Contrary to popular opinion, factors such as chocolate, sugar, soaps and other environmental factors probably have little to do with the onset or course of acne. The strongest single factor seems to be family history, though the actual fundamental cause is unknown. Stimulation of the sebaceous glands seems to occur with production of androgens (the masculinizing hormone found in both sexes) at puberty. Acne victims seem to produce normal amounts of androgen but their skin is unusually sensitive to it. The excessive and possibly abnormal sebum secreted tends to plug the philosebaceous apparatus, irritate them and leave them open to infection with otherwise normal skin bacteria. This in turn causes further infection and inflammation.1

Various approaches to treatment are available, each of which may take a month or more to start to be effective. The most direct method is topical preparation. In 1991, the sale of Over The Counter (OTC) topical acne preparations were about $260,000,000.00. Acne is big business, as this figure shows. Examples of products include salicylic acid, sulfa and other antibiotic lotions that cut down the bacterial component. Benzoyl peroxide(currently classified as Category III, by the FDA-further safety studies needed) seems to irritate the surface layer, causing it to shed along with some excess sebum, and vitamin A acid that may affect the surface sebum.3

While we do not know the exact causes of acne, we do know the effects - bacterial infection, cellular proliferation characterized by non-desquamation, excessive sebum production, inflammation and acne lesions, of which there are several types. Blackheads (comedones) are glands plugged with excessive material that discolors on exposure to air. Whiteheads are small collections of pus within glands, and nodules or papules are the red, inflamed areas of more extensive infection.

The Oxygen Emulsion Products cannot by themselves eliminate the causes of acne, but they can have an effect on the effects of acne. The key words in these descriptions from the referenced documents are bacteria, cellular proliferation, sebum plugs and infection, which leads to inflammation.

Since the bacteria causing the infection are anaerobic, they cannot live in the presence of oxygen. If you can kill the bacteria, you remove the cause of the infection and the inflammation.

This is why estheticians using the the Oxygen Emulsion Products on their acne clients have reported excellent results. Many of them are combining glycolic acid in the treatment. They use the glycolic acid after cleansing and then go on with the following treatment. Check around and find someone using the combination and find out how they are doing it. Everyone will probably have their own method of using glycolic acid, and other products with the Oxygen Emulsion Products.

The following is a brief outline on using AURA Research's Oxygen Emulsion Products in a salon environment on your acne clients.

Thoroughly cleanse the face and neck with the Cleanser. This dense, water soluble combination of oils, is specially formulated to clean the skin. It contains no water and is very hydrophilic. You must add water to it, when you use it. Remove the Cleanser with warm water and a soft material. See our training manual for a complete explanation. If you are going to use glycolic acid, you would use it now, after the cleansing.

Apply a thin film of the Face 2% emulsion to the face and neck, avoiding the eyelashes and eyebrows. Cover the face and neck with kitchen plastic wrap.

You can divide the plastic wrap into three parts; one for the forehead; one for the middle of the face; and one for the chin and neck area. Wait 5 - 10 minutes. This will act as an antiseptic and will help to soften the sebum, making extractions much easier. Remove one section of the plastic wrap at a time and fold in half and do your extractions. When finished with one section, reapply plastic wrap and go on to next section. When reapplying the plastic wrap, you can dab a small amount of the Face 2% on each of the extraction sites. When you have finished all three sections, remove the plastic wrap. Remove the Face 2% with warm water and a soft material.

Apply a thin film of AURA Research's Mask to the face and neck. Cover with plastic wrap as before. Leave the mask on for about 15 - 20 minutes, or longer if you wish. Remove the Mask with warm water and a soft material.

Apply a thin film of AURA's 1% or 2% oxygen emulsion to the face and neck, to finish the facial. The client must follow up with using the products at home.

Their progress should be closely monitored, and the treatment adjusted according to the results being achieved.

Complete information available upon request. Contact the AURA Research, Ltd. office in your area.

Bibliography
1,3. CIS:Groliers, Grolier's Electronic Publishing.
On-line Edition of Grolier's Academic American Encyclopedia
2. OTC Market Report Update USA, 92-06 Document Type-Industry Profile.
NON-114-0307-7069-2

Other References
Bork, Konrad, Diagnosis and Therapy of Common Skin Diseases (1988)
Epstein, Ernst, Common Skin Disorders, 3d ed. (1988)
McKee, P.H., Pathology of the Skin (1988)
Sauer, Gordon c., Manual of Skin Diseases, 5th ed. (1986)