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:
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:
How to do skin brushing for acne?
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.
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