A Holistic Look at Healing Acne

By Joan Siegel
Founder, Puremedy INC
January 28, 2020

More than 60 million Americans suffer from acne and that number is on the rise.  So what causes acne? And how can it be resolved in a holistic way resulting in strong healthy glowing vibrant skin?

Many say our western medical system falls short when it comes to treating acne.  If you see a medical doctor who prescribes FDA approved medication, chances are you’ll be taking antibiotics that destroy your healthy gut bacteria, thereby making it harder and harder for your immune system to defend itself against future acne.  You’ll probably also be applying a topical steroid cream that can cause your skin to break down with many other harsh negative side effects.  Both are clinically proven to lose efficacy over time, making the problem worse after you stop your treatment - not better.

So let’s take a fresh look at Acne.  It’s helpful to talk about 3 key components: 

1 - How skin actually works

2 - The relationship between your gut and your skin

3 - How stress can affect your skin

I:  How Skin Works

The above diagram shows a cross section of skin, and its various components.  Hair follicles which contain sebaceous (oil) glands are separate from sweat glands (see diagram above). Beneath all layers of skin is where we find our stem cells, which constantly ‘move’ and build new skin cells - replacing each skin cell as they die. 

Every 6 weeks or so, we have brand new skin!  As these new skin cells are formed, they migrate upwards through all layers of the skin, pushing out and replacing dead skin cells on top of skin as well as out into the hair follicles. 

Now, think of the bottom layer of stem cells like a big field of grass, gently swaying in the wind.  As they sway and move, they build new skin cells while depositing dead skin cells into follicles. 

Ok so what’s the problem?  Clogged pores.

As these new skin cells move up through the layers of skin, these dead skin cells are sloughed off into the inside of the hair follicle, clogging that follicle.  The sebaceous bland is also located inside that very same hair follicle and will produce oil, called sebum.  That oil combines with those dead skin cells to clog your pores. 

Other skin pore clogging elements include dirt and pollution we encounter throughout the day, face creams that contain water, make up, bacteria and other microbes from our fingers as we touch our skin, and finally inflammation of the skin which makes that follicle smaller.  Suddenly you have a clogged pore - the beginning of acne.

The solution is three fold: 

1. 1. Clean out the hair follicles
   2. Get fresh blood to your skin and stem cells faster
   3. Kill bacteria in a good way that supports, not destroys skin

Clean out your hair follicles

Many people use clay masks to draw out debris and toxins from hair follicles.  While this might seem logical, clay actually dries out skin, as do tee tree oil and witch hazel.  Skin requires oil to be healthy and strong.  Dry skin can result in the following:

• More wrinkles
• Dehydrated skin
• Cracks in skin which can allow for bacteria and other microbes to penetrate
• Increased risk of wounds and acne
• Increased risk of skin infection
• Increased natural oil production

If the skin dries out, those Sebaceous glands kick into overdrive with gusto and immediately begin producing more oil to moisten the skin to fight back with good oil, like throwing water on a fire.  Way to go, Sebaceous glands!  That oil is protecting your skin.

The answer is simple.  Use a drawing ointment that contains ZERO water, like Puremedy’s Black Drawing ointment, Acne relief ointment and Daily Face Cream for oily skin.  See below.  Overnight, the ingredients in each of these ointments drew out this embedded splinter all by itself, and deposited the debris onto the bandaid by morning.  One, two, three.  Voila! 

Fresh blood to the rescue

INCREASED BLOOD CIRCULATION = FASTER SKIN GROWTH = STRONG HEALTHY SKIN

 

As new fresh blood flows into the area with speed and force, the rate of stem cell production increases, just as if a wind suddenly comes up and blows on our field of grass, speeding up the rate at which the grass moves in the wind. Those stem cells move faster and build skin cells faster.  Just as a rising tide lifts all boats, increased circulation helps to lift up and out any debris in that follicle. 

 Increased circulation means:

• Faster wound healing
• Faster skin healing
• Less scarring
• Blood carries oxygen and nutrients to working cells 
• Blood carries away waste and free radicals from working cells
• Blood carries collagen, enzymes, growth factor cells, vitamins
• Flushes cellular debris out of the system
• Cleans skin from the inside out
• Builds stronger, supple and “plumpier” skin - and much more

Kill that bacteria in a good way

Many are beginning to acknowledge the danger antibiotics pose to our health and immune system.  The misuse and abuse of antibiotics has created our current Superbug nightmare.  In fact, The World Health Organization recently said that Superbugs pose one of the three largest threats against humanity (the other two being Climate Change, and World War 3).

Most Pharmaceutical companies have STOPPED researching and developing new antibiotics.  They know the brutal truth - stronger antibiotics create stronger more resistant bacteria.  Pharmaceutical companies invented antibiotics and have created a public health pandemic.  Rather than fixing the problem, they have washed their hands of it.  Now R and D dollars are being invested in longer term drugs for chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, etc. Already, millions of people every year die from skin infections.  And that number is on the rise.

Most medical professionals believe we need to look to nature for answers.  Puremedy’s Original Healing Ointment (the base of all of our skin care balms) kill bacteria fast, in about 5 minutes.  The grey bar represents the percentage of bacteria killed in just one minute - the red bar shows the remaining bacteria in 5 minutes.

You might be asking us, “What’s your secret?”  Our secret can probably be found not far from where you are right now.  Trees.  Pine trees, fir trees, and elderberry trees.  Our proprietary resins and barks provide the full spectrum sticky substance that bacteria simply cannot survive and multiply around.  These terpenes are powerful antimicrobial agents that have managed bacteria, viruses and other invaders since the beginning of time.

II: The Relationship Between a Healthy Gut and Healthy Skin

Research published in the World Journal of Dermatology found that changes in the gut microbiome can impact patients with certain dermatological diseases.  Studies suggest that probiotics may play a role in the treatment of acne, particularly because they improve the diversity of the intestinal flora.  Other skin issues are also influenced by the microbiome like eczema.  Other studies suggest that certain foods are detrimental to GI health like meat, cheese, dairy, sugar, processed foods and alcohol while other foods support strong gut health like fresh organic fruits, veggies and superfoods.

SOLUTION:  What we recommend

In order to talk about a holistic approach, we must look at both topical and internal solutions.  Your skin is in constant communication with various organs and entire GI tract.  That’s why it’s important to look at mind, body and overall quality of energy when we talk about healing the root causes of acne. 

Internal:  Support your entire GI tract, and other tips

1. Nutrition:  I’m sorry… but if you want healthy skin, dairy must go.  Leave behind milk, eggs, cream, butter, even yogurt and dairy based kefir.  Try this plant based diet for just 21 days and let the results speak for themselves.  https://plantstrong.com.
2. Try the most sophisticated probiotics I’ve ever found, Immune Strength and Liver Force from https://www.bioscienceinternational.com.  These two supplements combine to provide a full spectrum complex probiotic that have been credited with some incredible healing powers.
3. Sun Chlorella saturates your cells with everything they needs to grow and thrive. https://www.sunchlorellausa.com/page/sun-chlorella-1.
4. Drink apple cider vinegar and warm water first thing in the morning on an empty stomach
5. In Chinese Medicine, gut health is directly related to healthy skin. Do you research and treat yourself well.
6. Exercise regularly getting your heart rate up for at least 45 minutes at least 5 times a week
7. Stay away from sugar, gluten, dairy, alcohol, caffeine, drugs, processed foods, and animal based food.

Topical:   Give your skin what it needs

For the most severe acne:  In the morning, gently splash your face with warm water and gently blot off excess dirt and oil with a clean soft towel.  Careful to be gentle with your skin so it doesn’t tear.  You may cleanse with a super mild, moisturizing oil based cleanser.  Follow this by applying Puremedy’s Acne Relief ointment to entire face and throat.  This is an oily balm so let it sit on your face for 10 minutes, then ‘blot’ off the excess oil with a clean towel.  This same step may be repeated midday.  The more you use the balm, the better and faster it will work.

At night, follow the same steps above and apply the Black Drawing ointment instead of the Acne Relief.  Again, let it sit on your face for at least 10 minutes before blotting off the excess.  You may need to sleep with a towel on your pillow to protect your sheets.

For medium acne:  Repeat the steps above.  Apply the Face Cream for Oily Skin balm.  At night, follow the same steps and apply the Acne Relief ointment.

For mild acne:  Repeat the steps above, using the Face Cream for Oily Skin both morning and night.

Once your skin has healed, continue to use the Face Cream for Oily Skin every morning and every night.  Spot treat with the Acne Relief ointment or for more severe breakouts, spot treat with the Black Drawing ointment.  Avoid using any product that dries out skin like water based moisturizers, tea tree, witch hazel, and soap.

Water is actually bad for your skin.  Why?  Water dries out skin.  How does your skin look after a good long hot bath?  Wrinkled and dry. In addition, water grows bacteria so these products also contain cancer causing preservatives that have all been inhumanely tested on animals.

Internal approach: Improve your Gut Health

• Nutrition: I’m sorry… but if you want healthy skin, at minimum dairy must go.  Leave behind milk, eggs, cream, butter, even yogurt and dairy based kefir.  Try this plant based diet for just 21 days and let the results speak for themselves.  https://plantstrong.com.
• Try the most sophisticated probiotics I’ve ever found, Immune Strength and Liver Force from https://www.bioscienceinternational.com. These two supplements combine to provide a full spectrum complex probiotic that have been credited with some incredible healing powers.
• Sun Chlorella saturates your cells with everything they needs to grow and thrive. https://www.sunchlorellausa.com/page/sun-chlorella-1
• Drink organic apple cider vinegar mixed with warm water first thing in the morning on an empty stomach
• In Chinese Medicine, gut health is directly related to healthy skin. Do you research and treat yourself well by eating nutritionally rich food
• Exercise regularly getting your heart rate up for at least 45 minutes at least 5 times a week
• Stay away from sugar, gluten, dairy, alcohol, caffeine, drugs, processed foods, and animal based food. Animal based food actually rots and ferments in your gut.

Other tips:

1. Try not to touch your face
2. Drink a lot of clean water
3. Be patient. It takes time to heal and grow new skin

III:  The Spiritual Aspect of Healing Skin

More and more medical professionals are beginning to see the link between stress and problem skin.  One key element to healing skin is minimizing stress.  Stress can result in higher levels of cortisol in your system.  Published research confirms a direct link between increased cortisol and acne.  Study after study shows the same results: Results indicated an increase in stress severity strongly correlated with an increase in acne severity.

Keep Calm and Carry On is more than just a popular saying, it can be key to achieving homeostasis in your physical body as well.  Here are just a few suggestions to decompress:

• Meditate
• Spend time in nature
• Connect with people you care about
• Listen to inspiring and calming music
• Exercise regularly
• Practice compassionate self care
• Take time for yourself
• Do what feeds your soul
• Let go of that which brings you down
• Love and support yourself
• Light candles, read a good book

Make a list of things that brings you peace.  Keep that list in a place where you can read it every day.  Taking time to take care of yourself will pay off in spades.

To sum it all up, you are one giant integrated sophisticated network physical, emotional, spiritual, energetic, neurological and mental systems that constantly communicate with each other.  Your skin is a direct reflection of what is happening inside of you.  In order to fully correct an imbalance, we must address our healing from an integrated holistic perspective.

These steps and suggestions may seem challenging.  It’s ok to make changes one step at a time.  But healthy skin and circulation is vital to overall health.  If you are willing to put in the time and effort to improve your health, the benefits will be infinite and have ripple effects in every area of your life!