ACNE VULGARIS

A Vulgaris Most commonly referred to as acne, acne vulgaris is a moderate to severe skin condition caused by inflamed glands. Acne is characterized by red, bumpy infected areas of tender skin that may develop into small cyst like bumps possibly resulting in scarring.

This form of acne usually appears on the face, neck and back. While acne is most common among teenagers, it may also affect young adults and adults of both sexes. The male hormone, testosterone, and infection are believed to be the main catalysts of acne in most people.

Nutritional Supplementation and Acne Treatment

Based on the results of a number of clinical studies, researchers now believe zinc may be a potent tool in fighting acne. Some trials show that zinc supplementation is as effective in treating acne as traditional antibiotics. Research suggests that acne suffers may take up to 30 mg of zinc twice daily for a few months and once a day thereafter. If zinc supplementation is effective improving the visual appearance of acne, results will be evident after about three months of supplementation. Some professionals suggest that copper supplementation should be included with prolonged zinc supplementation to prevent copper deficiency.

Vitamin A is another treatment used to fight severe acne. Accutane® is a popular prescription drug containing vitamin A that has provided extended relief to many suffering from severe acne. Other experimentation with vitamin A includes the use of extremely high daily doses of vitamin A (up to 500,000 IU) to curb acne conditions; however, the termination of this type of treatment generally results in the reemergence of acne in patients within a few months. Another deterring factor of using this treatment is the levels of toxicity found in the high doses of vitamin A. The supervision of a doctor is essential if you are considering this type of treatment.

Pantothenic acid is believed by some researchers to have a positive effect on acne suffers. One trial administered a cream containing the acid between four and six times daily to patients. In addition to applying the cream, the patients ingested four 2.5 gram doses of pantothenic acid each day. After the acne began responding to treatment, the levels of the acid were lowered to a daily dose of between 1 and 5 grams. Results of the study showed severe acne to begin responding to the acid after six months of treatment. Moderate acne showed significant relief after only a couple months.

The results of a two month clinical study showed that applying niacinamide gel twice a day improved acne conditions. Presently, niacinamide is thought to only possibly improve acne when used topically.

Conflicting reports are available showing the results of vitamin B6 on acne. Although one report implies that the vitamin relieves premenstrual acne breakouts, no accepted research is available to support this theory. However, research in the past has indicated that certain doses of vitamin B6 relieve acne by decreasing levels of skin oiliness. Research continues to show inconsistency as another report claims that vitamin B6 aggravates acne conditions.

Treating Acne with Herbs

Herbs are also being tested as an option for acne treatment. One study compared tea tree oil to a common acne medication, benzoyl peroxide. Results claimed tea tree oil to be more effective due to the smaller number of side effects it produced; however, tree tree oil is not as strong as benzoyl peroxide and requires a longer application period.

The herb Commiphora mukul, or guggul, was used in a clinical trial with tetracycline, a drug used to fight acne. Guggul produced effects similar to those of tetracycline in treating cystic acne.

Burdock root is an herb used by some in the past to treat skin conditions. While burdock root is sometimes used in combination with other herbs, none of these herbs or combinations have been scientifically tested to safely treat acne.

Previous German studies propose that premenstrual acne may be controlled though use of vitex because of its possible regulatory effects on hormones.

Literature

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Leung LH. Pantothenic acid deficiency as the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris. Med Hypotheses 1995;44:490–2.
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Hoffman D. The Herbal Handbook: A User’s Guide to Medical Herbalism. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press, 1988, 23–4.