Understanding Acne
Why do we get acne?
Acne is a complex condition and impacts different people in different ways. We know that there are genetic, hormonal, inflammatory, and environmental influences at play.
A pimple is an infection of the hair follicles of the face - or other areas of the body (which is why we don’t get pimples on our the palms of our hands or feet!).
We often start to get acne in puberty because a fat-rich substance called sebum increases in during this time. The increase in sebum can clog our pore, and bacteria which normally live on our skin become trapped, causing a minor infection and a pimple emerges. The quality and quantity of sebum can change depending on numerous factors. Our microbiome, gut health, diet, stress, and hormones can play major roles - as well as what we use topically, including cosmetics.
Hormones
Testosterone can contribute to increased acne because it causes an increases the concentration of sebum. It is often elevated during the puberty transition (which is why teens often suffer from acne), and in the hormonal condition poly cystic ovarian syndrome (in which patients often experience irregular cycles, acne, irregular hair growth and weight gain).
Many patients experience a premenstrual flare of acne, leading us to think that estrogen and progesterone may play a role in our pimples. However, these two hormones actually support skin health, and are not thought to be the cause of acne. We don’t fully understand why we might get a break out right before our periods (we don’t even fully understand why PMS occurs!), but it might be due to the drop in these hormones or due to an increase in inflammatory markers.
Insulin is a hormone that support our blood sugar regulation. Our blood sugar and insulin sensitivity can impact acne by contributing to overall inflammation in the body. This area of our health can be supported through a plan that emphasizes what we are eating and how we are moving our bodies.
When we are thinking about a treatment for acne, we take into account your history, digestion, diet, hormonal health, medications, skincare routine and overall environment. Your plan is unique to you and we, as your naturopathic doctors, can help guide you through it and explain why we might be focusing in a specific area. If you want to get started working with us, book a complimentary meet and greet appointment with Dr. Fiona or Dr. Madeleine via the link here.