Dr. Nicole Sundene, NMD
Author of "The Hormonal Acne Diet Program"
Cystic Acne is a form of Hormonal Acne that does not respond to the same treatments I use for my regular acne patients. Topical treatments for cystic acne are generally ineffective because they tend to only aggravate and dry the skin on the surface while failing to address the root cause of the cystic acne forming deep below the layers of skin.
Today I will share "Dr. Nicole’s #1 Cystic Acne Potion Recipe"
I am posting this simple recipe here for someone that might need it, and also as an important reminder to TEST your essential oils on your wrist before applying to your face. The skin is sensitive and inflamed, especially in hormonal acne and cystic acne. So start with 1 drop of thyme per 1 oz of aloe vera.
Most women use about 2-5 drops of organic thyme or lavender or a mixture of the two. Try one first before the other so we can observe your skin is improving and not aggravated by anything. Allergies are rare with natural medicines but they do happen so it is important to start with a low amount and work up to what is not too strong to smell. This should not sting or burn when you apply it to your skin. It should only soothe it.
Pure lavender can be used undiluted and dabbed on with a q-tip, although I don’t recommend doing this for cystic acne or hormonal acne as oil is the last thing the skin needs and we need to work to make the skin less greasy overall to prevent clogged pores.
In traditional acne, oil from the sebaceous glands trap dirt and bacteria into the pore causing acne lesions. Cystic acne forms below the layers of the skin and generally topical treatments do not help, except what I will share today.
Aloe vera is an important anti-inflammatory treatment that can also help reduce the scarring associated with cystic acne. Thyme has been researched as an effective acne treatment, as has lavender. I find thyme to be far more effective for my acne patients in my Holistic Dermatology and Hormone practice.
If you have cystic acne it is very important that you work with a skilled hormone doctor that understands this condition and can help diagnose the "Root Cause" of the cystic acne. Oftentimes there are multiple hormone imbalances going on that I find, and not just one. Patients will say "I got my hormones checked," and there is 1-2 tests which is not the 5-7 pages of hormone tests that I generally first order for cystic acne patients to determine the hormone imbalance.
A Naturopathic Hormone Doctor will be able to diagnose the multiple factors impacting the skin for your cystic acne which include: 1) Hormone Imbalance 2) Dietary Triggers 3) Environmental Triggers
Without a proper program to address cystic acne at the root cause, such as "The Hormonal Acne Diet Program," patients generally end up with terrible scarring from having cysts form all over their faces from this form of hormonal acne. Once a cyst forms the sac around it will always continue to fill back up with fluid and recur.
If you have cystic acne and need my help preventing permanent scars on your face, simply pop over to my SCHEDULE page to treat yourself to a Naturopathic visit. I would be happy to help! I will have scars on my face forever, and as a result of that I hope to always work to prevent women from having scarring due to cystic acne.
Dr. Nicole Sundene
Author of "The Hormonal Acne Diet Program"
(480) 837-0900
Dr. Sundene is a Naturopathic Doctor in Scottsdale, Arizona, and is a Female Hormone Expert in Women's Health and Bioidentical Hormones. She specializes in Holistic Women's Health for Menopause, Thyroid, Hashimotos, PMS, Perimenopause, Autoimmune, Postpartum, Chronic Fatigue, Depression, Anxiety, Food Allergies, Digestion, Dermatology, Acne, Psoriasis, Eczema, and Adrenal Hormonal Conditions. In 1999 she began working for a Hormone Doctor prior to starting Naturopathic Medical School. With over 23 years of experience in both Prescription and Natural women's health and hormones, she presents to women the best-integrated health solutions for their Chronic Disease.
She has been an Herbalist for over 28 years and enjoys teaching women how to use herbs to balance their hormones, nutrition and optimize their health. Dr. Sundene relies on blood testing for her hormone metrics. The hormone testing is covered per the patient's insurance plan (not Medicaid) and conducted at certain points in the woman's menstrual cycle. To learn more about Hormone Testing for Women Visit: Bioidentical Hormones. Follow Dr. Sundene on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for more tips on Women's Health, Female Hormones, and Naturopathy!
