By WIN Health Provider: Dr. Laura Imola, Naturopathic Doctor
Did you know Naturopathic Medicine can help with your skin health. Naturopathic Doctors think of health holistically. For skin conditions, there is always underlying causes that lead to expression on the skin.
Topicals, over the counter or prescribed medication, rarely lead to resolution of skin conditions. They may help while used, but once you stop using them, skin concerns often comes back.
This can also occur with oral medications for skin. Additionally, most oral skin medications are for short term use because they can result in long term adverse effects.
To prevent having to use medications, and to find the root causes of skin conditions, Naturopathic Doctors work with you to address the factors contributing to the condition.
Acne
Gut-Skin Connection
If you experience acne breakouts on your face or other areas of your body, this is usually connected to your gut health and hormonal health.
To address the gut-skin response, we would evaluate the balance of your gut microbiome (healthy gut bacteria).
We know how balanced gut flora influences skin flora.
Our skin is covered by bacteria and they are supposed to be there. The stronger your gut microbiome, the stronger your skin microbiome.
In your naturopathic visit, we can discuss how to balance your gut flora and the options that are the best fit for you.
Nutrition & Hydration
One of the most significant influences on the gut microbiome is the food you eat and beverages you drink.
During a visit we work on practical nutrition strategies to use your food and beverage choices to strengthen your gut health.
These nutrition strategies can also support optimal hormone balance and blood sugar balance.
Balanced hormones and blood sugar takes a couple layers of burden off your skin.
Stress & Skin
Cortisol is a stress hormone that leads to inflammation.
Stress can also cause blood sugar imbalance, which increases inflammation on the skin, decreases good bacteria and slows skin healing time.
As part of your naturopathic plan we discuss therapies that help with stress management. Herbs, homeopathics, acupuncture treatment options, hydrotherapy and mindfulness techniques protect you against stress.
Eczema
Eczema is dry itching skin condition that is due to ongoing inflammation. If you experience eczema, you may have wondered if it is related to an allergy. We understand the inflammatory effects of foods and can give guidance.
Naturopathic doctors can help you find out if certain foods or environmental allergens are causing your skin irritation. We offer allergy testing to find out exactly which foods are irritants for you.
In addition, we review any nutritional deficiencies you may have that contribute to skin dryness, inflammation and irritation.
Yeast Infections
Round, red, raised, sometimes itchy, patches of skin that happen in warm areas of the body can be related to yeast overgrowth.
In a naturopathic visit, we discuss the connections to your healthy flora balance, gut health, nutrition and stress, which are common causes to yeast overgrowth.
Once we know what is creating an ideal environment for yeast to overgrow, we can use natural treatment options to get the yeast in check.
Chronic Inflammatory Skin Conditions, Hives, Dermatitis
If you have experienced an ongoing chronic skin condition, we can take a deeper look at why this is happening.
Understanding your whole picture of health often gives us the coordinates needed to find the cause(s) of long standing inflammatory skin conditions and provide options to treat them.
Glowing Skin
Naturopathic medicine is helpful in resolving skin conditions, and also helps to support skin optimal skin health, tone and suppleness. There are a couple of other ways to promote glowing skin.
Drainage
Drainage means moving nutrients and fresh blood to your skin, and getting rid of any waste products or irritants that can inflame or irritate your skin.
We assess with you how well you are supporting skin drainage and what daily skin care techniques accomplish this.
We also assess your detoxification pathways (eg. the health and function of your liver, intestines, kidneys, lungs and skin) and can offer support for weak systems to ensure your physiology (that is, whole body) is draining waste properly.
This ensures healthy and non-irritated skin.
Natural Skin Care
During your visit we can discuss natural skin care products. We are trained to understand what makes a great natural moisturizer, soap, shampoo, deodorants and much more.
You can ask questions and learn more about which skin care products are best for you.
If you are having an active skin concern, like one of the ones mentioned above, we can also offer therapeutic natural topicals.
These can give relief from symptoms while you are working on the root causes of your condition.
If you are looking for support for acne, eczema, yeast overgrowth, chronic skin irritation/inflammation, or even options for optimal skin tone, suppleness and health, we can help. Visit a Naturopathic Doctor at WIN Health Performance Centre at our Niagara Falls clinic to get holistic skin solutions that are tailored to you.