99 Problems & Pimples Are All Of Them
ACNE VULGARIS // HORMONAL ACNE
What is acne?
Lesions on the skin that are characterised by inflammation, pain and blockages of the pilosebaceous follicles. So what does this mean… It’s basically just a fancy way of saying red, puss-filled, sore pimples.
So why do we get acne?
Originally, it was thought that acne was caused solely by a build up of bacteria called Propionibacterium. However, further studies have concluded that while this bacteria may play a role in triggering acne and possibly making acne worse, it is not the only cause.
More often than not acne is caused by a fluctuation and increase in our endogenous hormones. This means the hormones that our bodies create internally. These hormones may be driving an overproduction in sebum and therefore leading to an increase in blockages of the follicles and pores in our skin. This happens specifically with a group of hormones called androgens (or our male hormones). The sebaceous glands within the skin are the main sites for androgen formation and production. This is especially evident prior to puberty, as the face and scalp are the two main sites for androgen production, hence why we see a worsening of acne at this time and specifically in this area.
So what can we do to help minimise our acne, especially hormonal based?
Internally:
Drinking plenty of water (aim for at least 2L per day – especially in this hot weather). The water helps all our organs of detoxification to remove toxins from our body, reducing the prevalence of those pesky pimples.
Reducing the amount of dietary fats that we eat, as cholesterol can be covered into androgens (within the body) when eaten in large quantities.
Reducing or removing dairy from diet – dairy is a very inflammatory food, can have a negative impact on our hormones and is also mucous forming (creating the puss that fills our pimples).
Increasing the amount of raw veg we have in our diet. Raw foods are a great source of live enzymes that help to reduce inflammation as well as help to break down toxins and assist our organs of detoxification.
Externally:
Keeping the skin clean, and having a good skincare routine (I use the Go-To products, as pictured in the cover photo). This skin care regime should include a salicylic acid exfoliator to help reduce redness, localised pain and inflammation (use this once a week). I also recommend using a toner that includes essential oils, such as tea tree or lavender. Toners help to balance and reset our skins PH level and the essential oils help to protect the skin from any bacteria and to help prevent the development of any infections.
Avoid wearing any irritating clothing or headwear as this can lead to a build up of sweat and oils on the outer layer of the skin.
Limiting smoking and the consumption of alcohol, as this introduces more toxins into our body and puts further stress on our detoxification organs.
Making sure we regularly wash our bedding and towels, this helps to ensure there isn’t a build up of bacteria being transferred onto our skin when we use them.
When considering hormonal acne, it is possible that more than just a slight hormonal imbalance could be the underlying cause, please consult your naturopath so they can assess and prepare a treatment plan specific for you.
*cover photo from https://www.mecca.com.au/the-mecca-memo/the-in-tray/go-to-skincare-review.html