Acne

Acne Rosacea

Acne rosacea is difficult to treat because it involves the treatment of two different conditions.  Some of the ingredients used in many acne treatments are irritating and inflaming to the skin and may be especially irritating to the rosacea.  Using these products may cause a rosacea flare-up, which in turn will stimulate or aggravate the acne.  

Areas of the skin affected by rosacea are sensitive to stimulants that cause vasodilation (opening of the capillaries).  These include direct hot sunlight, hot temperatures, vigorous exercise, hot showers, saunas, etc.  Hot drinks or foods, spicy foods and alcohol that cause skin flushing may also provoke the condition.  These physical conditions and foods should be avoided, as they may provoke rosacea and in turn provoke acne.

Vasodilation causes approximately a 0.2 degree increase in the skin's temperature, which can significantly increase the reproduction activity of bacteria on the skin.  In turn this increased bacteria population  generates additional bacterial "lipases," enzymes produced by bacteria that create irritating free fatty acid from sebum.  Propionibacterium acnes (the bacteria involved with acne), bacterial lipases and free fatty acid all irritate and inflame the skin and thus are rosacea flare-up promoters as well as acne promoters.  Experience has taught us that washing the skin with an effective antibacterial cleanser within twenty minutes of vasodilation reduces bacterial populations, lipases and free fatty acids that promote acne and a rosacea flare-up.  Bacteriostat Cleanser (the antibacterial cleanser developed for acne rosacea and sensitive or dry skin) effectively kills numerous forms of bacteria (including propionibacterium acnes that causes acne) and removes lipases and free fatty acids from the skin.  Used on a routine bases and within twenty minutes of vasodilation, this unique cleanser has shown to reduce rosacea flare-ups and rosacea-induced acne.  

The very initial stage of a rosacea flare-up also involves inflammatory "histamines" produced by the skin.  They cause redness, puffiness and sometimes itching.  Histamines promote the production of inflammatory skin "cytokines" such as interleukin-1, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-alpha and collectively they produce a full flare-up.  Bacteriostat Cleanser, plus Green Tea/Clay Poultice and Moisture Complex contain ingredients that block the production of histamines and inflammatory cytokines and thereby inhibit vasodilation from becoming a full flare-up. 

Ingredients used in topical products can cause vasodilation, such as benzoyl peroxide, menthol, alcohol, witch hazel, higher concentration of glycolic acid and  salicylic acid, etc.  These ingredients are traditionally used in acne products to keep follicles open and may stimulate rosacea inflammation and in turn provoke acne.  Follicle Clearing Lotion  was developed for acne rosacea.  It contains a variety of natural plant extracts that inhibit the type of over-production of cells that block and plug follicles and induce infections.  This product will not stimulate vasodilation and is non-irritating to even the most sensitive skin.  The product does contain salicylic acid, but only 00.2% (two tenths of one percent) which is well below the threshold of irritation, but enough to provide antibacterial benefits.

Science does not have a clear understanding of the causes of rosacea.  There has been research showing a relationship between an intestinal bacteria, Helicobacter pylori, and rosacea and other research questioning this relationship.  The bacteria is associated with higher serum (blood) levels of interleukin-8 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (mentioned above), which can travel to the skin, or these two cytokines can also be manufactured within the skin.  Both chemicals can cause skin inflammation, which can aggravate or stimulate acne.  High levels of interleukin-8 are found in the crusty skin produced by flare-ups in advanced stages of rosacea.  Several BiON products inhibit the production of these flare-up promoters.

Significant systemic (bodily) zinc deficiency is associated with moderate to severe acne.  Zinc deficiency is also associated with skin diseases which produce high levels of interleukin-8, such as seborrhea.  Zinc deficiency is almost always associated with rosacea and acne rosacea. BiON acne products contain zinc in the form of zinc additives and as a natural element in the pascalitic clay used in our products.  These products (such as Green Tea/Clay Poultice) block rosacea promoting skin chemistry.  A multivitamin with 20-25mg of zinc is also beneficial.

Disruption of the skin's calcium gradient occurs in the infection sites of acne as well as in the crusting that follows a rosacea flare-up.  Skin antioxidant levels are reduced in active acne sites and rosacea flare-up sites.  Acne Inhibiting Gel contains volumes of zinc, calcium and antioxidants needed to correct the chemical imbalances caused by acne or by rosacea.  These ingredients and this product can be especially beneficial in the effective treatment of more severe cases of acne rosacea.  

Acne – Dry or Sensitive Skin or Acne Rosacea
Light, Moderate or Severe Acne
AM    Bacteriostat Cleanser – Apply to damp face, work into lather, rinse off
         Follicle Clearing Lotion – Apply thinly following cleansing, leave on
         Green Tea/Clay Poultice – Apply very thinly to problem areas, rub in to disappear
         Moisture Complex – Optional, for dry skin.  Use as needed, leave on
PM    Bacteriostat Cleanser – Apply to damp face, work into lather, rinse off
         Follicle Clearing Lotion – Apply following cleansing, leave on
         Green Tea/Clay Poultice – Apply more liberally than in AM, leave on
         Moisture Complex – Optional, for dry skin.  Use as needed, leave on
Note: For severe acne cases Acne Inhibiting Gel can be added to the twice daily
         regimen, following the Bacteriostat Cleanser and before the Follicle Clearing Lotion.
Note:  If the Poultice rolls or doesn't absorb when applied, the Follicle Clearing Lotion has been
           applied too liberally and is creating a barrier.

© 2006 BiON Research