Acne is a problem which affects both teenagers and adults alike. It’s a condition which causes both physical and emotional discomfort. There are many acne treatment options available, but many do not consider the whole person or holistic approach. Here we will discuss the topical, nutritional and physical treatments available.
There are many causes of acne, from hormones to bacteria, to poor nutrition. When treating acne, you must address each of these inputs if you are to have successful, long-term results. Choosing to address just one area may yield some results, but it is unlikely to lead to a cure.
Topical treatments
There are two main things that need to be managed when treating acne with topical treatments – managing oil production and bacterial overgrowth. Vitamin A products are a very good choice for the oil production piece, as well as for encouraging skin cell turnover so that pores do not become blocked. RetinA is a commonly used product, but can harsh side effects. You can also find natural and clean clinical skincare lines which contain a form of retinol (vitamin A) called retinyl proprianat . This form of vitamin A converts to trentenoic acid on the skin, and does not have harsh side effects. Salicylic acid is another important ingredient in managing acne. It exfoliates the skin, preventing the buildup of bacteria and oils. Finally, the skin is alive with beneficial bacteria. They need to be nourished too with prebiotics, which are food for probiotics. Fructooligosaccharides are fruit sugar prebiotics. They are found in many cleansing products and moisturizers in natural and clean clinical skincare lines. .
Physical Treatments
Physical treatments for acne are in-spa treatments like microdermabrasion and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL). The microdermabrasion treatment clears blocked pores and stimulates new skin cell production. It is an excellent tool for reducing acne scars as well. It can be performed on the face, neck and back. Typically, an aesthetician will perform a series of treatments (5-8) either with or without a glycolic acid peel. IPL utilizes a strong light to do two things: lighten acne scars and stimulate collagen production to smooth out acne scars. When combined with targeted topical treatments and microderm, this is the grand-slam trio for treatment of acne.
Nutritional Treatments
Nutrition is equally as important in the management of acne. The food you put into your body provides the material for your body to build healthy cells. Junk in = Junk Out. There are many important considerations. First of all, the digestive system is alive with healthy bacteria. These can be killed by taking antibiotics or poor diet. Eating foods rich in probiotics or taking a supplement is critical.
Inflammation is the underlying cause of acne. It can be caused by stress, poor diet, or bacterial infections. Reducing stress and getting enough rest will help reduce cortisol output and support healthy skin. Additionally, eating adequate amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids are very important. Most people do not eat enough fatty fish in their regular diet to meet the needs for managing inflammation, and a high quality omega-3 supplement is a good idea. Some research suggests that the ingestion of dairy products can stimulate acne, and solid evidence is mounting that shows that eating a high glycemic diet (lots of sugar and white foods) will cause acne flares. The diet should be whole-food focused. If it comes if a box, it is probably not a good choice. Rather, plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables and lean protein are the best choices, along with plenty of fresh water.
The holistic approach to treating acne involves all inputs to the equation, rather than focusing on just one factor. A diet rich in whole foods, topical treatments with clean skincare products, and spa treatments like microdermabrasion and IPL are all critical inputs to consider. Lifestyle choices matter too! Be sure to get adequate rest and practice good stress relief techniques like meditation, gentle exercise and simply being grateful. When you put all of the pieces together, it is easy to achieve brilliant, healthy skin the holistic way. Visit the website. Follow us on Twitter.
