Beyond the obvious facial blemishes, acne has the potential to lead to long term physical scarring. Acne is more common in people with a family history of acne. It generally develops during puberty and is associated with an increase in androgenic hormones. Acne occurs most commonly on the face, neck, back, arms and chest. Changes are then seen in the areas of skin where the greatest numbers of pilosebaceous glands (oil glands) are found: the face, scalp, chest and back.
Normal skin has a healthy balance of the skin’s natural process of forming a protective layer of dead skin cells, the sloughing of those dead skin cells, and oil production. When all is in balance, normal skin has a smooth, elastic, supple complexion. All that is needed to care for normal skin is to protect this balance.
Acne develops when the skin’s natural balance of oil production and the sloughing of dead skin cells are not maintained.
Four principle factors have been identified in causing acne: plugging of the hair follicle with “sticky dead skin cells”, excess oil production, bacteria and inflammation.
Acne is characterized by overactive oil production and plugging of the skin follicle. The obstructed follicle becomes engorged with oil and dead skin cells, creating a perfect environment for bacteria (primarily propionibacterium acnes) to multiply. At this stage a small white or black nodule will be visible on the skin. If the process is not halted at this point, the follicle becomes even more distended, rupturing the gland, and spilling the contents into the surrounding skin. Inflammation then worsens, creating pustules, and papules.
If this process continues, inflammation worsens, and pustules may become deep, cystic lesions. These deep painful nodules have the potential to create channels between them, and have a higher potential for long term scarring.
Inflammation is an important part of the progression of acne from the mild to more advanced stages.
Types of Acne:
Mild Acne: includes whiteheads (white bumps at the skin surface caused by clumped, sticky dead skin cells blocking the pore.) and blackheads (clogged pores which are open at the skin surface, look like dark spots on the skin.).
Moderate Acne: raised, red bumps and bumps with pus (pustules).
Severe: deep, solid, often painful bumps under the skin. May develop infection and can cause scarring.
The treatment of acne requires patience; unfortunately, no “quick fix” is available. Acne is a chronic problem, and controlling it may take months and even years in some people.
Recognizing that the development and progression of acne has multiple causes, Dr.s Abdullah developed a truly unique Acne Kit using the highest quality herbal and bioactive agents known to improve acne. The LexLi acne kit helps to normalize the skin by controlling overactive oil production, aids the sloughing of dead skin cells, and controls bacteria. Importantly, inflammation is controlled by the potent anti-inflammatory effects of Aloe Vera.
The goal of the LexLi Acne kit is to restore the skins natural balance.
Multiple factors contribute to the development of acne:
- Abnormalities in sebum production (overactive oil production)
- Cells that line the follicle do not slough or shed as they should, which leads to plugging of the hair follicle. (abnormally “sticky” cells)
- Bacteria (especially propionibacterium acne)
- Inflammation (the body reaction to plugging of the follicle with oil, dead skin cells and bacteria)
How acne develops:
An acne lesion begins when the hair follicle becomes blocked with abnormal “sticky” dead skin cells. This skin plug blocks the oil gland within the follicle, causing the follicle to swell and accumulate the oil. The plug then becomes visible at the surface as a white papule (whitehead). If the follicle continues to dilate, this plug becomes exposed, turning a dark color (blackhead.) If the follicle becomes populated with bacteria, inflammation will result as the bacteria release proteins (enzymes), converting the oil to free fatty acids, further adding to inflammation by attracting white blood cells to the area. As the follicle becomes inflamed, a red papule appears at the skin surface, and then forms a pustule as white blood cells enter the area.
With the obstruction of the follicle and bacteria invasion, the hair follicle unit may rupture. Continuation of sever inflammation may lead to the formation of nodules and cysts within the deeper layer of the skin.
Hormones and some medications may also contribute to the development of acne.
What Causes Acne:
Hormonal changes, family tendency, certain medications, certain occupational exposures, repeated, localized skin friction (violin players)
What does NOT cause acne?
Cleanliness: Acne is not a condition caused by poor hygiene and cannot be cleared by scrubbing or washing excessively. There is no correlation between acne severity and skin bacteria numbers. Aggressive rubbing should be avoided.
Diet: There have been no studies to confirm that acne is associated with diet. There is no evidence to link acne with eating chocolate or fatty foods.
Stress: The relationship of acne with stress remains controversial. Most studies do not support the idea that stress is associated with acne flare-ups. However, stress may begin to interfere with sleep patterns, quality of sleep, general health, etc., and may indirectly influence acne.
Using alcohol to dry the skin: The skin should not be excessively dried using alcohol based solutions (alcohol/aftershave/cologne/perfume) it is important to keep the protective barrier of the skin as healthy as possible when combating acne. Excessive drying may lead to increased inflammation and irritation.
Steaming the face: repeated exposure to hot steam may worsen acne by increasing inflammation. The occasional steaming done to remove comedones is acceptable.
How it works:
Acne is typically classified into three categories:
- Mild: comedone (whiteheads, blackheads).
- Moderate: inflammatory (swelling, red bumps, or pustules, along with whiteheads and blackheads).
- Severe: nodulocystic (deep, painful bumps under the skin.
Although there is no cure for acne, it can be controlled! The LexLi acne kit effectively targets all four factors causing acne. And delivers the active ingredients in a soothing, anti-inflammatory base of Aloe Vera.
The LexLi acne kit has been developed in combination, and the most substantial improvement and benefit will be seen when all products are used together.
It is not uncommon to experience dryness, redness and a slight burning when initiating use; this can be controlled by decreasing frequency of use to every other day as needed.
The most effective acne treatment will target all four factors causing acne, and ideal products would deliver topical agents in a way that would decrease skin inflammation and irritation.
LexLi Acne products are formulated with the highest quality ingredients, each with a special function to target the 4 factors causing acne.
- Increased sebum (oil) production: Salicylic acid and Witch Hazel, used to remove oily residue from the skin and hair follicle.
- Plugging of the hair follicle with abnormally sticky cells: Benzoyl Peroxide, Sulfur, Glycolic Acid, and Salicylic Acid, all promote the sloughing of abnormally sticky cells, keeping the follicle free of plugs.
- Bacteria: Benzoyl Peroxide, Sulfur, and Aloe Vera, are all effective antibacterials.
- Inflammation: Aloe Vera, a potent anti-inflammatory agent, used to calm the inflammation associated with acne, and to make the topical application of other anti-acne agents more tolerable to the skin.
The treatment of acne requires patience; unfortunately, no “quick fix” is available. It is not uncommon to experience acne breakouts during the first one to two weeks of initiating use of the LexLi Acne Kit. This is a sign of the dead sticky skin cells sloughing and eventually will clear.
Other things you can do to help improve acne:
- Drink lots of water.
- Aloe Vida as part of a healthy diet.
- Lightening Lift may be used twice per week and may be used over the entire face or spot placed.
- Non-comedogenic makeup.
- Sun avoidance.
How to use the LexLi Acne Kit:
- Acne Cleanser: Moisten skin with warm water. Apply cleaner with fingertips and leave on the skin for two minutes (avoid getting into eyes.) Rinse with warm water using a wash cloth as needed.
- Acne moisturizer with sunblock: Massage evenly into the entire area to be treated. Wait 10 minutes before applying makeup.
- Clarifying Lotion: Massage evenly into the entire area to be treated.
- Renewing Exfolliant: Remove make-up, then cleanse skin using LexLi Acne Cleanser. Apply the Night Acne Solution using upward strokes, gently massaging into skin. As you massage the Solution into your skin the small green beads of Vitamin C will dissolve, releasing collagen stimulating antioxidants into your skin. Do not get into eyes. Do not rinse off.
(Note: Please follow the precautions listed in the instructions of the LexLi Acne Kit.)
