As I perused through the message boards, specifically the "Supplements"
board, a common cry for help and upsetting tone harbored itself within many
messages. Messages like, "you can take it, but the side effects include
acne." or "I took this yesterday and woke up with pimples everywhere,"
clutter the message boards. Acne is as old as supplements and the problem
still has not been solved. I found it interesting yet discouraging that
many visitors to Bodybuilding.com would actually risk the acne for
muscularity. Bodybuilding is an enhancement of the body for people to look
upon. A body with acne just will not cut it in a competition or on the
beach. The following article is an informative article designed to counter
the threat of acne and hopefully remove several stereotypical ideologies.
Resistance is futile. Unless you are blessed with extremely kind and
forgiving genetics, no one is immune to the threat of acne. Young
bodybuilders, who are bastions of raging hormones, are prime targets in the
game and the increase in supplementation among them only abets the problem.
I will delve into supplementation and acne later but first, let us explore
the common misconceptions about acne.
First, certain foods do not cause acne. Fried foods like McDonald's French
Fries are in no possible way related to acne. But, I hope none of you eat
foods like this anyway. Second, acne is not caused by dirt that lays on the
skin. Poor hygiene does NOT contribute to acne. The truth is that dead
skin cell accumulation and clogging leads to an increase in "sebum," or an
oily secretion of the body, that is used to cover the dead skin cells and
bring them to the surface. This natural cleaning process leads to acne.
Nonetheless, acne is genetic, whether your parents wish to believe so or
not. Third, washing everyday does not mean that you have cured the
situation. No matter how many times you wash, acne can continue to
resurface. Also, scrubbing hard may actually exacerbate the situation. So
what can be done?
There are several non-prescription topicals and cleansers that can aid in
treating acne. Active and non-active ingredients like salicylic acid,
benzoyl peroxide, sulfur and alpha hydroxy acids are effective in treating
moderate acne. Salicylic acid helps to correct the abnormal shedding of
cells. Benzoyl peroxide works by destroying the bacteria associated with
acne. Alpha hydroxy acids loosen acne lesions allowing sebum to flow to the
skin in a continuous and uniformed manner reducing the formation of new
acne lesions.
Several prescription medications include Brevoxyl, Retin-A Micro and the
most successful, but most dangerous, Accutane. From what I have read and
heard, Brevoxyl and Retin-A Micro work great but, they dry the F#&k out of
your face.I guess that's good? Accutane is the cure all medicine that
clears acne no matter how bad. Although not recommend for females due to
birth abnormalities and other medical problems associated with use, Accutane
should be a last resort. Several reports of severe depression and thoughts
of suicide have coincided with users of Accutane.
Now, supplementing with several products have been known to produce acne
among its users. Products like ZMA and prohormones have been widely known
to cause an increase in hormonal production, thereby increasing the chances
of acne appearing. Supplementation of these products should be judged on a
balance bean - risk acne for performance enhancement? There are supplements
that could aid in ridding yourself of acne. For instance, Vitamin B-5 has
been known to decrease acne on the body. Suggested dosage is around 3 grams
to 5 grams per day. Many users have been known to breakout and then start
seeing results. Oddly enough, Zinc, as apart of ZMA, is also an acne
treating supplement. Zinc has been known to rid the body of toxins,
presumably those bacteria that cause acne. Other Vitamins of use to the
promotion of healthy skin include Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Vitamin A.
Probably the most effective way to treat acne, and all of you should be
doing this anyway, is to drink lots of water throughout the day.
To recap:
- Acne is not cause by food or dirt
- Acne is genetic, but can be caused by the use of specific
supplements
- Treatment is avail on over the counter and prescription drugs
- Vitamin B-5 and Zinc is a safe alternative to treating acne
- Drinking lots of water will also aid the clearing of acne
Later,
b_vlcek@hotmail.com
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