Lecture on Skin Health and Acne Treatment

Introduction

Common Practices: Pulling out blackheads, whiteheads, and acne with instruments or using manual pressure is common.
Warning: This can be dangerous and lead to scarring.

Types of Acne:
- Blackheads: Oil exposed to oxygen, causing it to oxidize (like a browning apple).
- Whiteheads: Oil not exposed to oxygen.
- Pus: Mainly comprises oil.
Misconceptions: Excess oil production is not the primary cause of acne.

Sticky Oil: The real problem is thicker, stickier oil that doesn’t flow normally.

Hormones:
- Puberty increases androgens (e.g., testosterone) causing oil to become thick and sticky.
- DHT (Dihydrotestosterone): A type of testosterone that exacerbates the issue.
Insulin Levels:
- Triggered by carbohydrates, sugars, starches.
- High insulin increases androgen levels.
Zinc Deficiency:
- Essential for regulating oil production.
- Excessive carbs and sugars deplete zinc.
- Zinc helps prevent excess DHT.
Vitamin A Deficiency:
- Leads to sticky oil.
- Zinc is needed for vitamin A to function effectively.
Unsaturated Fats from Diet:
- Seed oils lead to pro-inflammatory skin oils.
- Build-up in liver, affecting absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
- Industrial oils (seed oils) are harmful and remain in the body for 1.5-2 years.

Avoid Ultra-Processed Foods:
- Contain refined sugars and starches.
- Harm liver and affect zinc and vitamin A utilization.
- Increase insulin levels and resistance.
Recommended Foods:
- Avoid: Seed oils, grain-fed animals (chicken, pigs).
- Consume: Grass-fed beef, lamb, wild-caught fish, sardines, shellfish, grass-fed butter, beef liver, cod liver oil.
- Benefits: These foods are high in zinc and vitamin A, essential for healthy skin.

Focus on Diet: Switching from junk foods to nutrient-rich foods helps treat the root cause of skin problems effectively.
Next Steps: Implementing diet changes for improved skin health.