Say goodbye to rosacea; sea buckthorn oils found to help

For many people, the thought of having creamy smooth, soft perfect skin is a dream. Right here in Canada, millions of people face another reality though: rough, itchy, red blotched skin, sometimes diagnosed as rosacea.

Research has been ongoing to cure rosacea, and many people find relief but others seem to be resistant to these treatments.

Doctors have made a breakthrough though, detecting both a factor and a treatment for sufferers, which some are hailing as a miracle.

The factor isn't a particularly pleasant thought, but it makes sense.

The skin is the body's largest organ. It is continually regenerating itself, forming new cells as old cells die and are shed. The skin is also a host to many organisms such as bacteria, viruses, mites and other parasites. These organisms live with us and only cause a problem when normal balance is disturbed.

Acne and acne rosacea are two such conditions. Neither are infectious diseases, and cannot be spread by contact with the skin or through airborne bacteria.

Red, rough or lumpy skin are a sign of rosacea. Hair loss is also a symptom. For fair skinned individuals, rosacea is more easily seen.

The National Rosacea Society suggests the most common triggers of rosacea are sun exposure, emotional stress, hot or cold weather, wind, alcohol, spicy foods, heavy exercise, hot baths, heated beverages and certain skin-care products. That pretty much means anything that is potentially stimulating is bad news for rosacea sufferers.

In China, research has concentrated on a parasite called human demodex folliculorum mite or the demodicid, is a tiny mite, less than 0.4 mm long, that lives in your pores and hair follicles, usually on the nose, forehead, cheek, and chin, and often in the roots of your eyelashes.

Demodicids have a wormlike appearance, with legs that are mere stumps. People with oily skin, or those who use cosmetics heavily and don't wash thoroughly, have the heaviest infestations … but most adults carry a few demodicids. Inflammation and infection often result when large numbers of these mites congregate in a single follicle.

The mites live head-down in a follicle, feeding on secretions and dead skin debris.

An individual female may lay up to 25 eggs in a single follicle, and as the mites grow, they become tightly packed. When mature, the mites leave the follicle, mate, and find a new follicle in which to lay their eggs. The whole cycle takes between 14 to 18 days.

Sometimes demodex is called the 'face mite', since it is often associated with blackheads, acne and other skin disorders (although it is not the cause of these). Demodex are harmless and don't transmit diseases, but large numbers of demodex mites may cause itching and skin disorders, referred to as Demodicosis.

A line of products has been formulated to address infestation by demodex. These products contain sea buckthorn oil as their primary ingredient.

Sea buckthorn is a berry grown on shrubs, similar to raspberry or blueberry plants.

The oil, once applied to the skin can kill the parasite that causes acne and rosacea. Dr. Neal Bhatia, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the UCSD, Sand Diego said patients have found the oil, used in both soap and skin cream, as a natural weapon against the parasite and therefore the disease.

There are many different companies producing soaps and creams with sea buckthorn oil in them. Over the internet the list is endless.

Locally, they are available in one product called Face Doctor. It is available in soap, cream and shampoo products. Face Doctor products use herbal ingredients to fight the parasite. The main ingredient is sea buckthorn oil. Several other ingredients, such as Vitamin E and aloe vera are added to soothe and protect the skin.

The oil of sea buckthorn has general nourishing, revitalizing, and restorative action and can be used for acne, dermatitis, irritated, dry, itching skin, sore skin, eczema, skin ulcers, postpartum pigmentation, burns, scalds, cuts, and tissue regeneration. The stimulation of tissue regeneration is helpful in the treatment of burns, bedsores, poorly healing wounds.

The berries are a high natural source of vitamins A and E, carotenes and flavonoids. Sea buckthorn berries are second only to Rose hips and Acerola in vitamin C content. They are also rich in several other vitamins, including B1, B2, K and P as well as in more than two dozens of microelements.

Furthermore, berries have remarkably high content of essential fatty acids and phytosterols. The restorative action of the sea buckthorn oil may be in part due to its high content of essential fatty acids, and carotenes, which are all important for the maintenance of a healthy skin.

Face Doctor Complexion Soap

* specially formulated for bad skin

Face Surgeon 11.

* formulated to use with Face Doctor for faster results

Face Doctor Beauty Cream

* All day moisturizer contains same active ingredients

Hair and Scalp Doctor Shampoo

* For itchy, flaky scalp, fine & weak hair

Available locally at pharmacies including IDA, Guardian Drugs, Food Basics, Ultra Food & Drug, Pharmasave, Dell Pharmacies.