Activated carbon is a well-known drug that everyone has taken at least once. This is a sorbent that is often prescribed for foodborne illnesses, intoxications, and poisoning with pesticides. Women have found another area of application for this drug and are actively using activated charcoal for acne.
Benefits of activated carbon
Oily skin is almost always accompanied by acne, and regular clogged pores lead to inflammation. Treatment with activated carbon will be optimal for this type of epidermis. Regular use of products based on it leads to the following positive results:
- there are fewer sebaceous plugs;
- deep contaminants are removed;
- black dots disappear;
- the activity of the sebaceous glands decreases;
- pimples dry out and disappear in a short time;
- small wrinkles disappear;
- acne marks disappear;
- pores are cleaned and narrowed;
- dead particles of the surface layer of the epidermis are exfoliated;
- inflammatory foci decrease;
- the skin looks healthier and more well-groomed, takes on a fresh appearance.
Since the sorbent is of natural origin (consists of burnt wood), it is well suited for use by people with sensitive skin. The components of the drug do not cause irritation or allergic reactions.
Composition and beneficial properties
The classic black variety of coal consists of wood, which has a number of positive properties on the body. White coal contains silicon dioxide and microcrystalline cellulose, which are active substances. Auxiliary components are sucrose and starch. The white type, although not a tree species like the black one, is similar to it in action. The benefits of using this product for acne are obvious. When taken orally, the body is cleansed of toxins and breakdown products, as well as bile acids, bacteria and other harmful substances. As a result, the condition of the intestines improves, the number of inflammatory elements decreases, which are often caused by toxins that have no way out of the body and manifest themselves in the form of comedones and pimples. When applied topically, the medicine adsorbs acne-causing bacteria and eliminates them from the surface of the skin and pores.
Activated charcoal is often used to cleanse pores, eliminate acne, and promote overall health.
Indications for use
There are various causes of acne. To understand how to get rid of this problem, it is necessary to identify the source of the disease. In case of hormonal imbalance or the presence of chronic pathologies leading to the formation of acne, drug treatment prescribed by a doctor is necessary. In such cases, taking the sorbent externally or internally will not be effective.
Activated charcoal can help against acne on the face if the following factors influence their occurrence:
- poor nutrition associated with excessive consumption of sweet, fatty foods, alcoholic and carbonated drinks;
- presence of infection in the body;
- poor environmental conditions, increased gas and air pollution. In this case, toxins settle not only on the surface, but also inside the body;
- low-quality decorative cosmetics that clog pores and cause irritation.
Before you start taking activated charcoal, you should consult a dermatologist. He will examine the affected areas and prescribe a biochemical blood test to identify the cause of acne.
Recommendations
Using the above methods, the body is cleansed, the functioning of internal organs is improved, extra pounds are lost, and toxins are removed from the body naturally.
To maximize the benefits, when consuming activated carbon, you should follow the following rules:
- take into account contraindications;
- make the correct calculation of tablets;
- grind the powder immediately before use;
- during the cleaning period, exclude fatty foods, smoked foods, and semi-finished meat and fish products from the menu;
- take only fresh product;
- It is not advisable to leave the house for 1 hour after the mask.
The tablets are washed down with plenty of clean water; the required volume of liquid drunk per day should be at least 2 liters. If this rule is not followed, then receiving coal will be useless.
Features of internal use
Before you start taking this drug, you need to consider the following rules:
- the sorbent is prohibited for pregnant women and people suffering from peptic ulcers of the gastrointestinal tract;
- Use it with caution for constipation.
- In addition to toxins, the product is also capable of removing beneficial components (fats, proteins, carbohydrates) necessary for the body. To prevent dehydration, you must use the drug in strict accordance with the indicated course. It is recommended to drink enough fluids and take multivitamin complexes.
Reviews
Reviews after using activated carbon against acne can vary greatly , since it all depends on the body and the treatment regimen. When taking pills uncontrolled orally, digestive problems often begin when a person complains of constipation or diarrhea. If this drug is prescribed by the attending physician as part of complex therapy, then the reviews are the most positive.
Reviews about the masks are almost all positive , as they help even in the most difficult cases. The only exception is the use of masks for serious diseases of internal organs, since the appearance of acne is associated with malfunctions of the entire body. In such cases, only treatment of the underlying disease helps, after which the skin rash quickly disappears.
A good option for treating acne is the simultaneous use of activated carbon internally and as part of masks . Thanks to this integrated approach, the problem can be solved faster. The girls leave only positive reviews on this treatment regimen, but it still wouldn’t hurt to consult with specialists once again.
Admission courses
Activated charcoal only helps against acne if you follow a certain regimen. Let's look at the two most common ones.
Weekly course:
- calculate the dosage rate at a time - one tablet per ten kilograms of weight;
- drink the calculated dosage in the morning on an empty stomach, combined with plenty of liquid.
Ten-day course:
- a couple of hours before meals, take two tablets;
- the required regularity is three times a day.
The doctor decides how to take the drug in each specific case. Having familiarized himself with the problem, he selects the most optimal scheme and gives additional recommendations.
There must be breaks between courses, otherwise side effects of the medication may occur.
Why is activated charcoal used in the fight against acne?
It would seem, what is the connection between the sorbent and clean, smooth skin?
Based on the fact that activated charcoal cleanses the intestines and balances the functioning of the digestive tract, we can conclude that such a connection still exists.
Proper metabolism and proper functioning of the gastrointestinal tract is the right path to healthy skin. You just can't get by with coal alone!
In order to forget about acne forever, you should “adjust” your diet - exclude sweets and baked goods from it, forget about eating fatty, fried, smoked foods.
Activated charcoal will help cleanse the body, but will not correct the very cause of acne. Therefore, the use of charcoal for acne is advisable as a supportive, “auxiliary” therapy, but not at all as the main remedy for getting rid of acne.
Features of external use
An acne mask with activated carbon can lead to good results if you follow all the rules for its preparation and application. The following features must also be taken into account:
- All components of the mask must be fresh, so you must initially pay attention to the expiration date of the tablets. If it is no longer relevant, the drug cannot be used;
- Before applying the finished product, the skin is pre-steamed so that the sorbent penetrates as deeply as possible into the pores. This procedure is needed to cleanse the deep layers of the skin;
- The tablet is thoroughly crushed until smooth. It is important that there are no lumps left, the quality of the prepared product depends on this;
- the instructions for the drug should be studied for contraindications and possible side effects;
- To prevent the face from acquiring a grayish tint, the product must be removed no later than twenty minutes;
- Despite the fact that the sorbent itself does not cause allergies, other components included in the mask can cause irritation. Therefore, before applying it to your face, it is better to try its effect on your wrist;
- on areas with open wounds, ulcers, scratches and other similar damage, the use of sorbent is prohibited;
- At the end of the procedure, the skin needs replenishment, for this it is covered with cream. It is not recommended to go outside for an hour.
Contraindications
- allergy to the components of the composition;
- open wounds, scratches, cracks, cuts in the skin;
- It is forbidden to smear the central part of ulcers, boils, and do not use for burns;
- Do not rub it on a dirty face; first cleanse the skin with soap, scrub, or gel.
Any mixture for masks absorbs not only harmful, but also healing substances from the skin. Because of this, it is recommended to lubricate the skin after the mask with a natural cream with beneficial herbs, plant extracts, and nourishing vitamins.
During pregnancy or an acute period of illness, sessions are temporarily stopped or agreed upon with the doctor.
Charcoal masks
Activated carbon masks are easy to prepare yourself at home. It won't take much time and will save your budget.
The main task of this sorbent is to absorb toxins and remove impurities from the deep layers of the epidermis. For better effect and additional nutrition, masks are supplemented with other ingredients. These can be herbal decoctions, milk, lemon juice, honey and others. Let's look at some of the most popular and effective recipes.
Coal and water mask
The skin is cleansed and disinfected.
For three sorbent tablets, take a tablespoon of water. The drug is dissolved in liquid, and the resulting slurry is spread directly onto the rash. If they are extensive, then they are evenly distributed over the entire surface of the affected integument. Wash off after a quarter of an hour.
Clay mask
Effective in the fight against blackheads, used for deep cleaning.
You need to purchase white clay at a pharmacy or cosmetic store. One teaspoon of this powder is mixed with a crushed charcoal tablet. Ten milliliters of milk is slightly heated, combined with gelatin (1 tsp) and the resulting powder. Leave for a quarter of an hour until the mixture swells. Then keep on low heat until the components are completely dissolved.
Using a brush, apply to clean facial skin in three layers. After hardening, the mask is removed with your fingers, and the residue is removed with warm water.
Yogurt mask
Treats clogged pores and inflammation without drying out the skin.
Take half a standard jar of natural yoghurt (without flavorings). A tablet of activated carbon crushed to a powder form and a teaspoon of lemon juice are added to it. Mix everything well and leave on your face for twenty minutes.
Aloe mask
Helps against acne, blackheads, enlarged pores, removes excess fat.
It is necessary to crush the tablet and add a little aloe juice so that the charcoal is completely saturated with it. Then pour in a couple of tablespoons of water mixed with a pinch of sea salt. The mixture is brought to homogeneity and spread on problem areas, left for fifteen minutes. Afterwards, wash with chamomile decoction.
Aspirin+charcoal
Suitable for very oily skin, dries well and fights enlarged pores.
Aspirin and activated carbon are ground and combined in equal proportions. Add 1 tsp. gelatin, heat. The warm mixture is spread on the face and held until a film forms. Then it is removed and the skin is treated with lotion and nourishing cream.
If you don’t want or have the opportunity to make masks yourself, you can purchase ready-made cosmetic products in stores or pharmacies.
Activated carbon treatment for acne
The drug is taken for acne in short courses, in a dose selected personally. Upon completion of treatment with vitamins, pro- and prebiotics, helping to restore the active inhabitants of the intestinal canal. This improves the digestion process.
When using activated carbon tablets together with other medications, it should be taken into account that a pause of 2 hours must be maintained between taking the product and other medications so that the carbon does not reduce the effectiveness of treatment.
Read about the treatment of steroid acne. Papulopustular acne. Photo here.
