Acne, Skin Detoxification and Dr Vodder’s Manual Lymph Drainage

© Jan Douglass

Acne is a distressing condition suffered by many and influenced by a myriad of factors.

Hormones, bacteria, pollutants, poor skin nutrition and congestion can all contribute to

the onset or exacerbation of acne. Regardless of the original cause, acne can become a

chronic, inflammatory process creating frustration for the sufferer and initiating the

search for successful treatment. By promoting balance in the environment of cells in the

skin MLD can reduce the symptoms of acne and interrupt the chronic inflammatory cycle.

Microcirculation.

Life for most cells in the body is like living in a warm watery bath. The bath water

contains everything the cells require to sustain life and perform their particular functions.

An adjustable tap brings in fresh nutrient rich fluid to hydrate and nourish the cells, and

the cells release their metabolic waste and exported products directly into the bath water.

This ‘grey water’ is collected and processed by a system of drains and filtering stations

and eventually everything is recycled or eliminated. The composition and volume of the

fluid in the connective tissue bath at any given point in time will directly influence the

health and activities of the cells living in it.

Skin and Acne

Skin protects the body from mechanical damage and dehydration but also houses

important defense mechanisms. Skin necessarily contains many elements which promote

inflammation as a part of the body’s immediate response to damage or invading

Fresh arterial flow

Empties into venous system

Venous return

The Connective Tissue Bath

Capillaries

Lymph vessels & nodes

Fresh arterial flow

Empties into venous system

Venous return

The Connective Tissue Bath

Capillaries

Lymph vessels & nodes

© Jan Douglass 2007

microorganisms. The ‘bath water’ of skin cells then may contain high levels of chemical

messengers as elements of the immune system signal to nearby and distant cells. If the

fluid circulating through the skin cell bath has high concentrations of inflammatory

mediators, or if the normal removal of these factors is impeded acne will be promoted. In

skin which is already compromised or caught in the cycle, any pollutants, bacteria or

hormonal fluctuations will contribute to increase the inflammation. The process and the

condition can become self perpetuating.

The Lymph Vessels System and Skin Health

The skin and the lymphatic system share a very close relation ship. 80% of lymph vessels

are located just under the dermis, within the first 3-5mm of the surface of the skin. These

are tiny initial lymph vessels, sometimes called lymph capillaries, only one cell thick.

The initial lymph vessels are continuous with unstructured pre lymphatic channels within

the dermis though which extra cellular fluid, proteins and wastes from the skin move

towards the initial lymph vessels.

The collected lymph passes into small collector vessels and eventually into the larger

lymph collectors which lie just above the deep fascia. Collector vessels have internal

valves to direct the lymph towards the lymph nodes and a smooth muscle layer which

contracts to actively transport the lymph forward. This pulsing action in the larger

collector vessels acts a bit like a vacuum pump back at the initial lymph vessel drawing

the extra cellular fluid into the lymph vessels away from the skin.

The high density of initial lymph vessels in this location is also vital to body defenses.

Any toxic or pathogenic material that manages to cross the barrier mechanisms of the

skin can be quickly removed from the tissues into the lymph vessels and transported to

the immune centers in lymph nodes. Small self proteins such as hormones and

inflammatory mediators are also be removed into the lymph.

Epidermis Dermis

Subcutaneous layer Deep fascia

Initial lymph vessels Collector vessels Large collectors

Lymph Vessel Arrangement in the Superficial Tissues

Text Book of Dr Vodders Manual Lymph Drainage Vol 1. Whittlinger G & H 2004

Since acne and inflammation are either caused by or exacerbated by nearly all of these

chemicals and hormones, promoting their efficient and constant removal is vital in any

attempt to treat acne. An wholistic approach which employs adequate hydration, a low

inflammatory diet and appropriate skin care is recommended.

The Dr Vodder Technique

First developed by Emil and Estrid Vodder in the 1920 & 30’s this technique has been

well researched over the intervening decades and has stood the test of time. The very

precise and specific movements of the skin create demonstrable responses in the

functioning of the lymphatic vessels and in the nervous, digestive and immune systems.

During MLD the lymph vessels contract more frequently and more forcefully, blood flow

to the tissue is increased but importantly the overall volume of filtrate is reduced. The

stress response is significantly reduced and pain is alleviated.

In the treatment of acne the effects of MLD in drawing inflammatory mediators,

hormones, pollutants and infective agents away from the skin allows damaged tissue to

heal, less scar tissue is formed and collagen and elastin turnover are enhanced.

MLD is the Treatment of Choice for Acne

Unlike other deep cleansing treatments the Vodder method of MLD does not ‘bring out’

the offending toxins in a flurry of sebaceous activity. Nor are they forced back into the

blood circulation to cause nausea or headaches. By stimulating better lymphatic activity

these elements are drawn away from the tissue and into lymph nodes where they are

processed before being recirculated.

Case studies using the Dr Vodder method to treat acne show a complete resolution of the

lesions with no sign of residual inflammation. Effective interruption of chronic

inflammatory cycles can deliver permanent results. By increasing the ability of the

lymphatic system to quickly remove hormones, toxins and inflammatory mediators from

the dermis MLD restores the correct balance of elements in the connective tissue bath.

Photos of female

Acne Vulgaris. Before and after 18 treatments in 3 weeks

Photos Male

Acne Congloblatta before and after 40 treatments in 8 weeks

The Investment Is In Your Hands

Training with an accredited Dr Vodder School instructor gives you all you need to

achieve excellent results with this highly effective beauty therapy treatment. MLD is not

something you can learn from a product rep or fellow beauty therapist. Precision in the

movements brings outstanding results but poorly applied technique can do more harm

than good.

The effectiveness of the Dr Vodder technique is well established in numerous

dermatological and medical applications. The effectiveness of the practitioner comes

through excellence in training and dedicated practice. The reward is in the result you will

achieve.

References

1. Wittlinger G & H, Text Book of Dr Vodder Manual Lymph Drainage, Volume 1.

7th

Edition, Haug International 2004

2. Guyton AC & Hall JE, Textbook of Medical Physiology 10th

Edition, WB

Saunders Company 2000