Naturopathic Approaches to Skin Care

The condition of our skin can make a tremendous difference in how we perceive ourselves and has been linked to a profound impact on psychological health. However, we should be able to accept and love ourselves, regardless of appearance.

The naturopathic approach takes into consideration the mind, body and spirit. Naturopathic doctors work with patients to uncover the root cause of skin issues and mitigate impacts in other organ systems.

Uncovering the root cause of skin issues

Naturopathic physicians have many tools to aid in the treatment of skin conditions and their overall cause and effect on the whole person. Because the practice of naturopathic medicine is rooted in finding and removing the cause of the problem, the issue of chronic and ongoing “flares” and “break outs” may be less common with a naturopathic approach. Utilizing a holistic, whole-person perspective means that the entirety of the individual will be addressed, not just the symptomatic area of concern. Some of the most common ways that naturopathic physicians approach treating skin conditions include:

Support digestion and gut health

Most people have heard of the “mind-body connection” but what about the “gut-skin connection?” The gut and skin are uniquely related in structure and function, and share a common embryological developmental origin. Serving as our primary interface with the external environment, both have a dense vascular network and extensive nerve supply that is core to their role in neuroendocrine and immune function.1 Mounting scientific evidence has confirmed the depth of the connection between the gut and skin, and multiple studies link gastrointestinal health to skin health, particularly for inflammatory skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis.1 Naturopathic physicians have long been aware of this link, and will take steps to assess, measure, and treat gut health as part of the approach to dermatological care.

Addressing food allergies and sensitivities

The digestive tract is home to about 80% of the human immune system.2 Since the gut regularly interacts with bacteria, yeast, viruses, and other microbes from the external environment, the job of the digestive tract immune system is to help protect us from the onslaught of microbial invaders. Sometimes the immune system can become a little too vigilant in its protective role, and can mistakenly start to attack normal food that we have eaten, resulting in food allergies and food sensitivities. This immune reaction sets off an inflammatory cascade that can manifest in the skin in the form of various breakouts and blemishes as well as inflammatory skin conditions like acne, rosacea, and eczema. Fortunately, there are blood tests that can assist in the identification of foods that may be causing the body to mount an inflammatory response. Knowing which foods are problematic and avoiding those foods in the diet for a time can help control a variety of skin conditions and allow the skin to heal.

Mitigate inflammation pathways

Inflammation is a normal and beneficial facet of immunity. In the short term, it helps drive the appropriate cells to an area where they are needed, supports removal of damaged tissue, and advances the healing process. However when inflammation becomes long-term and chronic, the consequences can be quite serious.3 Inflammatory skin conditions can be impacted by local inflammation and reactivity of the cutaneous immune system, as well as by inflammation in other areas such as the gut and overall systemic inflammation. Taking steps to minimize inflammatory activity in the body can be a key component in managing skin conditions. Moving to a more plant-based diet, avoiding food sensitivities, utilizing anti-inflammatory herbs, spices, and other nutrients are all ways that naturopathic physicians seek to curb excessive inflammatory activity.

Balancing detoxification pathways

There are multiple pathways by which the body eliminates waste and toxins. Collectively, these organs and systems are known as emunctories, which include the liver, kidneys, GI tract, and the skin. These organs of elimination must be functioning well in order to ensure proper detoxification of the body to keep up with the accumulation of toxins.4 When any one of these pathways is blocked or impeded, the others must pick up the slack. The result is that they can become congested and overloaded from managing the increased workload. This can lead to the skin becoming a veritable wasteland for excess toxins, and blemishes, rashes, acne, and inflammation can increase. Naturopathic physicians are well-versed in the emunctory system and how to encourage its proper and balanced function through a variety of methods that promote elimination of toxins and toxic metabolic byproducts.

Utilizing herbs and supplements

Naturopathic physicians are experts in the use of supplements and herbs as therapeutic agents in disease management. The internal and external use of nutrients can also be an important part of the management of skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, and acne. Vitamins such as A, D, and E play crucial roles in skin health, integrity, and immune function. Low levels of some vitamins, such as vitamin D have consistently been observed in serious skin conditions like psoriasis.5 Other fats like omega 3 and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) can also be important supplement considerations. Omega 3 fats have been shown to mitigate inflammatory pathways in the skin and aid in balancing an overactive immune response in cases of psoriasis.6,7 GLA is found in high concentrations in evening primrose oil as well as borage oil. Research has revealed that supplementing with evening primrose oil standardized to contain 40mg GLA led to significant improvements in eczema severity scores.8

Many minerals are also important for skin health. Deficiencies in zinc, copper, selenium, and iron may result in cutaneous abnormalities. For example, scientific research has revealed a correlation between low serum zinc levels and the severity and type of acne lesions.9 Further research has shown that zinc and selenium deficiencies may make eczema lesions worse.10

Herbs can also play a vital role in supporting skin health. Studies of multiple botanical acne remedies have shown positive results, and several have resulted in equal or superior benefits compared to conventional therapies.11  Herbs like Curcuma longa have also been found to significantly inhibit inflammatory processes  as well as reduce T cell proliferation in psoriasis.12 Topical botanical therapeutics are also an option. Studies have shown topical application of Mahonia aquifolium, indigo naturalis, and Aloe barbadensis to be among the most effective in the treatment of psoriasis lesions.13

The skin is the largest organ of the body, totaling over 20 square feet. It protects us from the environment, including infectious agents, helps regulate body temperature through sweating and goosebumps, and has nerve endings that allow for the sensations of touch, vibration, heat, and cold. The skin can also be the site of a number of medical conditions, and clue us in to underlying conditions. Dermatology and the treatment of cutaneous conditions can be extremely complex and notoriously difficult to treat. In conventional care, individualizing therapies can be extremely challenging, and pharmaceutical regimens may result in side effects that may be more unpleasant than the disease itself. Naturopathic physicians are uniquely trained to use a multitude of techniques and therapies to manage health. Click here to find an ND near you in the United States and Canada.

 

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