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Gabriel treats acne from INSIDE OUT—acne is external manifestation of internal imbalance (hormones, gut, inflammation, detox).
Gabriel treats acne from INSIDE OUT—acne is external manifestation of internal imbalance (hormones, gut, inflammation, detox). Topicals address surface only, temporary. Protocol: 1) Balance hormones (reduce androgens via diet, supplements—saw palmetto, spearmint tea, DIM), 2) Reverse insulin resistance (low-carb diet, berberine—lowers insulin which drives androgens), 3) Heal gut (eliminate food triggers, restore microbiome—gut-skin axis), 4) Optimize nutrients (zinc CRITICAL, vitamin A, omega-3), 5) Support liver detox (toxins out through skin if liver overwhelmed), 6) Reduce inflammation (diet, omega-3, curcumin), 7) Topical support (gentle, non-comedogenic—secondary to internal work). Goal: clear skin permanently by addressing root causes, not suppress with Accutane (serious side effects) or harsh topicals.
Standard Treatment
Topical treatments: Benzoyl peroxide (OTC—2.5%, 5%, 10%, kills P. acnes bacteria), Salicylic acid (OTC—2%, BHA, exfoliates, unclogs pores), Retinoids (tretinoin/Retin-A, adapalene/Differin, tazarotene/Tazorac—vitamin A derivatives, increase cell turnover), Topical antibiotics (clindamycin, erythromycin—often combined with benzoyl peroxide), Azelaic acid (Finacea, Melazepam—antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory), Dapsone gel (anti-inflammatory), Oral medications: Antibiotics (tetracyclines—doxycycline, minocycline; kills P. acnes, anti-inflammatory), Birth control pills (for women—anti-androgen types: Yaz, Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Estrostep), Spironolactone (for women—anti-androgen, blocks testosterone), Isotretinoin (Accutane—severe cystic acne, very effective but serious side effects), Procedures: Cortisone injections (cystic acne), Extraction (comedones), Chemical peels, Laser/light therapy
The Problem
Topical treatments: Help but don't address root cause (hormones, gut, diet, inflammation—acne returns if stop), Irritation common (benzoyl peroxide, retinoids—drying, redness, peeling), Antibiotic resistance (topical clindamycin—overuse), Antibiotics (oral—doxycycline, minocycline): Kill bacteria but: Destroy gut microbiome (worsens gut-skin axis long-term), Antibiotic resistance, Photosensitivity (doxycycline—sunburn easily), GI upset, Yeast overgrowth (Candida—from killing beneficial bacteria), Often relapse after stopping (doesn't fix root cause), Birth control pills: Suppress natural hormones (don't fix underlying imbalance), Side effects (weight gain, mood changes, blood clots, cardiovascular risks), Acne returns after stopping (often worse—rebound androgens), Doesn't address insulin resistance, gut, diet (root causes), Spironolactone: Anti-androgen (blocks testosterone—helps hormonal acne in women), Side effects: irregular periods, breast tenderness, potassium retention, dizziness, Doesn't address root cause, Must continue indefinitely (acne returns if stop), Not for men (feminizing effects), Accutane (Isotretinoin): VERY effective (80% clear permanently or long-term after one course) BUT: Severe side effects: Extreme dryness (skin, lips, eyes, nose—nosebleeds, cracked lips), Birth defects (ABSOLUTE contraindication in pregnancy—two forms of birth control required, monthly pregnancy tests), Depression/suicidal ideation (black box warning—controversial but real risk for some), Liver toxicity (requires monthly monitoring), Increased cholesterol/triglycerides, Joint/muscle pain, Photosensitivity, Permanent meibomian gland dysfunction (dry eyes forever in some), IBD risk (controversial—possible increased risk), Doesn't address root cause (just shrinks oil glands permanently, reduces P. acnes—hormones, gut, diet still issues), Should be LAST RESORT after natural approaches fail, Conventional approach: Prescribes topicals → antibiotics → birth control/spironolactone → Accutane (escalating suppression) without: Eliminating dairy (proven trigger—IGF-1, hormones, insulin—should be first-line recommendation but rarely mentioned), Testing insulin resistance (high insulin drives androgens—key in many acne patients, easily reversible with diet), Healing gut (gut-skin axis—dysbiosis, leaky gut, food sensitivities drive acne), Optimizing zinc (deficient in most acne patients—supplementing dramatically improves outcomes, rarely tested/recommended), Addressing diet comprehensively (low-glycemic, anti-inflammatory, elimination of triggers), Testing hormones (testosterone, DHEA-S, insulin—identify imbalances), Natural anti-androgens (saw palmetto, spearmint tea, DIM—effective without side effects), Many acne patients could clear WITHOUT medications: Eliminate dairy (4-6 weeks), Low-glycemic diet (blood sugar control—reduces insulin/androgens), Zinc 30-50mg, Vitamin A (cod liver oil), Omega-3 (anti-inflammatory), Heal gut (probiotics, eliminate triggers), Gentle topicals (tea tree oil, niacinamide, azelaic acid, salicylic acid), Hormonal testing and natural balancing (if hormonal acne), Save Accutane for severe cystic acne that doesn't respond to comprehensive natural approach (not first-line)
A comprehensive, tiered approach combining supplements, herbs, and advanced therapies
Choose the level that's right for your healing journey
What's Included
Available through Fullscript
Practitioner-Grade — Not Available on Amazon
What's Included
Whole food supplements by Standard Process
What's Included
Standard Process + Matter peptides
Eliminate dairy COMPLETELY (4-6 week trial minimum—dairy is #1 dietary trigger): Milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, whey protein (bodybuilders often get acne from whey—switch to plant protein), Dairy contains: hormones (estrogen, progesterone from pregnant cows), IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor—drives sebum production, cell proliferation), increases insulin (even skim milk), Exceptions: butter, ghee (minimal casein/whey—usually okay), Low-glycemic diet (insulin control—high insulin drives androgens): Eliminate: sugar, white bread, white rice, pasta, chips, crackers, candy, soda, juice, processed carbs, Eat: protein with every meal, healthy fats, non-starchy vegetables, limited whole grains (quinoa, oats—small portions with protein/fat), berries (low glycemic fruit—small amounts), No high-glycemic fruits (watermelon, pineapple, dried fruit—spike insulin), Blood sugar stability (no skipping meals, protein/fat with carbs), Omega-3 rich foods (wild fish 3x/week, grass-fed meat—anti-inflammatory), Zinc-rich foods (oysters #1, beef, pumpkin seeds, chickpeas), Vitamin A foods (liver, cod liver oil, sweet potato, carrots, leafy greens), Colorful vegetables (antioxidants), Avoid: chocolate (some studies link to acne—individual variation, dairy-free dark chocolate 85%+ may be okay), high-iodine foods if iodine-sensitive (seaweed, iodized salt—rare trigger), peanuts (high in androgens), Food sensitivities (beyond dairy—gluten, eggs, soy trial elimination), Anti-inflammatory diet, Organic (pesticides are endocrine disruptors—affect hormones), Adequate hydration, Avoid alcohol (liver stress, inflammatory, blood sugar), Limit caffeine (stress hormone effects in some)
Stress management (cortisol increases oil production, inflammation, androgens): meditation, yoga, breathwork, therapy, adequate sleep (7-9 hours—hormones regulated during sleep, growth hormone repairs skin), Sleep hygiene (clean pillowcases 2-3x/week—bacteria, oil buildup), Sleep on back if possible (face on pillow spreads bacteria), Gentle skincare routine: Cleanse 2x/day (morning, evening—gentle, pH-balanced cleanser, don't over-wash—strips oil, causes rebound oil production), Avoid harsh scrubs (irritation worsens acne), Exfoliate 2-3x/week (chemical exfoliant better than physical—salicylic acid, glycolic acid), Tone (optional—witch hazel, rose water), Treatment (spot treat or all over—benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, retinoid, tea tree oil, azelaic acid), Moisturize (even oily skin—oil-free, non-comedogenic), Sunscreen daily (especially if using retinoids, AHAs—increase sun sensitivity), Non-comedogenic products (won't clog pores—check labels), Avoid touching face (spreads bacteria), Clean makeup brushes regularly, Remove makeup before bed, Avoid hair products on face (greasy, pore-clogging), Tie hair back (keep off face, especially while sleeping), Don't pick or pop (scarring, spreads bacteria, worsens inflammation), Exercise (improves circulation, reduces stress, insulin sensitivity—but shower promptly after, sweat can clog pores), Avoid smoking (reduces blood flow to skin, delays healing, increases acne), Limit alcohol (inflammatory, affects hormones, liver), Address hormonal birth control (some help acne—anti-androgen types like Yaz, Ortho Tri-Cyclen; others worsen—progestin-only; consider stopping BCP and addressing root cause naturally), Manage gut health (probiotics, heal leaky gut, eliminate food sensitivities—gut-skin axis), Support liver detox (milk thistle, NAC, adequate water, reduce toxin load—skin is backup elimination organ when liver overwhelmed), Red/Blue light therapy (red—healing, anti-inflammatory; blue—kills P. acnes bacteria, at-home devices available), Consider professional treatments if severe: Chemical peels (glycolic, salicylic acid), Microdermabrasion, Laser/IPL (reduces bacteria, inflammation, fades marks), Cortisone injections (cystic acne—shrinks lesions quickly)
Mind, Body & Spirit
True healing requires addressing all dimensions of health. These evidence-based practices complement physical treatment protocols.
Daily meditation practice to reduce stress, lower inflammation, and support healing.
Developing healthy coping strategies to reduce cortisol and support immune function.
Conscious breathing techniques to regulate nervous system and reduce symptoms.
Time in nature to reduce stress, improve mood, and support physical healing.
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Standard Process + advanced peptide therapy
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