Coreenna

This is a subject very close to my heart because I was plagued with pimples during my teenage years. But the strange thing about my pimples was, I didn’t get it until the later years of my teenhood. Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise because by then, I was ‘independent’ enough to seek out methods to get rid of my pimples. When all else failed, I was led to concoct my own DIY herbal formula which did work, much to my surprise, to get rid of pimples. It’s a long story and I won’t go into the details here but all these eventually led to the start of Vitasence. For this, I’m grateful to God. 

Having been in the skincare industry for more than a decade, I realized that many people experience the same frustration with pimples, comedones and acne scars. Through interaction over the years with customers and hearing their stories, answering their questions, and researching hundreds of ingredients and acne treatment methods, I’ve come to this conclusion: treating acne requires patience and dedication and the most effective approach is an wholistic one that must also focus on building your skin’s natural repair and defense functions and healing your skin. Towards the end of this post, I’ll explain how this wholistic approach works with Vitasence. 

Pimples and Acne

 Contrary to popular notions, pimples do not afflict teenagers alone. While it usually first appears during puberty, many men and women in their 20s through 50s also experience sudden outbreak of pimples. While never life threatening, pimples can be a source of irritation and frustration. Chronic, persistent pimples can even adversely affect one’s self-confidence and self-esteem. 

Popular Myths on Pimples 

1. Dirty Skin Causes Pimples

While dirt looks and feels unpleasant on the skin, it does not cause acne. Example, a construction worker can have good skin in spite of being exposed to dust and dirt.

2.You Can Dry Up Pimples

You can dry up water but not pimples. Skin cells contain water and when you attempt to dry up pimples, you are really drying up the water in the skin cells. This can impair your skin’s natural barrier function, thus increasing the presence of bacterial in your skin. It can also cause the skin to become dry, flaky and irritated, thus aggravating your skin problems. What you really need to do is to reduce sebum production by using the right product. This process is not the same as merely ‘drying up’ pimples. You can observe that those who were misled by this myth suffering from dry, flaking surface skin even while they have acne.  

 3. You Can Spot-Treat Pimples

You can’t. The ‘making’ of a pimple takes at least 2 to 3 weeks before it appears on the skin surface.  To treat pimples and acne, you have to understand the multiple causal factors and address them directly.

When A Product Says “Oil-Free”, Proceed With Caution

Oil-free does not automatically imply that the product will not cause comedones or pimples. A product may be oil-free but may still contain pore-clogging thickening and emulsifying agents. 

The Four Main Causes Of Pimples

1. Hormonal Imbalance

Male hormones or androgen, in particular, testosterone, can cause the stimulation of the sebaceous glands to produce sebum. Testosterone converts into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), another form of male hormone that switches on the sebaceous glands.

Premenstrual pimple is an example of pimples caused by hormonal imbalances. The elevation of testosterone in the bloodstream begins 8 to 10 days before a woman’s period. This elevation is actually not an increase in androgen as much as a decrease in the female hormone, estrogen. Nevertheless, the sudden larger percentage of androgen in the bloodstream leads to an increase stimulation of the sebaceous glands.

Other factors that trigger hormonal imbalances include stress, birth control pills, pregnancy, menopause and of course, puberty.

2. Excess Sebum Production (Hyperseborrhoea)

Sebum is essential for healthy skin and hair. However, when produced in excess due to hormonal imbalances, the skin takes on an oily and unsightly appearance and may even lead to irritation and inflammation in serious cases.

Hyperseborrhoea results form the increases in the size and activity of the sebaceous glands following hormonal imbalances. This is because the activity of sebaceous glands is androgen (in particular, testosterone) dependent. Every target cell(fibroblast) of the sebaceous gland contains an enzyme called 5 alpha-reductase, that converts testosterone into dihydroxytestosterone (DHT). DHT acts on the activity of the hair follicles, causing the stimulation of the sebaceous gland and the resulting increase in sebum production.

3. Irregular Or Excessive Shedding Of Dead Skin Cells On Both The Skin Surface And Inside The Pore

When dead skin cells on the skin surface and inside the pore are not shed normally, they can join together in blocking up the pore. When combined with excess oil, it solidifies as a soft, white substance that plugs the pore. If the surface of the pore is covered by skin, it is called a whitehead (milia). If the pore is open, without any skin covering, the top of the plug is exposed to air and darkens, causing a blackhead. Whitehead becomes pimples when Propionibacterium acnes begin to grow inside the pores, causing irritation and inflammation. 

4. Bacterial Growth

Hyperseborrhoea is  accompanied by the proliferation of microbial flora in the pores, in particular Propionibacterium acnes. This causes irritation and inflammation. Inflammation and excess oil causes the wall of the oil gland to rupture, spilling out the contents (oil, dead skin cells, bacteria etc) into the surrounding skin tissues. The body’s immune system then responds, sending lymph to the inflamed area to help with repair (and causing swelling). A pimple develops.

What About Food?

 This is still a very subjective issue. Some people can consume loads of chocolate and spicy foods without any problem while others experience outbreak of pimples at the slightest intake of such foods. We believe it depends on one’s body constitution. If food is the cause, it can likely be linked to hormonal imbalances as no one can deny that food has an impact on the balance of one’s body biochemistry.

Types of Pimples

1. Acne Vulgaris

Also known as common acne, usually begins during puberty.

Symptoms:

• Infection-induced pustules (pus-filled pimples) on the surface of the skin.
• The pustules usually discharge this white pus when squeezed.
• Occurs on the face, upper and lower back, and upper chest.

 2. Cystic Acne

Symptoms:

• Deep infections that are nodule or cyst like
• Infections do not surface and do not discharge their waste materials
• Infections heal very slowly and permanent scarring is possible.
• A slight, reddish and hard bump may appear on the skin surface which does not diminish for a long time. May feel slightly painful.

 3. Acne Rosacea

Symptoms:

• Should be diagnosed by a physician
• Characterized by periodic redness of the skin, usually on the cheeks and spreading across the nose.
• Excessive skin flaking and crusting.
• Does not respond to usual acne treatment. In fact, ingredients normally used for acne treatment, such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide etc, may worsen the condition of acne rosacea.

How to Get Rid of Pimples

 Available Types of Treatment (By Prescription)

1. Antibiotic (Oral)

Several studies indicate that antibiotics, such as tetracycline, erythromycin, and clindamycin can help to reduce acne-causing bacteria when used in conjunction with

topical Retin-A treatment. However, antibiotics should only be used as a last resort as they can produce some adverse long-term health problems such as chronic yeast infections and stomach problems. In addition, acne-causing bacteria can become immune to antibiotics if taken for prolonged period of time. According to an article in the American Journal of Clinical Deramtology (2001, volume 2, issue 3, pages 135-141) “The main cause for concern following the use of systemic antibiotics is the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains of P. acnes.” “ At a time when there is a global concern that antibiotic resistance rates in common bacteria pathogens may threaten our future ability to control bacteria infections, practices which promote the spread of antibiotic-resistance bacteria must be fully justified.”  Similarly a paper presented at the General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology in May 2001 stated that “antibiotic treatment in patients with severe acne causes development of antibiotic resistance…The prevalence of antibiotic resistance to tetracycline, erythromycin, clindamycin, and trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole was found after two to six months. When patients with acne are treated with antibiotics, the risk of development of antibiotic resistance should be realized. The use of antibiotics to treat acne should be restricted and other regimens should be tested.” 

 2. Hormone Therapy (Oral)

This method of treatment is available for women only. The FDA has approved low dosage birth-control pills, Ortho Tri-Cyclen and generic norgestimate/ethinyl estrodial, for use in the treatment of acne. It appears that low dosage birth control pills can decrease the presence of excess androgen which can be highest just before the onset of menstruation., thereby decreasing sebum production that causes breakouts.

However, like any drugs, low dosage birth control pills can result in estrogen-related side effects like nausea, headaches, breast tenderness and weight gain. There are also chances for health risks such as heart attack, strokes, blood clots, breast cancer, vaginal bleeding. A side effect on the skin can be increased melasma (dark brown skin patches).

Besides low dosage birth control pills, a testosterone-blocking drug, spironolactone, is also frequently prescribed for acne treatment. However, the results are controversial.

3. Tretinoin (Topical)

Tretinoin is a form of Vitamin A. Products that contain tretinoin include Retin-A, Renova, Avita and Retin-A Micro. Tretinoin changes the way the skin cells are formed in the layers of skin as well as in the pore. Tretinoin can transform cell production by improving skin shedding and unclogging pores. Tretinoin are however, not able to kill acne-causing bacteria. So it must be used together with antibacterial agents for best results. One of the major drawbacks of tretinoin is the irritation it can cause. It also makes the skin more vulnerable to sun damage.

 4. Accutane (Oral)

Accutane (isotretinoin) is a drug derived from vitamin A. It works by stopping the sebum production in your sebaceous glands and literally shrinks these glands to the size of a baby’s. This prevents the sebum from clogging the hair follicle. Normal resumes when treatment is completed and the sebaceous glands slowly begin to grow larger again, but rarely as large as they were before the treatment.

Dosage and treatment duration depend on the severity of the patient’s acne. Generally they last 16 weeks. If a second treatment is necessary, an 8-week rest period is required between treatments.

The most serious side effect associated with Accutane is that it can cause severe birth defects in babies born to women who took Accutane while pregnant. Other side effects include dry skin and lips, dry nose (even leading to nosebleeds), dry eyes, lower back pain (30% of the patients), joint pain (16.5% of the patients), headaches, nausea, depression, severe stomach pain, blurred vision, bowel problems, increase in cholesterol levels, and skin yellowing.

5. Laser and Chemical Peels(Topical)

There’re many types of laser and chemical peels that are used to treat pimples and acne as well as pimple scars. Generally, they’re effective if properly administered by a skilled dermatologist but it is very important to make sure you practice good post-laser or post-peel daily skincare regime. This applies especially to deeper laser and peels that calls for downtime recovery period. You don’t need to load your skin with too much skincare products during the recovery period. In fact, applying too much products may do more harm than good. However, you do need products that will help your skin with recovery and soothe any redness or skin discomfort which is inevitable during the post-laser/peel period. 

We’ve always received questions from people who’re going or have undergone laser/chemical peels for their acne as to what Vitasence products they can use to help with recovery. So briefly, here’s a guide:

1st 2-3 weeks post laser/peel:

Cleansing Mousse with Amino Acid

Revitalising Tonic

Soothing Moisturiser

Protective Hydrator (Daytime only)

Thereafter to keep your skin clear:

Cleansing Mousse with Amino Acid

Revitalising Tonic

Cell Renewal Serum(Use at night only, 1-2 times per week)

Pore Clarifying Essence

Acne Detox Serum 

Soothing Moisturiser(if your skin needs extra moisturizing, otherwise can skip)

Protective Hydrator(Daytime only)

Conventional Pimple Treatment Cosmetics

Most pimple treatment products in the market contain harsh, drying ingredients that do more harm than good to the skin. Remember, acne skin must be treated gently as it is in an imbalanced, fragile state. So-called ‘deep cleansing’, scrubs and ‘spot-drying’ products will only add more stress and aggravation to acne skin. Commonly-used acne treatment ingredients such as alcohol, peppermint, and eucalyptus are highly irritating to the skin. They are supposed to exert antibacterial properties. However, when the skin becomes weakened through irritation, it is even more prone to bacterial attacks.

Examples of commonly-used harsh ingredients:

Alcohol, menthol, camphor, eucalyptus, peppermint, myristic acid, palmitic acid, sodium laureth sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate 

Vitasence’s Method to Get Rid of Pimples

At Vitasence, we do not use any of the harsh, irritating ingredients listed above. We take into consideration all pimple causing factors and address them in a wholistic manner. Rather than just killing bacterial alone, our pimple treatment products help the skin regains its healthy equilibrium and strengthens the skin natural defense mechanism against bacterial proliferation. In that sense, it boosts the skin’s inherent capacity to ‘fight its own battle”. As acne skin tends to have impaired healing capacity, Vitasence products include synergistic combinations of biodynamic herbal actives that aid the skin to heal from pimple scars and marks. 

 Vitasence Products To Get Rid of Pimples

1. Cleansing Mousse with Amino Acid 

Rationale: Cleansing Mousse with Amino Acid is an award-winning, mild and gentle cleanser that will not stripped the skin of its moisture. It cleanses thoroughly without irritating the skin. Also, it does not leave behind pore-clogging residues.

 2. Revitalising Tonic

Rationale: Revitalising Tonic contains multiple flower acids(BHAs) which can penetrate clogged pores for exfoliation and pore clarifying actions. It also helps to stimulate cell renewal and lightens pimple marks and scars.

 3. Cell Renewal Serum

Rationale: Acne skin is prone to oil clogs and poor cell renewal capability. Cell Renewal Serum contains microencapsulated BHAs which help to penetrate clogged pores for exfoliation and prevent build-up of excess cell debris(which contributes to clogged pores). In addition, it helps to keep the skin’s cell renewal rate at a healthy level. Kojic acid and the mixed fruit and flower acids also help to lighten pimple marks and scars and refine the appearance of pores.

 4. Pore Clarifying Essence

Rationale: Pore Clarifying Essence contains biodynamic herbal actives that help to soften and dissolve away comedones. It helps to regulate sebum production, reduce inflammation and inhibit bacterial proliferation. It has been our bestseller for years!

 5. Acne Detox Serum

Rationale: Helps to reduce inflammation and pimple-related skin irritation. Promotes the skin’s natural healing ability and defense mechanism. Inhibits bacterial growth. Gets rid of pimples thoroughly.

 

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