Eating honey is good for health as it increases alertness and energy, regulates blood sugar levels, helps cope with insomnia, promotes weight loss, improves digestion, etc. Along with these health benefits, the sweet product is great for cosmetic purposes . Some experts recommend using honey at home for acne. Possessing powerful antiseptic, antibacterial, antioxidant and moisturizing properties, the sweet product improves skin condition, helping to get rid of rashes.
Varieties of post-acne
In addition to atrophic scars - a type of post-acne, which we wrote about separately in another article, there are also post-inflammatory erythema and post-inflammatory pigmentation. Today’s article is devoted to these two phenomena.
Before talking about these unpleasant consequences, it is worth understanding where and why a pimple occurs in the first place. A pimple itself is an inflammation that the body does not allow into the blood, namely: at the site of infection, the capillaries narrow, then expand, building a dense defense of leukocytes. They fight infection, after which they restore damaged tissue and create new blood vessels. Visually the pimple goes away.
If the pimple is squeezed out, the natural healing process is disrupted. The infection can get into the blood, the probability of this is quite high. The vessels are certainly injured and leave marks.
Thus, post-inflammatory erythema occurs due to the accumulation of dilated capillaries, which could have been restored to a healthy epidermis if the pimple had not been pressed in this place. Most often, post-inflammatory erythema appears on light skin. Most Russians and Europeans who deal with the problem of post-acne are susceptible to it. Erythema appears as a pink, red, or purple patch left at the site of the pimple. The color is due to injury to the capillaries in the inflamed area. Sometimes erythema goes away on its own within six months, but not always - it all depends on the individual characteristics of the body.
Post-inflammatory pigmentation - brown spots. The color is due to the increased content of melanin, which occurs due to exposure of aggressive sun rays to unprotected, injured skin. Most often, dark-skinned and dark-skinned people, as well as women over 35 years of age, suffer from this disease due to endocrine changes. In most cases, the cause of pigmentation is inflammation of the papulopustular elements of acne, as well as scratching the area of squeezed out pimples.
Reviews
Mostly, honey against acne is tested by young girls and women – adherents of the ECO lifestyle. Negative comments arise either from an allergic reaction to the product, which was not known in advance, or when trying to cope with moderate or severe acne, and even in the shortest possible time.
For the most part, responses regarding the bee treat describe a successful victory over acne (of course, with an integrated approach to solving the problem). Also, people who have tried recipes with honey for the face note improved turgor, a decrease in oil content and an even out skin tone into a more pleasant one.
Why do post-acne appear?
The unpleasant consequences of acne are always the result of incorrect or insufficient professional treatment. First of all, it is important to maintain hygiene: do not squeeze out the inflammatory element, do not touch it with dirty hands, follow all stages of skin cleansing and the recommendations of a dermatologist.
The causes of post-acne can be different: deep inflammation, long-term struggle with acne, incorrectly selected treatment. All this inevitably leaves unsightly marks, especially the regular squeezing out of inflammatory elements, which, as we said earlier, damages the capillaries.
Factors in the appearance of post-inflammatory erythema are divided according to the nature of the formation into pathological and physiological. The first include:
- infectious diseases or pathologies of the body;
- autoimmune diseases;
- thermal, radiation or chemical burn.
Physiological reasons include:
- physical injury or intense massage;
- certain medications taken in large doses;
- long exposure to the open sun without proper protection.
Mild erythema goes away in a couple of days; in more serious cases, recovery may take several weeks. The speed depends on the individual characteristics of the body: cell regeneration (ability to renew), hormonal levels, deficiency or excess of vitamins, as well as on the cosmetics used to combat post-acne.
The causes of post-inflammatory pigmentation are still not fully understood, but scientists have identified several factors that influence their development. These include:
- stress;
- hormonal disorders;
- infection;
- diet;
- genetic predisposition.
Some experts believe that exposure to the sun does not affect the appearance of post-inflammatory pigmentation, but there is no evidence of this yet.
Benefits of honey for skin
The main medicinal property of honey is its ability to destroy bacteria. It is effective when taken orally and applied locally.
In the presence of rashes, honey acts on the root of the problem using the following factors:
- Elimination of suppuration;
- Reducing swelling;
- Cleansing the integument;
- Restoring the fat balance of the skin;
- Slowing down the natural aging of the dermis;
- Reduced discomfort;
- Saturation of the dermis with moisture;
- Activation of tissue restoration process;
- Neutralization of the effects of toxic substances;
- Extracting from the deep layers of dirt, partially dead cells, purulent elements;
- Prevention of the formation of spots and scars;
- Increased local blood circulation;
- Strengthening protection against the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms.
It is important to choose the right type of honey. The greatest influence on ugly rashes is exerted by:
- Fireweed - soothes inflamed and irritated skin;
- Linden – saturates with nutrients and increases turgor;
- Maisky – accelerates the healing of microtraumas left by acne elements;
- Bashkir - eliminates swelling caused by inflammatory foci;
- Acacia – deeply cleanses, preparing for further treatment procedures.
If it is not possible to get one of these varieties, then you should stop at any floral one. Its structure is most suitable for cosmetic sessions.
How to get rid of acne spots using cosmetology
Excessive spotting does not affect a person’s well-being, but his appearance and emotional state noticeably suffer from such acquisitions. It is logical that the first specialist who is contacted to remove post-acne and stagnant spots is a cosmetologist/dermatologist. In what ways does it help with erythema:
- laser exposure to capillaries;
- gels and ointments that narrow the walls of blood vessels;
- creams, masks and all kinds of peelings.
Experts in the field of cosmetology believe that erythema can disappear on its own in six months to a year. But in the case of post-inflammatory pigmentation, it is much more difficult to get rid of spots. Here are the popular methods that cosmetologists use in their practice:
- Microdermabrasion is the “filing off” of the stratum corneum of the skin. To completely remove post-acne pigmentation, 2-3 sessions are required, and the skin recovers within a month. During this time, you should avoid direct sunlight and refrain from going to the solarium, swimming pool and sauna.
- Mesotherapy with vitamins. It comes in the form of injections with a concentrate of vitamins, nucleic acids, amino acids, and proteins. It can also be applied to the skin with a vitamin cocktail, which is delivered to the deep layers of the epidermis using a laser device or microneedling (multiple skin punctures).
- Photothermolysis. The procedure involves burning out the upper layer of the epidermis, and the thermal effect provokes increased cell regeneration.
- Ozone therapy. Removing pigment spots with ozone. There are three types: meso-ozone therapy, ozone tonic and injections. The first is treating clean skin with a roller with an oxygen-ozone composition. Ozone tonic - rubbing the skin with an ozone cocktail, especially recommended against pigmented brown spots. With ozone injections, an ozone cocktail is injected under the skin, and the injection site visibly swells. Using massage movements, the substance is evenly distributed throughout the problem area.
- Laser facial resurfacing. Requires lengthy preparation: avoid ultraviolet radiation a month before the procedure, start using sunscreen 14 days before, undergo a medical examination, and take urine and blood tests. Acne spots on the face will go away only after a course of procedures, which lasts from 3 to 10 sessions. A rather traumatic method that requires a long period of rehabilitation.
- Dermabrasion. Mechanical damage to the stratum corneum of the skin. It can be superficial, deep and medium. Superficial dermabrasion touches the layers of skin up to the basal membrane, medium touches only the basal level, and deep penetrates to the papillary layer of the epidermis. Painful! There are contraindications.
- Chemical peeling. Organic acids are used that cause a controlled burn and subsequent death of the top layer of skin.
Each of the listed procedures requires a mandatory recovery period and is contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation!
Compound
Natural honey contains:
- An extensive complex of B vitamins, carotene, tocopherol and ascorbic acid;
- Carbohydrate components: sucrose, maltose, glucose, fructose;
- Minerals;
- Natural antibiotics;
- Acids of organic origin: acetic, citric, lactic, malic, oxalic, tartaric;
- Amino acids;
- Antioxidants;
- Flavonoids;
- Enzymes;
- Plant hormones;
- Water.
How to Get Rid of Acne Spots with Physiotherapy
To increase the effectiveness of cosmetics, physiotherapy is used - in the case of post-acne spots, we recommend using phonophoresis or microcurrents for a more pronounced result.
Today we’ll talk about phonophoresis. With this procedure, the beneficial substances of the gel or cream are delivered to the deep layers of the skin thanks to the influence of ultrasound.
The transferred components accumulate in the form of a medicinal depot in the skin and subcutaneous fat, significantly increasing the effectiveness of the drug and the time of its action. This is why the effect of physiotherapy lasts longer than a course of skin applications.
To conduct a session, you need a medium - a gel or cream with active ingredients that need to nourish the epidermal cells and eliminate the deformed substrate. The cosmetic product is applied only to previously cleansed skin! Since air does not carry ultrasound, you should press the emitter head tightly against the gel/cream application at the site of the problem area.
Next, the required ultrasound frequency is set - the lower the number, the stronger the effect on the body. Thus, at a frequency of 800–1000 kHz, ultrasound penetrates 5–6 cm, and at 2400 kHz, 1–2 cm. In the case of acne spots, a greater depth is not needed to solve a problem not of a medical, but of a cosmetic nature, deeper than 2 cm not worth influencing.
One session of phonophoresis takes 10–15 minutes, depending on the specific case and the severity of pigmentation. To remove red spots from acne, you need to complete a course of 8–15 procedures at intervals of a day or two.
Recommendations for using honey masks
- It is always better to use freshly prepared masks
- Before using the mask, wash your face, preferably with warm water or a natural cleanser, not soap.
- Try to use only organic ingredients
- Do not use soap to wash off the mask, this will cause you to not get any benefit from the mask.
- After you wash your face with warm water, wash it again with cold water a few minutes later. This will increase the elasticity of the facial muscles
How to remove acne spots with Fermencol gel
A specially developed Fermenkol line will help remove post-acne spots, aimed at correcting skin texture, normalizing color and restoring healthy tissue. All Fermenkol products contain 9 active collagenase enzymes, which “eat up” the destroyed vascular endothelium, improve local capillary circulation and, as a result, even out skin color.
Fermenkol also eliminates deformed collagen and, penetrating the dermis, acts only on pathological tissue, without affecting intact (healthy) areas of the skin. The result: clean, smooth skin without pigmentation.
To enhance the cosmetic effect, experts recommend using Fermenkol together with phonophoresis. The course of procedures can be completed either in a clinic at your place of residence or at home with a portable Reton device for phonophoresis. You can purchase Fermenkol products by placing an order online on the official website or in pharmacies in your city. Before use, consult a specialist; he will prescribe the optimal number of procedures. It is easy to get a consultation from a practicing doctor; to do this, you need to click the “doctor” button, describe your situation in detail and attach a photo of the damaged area.
Fermenkol products have already helped many people get rid of acne spots, here is just one of the reviews:
Remember! The sooner you start the course, the faster you will achieve the desired result and will again be able to enjoy healthy and beautiful skin.
Efficiency
In order for an acne mask with honey or other products based on it to work and help completely get rid of acne, you need to:
- Before starting the procedures, completely clean the dermis;
- Next, steam the skin using herbal baths;
- While the mask is in effect, it is recommended to relax and just lie quietly and rest;
- You should always remove the honey mixture with warm water, but then it is recommended to splash your face with cold water (to close the pores);
- It is important to remember about subsequent care and the use of nourishing or moisturizing creams;
- The ritual to maintain beauty will need to be repeated 2-3 times a week and remember that results usually appear within a month.
What is vitamin E
This is a family of tocopherols and tocotrienols - eight antioxidants that protect body cells from free radicals. This is the name given to oxygen atoms that are missing one electron. They strive to take it away from everything they reach, damaging surrounding cells and causing their death. Vitamin E absorbs free radicals, reducing the harmful effects of solar radiation and improving antitumor protection.
Getting into skin cells, it reduces the synthesis of prostaglandins and nitrogen oxides - mediators of inflammation. Its wound healing properties are known. Therefore, vitamin E is used to treat inflammatory skin diseases - psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, ulcers and pustular dermatosis. The anti-inflammatory effectiveness of tocopherol for acne has been proven. A study on mice showed that tocopherol prevented skin cancer, but this did not work in humans.
The magical effects of vitamin E are the result of taking it orally. When used externally, it does not treat wounds, burns and scars - this is what the study showed. But in combination with retinol, phytonadione and vitamin C, it sometimes helps remove circles under the eyes. It is often added to anti-aging creams, but it is not yet clear whether it will help protect skin from aging. But it is known that in some people the external use of this vitamin causes an adverse reaction in the form of contact dermatitis.
Allergic contact dermatitis
Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) (Figure 1) is a delayed type IV hypersensitivity reaction to an external allergen that is much less common than ACD. This usually occurs after exposure to fixative chemicals such as formaldehyde and dibromodicyanobutane, but thiuram, a rubber accelerator found in the elastic straps of surgical masks, is also a recognized allergen. It has been reported that ACD on the face may be caused by nickel and cobalt forming a metal wire that is used to ensure that the mask fits more tightly to the face.
Figure 1. Allergic contact dermatitis
RCD and ACD may be clinically indistinguishable. Both usually present as localized dermatitis, but well-defined areas of inflammation and redness are more suggestive of ACD, while a more diffuse pattern is more often seen in RCD. Treatment is a short course of mild to moderate potency corticosteroids, such as 1% hydrocortisone ointment. Avoiding allergens prevents further episodes, and therefore identification of the causative agents is key. It can be carried out using a patch test, recommended for use in those cases and on those areas of the skin where well-demarcated areas are visible clinically, as well as in cases of severe disease.
Should I take vitamin E supplements?
If a person eats more or less normally, he needs 4 years of extreme diet to use up all the vitamin E reserves in the liver. Therefore, tocopherol deficiency is rare. It usually appears if a person has impaired lipid absorption.
“Without fats, normal absorption of vitamin E is impossible, so it is important to include oils in your daily diet,” explains Nadezhda Nabatnikova. — Wheat germ oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil and soybean oil are rich in vitamin E. Nuts such as almonds and peanuts are also suitable sources.”
Only your doctor can decide whether you should take vitamin E supplements. If you self-medicate and drink “for health”, you can get hypervitaminosis. It is manifested by nausea, vomiting, weakness, headache and blurred vision. Particularly persistent ones lead themselves to disorders of the blood coagulation system.
Important to remember
- Vitamins A and E are fat soluble. They accumulate in the liver and enter the tissues that need them. Fats are needed not only for their preservation, but also for absorption
- Vitamin A is needed by humans for normal vision, skin condition, and even fetal development in a pregnant woman.
- A lack of vitamin A affects not only appearance, but also vision. If hypovitaminosis is not treated in time, you can go blind
- Systemic retinoids should not be taken during pregnancy - they cause serious fetal malformations
- Vitamin E is an antioxidant that protects the skin from free radicals
- Most people are not at risk of vitamin E deficiency. But hypervitaminosis with a tendency to bleeding is easy.
Rosacea
Rosacea (Figure 5) typically affects adults aged 30–50 years with fair skin. Typically, patients experience facial erythema and telangiectasia on the convex parts of the face (chin, cheeks, nose, forehead). The classic zone of rosacea distribution coincides with the area in contact with the mask when it is worn correctly. The chronic course and presence of telangiectasia usually helps to distinguish rosacea from perioral dermatitis. Rosacea can be caused or worsened by wearing a mask for long periods of time. Drug treatment includes topical agents such as 1% ivermectin cream once daily for mild cases. An oral tetracycline, such as moderate-release doxycycline 40 mg once daily for 8 to 12 weeks, can be added to the regimen for moderate to severe cases of the disease.
Figure 5. Rosacea
Types of honey
Raw honey
Raw honey (or any natural honey) is flower nectar and is produced by bees after they collect nectar from flowers. Raw honey contains propolis, a substance that bees use to seal their hive, which has antimicrobial properties. In vitro studies have shown that honey has medicinal uses and is effective against dermatologically relevant microbes. However, none of these studies are conclusive and require further research.
Honey is rich in antioxidants (flavonoids), vitamins, minerals, amino acids and some enzymes. It's antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, healing and cleansing properties make it useful in acne management.
Manuka honey
Manuka honey is made by bees that collect pollen only from Manuka trees found in Australia and New Zealand. It is a non-peroxide type of honey, which means that the enzymes present in it do not produce hydrogen peroxide when applied to the skin.
Manuka honey has antimicrobial properties. This activity may be explained by its low pH and high sugar content. Besides this difference, Manuka honey has other qualities of raw honey. It also helps heal infections and wounds. Its antioxidant content is also similar to raw honey.
According to one study, naturally darker honey contains more antioxidants. Now you know which honey to buy for your skin. In the next section, we will discuss how you can use honey to treat acne at home.
