Process of acne formation
Acne formation begins with excessive secretion of sebum that blocks the hair
follicle, the passage that leads from the sebaceous gland to the surface of the
skin. Normally sebum helps in removing the dead cells from the lining of the
hair follicle and in carrying them to the outer skin surface.
However, if the amount of sebum secreted from sebaceous gland increases, it
blocks the hair follicle thus making it difficult for dead cells to reach the
skin surface. As a result, the dead cells get trapped. These dead cells combine
with sebum and bacteria to form a plug in the follicle. When infection remains
under the skin surface, it develops into white head. When the infection
partly reaches the surface and changes color it develops into black head.
Remedies
Prevention is better than cure. Acne, particularly the one, caused by internal
factors as above can be easily prevented. The following habits can be helpful:
1. Drink 8~10 glasses of water daily
2. Eat plenty of fruits and
leafy vegetables
3. Wash your face 2~3
times a day, but not more than that. Too much washing will aggravate the
situation as excessive washing causes the body to produce more oil which makes
the acne worse
4. To keep the acne under control, one needs to
control both external as well as internal factors. External remedies, as
mentioned below, along with internal nutritious diet lead to healthy skin.
The following external remedies are easy to prepare:
1. Prepare paste by mixing 3
tablespoons of honey and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder. Apply this paste on the
affected area.
Cinnamon has got antibacterial
properties. The oil in cinnamon is a type of phenol, which is anti-fungal and
anti-bacterial.
2. Apply mixture of 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and one
teaspoon of cinnamon powder.
Lemon is rich in fruit
acids. The fresh lemon juice has capacity to remove dead skin cells gently.
3. Apply Nutmeg (Indian: Jaiphal) powder with un-boiled
milk on the affected area.
Nutmeg has
anti-oxidant and antiseptic properties.
4. Rub fresh garlic on and around affected area.
Garlic has
antibiotic properties that help destroying the bacteria thus containing the
growth of acne.
5. Make a paste of neem leaves with turmeric powder.
Apply this paste on the affected area.
Neem has got antibacterial properties making it
effective in controlling epidermal dysfunctions such as acne.
6. Apply fresh tomato pulp on the face.
Tomato is known to
have anti-oxidants and contains vitamins A & C. Vitamin C in tomatoes can
rejuvenate the dull skin and vitamin A is involved in formation of healthy skin.
7. Apply juice of raw papaya on affected area.
Papaya is rich in
natural enzymes. It acts as natural cleansing agent.
8. Apply a paste of orange peel powder with water on
affected area. Wash it off after 30 minutes with lukewarm water.
The citric acid in
orange soothes and softens skin removing pore-clogging impurities.
9. Apply cucumber juice on the face.
Cucumber has
hydrating and astringent properties.
10. Prepare a mixture of grated apple and lemon juice.
Apply this mixture on your face.
Apple soaks up the
extra oil and helps to close pores.
Conclusion
We have seen above the process of acne formation in brief and presented a number
of homemade Ayurvedic remedies that can lead to healthy skin.
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