Lately, I have been dealing with a stubborn case of acne which has been focused on the sides of my cheeks. The left cheek has been more affected than the right with redness, bumps, and hyperpigmentation.
Some cases such as mine require more than an over-the-counter face wash or cream but rather a complete lifestyle change.
From diet, stress management, exercise, and medication. Which can be highly overwhelming.
Sometimes, I wonder what started this pathogenesis of acne to occur? But, it was the battle that was given to me and through it, I have researched to the moon and back about the cause and treatment of acne among other conditions.
It’s definitely hormonal for me!
I have been a sufferer of acne ever since puberty, and with minimum knowledge as to why it occurred, my main thought, and advice others have given was “you’re not washing your face enough”.
Ironically, I had one friend who told me I was washing my face too much. I wash my face two to three times a day.
With years of new knowledge, it’s deeper than just washing your face. These are the top things I learned and my experience so far in treating my acne.
Eating To Get Rid Of Acne
So what diet is it this time? Some people undermine the importance of eating for your body and skin health. Especially those who don’t deal with skin issues.
You tell them I’m not eating this because I believe it is going to worsen my acne. They just convince you otherwise and tell you to have the sugary or carb-loaded food just this one time.
In actuality, it’s more than that one time they will convince you to have it.
When dealing with hormonal acne, eating unhealthy food or excess eating can cause a rise in insulin levels, this triggers ” androgens” to produce in excess. Increased androgens are the prime factor in the genesis of oily skin, acne, and alopecia.
A study I came across even noticed high levels of androgens in those with keratosis pilaris. There are other factors that can increase androgens, besides food intake, however, correcting your diet is a good place to start.
If you know someone dealing with skin issues, such as acne, psoriasis, eczema, and other skin conditions, it is important to whole-heartedly support them on their food choice because it matters. No one really wants to eat salads, bread-less sandwiches, sugar-less deserts all the time!
Which makes it so easy to fall into the temptation of eating those off-the-list foods. However, your body craves what you feed it the most, so over time you will crave the new way of eating.
Treating Acne Externally
Acne is an extended case of one thing leads to another. Excess androgens tend to spike sebum production. The sebum clogs the pores, providing excellent conditions for bacteria found on all of our skin to thrive and overgrow. The clogged pores along with the excess bacteria then lead to inflammation, which describes the common characterization of acne “pimples”. So how do you treat pimples and inflammation topically?
Benzoyl Peroxide– Reduces acne bacteria on the skin.
Salicylic Acid– Evenly exfoliates skin cells, and unclogs pores.
Hyaluronic Acid– Keeps the skin barrier hydrated.
Retinol– Repairs damage to skin cells, and restores normal functions.
Sunscreen– Essential to prevent hyperpigmentation and UV damage. Some of the above products can make skin increasingly sensitive to UV exposure.
Antibiotics To Kill Bacteria
Not everyone is comfortable taking antibiotics because of adverse effects, such as bacterial resistance and increased yeast. I have been on that side of the team until the acne on my left cheek and jawline became unmanageable.
At that point, I felt as though antibiotics would be the boost I need to remedy the problem from within. To avoid the overgrowth of yeast protozoa and have a healthy amount of good bacteria in my system, I take probiotics in pill form.
Many people consume yogurt or kefir, but I tend to leave those sitting in the fridge until they spoil. Additionally, to avoid bacterial resistance, I take the pills as prescribed.
A pill tracker case with M-F listed is really helpful if you have a ton of tiny pills that goes down unnoticeably.
So far, the only side effect from the prescribed antibiotic “doxycycline”, is nausea and that was even after consuming a meal. However, the occurrence seemed to have dwindled.
I haven’t noticed any improvement in my acne so far, but I am only a week in on a six-month-long treatment.
The Takeaway
Don’t give up on treating your acne, or various skin condition. Don’t stress yourself out thinking about it all the time.
Look at an older picture and think,” what did I think of myself then”. Remember, the current you will always be the bomb!
Eat to relieve your symptoms, food can be your medicine or your toxin. Be patient and consistent with your skincare routine and medication, because years of internal distress cannot be relieved in days, it will take months.
To Friends & Family Of Acne Sufferers
If you know a friend or family member with acne, support their eating choices by not offering or suggesting they eat food that does not correlate with the plan they set out.
Sticking to their new way of eating could be the turnaround for healing their condition. Tempting them with food they already crave may weaken their ability to long-turn eat in a way that is guided toward health.
Often, people push food on others out of love or disbelief that food is a factor in a skin condition. Don’t undermine the time they spent researching and consultations about their skin condition unless you have put in as much effort to prove to them otherwise.
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