Our purpose is not to hinder the physiological processes of the organism. Ours is a holistic approach. An approach that encourages the ristoring of the physical balance, by facing the causes as efficiently as possible and by ensuring a fast relief of all the symptoms.
Symptoms and relief
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Skin
The skin is one of the largest organs of the human body: in fact, if stretched out completely it can reach 2 square metres and in terms of weight it makes up 16% of the total body weight. Its main function is to protect organs and internal tissues from aggressions of the “world outside” and therefore constitutes a physical barrier covering the entire body surface. It plays a fundamental role in protecting the body from heat and cold (thermoregulatory function), from injuries and from aggressions of external pathogenic agents. Last but not least, it is seat of nerve endings of the sense of touch.
The surface of the skin is not uniform: it has a very complex design that varies due to the presence of parallel patterns along its surface that determine, particularly on the fingertips, typical figurations (called “fingerprints”) that vary from individual to individual. The skin is formed by two layers: the epidermis and the dermis. In the human species, skin colour depends on many variables (thickness of the corneous layer, level of blood perfusion, presence and optical absorption of melanin, vitamin A dimer, hemoglobin). For this reason, colour varies not only according to the ethnical group but also with individuals and, even though in small nuances, it also changes in different body regions of the same individual.
The epidermis is the outer part of the skin, formed by several layers of cells, of which the most external ones are basically dead but resistant to external agents. The principal functions of this layer of skin are: to form a physical barrier against external agents; prevent dehydration of the body; prevent penetration of bacteria or other pathogenic agents; protect the body from sunburns by means of special cells called melanocytes, which produce a protein called melanin, responsible for skin coloration; rapidly repair the skin in case of injuries.
The dermis is the layer right under the epidermis. Its principal function is to support and nourish the skin. In fact, it contains blood vessels carrying nutrients to the skin itself, as well as the sebaceous and sweat glands, in charge of regulating the body temperature; nerve endings that receive impulses coming through the epidermis; hair roots.
The skin is a very delicate organ that can incur several problems, either injuries or irritations. The most frequent are pressure sores, ulcerations, burns, injuries, bruises, erythema, abrasions, cuts, etc. The skin undoubtedly performs essential functions for the health and well-being of the entire organism: it is therefore important to maintain its integrity and functionality adopting correct hygiene habits that include specific cleaners and, in case of pathologic events, using appropriate natural remedies.
Blackheads or open comedones are deposits of skin grease and impurities in the hair follicles; instead, if the cysts remain at subcutaneous level they are referred to as closed comedones or white spots.
This area is where grease, microorganisms, keratin accumulate and in the presence of melanin they take on the typical dark colour; due to the pressure coming from the material accumulated, they come to the surface and typical skin imperfections become visible.
Particularly during puberty, that it to say when hormonal levels are highest, sebaceous glands are excessively stimulated and therefore the skin appears greasier, shiny, and is more likely to be prone to clogging of hair follicles, causing the formation of blackheads.
However, not in all cases do blackheads cause the development of pimples, as they often regress spontaneously or simply do not evolve any further for a long time. Particularly during puberty, however, blackheads can be the first symptom of acne and the most affected areas are the face, where they appear on nose and cheeks, as well as the back. Despite the fact they do not originate due to poor hygiene, regular correct cleansing of the skin is recommended, in order to eliminate grease accumulating, while avoiding too invasive treatments leaving the skin excessively dry.
Treatment of blackheads using conventional medicine
Conventional remedies to treat this specific skin imperfection include regular cleansing of the skin to prevent accumulation of excess sebum and eliminate impurities building up in the pores of the skin. Constant cleaning is ideal but should be kept moderate, since excessively invasive products may cause dryness of the skin and, in more serious cases or with particularly sensitive skin, skin irritations.
Creams are often prescribed, or medicines to be taken systemically if the infection extends. These are typically based on antibiotics, generating well-known side-effects: bacterial resistance as well as impoverishment of the physiological flora, because lacking selectivity they create fertile ground for further infections. This is why it is so important to have valid natural alternatives available, which are effective in solving this skin problem.
Nature can help you in case of blackheads
A natural and effective approach
To counter and solve the unpleasant problem of blackheads it is necessary to take action with specific products, both at symptomatic level, acting directly on the problem, as well as internally with a really deep “cleansing” action including specific action targeted to the principal causes of the problem.
GSE and blackheads
As to the efficacy of Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) as a broad spectrum antimicrobial, Laboratories and Institutes worldwide have proven that GSE is active against over 800 bacterial strains (both Gram+ and Gram-), as well as against countless viruses and over 100 strains of yeasts and moulds.
Numerous testimonies confirm its validity and in terms of both efficacy and speed of action it remains unrivalled in nature. These features, together with the even more unique characteristic of not having a negative impact on intestinal microbial flora, as confirmed by a study published in the “Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine” Vol. 5 n°3, 1990, make it a really extraordinary remedy to control proliferation of pathogenic and/or opportunistic microorganisms.
The importance of having a healthy and balanced intestinal microflora has already been highlighted, particularly with regard to its role in preserving the balance and efficiency of the immune system and to ensure adequate defense of the organism against any kind of microbial infection. Moreover, also when applied in formulations for local use, due to its “selective cleansing” action, it acts against pathogens without significantly affecting the physiological flora of skin and mucosae, therefore safeguarding their essential, defensive functionality.
GSE therefore represents a very valuable aid to solve the problem of blackheads.
Given the above considerations, GSE therefore represents the cornerstone of an effective and complete approach in order to solve the problem of blackheads, involving:
- local action in order to solve the problem and prevent it from reappearing.
This approach, combined with a healthy lifestyle (in terms of diet, but not only), includes the use of natural remedies that are well known in folk tradition and the efficacy of which in providing a definitive solution has been confirmed by recent studies.
Local action in order to solve the problem and prevent it from reappearing
Nature can help you with…
Grapefruit Seed Extract: GSE has proven to be particularly useful for its important, scientifically proven and recognized antibacterial and antiseptic properties for external use. At topic level it acts as an effective hygienisier, preventing and stopping bacterial phlogosis causing the development of pimples; it also “keeps sebum clean” avoiding inflammations and ensuring deep cleansing of the skin. This action takes place without being aggressive towards the epidermis and without causing erythemas and desquamations.
Melaleuca: also called “Tea Tree”, this plant belongs to the Myrtyaceae family, growing in swampy regions in East Australia. Tea tree oil is obtained from the distillation of its leaves, the main ingredients of which are particularly beneficial for health purposes, namely: terpinen-4-ol, alpha-pinene, γ-Terpinene and eucalyptol. It is recognized as an eccellent, broad spectrum bactericide, active against bacteria, viruses and fungi, and is widely employed to treat skin affections, abrasions, insect bites, scaldings, lice.
It is furthermore an excellent disinfectant to hygienise mouth and teeth. On skin with pimples it has shown marked disinfectant and cicatrizing action and its plant active principles have moreover proven efficacy similar to benzoyl peroxide. It has a good skin penetration properties and low irritating power.
Burdock: a bushy biennal plant belonging to the Asteraceae family, native to Europe, North America, Africa and North Asia. The plant’s roots, rich in elements (essential oil, inulin, mucilages, phytosterols and chlorogenic acid, antibiotic substances, calcium salts, potassium, magnesium, vitamin B) has been used for centuries in popular medicine, both in the West and in the East, as a detoxifying and hepatoprotective drug.
It has an antibiotic effect, as well as being tonic for the liver, kidneys and lungs; it purifies blood, drains toxins and cleanses the lymphatic system; it also has an antimycotic and antibacterial action. Recent studies have confirmed the undoubted usefulness of burdock as a detoxifier and anti-inflammatory, especially regarding treatment and well-being of the skin. Thanks to the presence of antibiotic substances, it exerts specific disinfectant and antiseptic action on certain pathogenic bacteria of the skin.
These plant active principles are best conveyed in a gel, ideal for specific cosmetic treatment to handle the problem in a definitive way.
The association of the above-described ingredients, essential to ensure a definitive approach against blackheads, can be further supported by specific remedies indicated to:
- ensure deep, yet delicate cleansing of the skin in order to prevent the appearance of pimples and blackheads, in association with cosmetic treatment: cleansing milk based on GSE, Melaleuca and Burdock.