We must think differently to understand “fungal acne” or “bacterial acne” for that matter. The first thing to understand is that both are symptoms of an internal gut microbiome imbalance that is manufacturing toxins. Our skin is a detox organ and it will get to work eliminating these toxins for us. So then, the question is raised, “How to support our skin’s inborn toxic release pathway?” The answer, surprisingly, goes against conventional skin care
The aim to cease toxin manufacturing in the first place and simultaneously open detox pathways is a guiding principle in all holistic healing modalities. Let’s not forget that our skin is a part of our bodies and deserves the same consideration.
What Is Fungal Acne?
In short “fungal acne” is caused by a topical yeast overgrowth. Acne is caused by a topical bacterial overgrowth. Yet, remember that these are mere symptoms and not the root cause.
It is crucial that we hold acne to the light with the established context of microbiome being the internal root cause before we can even discuss the right external care for these symptoms.
What Does Fungal Acne Look Like?
Fungal acne causes clusters of small, itchy, red bumps (papules) on your skin. Sometimes, the bumps get a bit larger and turn into whiteheads, which are small pockets of white or yellow pus (pustules). These breakouts often appear on the chest, back, and shoulders, and are typically uniform in size and shape. The key distinguishing feature is that fungal acne is often itchy, unlike regular acne. Often people can have both simultaneously which adds to the confusion.
Causes and Triggers
Poor microbiome and a weakened immune system go hand in hand.
- Avoid Antibiotics
- Damaged Hair Follicles: Activities like shaving can damage hair follicles, and disrupt acid mantle balance thus making it easier for yeast to irritate skin
- Hot and Humid Environments: Sometimes warm, humid conditions encourage topical yeast growth
- Wear Breathable Clothing: Choose loose, breathable fabrics to reduce sweating and friction that can irritate skin
How To Avoid Fungal Acne
Interestingly, this is where the professional conflicts begin with how to treat fungal acne. I will argue that supporting our skin to release toxins is the quickest way to restore health rather than shutting down our skin’s detox function with conventional methods. The conventional treatment of “fungal acne” is short-sighted and incomplete in my estimation.
How To Heal Fungal Acne Or Regular Bacterial Acne
There are dual priorities when healing acne:
Firstly, because both bacteria acne and fungal acne are caused by poor gut microbiomes this must be confronted before any improvements can be made. The shifting of this can be difficult, complicated, and charged with the primal relationship we all have with food to regulate our emotions. Meaningful detox plans can be hard to pin down in a saturated market that is also very expensive to chase. Nonetheless, this must be done.
Secondly, we must support our skin’s detox pathway and not sabotage it but how do we do this? Supporting our skin in this way supports long-term skin health and ensures our skin is operating the way it was born to operate – as a living dynamic release process.
Final Thoughts
“Fungal acne” is confused with skin that has an intact detox function that requires support, not sabotage. The symptoms of originating microbiome upsets are showing up in our skin. No matter what we are calling these symptoms they are wreaking havoc on our self-esteem and health. We must go beyond short-sided actions to clear them. Skin that is thriving, beaming, dynamic with luminosity and resilience awaits.
About the author
I took many wrong turns when I started learning about skin at 19. The more I spent on skincare, equipment, and training, the further I felt from actually helping skin. I was frustrated with only being able to offer temporary and superficial solutions at best. What emerged from the disappointment and turmoil, I now call, The Regenerative Skin Process. Skin Harmonics is a dedicated medical fusion holistic skincare clinic that provides a root cause approach delivering lifetime skin health through medical grade skin care products, new learning, and Deep Pore Cleansing Facials.
