Treating Acne With Functional Medicine: Healing The Root Cause Of Acne And Promoting Healthy, Happy Skin (And People)

Acne Affects People In Unexpected Ways. 

Acne isn’t only a teen “thing” —and it doesn't only affect your skin.

Acne isn’t caused by any one thing.  It’s a skin condition that can surface for different reasons at different times. Teens are vulnerable because of the hormonal roller coaster ride that is puberty. But, pregnancy, menopause, times of acute stress and illness can all cause acne to develop, too. 

People who have acne deal with more than uncomfortable and irritated skin. Their mental health is likely to suffer, too. 

“In a world where so much pressure is put on physical appearance, having acne can seriously affect self-esteem and confidence - and in some cases, it can lead to mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.” - Lydia Smith

Acne might not seem like a big deal. (After all, what harm can a few “blemishes” have?) But to someone living with acne, it really can be—especially when your teen years are in the rearview mirror and the reason for the outbreak is unknown. The good news is that you have options to treat and heal your skin. But, to decide which approach will work, you have to get to the root cause of the disease. That’s where functional medicine comes into play. 

Digging Deeper: Finding The Root Cause Of Acne

At first glance, the two most common causes of acne are: 

1. Clogged and congested pores due to an overproduction of oils (sebum), and

2. Systemic inflammation. (This happens when the immune system is constantly defending the body against stress, infection, or chronic diseases.)

But, to get to the root of the problem you have to dig a little deeper. 

• Why is your body producing too much sebum? 
• What is causing the inflammation? 
• Which systems are out of balance? 
• What lifestyle factors could be contributing to acne? 

When we ask enough questions, eventually we’ll get to the root of the issue. Then we can begin to treat your acne from the inside out. 

Functional Medicine and Acne 

The reality is, acne is a multi-factorial disease. That means that each case is unique. Using a functional medicine approach to treat acne means looking beyond the symptoms to uncover the root cause (or imbalance) of the disease. But healing takes time and the health of your mind and spirit matter, too. 

Having acne is nothing to be embarrassed about. But, as we saw above, it is very common for people with acne to feel frustrated, ashamed and even depressed because of the appearance of their skin. There is still so much stigma attached to acne and that can make people feel judged. 

So, while we investigate the root cause of your acne, we can set the groundwork for healthy skin. This can include making lifestyle changes and treating your skin using trusted, high-quality skincare products. (We use ZO Skin Health, Biophora and Innoaesthetics products at NP Optimal Health and Wellness and The Skin Remedy here in Peterborough, Ontario.) 

Treating Acne: A Functional Medicine Approach 

The first and most important step in resolving your acne is to talk to your health care professional. If your doctor isn't able to support you in getting to the root of the issue, get support from someone who is.

Look for a dermatologist, doctor or nurse whose practice is based in functional medicine. They will help you figure out what's causing your acne and how to heal it. They can also provide you with treatment options to reduce the appearance of acne and soothe your skin.

Caring For Your Skin At Home

While you're searching for the right care, you don't have to sit idle. Taking action is empowering and can give you an emotional boost.  Luckily, there are things you can do to improve your acne and support healthy, comfortable skin at home.  

Food Is Medicine.

You have access to some powerful medicine right in your own kitchen. Food! Here are some simple things you can do to soothe acne and promote healthy skin at home.

• Cut the sugar. Overindulging in sugar triggers the production of excess sebum. This can lead to (or aggravate) acne.

• Include anti-inflammatory foods and spices in your diet.

  • Free-range eggs (or anything else with omega-3s)

  • Dark green and purple fruits and veggies

  • Spices like turmeric, cinnamon and ginger

  • Green tea (which can also boost your mood)

• Up your fibre intake. Fibre might not be sexy but it binds to excess hormones and helps flush them from your system.

• Make an anti-inflammatory facewash from chamomile and peppermint tea to soothe your skin.

• Whip up an egg yolk face mask. Yolks are high in vitamin A which is useful in treating problem skin.

Invest In Skincare Products That Work. 

There are plenty of over-the-counter acne products to choose from. But, choosing the right one for your skin can be tricky. They can be harsh and can sometimes make matters worse. If you're serious about long-term healthy skin, invest in a good quality medical-grade skincare line. 

Products like ZO® Skin Health, and Biophora support healthy skin while targeting issues like acne. When you use quality products like these, you can be confident that you aren't damaging your skin while you treat your acne. You’ll also start to see happier and healthier skin while you do the work of healing whatever imbalance caused your acne in the first place. 

Functional Medicine Helps You Leave Acne (And The Emotional Stress It Causes You) In The Past. 

Acne affects different people for different reasons. And, contrary to the stereotypes, acne isn't only a teen "thing." It is a skin condition that deeply affects the physical and mental health of the people who have it.

Feeling comfortable in your own skin is something everyone deserves to feel. So, if acne is making you uncomfortable it's time to resolve the issue by getting to the root of the problem.

Functional medicine can help.

Together, we will piece together a "big picture" of your health and keep asking questions until we get to the root cause of whatever is causing your acne. While this is happening, you can start taking steps to promote healthy and comfortable skin. With changes to your diet and an at-home skincare routine, you'll be attacking your acne on both fronts!

Having acne is nothing to be ashamed of. But, it's also not something you have to live with. Healing can take time. By addressing the root cause of the issue you can reclaim healthy skin and leave the emotional stress of having acne in the past.