

The next step for the best acne treatment results is topical treatment. You do not require a bag filled with creams from your local pharmacy. After washing your face with a mild soap, it is helpful to use a toner containing DMAE in high levels. Products with alpha lipoic acid together with DMAE are especially helpful in preventing and treating acne scars. Although the best acne scar treatment depends on the severity of your condition, one study showed an 80% improvement in acne scars in patients who applied a combination of alpha lipoic acid and DMAE to their acne twice a day over a period of 6 months.

Lastly, use a spot treatment that contains the ingredient glutathione. Glutathione is a natural substance that works to detoxify the body of toxins and other wastes. It therefore helps immune system which can better fight the inflammation associated with acne.

There are many different causes of acne. Stress can play a significant part as well as hormonal changes. What ever the precipitator however, they all lead to the culprit which is inflammation. The best treatment for acne will control inflammation.