Back to website: Naturopathic Doctor NYC

To schedule an appointment for cosmetic acupuncture, contact Dr. Hanson at drjaredhanson@gmail.com or call 917-267-WELL.

August 2009 Newsletter From Dr. Jared Hanson ND, LAc

Holistic Skin Care

Summer is an important time to think about the health of your skin. Two important general skin nutrients are water and essential fatty acids. Proper hydration and a high proportion of “good fats” in the diet (think omega-3s like fish or flax oil) are the most important steps you can take to maintain healthy skin. Below are some other helpful suggestions to deal with summer-related skin issues.

Learn more about natural treatment for other skin complaints such as eczema, acne, or rosacea.

Fine Lines, Wrinkles and Signs of Aging

Time spent in the sun damages and ages skin. Cosmetic acupuncture is quickly emerging as a safe and effective way to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and to even out skin tone. It will also fade out age spots and make skin softer and smoother.

Cosmetic acupuncture has the distinct advantage of being the only anti-aging procedure that improves general health and well-being. Cosmetic acupuncture also does not carry to risk of adverse effects such as scarring or allergic reaction that are associated with more invasive procedures such as Botox or Restalyne, and the effects of cosmetic acupuncture can last longer.

How does cosmetic acupuncture work? Thin needles are painlessly inserted into the skin only very shallowly. This shallow insertion allows the needles to stimulate special skin cells called fibroblasts to lay down more collagen and elastin, which are the constituents that make skin supple. A standard course is two treatments per week for five weeks. Each session includes a standard acupuncture treatment using body points to balance overall energy.

The skin grows from the inside out, so proper nutrition is important for proper skin care. Vitamin C is important for proper collagen formation and as an anti-oxidant. Vitamin A and carotenoids, discussed below, are important to protect the skin form damage. Zinc is especially important for healthy skin, both to repair and prevent damage. Topically, DMAE, niacinamide, vitamin A, and vitamin C have all been shown to reduce wrinkles and improve skin tone.

Sunburn

Sun exposure is a tricky subject. Too little and your body does not produce enough vitamin D, an important bone-building and cancer-fighting nutrient. Too much and your skin ages much faster and you significantly raise your risk of developing skin cancer, particularly if you allow yourself to burn.

What to do? First, it is a good idea to supplement with vitamin D. The best recommendation is 2000 IUs of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) per day. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin which means it is best absorbed when taken with a meal that contains some fat. Then, protect your skin from sun damage by consuming a diet high in carotenoids. Carotenoids are a family of naturally-occurring nutrients that have a deep orange or red color and are the most important antioxidant for your skin. Important carotenoids you may have heard of include beta carotene, lutein and lycopene.

If you know you are going to be out in the sun, make sure to eat plenty of foods with naturally deep orange or red color. Sweet potatoes, watermelon, tomatoes (sauces and pastes are concentrated forms) or carrots are great examples. For added protection you can also supplement with mixed carotenoids. 25,000 IUs is an effective dose. Carotenoids are also fat-soluble and are best absorbed with a meal that includes fats.

What if you’ve already been burned? The best natural solution is St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) oil, applied to the affected area. While best known as a supplement for depression, St. John’s Wort is an important herb for healing the skin. St. John’s Wort oil should be red in color. If that is not available, nettle (Urtica dioica) tincture can be applied topically and both herbs can be taken as a homeopathic remedy (Hypericum 30C and Urtica 30C).

Bruises, Cuts and Scrapes

Many people are now familiar with Arnica and its uses in bruises and minor injuries. Arnica is available over the counter as an ointment or gel at any health food store or now even in regular drugstores. It is the perfect thing to rub into bruised areas or sore muscles after a day out of doors.

For cuts and scrapes, there is a better option: Calendula, the English marigold, which is also available as an ointment at health food stores. Calendula will disinfect, reduce the pain and encourage rapid healing.

Insect bites and Poison Ivy

Poison Ivy

Though best known these days for preventing colds and flus, Echinacea is actually one of the best remedies for mosquito bites. Rub a few drops of Echinacea tincture into the bite and the itching or pain will subside. As always, you want to use the right kind of Echinacea: the root of Echinacea angustifolia.

Common Plantain

Spider bites can also be treated with Echinacea, but an even better idea is Plantain. Plantain is a very common weed you probably have in your backyard. If you are outdoors and get stung or bitten, a very simple treatment is to pick a leaf, chew it up and apply it to the bite. If chewing up a wild plant is a scary concept for you, city-folk as you are, squish the leaves to get some juice and apply that.

For bee stings and tick bites, your best bet is the homeopathic remedy Ledum, available at any health food store.

Virginia Creeper

If you are, like me, among the unfortunate group of people who are sensitive to poison ivy, then you know how maddening the resulting itch can be. Fortunately, there is an effective homeopathic remedy called Croton tig. Again, if you are out of doors and need a remedy in a pinch, use the Plantain. There is an old herbal saying that wherever poison ivy grows, there is a cure within arm’s reach. Look around, if you don’t see the Plantain, perhaps you’ll see Virginia Creeper, another good herb for poison ivy. Squish a leaf and rub it into the affected area.