At any stage of your life, acne can strike. From stress to poor gut health, contraception methods to menopause, there are many reasons why acne can rear its head. We women don’t get an easy ride! Hormone imbalances can present themselves in many forms of acne but commonly, women experience an increase in pimples and breakouts around the chin and jawline. For most, this can cause feelings of insecurity. But rest assured that hormonal acne does not have to be a permanent issue.
If you are wondering how to clear up hormonal acne fast, then you have come to the right place. Here is our guide on how to stop hormonal acne and how a naturopath can help you on your healing journey.
What is Hormonal Acne?
Affecting around 80% of women between the ages of 11 to 30, hormonal acne is a common struggle. But rest assured that it carries no prejudice, women at any age can find themselves subject to a flare-up of acne. Although it can affect the whole face, acne is most commonly found on the jawline and chin areas.
Triggering excessive oil production, an imbalance in hormones is often the cause of your acne. Bacteria love to feed on this excess oil which stimulates an inflammatory response. Dead skin cells become trapped in your oil glands and your pores become clogged – both of which quickly lead to pimples and breakouts. Depending on your personal circumstances, you could be experiencing a number of imbalances. Your testosterone, oestrogen and/or cortisol levels could be high or your progesterone levels could be low. Understanding the reason for the imbalance is the first step on your road to healing.
Your hormones naturally fluctuate throughout the month alongside your cycle which is why you often will experience worsened flairs as you approach menstruation. This is commonly the cause of acne after stopping birth control as your hormones are working hard to re-regulate themselves.
Can a Naturopath Help with Acne?
Naturopathic treatment focuses on the entire body to understand the underlying cause of your acne. A professional will assess every aspect of your life to identify the reason for the imbalance and identify the necessary areas to focus on during treatment. From family history to medical history, your diet to your level of physical activity, your sleep patterns to your emotional stressors and much more. Using this information, they will develop a treatment plan that will target the problem area. No matter whether you are experiencing post-pill acne, menopausal acne, stress acne or another driver of acne, a naturopath will work to diagnose and correct the root cause.
Although acne can be stubborn to heal, the good news is that it can go away naturally with the right approach. Seeking the help of an acne naturopath will help in your journey. Working in two stages, they’ll advise on the best way to minimise the symptoms of acne as well as work to diagnose and heal the root cause.
When you visit your GP about acne, they focus primarily on the physical methods that will reduce signs and symptoms. They may advise you to change your skincare routine, prescribe medication or look for underlying medical conditions. In comparison, naturopaths will focus on every aspect of your life, including your mental and emotional health, your lifestyle patterns, your family history and so much more.
But rest assured that no matter whether you have sought help before but had limited results, you are unhappy with your existing course of treatment, or simply looking for natural and holistic treatments to help with your acne, a naturopath has you covered.
How to Treat Hormonal Acne Naturally
When it comes to reducing the symptoms of acne, there are many methods that a naturopath will recommend trying.
Dietary changes
Your diet plays a key role in the balance of your hormones. If you are experiencing acne on the chin and jawline, you could be missing some key nutrients in your diet. Increasing your intake of vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli and brussels sprouts will aid your liver in detoxifying any unwanted hormones. And by amending your diet, you will also be improving the health of your gut which will help to get your bowels moving and eliminate excess from your liver.
Lifestyle changes
There are many changes that you can make in your day-to-day life that will improve your acne. You should be sure to drink plenty of water to flush out any excess toxins and exercise regularly to both improve circulation and reduce inflammation in the body. Just remember to cleanse your skin after exercise to remove any sweat and bacteria from getting clogged in your pores. You could look to reduce the amount of make-up that you wear if any and give your skin a chance to breathe where possible. If you smoke, a naturopath will likely suggest that you cut down or stop completely.
Stress management
Learning to effectively manage your stress levels can also have a significant impact on your acne. Stress triggers the release of hormones which can further impact the production of oil and lead to breakouts. Naturopaths will work to manage your stress levels by ensuring that you enjoy a good quality of sleep as well as recommending techniques such as deep breathing, yoga, meditation, journaling and more.
Supplements
Changing your diet and lifestyle alone will unlikely heal the root cause of your acne so a naturopath will also recommend some natural supplements to take to nourish your body with healthy nutrients. This could include folate, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, selenium, magnesium and zinc among others. These supplements offer many benefits including supporting the immune system and reducing inflammation. After your initial consultation, your naturopath will be able to advise on specifics so you can take the best supplements for your needs.
Maintaining a Healthy Skincare Routine
When it comes to acne, a healthy skincare routine is paramount. Ensuring that your skin remains clean and free from excess oil and bacteria is essential in combating acne so you should be sure to cleanse, tone and moisturise at least once a day. But don’t just head to your nearest store. You will enjoy the best results by identifying the right ingredients for your needs. Some skin care products could be ineffective or trigger further irritation.
For the best skincare ingredients, you can speak to your naturopath about their recommended skincare range and routine. Remember, they will be working in two phases – the first being to manage the symptoms of acne that you are experiencing.
Feel Empowered and In Control Through Education
Knowledge is power and learning more about your body and the underlying cause of your acne is key. The more you know, the more you can take control of your hormones and heal your acne at the source. The time that you spend with a naturopath will give you knowledge about your hormonal health and educate you on the best treatment for your specific needs.
You won’t be expected to fit into a box and your acne won’t need to adhere to a stereotype. That’s why many women enjoy visiting a naturopath for hormonal acne because the course of treatment is personal to their exact health needs and lifestyle. This personal approach contributes to effective results and long-term improvement of their acne.
Equipping you with the tools that you need to tackle hormonal acne going forward, you will learn to spot the early signs of an imbalance and take immediate action before the severity of your flair increases. With the majority of your treatment plan containing natural or holistic remedies, you can easily replicate your treatment in the future if and when your acne starts to rear its head without the need for prescriptions.
Herbal Treatments for Hormonal Acne and PMS
For women struggling with hormonal acne, finding relief from persistent breakouts can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, there are several herbal treatments for hormonal imbalances that can help reduce acne and improve skin health. Many women also turn to holistic PMS remedies to manage hormone fluctuations, which often contribute to acne flare-ups. A combination of dietary adjustments, stress management techniques, and herbal supplements can support a clearer complexion by targeting the root cause of hormone-driven breakouts, promoting better long-term skin health and overall well-being.
Looking for Acne Treatment in Melbourne?
Gone are the days of scouring the internet for ‘chin acne causes female’, ‘jawline acne causes female’ and similar searches. Diagnose the root cause of your acne and develop an effective treatment plan with the help of a naturopath.
For effective treatment plans, speak to the experts here at Naturopathic Wellness. We will work to both reduce the appearance of your acne and uncover the root cause to eliminate it at the source. Whether your acne is due to a hormone imbalance or other, we can help. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, you can choose our services with confidence.
We offer both online and face to face appointments so no matter where you are based, you can benefit from our services. Get started today by booking a consultation or calling us on 0412 292 171. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
