Speed Acne Healing?

Sorry for the OT post, but does anyone have any recommendations for what to do / take to speed the healing of a pimple?

At the ripe young age of 34, I am still prone to the occasional breakout - as Bill Burr once said (paraphrasing), "I'm old enough to be losing my hair, but young enough to showcase some youthful acne".

The problem is, when I get a pimple (like this whopper on my cheek) it can last for weeks!

Any tips to speed healing?

Thanks!

scottyc33 - Lactoferrin is excellent to take for this for treatment as well as preventative.

Of course, you probably are already aware the only cause in most cases of acne is refined grains, sugar, vegetable and hydrogenated oils.

http://www.workswithwater.co.uk/downloads/Scientific%20Studies/lactoferrin.pdf

Eur J Ophthalmol. 2000 Jan-Mar;10(1):11-4.
Tear lactoferrin levels in chronic meibomitis associated with acne rosacea.
Kiratli H, Irkeç M, Orhan M.

Department of Ophthalmology, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.

PURPOSE: To determine tear lactoferrin levels in patients with chronic diffuse meibomitis associated with acne rosacea and to investigate their role in the development and perpetuation of some inflammatory ocular surface complications. METHODS: In this non-randomized, controlled trial performed in a tertiary care center, eight patients with biopsy-proven acne rosacea and blepharitis, and ten patients with seborrheic blepharitis not associated with acne rosacea formed the study groups and ten normal patients were used as controls. Schirmer I test results, tear break-up time and radial immunodiffusion (Lactoplate) tests on tear samples of the three groups were compared. RESULTS: Compared to controls, tear lactoferrin concentrations were lower in both the acne rosacea and seborrheic blepharitis groups. However, this decrease was significant in only the seborrheic blepharitis group (p = 0.026). One patient in the acne rosacea group, with the lowest measurement, developed bacterial keratitis. CONCLUSIONS: Though within the normal range, tear lactoferrin levels in patients with acne rosacea and seborrheic blepharitis were lower than controls. Low concentrations of lactoferrin may play a role in the ocular surface inflammatory components associated with these diseases.

The best thing I've found is a 40 mW 650 nm laser used for a couple minutes. Healing time was about 2 or 3 days with LLLT versus 7 without.

The more common 5 mW laser should also work but you'll be holding the laser there for 20+ minutes so I'd recommend a higher powered laser.

hope this helps

Jdp- What about dark scars on a persons back? Can you lightend by using LLt?

Mag oil is singularly the best skin healer I have used to date. It will burn until your skin is healed--the burning is a good thing. In my case, if i have caught some rays, the burning will last about 15minutes, then if I reapply, no burning, same with after shaving. I actually use it as a pre-shave lotion to protect my skin. It has also eradicated whatever wrinkles I had--not much, but still I can note a big difference. Hair is much thicker. I cannot get enough of this stuff.

scotty--
I had the start of a pimple on my forehead this week. At first, I thought i had banged my head because i felt a soreness when pressed but didn't see anything. In any case, it's almost gone and never turned into a boil. Basically, it ran a speedy course (2 days) without ever coming through the skin--I think the mag oil took care of it.

Hey youngbalder,

Yes, LLLT will work on scars.

I've personally used a 650 nm 40 mW laser with great results. The older the scar is, the less results and the longer/harder you'll have to treat IME. Personally, I'd shoot for 8 - 12 joules with scars.

Here's a study

"The favorable cumulative results of complete flatness to moderate response obtained for scars younger than 6 months were over 90%, this was reduced to 40% in scars aged between seven to twelve months and to a mere 3% in scars older than 12 months. These results suggest almost an inverse exponential relationship between the age of the scars and the responsiveness to laser treatment. Put in simple mathematical terminology, for each month of delay in laser treatment, the rate of failure increases by 5%. Therefore, for better beneficial outcome of these types of patient, it is recommended that burn scars be treated as soon as possible."



http://www.pjms.com.pk/issues/aprjun06/article/article13.html

Here's some info on magnesium oil. Like gibson, I'm very much a big believer into magnesium chloride ... I believe it was nidhogge that originally posted this last year

""Applications of Magnesium Oil (Mag Oil) and reported results:· Mag Oil massaged into arthritic joints will often give almost instant relief from pain · Mag Oil sprayed on sun damaged skin regularly will begin to rejuvenate from the inside out and after a few months will be significantly restored. · Mag Oil sprayed on wrinkled skin will eventually begin to smooth out the wrinkles · Mag Oil sprayed and massaged into graying hair each evening and left on overnight, will begin to restore natural hair color within weeks and stimulate the growth of hair and greatly improve hair texture. · Mag Oil massaged onto balding areas of the scalp will begin to induce the growth of new hair. · Mag Oil sprayed into the mouth several times daily will stimulate the medulla elongata (?) and develop enamel on the teeth. · Mag Oil massaged into fibromyalgia type pain will often quickly provide relief · Mag Oil mixed into a hot bath with some Prill water, will provide a very relaxing soak while delivering a huge amount of magnesium to the cells. · Mag Oil rubbed regularly onto age spots will often cause them to fade and virtually disappear. · Mag Oil regularly rubbed into scar tissue will cause that tissue to reform into normal tissue. · Mag Oil rubbed onto skin tags will cause them to eventually drop off. · Mag Oil used in a bath or sprayed on after a shower, will relieve stress. · Mag Oil may be used in a foot bath or even a hand bath if circumstances or condition do not permit soaking in a tub and the full benefits of a soak can still be experienced. In only 15 to 20 minutes, our magnesium deficient bodies will extract all of the available magnesium.

References from Magnesium Deficiency in “Holy Water, Sacred Oil” by Dr. C. Norman Shealy, M.D., PhD"

http://mrpaul.wordpress.com/2007/05/

scottyc33- I believe i read another thread that you used P90x? I cant find the thread but if were you that used it, do you think it is too intense of a workout that will increase cortisol which ive read too much off is definitely not good for your hair or do you thinks its a ok?

youngbalder wrote:scottyc33- I believe i read another thread that you used P90x? I cant find the thread but if were you that used it, do you think it is too intense of a workout that will increase cortisol which ive read too much off is definitely not good for your hair or do you thinks its a ok?

Youngbalder, yes that was me. Yes, P90x is very intense. I took a few months off and after starting back up again, I did the legs and back workout and was sore for a week!

I share your concern about cortisol but I am using EndoAmp after workouts and also I just started taking Sensoril 2x a day. So hopefully those will help.

Scotty- Thanks for replying the thing i rather worry about hair than worry about something like cortisol, so im probably goin to switch the P90x schedule and put my own spin. Probably do 5 workouts per week but making two of them yoga workout and 2 days to rest. As much get into the workouts and i like completing them, i rather keep my hair or what i have left.