The first thing that we must understand is that acne breakouts occur due to an imbalance in our body’s function. An acne bacterium does not cause acne but is responsible for the inflammation in and around the acne. Medication applied to the acne kills the bacteria superficially thereby reducing the inflammation but does not assure you of acne free skin permanently. For that we need to tackle the problem from within.

Acne is not just a skin problem.
Dermatologists refer to acne as an inflammatory disease of the skin. Superficial factors like an oily skin due to excessive production of keratin and sebum by the oil-producing sebaceous glands results in inflammation.

This results in blocked pores which facilitate the growth of acne bacteria causing inflammation visible as blackheads on the skin’s surface or whiteheads which are below the surface of the skin.

However, acne formation is due to a combination of various factors like overactive sebum glands, skin type, blocked pores and acne bacteria together with malfunctions inside our body which makes the skin susceptible to acne breakouts. That is why medical practitioners refer to it as a disease of the skin.

Is Acne a skin disease?

Acne is the body’s way of telling us that all is not right with the internal functioning of our various organs. Always bear in mind that acne is the result or symptom of a malfunction of our system and is not a disease of the skin as most medical experts would like us to believe.

However, if you go along with the doctors views then you will fail to look for the root cause of the problem which is causing the acne. You will not understand that your body is giving you signals via the acne to look for the inner imbalance.

The inner natural balance needs to be restored so that your skin becomes acne free and your health returns to its normal state. You will not need to use the creams, ointments or antibiotics that the skin specialist prescribes.

This naturally will make you wonder why doctors insist on treating acne and acne bacteria as a skin problem. It suits them to have a captive patient who will continue buying the antibiotics and lotions. The specialists will also earn brownie points from the manufacturers of the medications since their sales are increasing at your expense.

The usefulness of the acne bacteria

Yes acne bacteria, like all other types of bacteria are there for a purpose. These organisms or p acne bacteria as they are called are found on everybody’s skin. Their job is to attack other more virulent bacteria and to protect and maintain the natural balance of our skin.

Even if you don’t suffer from acne you will find that the acne bacterium is present on your skin. It has a very important role as guardian of our skin and also in ensuring the skin’s elasticity.

In the normal biological function these acne bacteria feed on the oil from the sebum glands and on perspiration. That is why they were created to protect the skin.

An acne bacterium does not spread and since it is not infectious it does not cause an acne breakout. Which brings us to the question that if all of us have acne bacteria then why don’t all of us suffer from acne?

The reason is that for a bout of acne to occur everything has to come together including low internal immunity to create conditions that will encourage acne to strike with all its attendant symptoms.

Conditions that assist Acne

Certain pre-conditions are necessary for acne to develop. Whenever the natural balance of our system, like an imbalance in our hormonal profile for example, gets upset, the sebaceous glands produce excess oil. This oil combines with the toxins that the body has not been able to flush out because of the blocked skin pores. This condition helps the acne bacteria to increase at an alarming rate resulting in an acne breakout with all its side effects.

To get rid of acne and its recurrence you must ensure that such a condition is not allowed to develop. The acne cannot be stopped by trying to destroy the bacteria with superficial medication. This will only put a temporary halt in the proliferation of acne bacteria unless you treat the root cause.

Antibiotics like benzoyl peroxide, monocycline or tetracycline only destroys the acne bacteria but does not treat the condition that is causing the bacteria to increase.

How to tackle Acne

We know what conditions cause the acne bacteria to flourish superficially on the skin. Now we need to find out what causes hormonal imbalance or the build up of toxins in our body. Only then can we get rid of the acne permanently.

The combination of excessive oil production and toxin build up helps the bacteria to thrive and multiply on the skin. But within our body biological changes, nutritional deficiencies, psychological or hormonal imbalances are the culprits responsible for the acne eruptions on the skin.

To ensure that your skin remains acne free permanently you need to restore the internal balance of your system. Simultaneously, the bacteria on the surface of the skin should be maintained at the normal level so that your complexion becomes radiant once again.

You’ve got a big meeting in 2 days. You’ve worked on your presentation for over a month and it’s your one shot for the big deal. But what’s this? An acne breakout? Pimples? A sprinkling of whiteheads? What’s going on? You eat right, wash your face regularly with men’s skincare products and use acne treatment products. How could this happen to you? You need to have an acne free, polished and professional appearance to work your magic!

Strange as it may sound, your stress level might be aggravating the acne breakout. Once considered pure fiction, medical research has just begun affirming that the connection between stress and men’s acne is a fact.

According to a 2007 study reported on WebMD, teens undergoing high stress levels (think exam time), were 23% more likely to have an acne breakout than in non-stressful times. German researchers at the Free University in Berlin reaffirmed this in a study on adults, finding that subjects suffering from stressful conditions had more acne breakouts than those who didn’t.

A new field of research has been created to explore the relationship between the brain and skin conditions. It’s called Psychodermatology. Studying the impact of mental stress on the skin, these researchers consider a wide array of skin disorders, including eczema, hives, hair loss, rosacea, psoriasis – and of course, acne breakouts.

What is the connection? Scientists are still debating whether stress officially causes acne blemish breakouts, or simply aggravates existing acne by provoking breakouts. One reason acne may be caused in a stressful situation is the domino effect of the body’s ‘fight or flight’ reaction. It causes the body to up its manufacturing of male hormones, resulting in a greater production of sebum (the oily substance that lubricates skin). Increased sebum production means oily skin – and oily skin means clogged pores and acne breakouts. If you think this mind-body connection is all bunk, what about stress-induced migraines and ulcers? Suddenly the concept of ‘acne born of stress’ isn’t so farfetched after all.

Stress also hinders the healing process of men’s skin. Over time, stress has been shown to weaken the immune system, causing men’s skin to take significantly more time to repair acne stressed skin. Frequent bouts of acne can also lead to low self-esteem and a stressed-out mentality, furthering the vicious cycle of stress and acne.

Even if you don’t suffer from stress-related acne, stress can still do a number on your appearance. When you’re stressed, you sleep less. Lack of sleep dehydrates skin, preventing men’s skin cells from replenishing themselves. In addition to a fatigued appearance, men’s skin will sag and dark under-eye circles will appear.

If you’re like most busy, stressed out men, you don’t always have the time to prepare helpful meals and aren’t getting enough antioxidants in your diet. Antioxidants are known for their ability to improve overall skin quality, so taking MenScience’s Advanced Antioxidants nutritional supplement may help contribute to acne stressed skin repair and the prevention of acne outbreaks. Stress also wreaks havoc on a man’s diet by increasing appetite levels, especially cravings for high fat, carbohydrate rich ‘comfort foods’ that are lacking in adequate nutrients and vitamins. Besides making you sluggish, comfort foods will make you pack on the pounds, an added source of stress. If you’ve been eating too many fattening foods, take MenScience’s Advanced CLA Supplement Formula to boost your metabolism and transform your extra fat into energy.

Whether stress causes acne, or acne causes stress, it’s important for men to address both the physical and mental aspects of stress related acne. Treat acne- prone skin with a clinically developed, pharmaceutical-grade acne treatment like the MenScience Acne Treatment System to lastingly eliminate acne. Using the gentle Daily Face Wash cleanser, the acne-fighting, clarifying Advanced Face Tonic and medicated Acne Therapy Lotion, all by MenScience Androceuticals, can dramatically reduce men’s acne breakouts– with or without stress. Following a good regimen, getting adequate rest and engaging in moderate exercise will help you to face the head honchos with ease – without looking like you’re a pubescent, acne faced teenager who can’t handle stress. For more on MenScience products, visit MenScience.com.