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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on October 22, 2006, at 15:09:27
I'm thinking of giving tea tree oil a go for my acne. I get whiteheads, and I always have two or three on the go and then I get little red dots where they've been, and they eventually fade, but still. My skin could be alot clearer and it really effects my self esteem. I didn't mind them too much when I was younger, but now I'm 26 its begining to get to me...its a constant battle!
I used to use benzyl peroxide, but I was just reading that tea tree oil is just as effective but without the side effects.
Mainly due to my 'poisening-myself' fears, I haven't actually been using anything for the last couple of weeks. The thing is, my skin is just the same as it was when I was using expensive clinque products! Oh well.
Anyone have any experience tea tree re: acne?
Kind regards
Meri
PS I know acne is a 'health' issue, but tea tree oil is considered an 'alternative' issue - so I thought i'd post it here as this is the board for all things alternative so....
Posted by Declan on October 22, 2006, at 18:13:25
In reply to Tea tree oil for acne..any experience?, posted by Meri-Tuuli on October 22, 2006, at 15:09:27
There are melaleuca alternafolia farms all around here. Becuase the leaves are fine the plant is often taken to be a leptospermum. It's useful for lots of things. If you use straight tea tree oil, you might want to be careful about broken skin, maybe? Otherwise it sounds sensible enough.
Posted by nolvas on October 23, 2006, at 3:39:55
In reply to Re: Tea tree oil for acne..any experience? » Meri-Tuuli, posted by Declan on October 22, 2006, at 18:13:25
Bassett, I. B., et al. A comparative study of tea-tree oil versus benzoylperoxide in the treatment of acne. Medical Journal of Australia. 153:455-458, 1990.
This study demonstrated that tea tree oil (applied topically) is an effective alternative to benzoyl peroxide for the treatment of acne. 124 mild to moderate acne patients received either a gel containing 5% tea tree oil or a lotion containing 5% benzoyl peroxide (a standard treatment for acne). Both groups applied their preparations daily. After three months both groups experienced improvement in the condition of their acne lesions. Inflamed lesions improved by a similar extent in both groups. Benzoyl peroxide was more effective for non-inflamed lesions. Tea tree oil caused fewer side effects (dryness, itching, rashes, inflammation).
Laypersons’ Publications
· Murray, Michael T. The Healing Power of Herbs (2nd Edition). Prima Publishing, Rocklin, California, USA. 1993:324.
· Zapping zits. Mother Nature’s Health Journal. 2(10), 1999.
Summary
q Human study demonstrated the ability of tea tree oil (5% solution applied topically for three months) to improve the condition of acne lesions with similar effectiveness to that of benzoyl peroxide.
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on October 24, 2006, at 5:49:31
In reply to Re: Tea tree oil for acne..any experience?, posted by nolvas on October 23, 2006, at 3:39:55
Sounds like its a good idea, the tea tree thing. The thing is, my skin is exactly the same without expensive 'acne' products! But I reckon tea tree is worth a shot.
Kind regards
Meri
Posted by dessbee on October 27, 2006, at 7:19:46
In reply to Re: Tea tree oil for acne..any experience?, posted by nolvas on October 23, 2006, at 3:39:55
I would not recommend Tea Tree Oil since it has a horrible smell.
The only thing that clears my skin is a ketogenic diet (low carb diet)
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on October 27, 2006, at 9:43:16
In reply to Re: Tea tree oil for acne..any experience?, posted by dessbee on October 27, 2006, at 7:19:46
Hello!!
I personally don't find the smell of tea tree offensive - I rather like it actually. Plus, I'm not so bothered about the smell anyway - as long as it works!
I could never ever manage on a low-carb diet. I don't think that they're healthy either. Now, low GI diet I definately try to do!
Kind regards
Meri
Posted by dessbee on October 30, 2006, at 5:47:24
In reply to Re: Tea tree oil for acne..any experience? » dessbee, posted by Meri-Tuuli on October 27, 2006, at 9:43:16
Carbohydrates promotes bacteria growth in sebaceous glands and increases insulin levels, which increases inflammatory markers, sebum production and sebaceous blackheads (due to cellular proliferation).
This is the end of the thread.
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