Naturopathy considers acne to be a reflection of an internal problem. The approach taken to treat acne holistically is determined by each individual case, its individual characteristics and possible causes. Many factors are considered in the treatment of acne these include: Hormones, Digestive health and food intake, inflammation, stress and lifestyle triggers, water intake, liver function and emotional health.
Detoxification is one area that is used in Natural health for the treatment of acne however it is only suited to people who display certain characteristics. If you have utilised orthodox treatments in the past it is quite possible that you will need to undergo some digestive repair work before you undertake any detoxification processes. Drugs commonly used for acne like the contraceptive pill, Roaccutane and antibiotics all have a negative effect on digestive flora and the liver when used over a prolonged period. It is important that you address these areas first either by visiting a Naturopath or discussing your individual case with one of our shop Naturopaths. It is not uncommon to see people who feel quite unwell post detox. This is often because they either chose a detox protocol that was too harsh for their state of health or their body needed to first build up its defenses before more toxins were liberated. Below are a list of suitable products and their uses for you to consider.
Zinc: Suitable for general immune health and tissue healing. I would suggest a product like Zinc Fix by Ethical Nutrients which contains a high dose Zinc with Vitamin C. It may be possible for your Naturopath to conduct a Zinc indication test, which will give you an indication of your Zinc status.
Vitamin A: If you have utilised Roaccutane you will be familiar with the use of Vitamin A for acne and tissue repair. The drug Roaccutane is a considerably large dose of isotretinoin which, when used over long periods, may have a detrimental effect on liver function. Daily intake of Vitamin A however is safe if dosage is kept below 8000iu. I suggest the use of a cod liver oil product. Cod liver oil provides a balance of naturally occurring Vitamin A, D and Essential fatty acids. This product may be taken as a liquid or as a capsule.
Chaste tree: Hormones have long been implicated in the cause and treatment of acne. The menstrual cycle being a large indicator if there is imbalance in the hormonal system. If there is pain, irregularity, moodiness, PMT, clotting, cyclic break-outs etc, it can be considered to be an indicator of hormonal imbalance. Chaste tree is a herb used for both male and female acne which has a hormonal regulating effect. It is not suitable if you are pregnant or taking contraceptives.
Probiotics: beneficial bacteria in our large bowel and digestive system is essential for correct immune function and digestive health. Prolonged antibiotic use and drug use can affect the healthy digestive flora and cause a dysbiosis or imbalance in the beneficial ratio to occur. This imbalance means that proteins and foods are not digested properly and that the immune system lacks vital regulators for its function. Anyone who has acne, a history of pharmaceutical use, immune dysfunction or digestive problems should consider the use of a probiotic as part of a digestive repair protocol.
Liver herbs: The liver is often implicated in the causes of acne. Being an organ of metabolism and excretion it is responsible for dealing with a large proportion of anything you put in your body. Rather than intensive detoxification I will often start my clients off on a gentle liver tonic. Products such as Liverplex by Greenridge, or a moderate dose of Milk Thistle are enough to start caring and repairing the liver. Aiding the liver in its detoxification processes allows the burden it deals with to be lifted, often leading to a decrease in the severity of the acne and the inflammation associated with it. The Liver is also responsible for hormone metabolism.
Water: Everyone knows it but many still don't drink enough..."water is essential for proper hydration and health". Ensuring you drink a minimum of two litres of water a day will also aid your body to rid itself of unwanted toxins. Adding a squeeze of lemon to your water will help the gentle clearance of your liver.