22 replies to this topic

[someonefromabove]

Read this entire post and please think about it.

Why does demodex cause acne, rosacea and related diseases? Demodex lives in the hair follicles and often times it hosts bacteria, which causes the immune system to respond with inflammation in order to deal with them. Once the infestation is big enough and demodex is thriving in the skin, the body can’t quite get rid of them ---> continuous skin issues

It is highly overlooked that demodex causes most acne, as well as related diseases such as rosacea and even keratosis pilaris. However, it actually is a scientific fact that demodex is involved here. People will continue to overlook demodex, as it is still HIGHLY unknown to the public. Most people have never even heard about them. They are so unknown that when confronted about them, most people find the idea of hosting mites in their hair follicles and sebaceous glands utterly ridiculous (!) and most likely think it’s a fairy tale.

Edited by someonefromabove, 13 April 2012 - 02:34 PM.

[younnn]

So what exactly are you saying here? What product and what is the correct way of using it in order to eliminate Demodex.

[someonefromabove]

Basically research demodex and how to get rid of it. Research, learn, treat and win. Be assured there is NO direct connection between food and acne in most cases. The cause is NOT because you do something very wrong. When one didn't have acne, one didn't care so much about whether this or that would be good or bad to the skin. Wondering why person X eats everything he desires, does whatever he likes, sleeps how he likes etc., yet NEVER gets acne? Simple answer for most cases: no infestation with a lot of demodex or no reaction to demodex.

Edited by someonefromabove, 13 April 2012 - 02:40 PM.

[alternativista]

First, there are several genetic factors involved that make the difference between those that get acne and those that don't. That typical argument against diet's role in acne is completely invalid.

Second. We all have mites. But only some of us get acne. Another reason your argument is faulty. Some people/animals are more sensitive to the mites and suffer irritation from them.

And a deficiency in linoleic acid that acne sufferers tend to have probably plays a role in sensitivity to mites. It makes the skin barrier more permeable which makes people/animals prone to skin problems and makes them more attractive to pests. As well as increasing allergic and other inflammatory responses that initiate acne formation -- malformed cells, hyperkeratinization and clogged pores.

Mites are not the one true cause of acne. They are just a factor and might be a bigger deal for some than for others. But they are just another irritant causing an inflammatory response that initiates acne.

There is always a connection between food and acne. Always, and in so many ways. It isn't possible for it not to. It affects the linoleic acid in our skin/sebum for one example out of the many, many ways. And it affects the nature and severity of inflammatory response. And it affects the sebum production that supplies the food for the mites. And on and on.

Edited by alternativista, 16 April 2012 - 02:16 PM.

[Oner]

I've never even heard of demodex. But it would make sense that our diet, which I agree has a wide array effects on our skin, could contribute to vulnerability to mites. The description of them online says they are small as germs which makes me think that the idea of mites isnt so farfetched as it sounds. My father, and grandfather and so on all had the same acne, so I know that there is a genetic factor too.

someonefromabove, how is your acne? What route do you recommend to treat demodex?

[alternativista]

I've never even heard of demodex. But it would make sense that our diet, which I agree has a wide array effects on our skin, could contribute to vulnerability to mites. The description of them online says they are small as germs which makes me think that the idea of mites isnt so farfetched as it sounds.

It isn't farfetched that we have mites. But we all have those mites, clear skinned people and acne prone people.

[Oner]

but some are more hormonally vulnurable right?

[alternativista]

but some are more hormonally vulnurable right?

i doubt that hormones would have anything to do with it. I'd bet the linoleic acid deficiency I mentioned is a factor.

[cherrycat]

someonefromabove....acne is caused by sebaceous glands producing oil, and also inflamed acne can occur when bacteria colonizes this trapped mess and causes inflammation right?

Well, food is what you put into your body. This food thing control's your body's hormones, which are contributing factors to oil production. Also, this food thing control's your body's immune response, inflammation response, healing properties, skin shedding properties. I think this food thing may be important, even though acne isn't created by the food.

I think demodex has been around for a very long time, and many people (with and without acne) have it. I would be interested to learn more about demodex though...for example, does washing your face twice a day and clean towels and pillows help avoid it?

[VanceAstro]

Basically research demodex and how to get rid of it. Research, learn, treat and win. Be assured there is NO direct connection between food and acne in most cases. The cause is NOT because you do something very wrong. When one didn't have acne, one didn't care so much about whether this or that would be good or bad to the skin. Wondering why person X eats everything he desires, does whatever he likes, sleeps how he likes etc., yet NEVER gets acne? Simple answer for most cases: no infestation with a lot of demodex or no reaction to demodex.

Diet and genetically regulated activity of human growth factors play the key role in acne pathogenesis.

Please don't confuse people.

[SuperMachii]

from skintactix.com: i chose to google linoleic acid after alterna mentioned it.


Linoleic acid is an essential fatty acid that the sebaceous glands use as a normal component of sebum. Essential fatty acids are required by the body and most people are more familiar with linoleic as omega 6 oil, flaxseed oil, safflower oil, evening primrose oil, or a number of other terms. Essential fatty acids are very powerful anti-inflammatory agents. Subsequently, sebum made with linoleic acid is actually calming to the skin and follicles.
Modern foods have avoided essential fatty acids in favor of "designer" lipids like trans-fatty acids and research has found links suggesting that trans-fats may break down the body's supply of beneficial essential fatty acids. When linoleic acid is not available in the skin, the sebaceous glands produce sebum with oleic acid and this form of sebum is irritating to the skin. It promotes blockage that causes blackheads, whiteheads and acne. Some scientists have suggested that sebum produced with oleic acid is drier, firmer and therefore it promotes blockage within the follicles, such as blackheads and whiteheads.
Due to low consumption of essential fatty acids or high consumption of trans-fats or hereditary factors that frequently involve digestive enzyme issues, some people have systemic deficiency of essential fatty acids and linoleic acid. This condition becomes a driving factor in acne and other skin problems.

[sepsi]

It's not highly overlooked fact that demodex mites cause acne. The research on this topic is very scarce. The few studies I did see showed that acne patients may have higher rates of demodex than those with healthy skin. While that's interesting you can't make much out of it.

I can see a role for demodex in causing acne, though. Basically anything that irritates and causes inflammation in the skin can cause acne. But a lot of things have to happen (such as genetics and hormones) before demodex can cause problems.

[doodleme123]

Has anyone on acne.org actually tried this product and has cleared there acne by it?

[sepsi]

Has anyone on acne.org actually tried this product and has cleared there acne by it?

Somebody at my forums asked me about Demodex. She told me she got good results with Demodex products. But that's only anecdotal and n=1 type of evidence.

[doodleme123]

So it kills the mites on the skin that feed off the sebum and dead skin cells, but that doesn't really stop acne at its source, that is the body producing too much sebum.

[alternativista]

from skintactix.com: i chose to google linoleic acid after alterna mentioned it.


Linoleic acid is an essential fatty acid that the sebaceous glands use as a normal component of sebum. Essential fatty acids are required by the body and most people are more familiar with linoleic as omega 6 oil, flaxseed oil, safflower oil, evening primrose oil, or a number of other terms. Essential fatty acids are very powerful anti-inflammatory agents. Subsequently, sebum made with linoleic acid is actually calming to the skin and follicles.
Modern foods have avoided essential fatty acids in favor of "designer" lipids like trans-fatty acids and research has found links suggesting that trans-fats may break down the body's supply of beneficial essential fatty acids. When linoleic acid is not available in the skin, the sebaceous glands produce sebum with oleic acid and this form of sebum is irritating to the skin. It promotes blockage that causes blackheads, whiteheads and acne. Some scientists have suggested that sebum produced with oleic acid is drier, firmer and therefore it promotes blockage within the follicles, such as blackheads and whiteheads.
Due to low consumption of essential fatty acids or high consumption of trans-fats or hereditary factors that frequently involve digestive enzyme issues, some people have systemic deficiency of essential fatty acids and linoleic acid. This condition becomes a driving factor in acne and other skin problems.

I have a thread full of research into this linoleic acid deficiency, what it does to our skin, and topical application as a solution. It doesn't just affect acne, but all kinds of skin problems. And it doesn't just affect people. http://www.acne.org/...pical-solution/

So it kills the mites on the skin that feed off the sebum and dead skin cells, but that doesn't really stop acne at its source, that is the body producing too much sebum.

too much sebum is not the source. There are people with oily, but clear skin. And people with acne and dry skin. It can exacerbate the various factors that do cause acne, though. Especially if it is not of a quality that allows it to do what it should--protect your skin. Such as when it is deficient in linoleic acid.

[doodleme123]

I'll get some linoleic acid in my body, then.

[alternativista]

I'll get some linoleic acid in my body, then.

But you probably don't have a dietary or systemic deficiency.

[doodleme123]

What makes you think that's probably the case?

[alternativista]

What makes you think that's probably the case?

Because sources are extremely common, too common in the average diet. And the researchers/authors all felt that it was unlikely. I'm not sure if any of the studies I found demonstrated that, though. Anyway, that's why I spent a lot of time trying to find why we have this deficiency in our sebum/skin. I didn't, but it might be there in the many studies I posted.