Acne

Acne (Acne vulgaris) is a dermatologic condition characterized by lesions that most often appear on the face and neck, but also develops on chest, back, shoulders and upper arms. Approximately 80 to 95 % of adolescents develop some degree of acne. Acne is characterized by pimples, cysts and abscesses. It occurs when pores in skin are blocked, trapping oil, dead skin and bacteria in hair follicles. Under normal circumstances, glands (sebaceous glands) attached to hair follicles secrete an oily substance known as sebum. This sebum typically travels up the hair follicle and onto the skin. However, if the hair follicle are blocked, the sebum cannot get out, sometimes causing formation of a blackhead. This is the result of blocked oil oxidizing, causing inflammation and an influx of white blood cells. Meanwhile, normally present bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes) break down the trapped sebum within the hair follicle. This results in further inflammation, as white blood cells attack the bacteria. Pus forms as the lesion enters the whitehead stage. In more severe stages, an abscessa pus-filled pocket within the skin may form. Although most pimples won't leave lasting scars, anything that damages the dermis (layer of skin just underneath the epidermis) can leave a permanent scar.

Types of Acne Lesions

Open comedones (blackheads) : These are dilated hair follicles, filled with sebum, dead cells and bacteria, and which have central, dark and solid plugs. The follicles are not completely blocked; the black appearance is caused by oxidation, not dirt.

Closed comedones (whiteheads) : These form when skin cells and oil completely block opening of a hair follicle, usually after a blackhead has formed.

Nodules : These are solid, dome or irregularly shaped, inflamed lesions that extend deep into the skin, sometimes causing tissue damage and scarring, if not treated. Nodular acne, which can be painful, is the most severe form of the disease.

Papules : This type of whitehead (5 mm or less) is one that has become swollen, red and inflamed

Cysts : These sac-like lesions contain white blood cells, bacteria and dead cells in a liquid or semi-liquid state. They result in scarring, and may be very painful and severely inflamed. Cysts and nodules often appear together to form nodulocystic acne, also very severe.

Pustules : This whitehead is pus-filled and inflamed. Once they rupture into the skin, they form pustular heads.

Acne can be caused by environmental and genetic factors. The role of hormones in development of acne is apparent at puberty, when there is a surge in the production of male hormones (which are present in both males and females), enlarging the sebaceous glands in the skin. This results in increased sebum production, which leads to aforementioned plug formation, creating as well a fertile environment in which bacteria multiply. Unlike male-hormone androgens, female-hormone estrogens have a beneficial effect on acne, which is why some doctors recommend birth control pills for women who have acne. But when a woman's estrogen levels decline, as they do just before beginning of a menstrual cycle, acne worsens.

Acne or acne-like lesions develop in response to various substances, including corticosteroids, lithium, and some psychotropic drugs. Use of many types of cosmetics, oil-based hair products and suntan lotions block oil glands and worsen acne.

Role of Noni in ACNE

Noni reduces inflammation and infection in acne. Acubin, L-asperuloside and alizarin present in Noni have antibacterial activity. Other ingredients, anthraquinone compounds are also proven antibacterial agents. These compounds fight against infectious bacteria like Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus morgaii, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Shigela.

Vitamins A and E : The benefits of vitamins A and E in acne were highlighted in a recent study in which investigators identified plasma vitamin A and E concentrations in 100 untreated patients with acne, compared with 100 healthy controls. Plasma concentrations of both vitamins in patients with acne were significantly lower than those of controls and a strong relationship between a decline in vitamin A and E levels and an increase in severity of acne was noted (El-Akawi et al 2006). Noni contains abundant quantity of Vitamins A and E, thus helps a lot in Acne cases.

Lipoic acid : Research into the efficacy of lipoic acid in the treatment of acne goes back several decades. Reportedly, lipoic acid activates a factor in the body known as AP-1, which produces enzymes that digest damaged collagen and helps erase scars, including acne scars (Kovalev 1981a,b). Lipoic acid is an ingredient in several topical acne remedies. Noni contains the Lipoic acid in natural form.

Zinc : This mineral performs a threefold role in the treatment of acne. It reduces inflammation; kills Propionibacterium acnes, the main bacteria associated with the disease, and produces changes in the skin environment that makes it more hostile to this bacterium for a longer time. In a double-blind study, a combination of 1.2% zinc and 4% erythromycin in a topical lotion was used by 14 individuals with acne. The combination significantly reduced secretion of sebum after six weeks of treatment. Noni contains this essential rare mineral and thus helps in Acne cases.

Essential Fatty Acids : The omega-3 fatty acids, Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are well-known Anti-inflammatories which reduce inflammation. Several studies found that omega-3 fatty acids are absorbed through skin and reduce inflammation in a particular area.

Noni contains all the essential fatty acids and thus helps in case of Acne.

Skin healing : Noni contains lipoic acid, betacarotene,  protein and vitamins A, C, and E. These ingredients reportedly repair damaged tissue and mitigate free-radical damage and thus helps in healing process in acne

Cleansers : Noni acts like a good cleanser. Noni detoxifies body.

Antibacterial/anti-fungal : Noni for acne helps reduce inflammation and infection. Acubin, L-asperuloside and alizarin in Noni have antibacterial activity. Ingredients - anthraquinone compounds - in Noni are also proven antibacterial agents

Astringents : Noni acts like an effective astringent and removes excess facial oil.

Role of Diet in Acne

Diet has long been suspected as a contributor to acne. Many people strongly believe that such foods as greasy pizza, chocolate and refined sugars cause acne. Meanwhile, the conventional dermatological community is adamant that diet does not contribute to acne, dismissing most dietary concerns as myths.

According to a few well-designed scientific studies, the truth is probably somewhere between these two extremes. There is very preliminary evidence that a diet with a high glycemic index one (contributing to glucose in the blood) contributes to acne. Noni contains carbohydrates of very low glycemic index value.

Recommended Dosage

Divine Noni Concentrate

5 ml morning and 5 ml evening for 3 days. Then

10 ml morning and 10 ml evening for next 3 days. Then

15 ml morning and 15 ml evening for next 8 months.