A little about me:
I struggled with acne for approximately 15 years (from the time I was thirteen) till about 2 years ago. I went to dermatologist naturally to seek their advice and guidance, when I was about 14) as to what I should do and take. First they started me on a skin care regimen of cleansers and exfoliators, which seemed to help a little but they eventually seemed to just all of a sudden stop working and I needed something stronger and stronger... So they eventually put me on antibiotics, doxycycline, minocycline etc. I was on antibiotics for a good year straight! I look back now and know that was one of the worst things I could have EVER been told to do, but c'est la vie, I can't go back.
I eventually got off the antibiotics because they stopped working, and to no one's surprise, they prescribed Accutane. Now I started off with just minor breakouts when I was 13-14 and by the time I was 18 I had moderate Cystic acne. It was very painful!
So I thought, well, why not try Accutane, I've tried everything else. Accutane is really a last resort and while it did fix the problem for a few years, when I got pregnant the cystic acne came back and worse than I ever had it. This is where my story takes a turn for the best though!!!
By chance (and a lot of research) I found out that my son could not tolerate dairy, even though the doctors said "oh he's probably just a little colicky, it's probably not a food allergy." I did my own research and found out that he probably was allergic to dairy or wheat and I cut both of those things completely out of my diet and wouldn't you know he stopped being colicky and my acne VANISHED!
And I mean vanished, my skin was clear and silky and not blotchy for the first time in my life post-puberty!
NOW, why, OH WHY, do dermatologists not tell their clients that their acne could be diet related? And save some poor teenager the emotional trauma and heartache of acne? I even remember specifically asking my dermatologist at age 14 if I should make any dietary changes to help with the acne, and her reply was "Oh no, diet has nothing to do with it, eat all the chocolate and greasy potato chips(my weaknesses) you want."
So why did she tell me diet had nothing to do with it? I will tell you why, money. (Big surprise right?) Drug companies pay your dermatologist money to prescribe drugs. It's that simple. These drug companies wine and dine these doctors into a stooper. And these drug companies do not want you to know it's something as simple as a food allergy or eating an over processed diet.
Quick fact: Did you know that the Canadian Inuit people did not know what acne was until they changed from their primitive diet to a processed westernized diet around the 1950's? This is the case with many people all over the world. When a highly processed, high carb, high fat (the wrong kind of fats) diet is introduced, acne becomes the norm.
Now here is my advice, if you are dealing with acne, especially if you're over 25 and you have moderate to severe cystic acne, go on an elimination diet. First off let me state that I am not a doctor, but I am a person who has seen the wonders of eliminating allergic foods from my diet. My proof is the dramatic change in my skin. So if you're sick of dealing with acne and you've tried just about everything, search your diet high and low for an allergy. Wheat, Corn, Soy, Sugar, Nightshade family (potato, tomato, eggplant) and Dairy are the top allergens and that's where I would start.
You may be wondering how to do an elimination diet, you could try Dr. Oz's http://www.doctoroz.com/article/elimination-diet-printable-one-sheet
But I would do this diet with the help of a professional naturopath or homeopathic doctor. If you don't already see a naturopath or a homepath, find one! They can help you without the use of chemical drugs, they know the signs and symptoms of a food allergy and are normally well versed in the role diet plays in health.
Unfortunately doctors that practice western medicine are not trained in nutrition, they are trained to treat disease and sickness with drugs. And don't get me wrong, there is a time and place for western medicine, such as during bleeding emergencies, blot clots, heart attacks, but for things like acne, and skin conditions (as well as a slew of other non-emergency conditions) I believe it has failed us.
So, where am I now, well, not only did I realize diet played a huge role in my ongoing acne battle, I realized all the chemical warfare I was still putting on my face/body (cleansers, body scrubs, lotions) were not helping my skin and scars heal. They were causing me to have hives, rashes,
breakouts and irritated skin. That's when www.HeavenlyBotanicals.etsy.com was born. I created my own balms, skin cleansers, body scrubs, and healing facial serums, preservative and chemical free with organic botanicals and oils and now I'm sharing them with the world!
And guess what?! My skin started healing and I don't get hives when I put my products on my skin. It's amazing how skin, when given nutrients, vitamins, enzymes, and the things it needs, will heal and look healthy!
Here's my hope for you, that you will find your cure. Whether it be eliminating a food allergy or finding a chemical sensitivity, I hope you find what is causing your skin issue and I can tell you, when you realize that you have the power to change your skin, you won't stop there. You'll find that you can create a healthier world for yourself, and if you have children, for them. There are few things more satisfying than knowing you don't have to rely on doctors to make you well, you have the power, the power of nutrition!
Wishing you all health, love and happiness,
Brie
www.heavenlybotanicals.etsy.com
No comments:
Post a Comment