Written by Dr. Alfred Granite DDS PHD Microbiology
Acne Is the most common skin disorder in the United States that affects over 40 million people of all ages. Approximately 85% of people between the ages of 12 and 24 have experienced some form of acne. Generally speaking hormonal and growth factors associated with adolescence trigger the beginnings of acne which can persist well into adulthood. Depending on the individual it leads some people to think that is never going to get better, so regardless of your situation you are not alone.
Acne is caused by a combination of factors including natural oils produced by the sebaceous glands associated with hair follicles, dead cells and surface dirt which clogs the pores and permits bacteria to grow which results in the formation of pimples. The first sign that this is occuring is the appearance of dark or black clogged pores sometime referred to as blackheds. Eventually bacteria on the surface of the skin causes the local area to become infected which appear on the surface as reddened areas indicating an accumulation of capillaries near the surface which is the body’s natural response to infection. This blood supply brings the body’s own defenses, primarly white blood cells, into play that destroy bacteria at the site of the inflamation. If this condition persists, sebum from the hair follicle may force its way to the surface appearing as a whitehead. Eventually the skin over the swollen pore becomes so thin that the sebum bursts through and erupts onto the surface of the skin.
It is important to treat these areas of infection as soon as possible to prevent the infection from growing and spreading across the surface of the skin. In some cases damage from the infection can result in permanent scars sometimes refered to as pock marks. Ultmately the most important treatment is to eliminate the infection and cleanse the pore area. This can be acomplished in a number of ways. One approach is to treat the infection systemically by prescibing a broad spectrum antibiotic taken oraly such as tetracycline. Although systemic antibiotics are usually effective especially when combined with topical retinoids, they should be used for the shortest period of time to avoid antibiotic resistance and antibiotic induced secondary manifestations such as yeast infections.
Over time it has been realized that a proactive aproach is probably the most effective way to prevent and eliminate acne. To accomplish this there are a number of specific procedures that have proven succesful in almost all cases.
First it is esential to keep the skin as clean as possible since dirt and bacteria are the primary cause of acne. This can be accomplished by washing several times a day with a mild soap or an astrigent such as witch hazel and hot water which helps to open the pores. Alternately a solvent based cleaning pad such as Stridex® (a topical retinoid) can be used to remove dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. This can usually be seen as dark residew after using the pad. Following this treatment a very warm clean damp washcloth should be used to remove any of the residue left by the pad.
Next, and perhaps the most importantly is to kill the bacteria that cause acne and also debride or rinse away oils and dying or dead skin cells is done by spraying the entire facial area and other places that acne pimples arise with Curativa Bay Skin Clarifier which contains a uniqe formulation of an all natural non-toxic isotnic solution that conains 100% pure and stable hypochlourous acid (HOCl) sometimes refered to as Super Oxidized Saline. Curativa Bay Skin Clarifier should be applied liberally 3 or 4 times a day and before bedtime. Do not be concerned if a small amount of clarifier enters your eyes or mouth. It’s non-toxic and will not hurt you or cause pain. If desired, you may gently massage the liquid until it is completely dispersed. The hypochlorous acid contained in Curativa Bay Skin Clarifier is created by a proprietary and patented process in the USA which assures absolute purity and stability. This Substance is not to be confused with generic preparations of hypochlorous acid that can vary widely in its chemical properies and efficacy.
Hypochlorus acid was first discovered more than 100 years ago by a Russian scientist as a substance that was an essential element of the body’s own defense mechanisms as well as an important component of the body’s immune system made by white blood cells, specifically the neutrophils. HOCl is a remarkable substance that is capable of destroying or deactivating virtually every known bacteria, virus, mold or fungi including some of the recently discovered “superbugs” such as MRSA and new pathogenic forms known as prions. In addition, HOCl speeds healing by as much as 50% when used regularly. HOCl is also effective in eliminating “cold sores” (herpes simplex virus).
Despite these remarkable properties HOCl has not been used extensively for antibacterial purposes due to the fact that it begins to degrade almost imediately after being produced by the white blood cells, thus losing much of its effectiveness. Recently, however, a new process has been developed using electrolyisis, referred to as ECA (elctrochemical activation). As a result it is now possible to produce 100% pure and indefinatly stable HOCl or Super Oxidized Saline (SOS) which is a weak salt acid that can be made in specific concentrations for several different uses.
When Curativa Bay Skin Clarifier comes in contact with the skin it immediately begins to to release free Oxygen and chloride ions that destroy pathogens associated with acne at the surface of the skin and just below. Since Curativa Bay HOCl is isotonic (same osmotic pressure as human cells or body fluids) it is not in anyway irritating to the skin, like other oxygen liberating preparations such as benzoil peroxide, or concentrated hydrogen peroxide. If it remains on the skin it will prevent new bacterial growth and assists healing. This is why it is important to apply several times a day.