Functional Medicine Support for Acne

A functional medicine office supports patients with acne by taking a comprehensive, root-cause approach that goes beyond symptom management to address the underlying factors contributing to skin issues. This method is highly personalized and involves several key steps:

Comprehensive Assessment

• In-depth review of the patient’s health history, genetics, prior treatments, and lifestyle factors.
• Detailed intake appointments that often last longer than conventional visits, allowing for a thorough understanding of the patient’s unique situation.

Investigating Root Causes

Functional medicine practitioners look for internal imbalances that may be driving acne, including:

• Hormonal imbalances: Assessing levels of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and other hormones through blood or urine testing to identify issues such as excess androgens or poor hormone metabolism.
• Gut health: Evaluating the digestive system and microbiome through stool testing to check for dysbiosis, infections, or inflammation that can influence skin health.
• Nutritional deficiencies: Testing for low levels of key nutrients like zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins A and E, which are linked to acne severity.
• Detoxification efficiency: Assessing liver, kidney, and lymphatic function to ensure the body is effectively eliminating toxins and excess hormones.
• Inflammation and immune health: Identifying sources of systemic inflammation that may manifest as skin issues.

Personalized Treatment Plans

Based on assessment and testing, a tailored plan is created, which may include:

• Dietary modifications: Implementing a low-glycemic, anti-inflammatory diet, and often recommending elimination of dairy or other foods identified as triggers through testing or elimination diets.
• Gut support: Using probiotics, prebiotics, and gut-healing protocols to restore microbiome balance.
• Hormonal balancing: Supporting hormone metabolism naturally through nutrition, herbal supplements, and lifestyle changes, rather than relying on synthetic hormone suppression.
• Nutritional supplementation: Recommending supplements and antioxidants to address deficiencies and reduce inflammation.
• Topical therapies: Advising on gentle, non-comedogenic and nontoxic skincare for inflammation and healing85.
• Lifestyle interventions: Stress management, optimizing sleep, and encouraging regular exercise, which support overall healing and skin detoxification.

Ongoing Monitoring and Education

• Regular follow-up to monitor progress and adjust the plan as needed.
• Empowering patients with education about their unique acne triggers and how to manage or prevent future breakouts.

The functional medicine approach to acne is distinguished by its focus on identifying and addressing the unique combination of factors affecting each individual, supporting long-term skin health and overall well-being.