Treating Acne From Within: A Guide To Holistic Acne Treatments
While typically associated with the awkward teenage years, acne is not only a problem that plagues adolescents. Breakouts and chronic acne can strike at any age and stage of life. Not only does acne impact self-esteem and mental health, but it can also be a sign that something else is going on underneath the skin. Typical treatments such as topical creams, medications, and drugstore products can bring these skincare concerns under control on the surface, but looking at the entire body holistically can give you healthy and radiant skin from within.
At HYDRO Med Spa, we are committed to helping you have flawless and radiant skin at any age and preach the importance of holistic acne treatments. Learn more about what steps you can take to address the root causes of acne and how HYDRO Med Spa can help you achieve the skin of your dreams.
What Are Holistic Acne Treatments?
Acne can be caused by a number of reasons. Medications, stress, vitamin deficiencies, gut imbalances, and environmental factors are just a few areas that can cause acne in individuals. Traditionally, creams, lotions, and other treatments are prescribed for stubborn or severe acne that is not responsive to over-the-counter treatments.
However, holistic acne treatments have become more popular as a way to balance the entire body and support natural healing. Holistic treatments take a look at the entire body and use nutritional guidance, stress management and therapy, lifestyle changes, and natural skincare to help manage acne.
You Are What You Eat
Nutrition is a key element in one’s overall health and plays a crucial role in skin appearance and health. The foods we eat can help balance hormones and reduce inflammation to promote healing from the inside out. Every body is different and consulting with a professional who can analyze your body and skin needs is vital, but there are a few dietary considerations that are typically recommended for clearer and more radiant skin.
Limit dairy intake: Some individuals have a difficult time with dairy products, especially milk, as it can exacerbate inflammation and affect insulin-like growth factor.
Reduce sugar and processed foods: While an occasional cookie or hamburger from your favorite restaurant will not hurt you, sugar and highly processed foods can spike blood insulin levels and impact hormones, which can increase skin breakouts.
Caffeine isn’t all the buzz: Cutting out your daily morning coffee may be difficult, but caffeine can raise cortisol and disrupt hormone balance. While eliminating coffee may be impossible, reducing caffeine can help.
Eat nutrient rich foods: Focus on whole foods such as leafy greens, nuts, sweet potatoes, eggs, and more to help balance blood sugar and reduce inflammation that can lead to acne.
Stay hydrated: Our bodies are around 60% water so staying hydrated not only keeps our body moving like a well-oiled machine, but it also keeps skin elastic and flushes out toxins to support healthy skin.
A registered dietitian or other healthcare professional will be able to customize a nutrition plan that will keep your body and skin looking and feeling great.
Don’t Stress About It
Stress is a mood killer, but it also plays a huge role in how a person’s skin looks. The body releases high amounts of cortisol when stressed which can lead to acne and other skin ailments. Every person will have stressful periods of life, but there are a few easy ways to help reduce stress and how you react to it.
Get moving: Exercise is one of the best forms of stress relief. Whether you take up running, love lifting weights, or attend hot yoga, taking the time to exercise most days of the week will help your skin and your mood.
Practice meditation: Getting our brains to shut off can be a huge task, but even taking 5-10 minutes every day of mindful breathing and relaxation can help to reduce stress levels.
Catch those ZZZs: Sleep is vital to resetting our bodies from a long day. Not only does rest help rejuvenate the mind, but it also allows the skin to repair itself. Aim for at least 7-8 hours of sleep nightly.
Make Sustainable Lifestyle Changes
Our lifestyle plays a tremendous role in how we look and feel. If you treat your body poorly, you will look and feel bad. However, if you treat your body well, you will look and feel your best. Even the smallest changes add up and make a huge difference in our skin’s health.
Some lifestyle changes you can make include avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol intake, establish and maintain a consistent sleep schedule, exercise regularly, and prioritize self-care.
Natural Skincare Options
Skincare is different for every person as everyone’s skin needs are unique. Some have oily skin while others struggle with dryness and flakiness. Acne breakouts, especially as an adult, can be tricky to manage with traditional methods as skin needs change as we and our skin matures. Harsh chemicals and scrubs can irritate and strip the skin of oils, leading to more breakouts.
Skincare does not need to be difficult and the best skincare regimes are the simplest. Holistic treatments usually consist of the following:
A gentle cleanser and toner: Using cleansers and toners that focus on natural ingredients such as witch hazel, tea tree oil, and avoiding chemical laden products can remove impurities and excess oil without stripping the skin.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate: As we age, our skin can be drier, so using moisturizers and serums with moisture locking ingredients such as hyaluronic acid or squalane helps to protect the fragile skin barrier, reducing irritation and promoting healthier skin.
A skincare professional will tailor a treatment plan for your specific needs and may recommend other holistic treatments and therapies such as LED light therapy, facials, and exfoliation treatments.
Achieving long-term clear skin, free from acne breakouts, is achievable. By adopting a holistic acne treatment plan, focusing on proper nutrition, stress management, lifestyle changes, and natural skincare, you will not only focus on the symptoms of acne, but also treat the underlying causes.
The team at HYDRO Med Spa is committed to supporting you in your skincare journey and balancing your body and mind for radiant and youthful skin. To get started and book a consultation with one of our experts, reach out to HYDRO Med Spa today!