Clear Acne For Good
Clear up your skin by understanding the underlying imbalances leading to your acne
Were you told that you would “grow out of” your acne? But now you’re in your twenties or thirties and you’re still dealing with frequent breakouts or annoying sensitive skin? Or perhaps your skin was clear throughout your teens and twenties, and suddenly now you’re dealing with acne breakouts well into adulthood?
There are many reasons for adult acne — coming off hormonal birth control, life stress, changes in hormones, gut issues, etc.
Below I will go over the main underlying causes of acne, as well as the protocols for how we clear your skin and clear acne for good.
Common Underlying Causes of Acne
Hormonal Imbalances:
- Causes: Most commonly we will see elevated testosterone from PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) or stress, or an imbalance in Estrogen and Progesterone as an underlying trigger for acne breakouts. To learn more about PCOS, the different types of PCOS, and how to correct imbalances, click HERE.
- Assessment: We would either base our protocol on symptoms, or for further data, I often recommend home lab kits like the Hormone & Stress test. We are able to see via saliva tests what your levels of each hormone are and what your cortisol/stress hormones look like.
- Protocol: Customized supplement protocol and diet are created for you based on what type of hormone imbalance you have. Eg. Diet and supplements to address Insulin Resistance, Estrogen dominance, etc. If stress plays a big role, I may suggest acupuncture or other lifestyle/relaxation techniques as part of the plan.
Digestive Issues:
- Causes: Bacterial overgrowth, yeast overgrowth/Candida, parasites, or leaky gut can create inflammation in the body and also contribute to hormonal imbalances and acne breakouts. Underlying food sensitivities may also lead to acne.
- Assessment: At home Labs I recommend include Organic Acid Test (a urine test to assess bacterial and yeast overgrowth), Stool Test (if parasites are suspected), and/or Food Sensitivity Test (blood spot). Protocols can be customized based on either symptoms alone, or with lab results. All labs are ordered through our clinic and shipped to your home.
- Protocol: Customized supplement protocol and diet are created for you based your lab results, or symptoms. Typically a gut protocol is about 3 months to address underlying overgrowth, rebuild the lining, re-populate the gut flora, and re-introduce foods.
Stress:
- Causes: High stress over time, or acute stress can cause cortisol (stress hormone) spikes and imbalances. This can lead to hormonal imbalances, gut issues, sleep disturbances and acne breakouts.
- Assessment: Home lab test recommendations include Hormone & Stress Test, and possibly Hair Toxin and Mineral Analysis to assess potential mineral imbalances that stress and toxins can create.
- Protocol: Customized supplement protocol and diet are created for you based your lab results, or symptoms. Lifestyle and relaxation techniques play a big role as well. Sleep must also be optimized in order to correct imbalances.
Toxins:
- Causes: Stress, toxins buildup, poor diet can all lead to inadequate detox pathways.
- Assessment: Home lab test recommendations include Hair Toxin and Mineral Analysis, and/or symptom check list
- Protocol: A 7, 14 or 21 day Functional Medicine Detox is recommended using supplements and shakes. Guidance and customized diet are included. A personalized plan is then created to address underlying imbalances after the detox.
These are the most common underlying causes of Adult Acne. Other possible causes include medications, topical products, or hormonal birth control.
When we work together, an Initial Comprehensive Intake is done to understand YOUR unique body and makeup. The initial month, while we wait for lab results, a Wellness Plan is created for you with supplements and diet. All lab tests recommended are shipped to your home and are either urine samples, blood spots or saliva samples that are shipped out via FedEx or USPS. Results are typically available after 4 weeks. We schedule our follow up session for that time to go over your results and create a customized Wellness Plan for you.
To get started, or if you have any questions, set up a free 15-minute Discovery Call.
Book a FREE 15-minute phone or video consultation, click here: REQUEST A CONSULTATION
Brookline/Boston Acupuncture & Virtual Health Coaching
Nicole Brown, Licensed Acupuncturist, Certified Health Coach, Integrative Health Practitioner Level 2
617-281-8532
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