Using Cannabis CBD to Solve Your Acne Problems

Teens think their acne is something to die for. As far as their imagination goes, they are the only ones who suffer. And, of course, each teen’s acne is the worst case ever.

That mindset does so much disservice to those winding up with life-scarring cases. Some 50 million Americans suffer from acne, and while it appears most frequent during puberty, it can strike you at any age.

Given the usual causes and traditional treatments, there is a surprising new interest in using cannabis CBD to solve your acne problems.

The acne basics —

Acne starts in the oil glands of your hair follicles. An inflammatory condition, it appears as pimples, whiteheads, blackheads, cysts, or nodules on your face. But, it can also show up on your back, chest, neck, and/or shoulders.

In most cases, it is not dangerous. In come cases, it can become infected. But, occasionally, it can leave disfiguring scars.

Acne is sparked by the male hormone androgen in both males and females. Androgen becomes estrogen in maturing females. The hormones release adrenaline that excites subaceous glands to express oil. That sebum oil is supposed to transport dead skin cells through the follicles to the surface of the skin.

But, if that oily liquid, the dead skin cells, and hair clump together, they block the escape route and may become infected with bacteria. If infected, the consequent inflammation produces pimples.

The standard acne treatments —

Acne treatment depends on the severity of the case. If it appears chronic and widespread, you need to consult a dermatologist specializing in the problem. The doctor will ask you about contributing factors:

• Is the family prone to acne conditions?
• Do you feel anxiety or stress?
• Does acne coincide with your menstrual cycle?
• Is your makeup or after shave oil-based?
• Have you been squeezing the pimples, whiteheads, or blackheads?
• What personal hygiene do you practice?

For most mild cases, you can clear up the problem with a healthy diet and a habit of washing hands, face, and susceptible areas thoroughly and regularly. Otherwise, you will find shelves of treatments at your local pharmacy.

Heavily advertised creams, gels, lotions, and soaps are available without prescription. If you normally have sensitive skin, you should choose the creams. But, if you have oily skin for starters, you would opt for alcohol-based gels or pads.

You still should read the labels because not all OTC products work the same:

• Azelaic acid will pores and reduce bacteria
• Benzoyl peroxide reduces the flow of sebum.
• Retin-A unblocks the pores.
• Resorcinol breaks down the infection inflaming whiteheads and blackheads.
• Salicylic acid reduces swelling and inflammation.

The pharmaceutical therapies —

If OTC treatments irritate your skin, you should stop the treatment immediately. A dermatologist may prescribe medications like these OTC products with additional strength or added antibiotics.

For more serious and chronic conditions, the doctor may choose:

• Corticosteroid injections to prevent scarring.
• Oral antibiotics, such as erythromycin or tetracycline. are taken to kill the germs starting with a high dose and declining in strength as the acne disappears.
• Oral contraceptives have been known to control acne in women, but they must confer with their gynecologist.
• Topical retinoids, including adapalene, tazarotene, and tretinoin, are topicals derived from vitamin-A

This care and other pharmaceutical options can be long-term and expensive, but the threat of damaging scars drives patients to specialists constantly.

The CBD therapy option —

Research and success has been driving increasing interest in using cannabidiol (CBD) to treat acne. CBD interacts with the brain’s CB2 receptors to regulate the flow and distribution of hormones. And, that includes regulating the lipid system.

According to Fred Gardner writing for O'Shaughnessy's (The Journal of Cannabis in Clinical Practice), the lipid system feeds the sebaceous oil glands at the base of follicles. In regulating that flow, CBD opens the pores and limits the amount of sebum subject to infection.

A study in The Clinical Journal of Clinical Investigation supports this theory and concludes, “our findings suggest that, due to the combined lipostatic, antiproliferative, and anti-inflammatory effects, CBD has potential as a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of acne vulgaris.

And, a clinical study, published in the Pakistani Journal of Clinical Science, regularly applied a base of 3% cannabis seeds to the cheeks of volunteers over a 12-week period. The treatment proved significantly effective. “Its improved efficacy could be suggested for treatment of acne vulgaris, seborrhea, papules and pustules to get attractive facial appearance.”

In real world therapies, CBD plays two roles in acne treatment. First, it is a proven stress reliever that reduces a key acne trigger.

Second, it offers convenient and multipurpose choices. For instance, CBD-heavy lotions and topicals used for muscle relaxation will double as a lipid modulator. You can use CBD oil sublingually, apply CBD therapeutic patches, and massage in CBD creams and lotions.

It’s not our policy to endorse products, but you might look at:

• CBD-based scrubs, lotions, oils, and creams at sold by Rx Canna Care
• Banish offers a Scarring and Active Acne Kit to clear out blemishes and combat acne’s aftermath.
• Aknea is a skin cream for treating, soothing, and smoothing acne skin from Cannaderm.

Using Cannabis CBD to Solve Your Acne Problems

If you want to manage the stress and anxiety that set acne in motion, you might smoke CBD-dominant cannabis strains. But, you could also opt for edibles or topicals with high-CBD.

Regardless of your consumption, the CBD should modulate your lipid system to restore a natural condition. But, treating with lotions, patches, and creams make acne care easy and effective.