Acne - an endurance event
I see helping someone improve their skin, specifically acne, as a naturopathic equivalent of a triathlon. It is rarely a quick fix and it is never just one thing/event. My job is to figure out which of the following factors are driving each person’s acne.
Food – possibly intolerances, but more likely the glycaemic index (especially refined sugar) and dairy content of each person’s diet
Drink – how much water, as this is important for skin health but also their alcohol and other sugary drink intake
Hormones – and not just during puberty, but also the balance of hormones, especially in the case of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, where the androgens are too high which can cause acne. I see this often in women in their early 20’s.
Digestion – I often see acne and pimples in those with constipation, as this key elimination pathway is sluggish. I also see acne as a sign of poor or under functioning liver.
Microbiome – often a key factor in cystic acne, as there is a bacterial infection as well.
Stress – considering the nutrients the bodily readily uses to handle stress are also needed for skin health, it is not surprising there is a link between stress and acne.
Acne involves internal work as above, but also external work on the skin itself with clean, gentle cleansers, toners, etc. (I am a huge fan of the Eco Tan skin care range for this reason.) I am also using low pH electrolysed reduced water to help clear infections and dampen the redness and inflammation.
The other key aspect is the mindset of my clients. Acne can have such a huge impact on a person’s self-confidence. I recall one client, with beautiful skin outside of her truly painful cystic acne, telling me how frequently well-meaning strangers would give her advice on how to clear her skin. As she pointed out, she had tried them all. She faced this at work, had trouble sleeping at night as her skin was painful to lie on, let alone what she saw when she looked in the mirror. She had no break from her skin. It was heartbreaking.
It took us months, trying a few different things, to find her near magical combination of factors to finally clear her skin. Having porcelain like skin, she then went on to have light therapy to help minimise the scarring.
I so admire her perseverance – it was not easy for her to keep trying, keep coming to see me. Abd I was not the first naturopath she sought help from, let alone the various doctors and dermatologists.
And this is why clearing acne can be more of a journey. Not unlike complex gut issues, it is comprised of various factors, unique to each person. And this is my job, to help you understand which and how the above factors are driving your skin health. And to support along the way.
It may take some time, but to have clear skin is worth the time and effort. Every time.