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Acne and Karin Herzog
This article is also available in PDF format (here)
Acne sufferers have a condition that Dermatologists
call RETENTION KERATOSIS. This is where the sebaceous glands
within the skin are over producing Oil.
It is thought that hormones are generally responsible for some glands
producing more oil than others. It is sometimes a reaction to environments
and artificial stimulants such as the over-use of the wrong products
that cause the problem to accelerate.
Dead skin cells are constantly being shed from the epidermis. Sometimes,
and especially in an oily skin, these cells are not sloughed away
and so can build up, eventually falling back into the openings of
the Pores, and as a result the pore is blocked.
Fresh air can not get down into the follicle to deliver detoxifying
Oxygen. The consequence is a plugged pore with a moist warm environment.
This is the perfect breeding ground for Bacteria. As the bacteria
gathers and multiplies, it swells in the follicle, and inflammation
occurs. Both whiteheads and blackheads start out as a "microcomedone".
These become either a whitehead or a blackhead or eventually a pustule
spot.
How acne develops
Doctors describe acne as a disease of the pilosebaceous
units (PSUs).
Found over most of the body, PSUs consist of a sebaceous gland connected
to a canal, called a follicle that contains a fine hair. These units
are most numerous on the face, upper back, and chest, which are
the typical areas for breakouts and problems. Cells called keratinocytes
line the follicle. The hair, sebum, and keratinocytes that fill
the narrow follicle may produce a plug, which is an early sign of
acne.
The plug prevents sebum from reaching the surface of the skin through
a pore. The mixture of oil and cells allows bacteria Propionibacterium
acnes (P. acnes) that normally live on the skin to grow in the plugged
follicles. These bacteria produce chemicals and enzymes and attract
white blood cells that cause inflammation.
(Inflammation is a characteristic reaction of tissues to disease
or injury and is marked by four signs: swelling, redness, heat,
and pain.) When the wall of the plugged follicle breaks down, it
spills everything into the nearby skin leading to lesions or pimples.
People with acne frequently have a variety of lesions, the basic
acne lesion, called the comedo (KOM-e-do), is simply an enlarged
and plugged hair follicle. If the plugged follicle, or comedo, stays
beneath the skin, it is called a closed comedo and produces a white
bump called a whitehead. A comedo that reaches the surface of the
skin and opens up is called an open comedo or blackhead because
it looks black on the skin's surface. This black discoloration is
due to changes in sebum as it is exposed to air. It is not due to
dirt. Both whiteheads and blackheads may stay in the skin for a
long time.
Other acne lesions
- Papules
Inflamed lesions that usually appear as small, pink bumps on the
skin and can be tender to the touch.
- Pustules (pimples)
Papules topped by white or yellow pus - filled lesions that may
be red at the base
- Nodules
Large, painful, solid lesions that are lodged deep within the skin
- Cysts
Deep and painful pus-filled lesions that can cause scarring.
What causes acne?
The exact cause of acne is unknown, but doctors believe it results
from several related factors.
One important factor is an increase in hormones called androgens
(male sex hormones). These increase in both boys and girls during
puberty and cause the sebaceous glands to enlarge and make more
sebum. Hormonal changes related to pregnancy or starting or stopping
birth control pills can also cause acne.
Another factor is heredity or genetics. Researchers believe that
the tendency to develop acne can be inherited from parents. For
example, studies have shown that many school-age boys with acne
have a family history of the disorder.
Certain drugs, including androgens and lithium, are known to cause
acne.
Greasy cosmetics may alter the cells of the follicles and make them
stick together, producing a plug.
Factors that can make acne worse
Changing hormone levels in adolescent girls and adult women 2 to
7 days before their menstrual period starts.
Oil from skin products (moisturizers or cosmetics) or grease encountered
in the work environment (for example, a kitchen with fry vats) Pressure
from sports helmets or equipment, backpacks, tight collars, or tight
sports uniforms.
Environmental irritants such as pollution and high humidity. Squeezing
or picking at blemishes without a sterile environment and hard scrubbing
of the skin can all contribute to the worsening of acne.
Myths
There are many myths about what causes acne.
Chocolate and greasy foods are often blamed, but there is little
evidence that foods have much effect on the development and course
of acne in most people.
Another common myth is that dirty skin causes acne; however, blackheads
and other acne lesions are not caused by dirt.
Stress does not cause acne, but research suggests that for people
who have acne, stress can make it worse. This is because stress
reduces the oxygen pressure within the skin.
The lower the oxygen the higher the bacteria within the tissues
and the more bacteria can spread and multiply.
Who gets acne?
People of all races and ages get acne. It is most common in adolescents
and young adults. An estimated 80 percent of all people between
the ages of 11 and 30 have acne outbreaks at some point.
For most people, acne tends to go away by the time they reach their
thirties; however, some people in their forties and fifties continue
to have this skin problem.
It was medically proven by Dr Herzog that up until we reach the
age of 16, we generally can expect to have between 98 – 100 Oxygen
pressure in the skin both on the face and the body.
By the time we reach the benchmark ages of 24 - 30, our oxygen pressure
levels in the face alone, rather than the body, has dropped a massive
30% and is down to around 70. From then on in this pressure slowly
drops as other factors help to diminish O2 pressure.
You can therefore see conclusively that deterioration in Oxygen
pressure has a direct link to an increase in acne and breakouts.
Factors that can reduce our oxygen pressure
- Age
- Smoking
- Pollution
- Medication
- Stress
- Alcohol
- Sun exposure
- Air conditioning & Central Heating
From this list we can see why some people older than 30 are still
suffering from problematic skin.
Many people in today’s modern society live life at a fast pace.
Stress is on the increase, Pollution is rising which depletes the
amount of natural Oxygen in the air. Most work environments are
air conditioned or centrally heated, and many people are taking
medications. Some are even subjected to more or all of the factors
listed above.
Consequently mature Acne is on the increase.
How acne is best treated
The goals of treatment are to heal existing lesions, stop new lesions
from forming, prevent scarring, and minimize the psychological stress
and embarrassment caused by this condition
The key to treating acne effectively is to raise the Oxygen pressure
within the skin.
Dr Paul Herzog, who developed the formula for the Karin Herzog skin
care line, was the first, and remains the only Doctor, to have successfully
stabilised Oxygen In a cream format. When applied to the skin this
formula raises Oxygen levels sufficiently to allow the skin to safely
and effectively detox.
During his research Dr Herzog was able to demonstrate that it is
almost impossible for a well oxygenated tissue to become infected,
since Oxygen destroys bacteria. In this way we know that every application
of any of the Oxygen formulas within the Karin Herzog range will
help destroy unwanted bacteria before it has a chance to multiply.
With every application the oxygen levels are raised for up to 8
hours allowing for a deep cleanse of the tissues. After 8 hours
this Oxygen has been used by the skin and so it is vitally important
that anyone with a history of breakouts apply the cream to clean
skin TWICE PER DAY.
Treatments for blackheads, whiteheads, and mild acne
Many common methods of treating mild acne and congestion include
Topical creams with acids and various chemical ingredients that
help to strip the skin of oil and dry the breakout.
The problem with these is that if you dry the skin out too much
you will panic it to produce additional sebum as the skin gets the
message it needs additional lubrication. A catch 22 situation can
arise where you actually perpetuate prolong the problem long term.
Acids such as Benzyl peroxide, Salicylic acid are common place.
Karin Herzog treats acne without acid. Additionally the healing
properties from oxygen provide a solid foundation for skin repair
and will help reduce swelling and scar tissue.
It is the only product that works by giving back to the skin what
age and modern living takes out. These safe and natural products
only contain ingredients that your body recognises and can benefit
from.
Treatments for mild acne and congestion
If the breakouts have not been a continual problem for a number
of years and it is just a matter of regulating and normalising the
skin, when it deviates from the norm during menstrual cycle the
salon treatment recommended is THE PORE DRAW. A 1.5 hour manual
extraction Oxygen based facial that under the best sterile and hygienic
conditions will extract blackheads, whiteheads, and will even remove
some pustule spots. A must for congested, dull and overly oily skins.
The oxygen helps the sebum to be lifted from the skin without force
or pressure and then helps to heal and repair following extraction.
The anti-septic properties help to eliminate the risk of contamination
or cross infection. Oxygen also helps prevent scaring.
Home care products for the treatment of acne
UNDER 30 years old at active pustule stage
OVER 30 years old (Anti-age as well as
treating Acne) at active pustule stage
At any age when pustules’ controlled but scaring remains
To help diminish scar tissue after the
pustules have been controlled by the Oxygen in our creams,
substitute the Mild Scrub with
AHA Cream in your
routine at least 4 times per week
Apply Glyco-Rose
to entire face twice per week underneath oxygen if the scaring
is moderate to severe.
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