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Acne is a common skin condition that can affect your face, chest, and back. Accumulation of toxins in the body is one of the factors believed to contribute to acne breakouts. Therefore, it is often suggested that methods be employed to reduce toxin build-up to prevent or treat outbreaks. Skin brushing is a popular natural alternative medicine (NAM) treatment for acne. But does it work? Or is it another beauty fad like most other acne treatments? Let’s find out all this and let’s know about acne first.
What is acne?
Acne is a skin condition caused when the sebaceous glands produce too much sebum. Sebum is an oily substance that helps to keep the skin moisturized. However, when too much sebum is made, it can mix with dead skin cells and bacteria to form a plug known as comedones. If the comedones rupture, it can cause inflammation and lead to the development of a pimple.
How is acne caused?
Several factors can contribute to the development of acne. The main ones are:
-Hormonal changes:Â Most cases of acne are caused by an increase in sebum production, which is triggered by hormonal changes. This is particularly common during puberty but can also occur during menstruation and pregnancy.
-Bacteria:Â Bacteria on the skin can contribute to the development of acne by causing inflammation and leading to the formation of comedones.
-Dead skin cells:Â Dead skin cells can accumulate on the skin’s surface and mix with sebum to form comedones.
-Genetics:Â Some people are more prone to developing acne due to their genetics.
-Exposure to certain chemicals:Â Certain chemicals, such as isopropyl alcohol, Cetearyl alcohol, sodium lauryl sulphate, and some dyes, can trigger an acne breakout.-
-Extremes of temperature: Exposure to extreme hot or cold weather can cause the skin pores to tighten and produce more sebum, leading to an acne breakout.
How common is acne?
It is estimated that acne affects 40-50 million people in the US alone. Acne usually occurs during puberty, but it can continue to affect a person for many years after the teenage years have ended.
What are the symptoms of acne?
Some of the common symptoms include:
- The appearance of pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, and other lesions on the skin.
- Redness around the affected area.
- Inflammation.
- Swelling.
What are the different types of acne?
-Whiteheads:Â These are small, round spots that look like a white blemish on the skin. Their appearance is often confused with a milium or closed comedones.
-Blackheads are small black spots when the sebum and dead skin cells mix and become oxidized.
-Papules:Â These are small, raised bumps on the skin that are often red and inflamed.
-Pustules:Â Pustules are pimples that contain pus. They are typically larger than papules and can be more painful.
-Cysts:Â Cysts are large, pus-filled lesions that can be quite painful and often require medical treatment.
Can skin brushing help in treating acne?
Skin brushing involves using a dry brush on the skin’s entire surface, concentrating more on problem areas like the T-zone. Although no medical studies have been done on this method, those who have tried it note seeing fewer acne breakouts, smaller pores, and a reduction in the amount of sebum produced.
One possible explanation is that skin brushing helps remove the layer of dead skin cells on the skin’s surface, which can help reduce the formation of comedones. It may also help improve lymphatic drainage, which could help reduce toxin build-up and prevent acne breakouts.
There are a few things to keep in mind before trying skin brushing for acne:
- -Skin brushing should not be done if you have any open wounds or cuts on your skin.
- -People with sensitive skin may find that skin brushing irritates or worsens their acne.
- -It is essential to use a soft brush with natural bristles, as harsh brushes could irritate the skin and lead to further breakouts.
- It is not necessary to use a dry brush, but this will probably work best to remove dead skin cells from the skin’s surface. Using a wet brush could add moisture to the skin, which could help reduce inflammation. However, it would be more difficult to remove dead skin cells from moist or sweaty areas using a wet brush, so you may want to skip these areas.
- -Skin brushing should be done gently and gradually increase pressure over time if gentle brushing does not produce results. To begin with, you can try for no longer than one minute at a time and then gradually increase this amount. It is also advisable to use circular motions when brushing problem areas like the T-zone.
- It is a good idea to start skin brushing when you have just finished cleaning your skin, as this will help remove any dirt or oil on the surface.
- -Finish by applying a light moisturizer to the skin.
- Skin brushing may be worth trying if you are looking for an alternative way to treat your acne. Keep in mind that it may take a little time to see results, so be patient. And if skin brushing does not seem to be working for you, stop using it and consult a dermatologist.
How to do skin brushing for acne?
- -First, wash your face with lukewarm water and pat it dry.
- -Use a dry skin brush on the surface of your skin.
- -Always use gentle strokes when brushing your skin. Avoid using vigorous scrubbing motions, as these could irritate the skin.
- -Start by brushing areas where you have not broken out yet, so focus on the T-zone area, which is around the forehead, nose, and chin area—work from top to bottom rather than circular motions or back and forth movements.
- -After one minute, stop brushing your face and wait for five minutes before washing it off with warm water again. If you can tolerate this process, then repeat this for an additional minute if desired but do not exceed a total of two minutes.
- -After you have finished brushing your face, apply a light moisturizer to your skin. This can help reduce any irritation caused by the dry brush.
What are the benefits of skin brushing?
1.) Helps to remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin:Â If you struggle with acne or blemishes on your complexion, then it is likely that you worry about removing makeup and cleansing your pores thoroughly every day. But if this is done too often or with too much pressure, then it could irritate your skin and cause further problems such as blackheads and breakouts. Skin brushing naturally helps you remove these dead cells from its surface without irritating it further, promoting a healthier-looking complexion.
2.) Skin brushing can help increase lymphatic drainage, which can boost your immune system:Â As well as removing dead cells, skin brushing helps to promote lymphatic drainage in the body. Your lymphatic system is responsible for transporting toxins through your body towards your lymph nodes. Once these toxins reach the yellow bone marrow inside your bones, they will be destroyed by special white blood cells called lymphocytes. By increasing lymphatic flow throughout your body, you are helping to ensure that more harmful toxins are removed effectively and efficiently by clearing them out of your body before they can cause damage or lead to acne breakouts.
3.) Skin brushing can improve your absorption of beneficial nutrients in the body:Â Skin brushing is also believed to increase blood flow to different areas of your body, which will help deliver nutrients around the body more effectively. This could be particularly useful for those who suffer from acne because it can help reach places like your skin where you might not usually receive nutrients directly through food or supplements. Skin brushing may encourage lymphatic drainage in this area too.
4.) Gently stimulates your skin and improves circulation:Â There are a couple of ways that skin brushing can benefit people who struggle with their skin conditions, such as reducing inflammation, promoting better circulation, and improving lymphatic flow. These benefits could potentially improve the overall health of your complexion by enabling essential nutrients to travel to your skin cells more effectively and promoting the elimination of toxins.
5.) Can be relaxing and help reduce stress:Â Finally, one of the best benefits of skin brushing is that it can be a relaxing and calming experience. Many people find that it helps them de-stress after a long day, mainly if they use a gentle circular motion when brushing their skin. This can be an essential factor for acne-prone skin as stress has been known to aggravate and worsen breakouts.
If you are looking for a natural way to improve your complexion, skin brushing may be worth considering. Although it does take a little time to see results, it is a delicate process that can have a range of benefits for your skin. Be sure to consult with a healthcare professional if you have any concerns about skin brushing and whether it is the right choice.
- -Be sure to use a gentle circular motion when brushing your skin.
- -Do not apply too much pressure when brushing.
- -Always brush dry skin before washing it off with warm water.
- -If you experience any irritation after brushing, discontinue use and consult with a healthcare professional.
- -Be sure to moisturize your skin after brushing.
Skin brushing for acne is a gentle way to improve the overall quality of your complexion by removing dead cells and promoting a healthier flow of lymphatic drainage in the body. If you find no improvement in your acne condition, stop using skin brushing and consult with your health care professional. Everyone’s skin is different and will respond differently to various treatments and methods. You can consult your skin doctor for your acne.
For maximum benefits, you can try these acne treatments:
- Clean your face twice a day with a gentle cleanser: You should clean your face twice a day with a gentle cleanser to remove any excess dirt or oil that might be clogging your pores.
- Use a benzoyl peroxide acne treatment: Benzoyl peroxide is a chemical compound often used to treat acne. It can help to kill the bacteria that cause acne and reduce inflammation.
- Apply an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) lotion:Â AHAs are acids that can help exfoliate the skin and remove dead skin cells. This can help to unclog pores and reduce the appearance of acne scars.
- Try using green tea extract:Â Green tea extract is a natural antioxidant that can help to reduce inflammation and kill bacteria.
- Try using a natural astringent:Â You can use a product that contains an astringent such as witch hazel or apple cider vinegar to help remove excess oil from the skin and tighten pores.
- Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet: Eating a balanced diet is one of the best ways to ensure that your body receives all of the essential nutrients necessary to maintain healthy skin cells. If you are not receiving enough vitamins and minerals in your daily diet, you might experience undernourished skin cells, leading to acne breakouts.
- Avoid touching your face:Although it’s hard for many people to quit this habit, you mustn’t touch your face, especially if your hands are dirty. Touching your face can transfer bacteria and dirt to your pores, leading to breakouts.
- Keep your hair clean:Â If you have oily hair, it is essential to keep it clean by shampooing it at least once a week. Oily hair can contribute to the development of acne.
- Use a moisturizer:A moisturizer can help prevent your skin from becoming too dry or irritated, both of which can increase acne breakouts. Look for a moisturizer labeled “non-comedogenic,” which means that it will not clog your pores.
- Get homeopathic acne treatment: Several homeopathic remedies can help improve your skin. Homeopathy doctor treats the root cause of acne and not just the symptoms. Homeopathy is a natural way to improve your skin health. There are many things that you can do to help improve the appearance of your acne. If you are experiencing difficulty finding an effective treatment, consult with a homeopathy doctor for additional advice. There are many different treatments available for acne, so don’t be afraid to experiment until you find the treatment that works best for you. Remember, it may take some time to find the proper treatment, so be patient! You can book an appointment through OHO Homeopathy for more information.