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Read Dr. Elena Krasnov's Weekly Column in the Health & Fitness section of the 24 Hours Magazine. Look for new articles every week!

Monday, March 16, 2009

Healing Hormonal Acne

Q: Dear Elena: I get acne all along my jaw line and chin and I heard that this is hormonal acne. Is there anything natural I can take to help with this?

A: Hormones are responsible for the maturation of the oil glands in our skin. This is why children do not experience acne. Hormonal acne is mostly seen in women due to the hormonal fluctuations seen throughout each stage of menstruation, pregnancy and menopause.

Naturopathic treatments for acne fall into several categories. One most often used includes use of herbs and foods that promote healthy skin and/or remove toxins from the body. Healthy gut flora leads to healthy body and healthy skin. Bowel detoxification is of paramount importance when trying to treat acne and to balance hormones.

Diet and regular exercise is imperative in maintaining healthy skin. A healthy skin diet should be full of fruits and vegetables and other nutritious food. Avoiding oily food and fattening food is always a good idea. Exercising regularly helps maintain the water balance in the skin and promotes circulation. Physical activity helps to control stress levels, which will help to maintain hormonal balance in the body.

It is also very important that you get enough sleep every night. Sleep removes stress and thus the body’s hormonal balance does not get disturbed. A minimum of seven to eight hours is recommended.

Some commonly used herbs for acne treatment concentrate on liver and blood cleansing, thus I often use herbal formulas that contain such herbs as Dandelion, Milk Thistle and Burdock Root. Tee tree oil can be used topically to kill bacteria and disinfect the pores. Calendula tincture does more or less the same. Supplements that help heal inflamed skin include Zinc, Vitamin E and A as well as Fish oil concentrate that works as an anti-inflammatory. Vitamin B6 is also beneficial.

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Dr. Elena Krasnov is a registered Naturopathic Doctor and Clinic Director of the Toronto Naturopathic Clinic. Submit your questions online at 24hrs.ca

Co-written by Miranda Tallon-Malisani Holistic Nutritionist