Dr. Kassam Treat Acne Naturally
Treat Acne, Naturally
Skin is our largest organ system. It is responsible for about 10% of the body’s toxin elimination working together with the colon, kidneys and lungs. The skin is able to sense internal imbalances in digestion, hormones, immune function and inflammation often resulting in the 3 most common skin conditions - eczema, acne and psoriasis. Addressing both internal and external processes in the body can go a long way in treating these most common skin issues. Today’s blog post is all about acne.
What is Acne?Acne is most common in the teenage years but can affect persons of all ages and can occur on the face, neck, back, chest and shoulders. Acne occurs when hair follicles become clogged with oil (sebum) and dead skin cells. These follicles are then unable to release the dead skin cells, which creates a plug from which bacteria can thrive, most commonly Propionibacterium acnes. This bacteria can cause swelling and when this plug breaks down an acne lesion develops.
Acne is a cosmetic condition that may be painful and can cause scarring. Although acne is an external condition, it can tell us a lot about what is happening on the inside. The facial pattern for acne can give us some insight as to what body systems need extra support. For example acne around the mouth, chin and jawline can signify hormone imbalances. Whereas forehead acne can signify the digestive system needs support and acne on cheeks shed light on the respiratory system.
What Causes Acne?Contrary to popular belief, acne is not a result of improper facial hygiene. More often than not, acne is an indicator that there is an internal problem. Acne is a multifactorial condition that can be caused by any or all of the following:
Types of Acne
5-Step Approach to Acne Free Skin (Inside-Out Approach)When addressing skin conditions, we need to look at what is going on inside, not just what is happening externally. Therefore it is important to get to the root cause of acne, whether it’s hormones, diet, or stress. Making improvements to diet, lifestyle and the intestinal milieu can help improve skin dramatically.
The goal of naturopathic acne treatment is to control inflammation, modulate the body’s natural oils and balance hormones.
Here is my 5-step approach to acne free skin!
1. Address Hormonal imbalancesFirst and foremost, we need to address hormones. Hormones let your body know that we are experiencing some kind of change. Hormones can increase the amount of oil the body makes, which then increases Proprinobaceteria in the pores leading to acne.
An increase in insulin (eating lots of simple carbohydrates) and cortisol (high stress) can lead to increases in testosterone which can cause breakouts. So if you are experiencing other hormone related symptoms like thinning hair, increased bodily hair or irregular menstrual cycle, your hormones may need some balancing. Hormone testing is a useful tool, whether it be through urine or blood to assess for any imbalances.
Furthermore, make sure to consider your birth control pill (OCP). Certain OCP’s have higher androgen activity than others, which can trigger acne.
2. Address DigestionThe liver is responsible for detoxifying hormones and the colon is responsible for eliminating them. If your bowel movements are not regular, the hormones are sitting in the gut waiting to be reactivated and reabsorbed by the “bad” gut bacteria and further contribute to hormonal imbalances in the body.
As well, consuming food that you are sensitive to ie. food sensitivities can result in increased amounts of inflammation.
Try a probiotic supplement to promote good healthy bacteria in the body. Part of the problem with acne is that Propionibacterium acnes is high. To restore the balance, a probiotic can help. Also consider food sensitivity testing to reveal any sensitivities you may have when it comes to foods!
3. Eliminate dairy and high glycemic index foodsAvoid blood sugar fluctuations by following a low-glycemic index diet. High glycemic index foods can quickly spike your blood sugar which raises insulin levels. High insulin levels can lead to increased androgen production, like testosterone, leading to excess sebum production which can then worsen acne! So it’s important to cut out sugary foods like pastries, pasta and white bread to help balance blood sugar levels. Switching to a low-glycemic diet can reduce androgen levels which can then decrease acne lesions. The Paleo diet eliminates refined sugars and high glycemic grains.
There is also a link between bovine dairy intake and acne vulgaris. Dairy products promote insulin secretion and hormones like IGF-1 which is a major contributor to acne. Replace cow’s milk with coconut milk or nut based milks.
Try a low GI diet, remove dairy for 6-8 weeks and also test your insulin resistance!
4. Stay HydratedWater hydrates and plumps the skin cells and distributes oxygen to the cells which improves circulation. Skin cells are made up of mostly water, so staying hydration is important for glowing skin. Hydration also helps with detoxification and elimination.
5. Replace Nutrient DeficienciesCertain nutrients have been shown to be effective for acne prone skin.
Keep in mind what you chose to put ON your skin is also very important. Stop using strong washes or creams. Harsh chemicals can strip the natural pH of the skin which can lead to higher amounts of oil production. Try gentle foaming cleansers, exfoliaters and creams that are glycerin free!
Since acne is a multifactorial condition, treatment needs to also take a multifactorial inside-out approach. It is important to address digestion, diet, hormones, gut imbalances and blood sugar dysregulation when finding the root cause of acne. Always remember to speak to your healthcare practitioners to get an individualized treatment plan for you!
** Disclaimer: The advice in this article is for informational purposes only. It does not replace the care of a Naturopathic physician.
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