Dr. Jen Newell, ND
331 Queen St E M5A 2P7 Toronto, ON, Canada

A groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology found that certain hormonal contraceptives will help people suffering from acne but others may make it worse. The study, the largest of its kind to date, discovered that the types of hormones in any given contraceptive will determine its effect on acne. Dermatologists have been prescribing contraceptives to treat acne for several decades, and it has been generally accepted that "the pill" h...elps with breakouts. However, the authors found the pre-existing research to be lacking given that there are many different hormone combinations in commonly used contraceptives. The present study examined the impact of several agents, including hormonal intrauterine devices, the vaginal ring, depot injections and birth control pills. Study results: Hormonal IUDs (such as Mirena) and depot injections (like Depo Provera) worsened acne on average. Participants taking oral contraceptives, such as Yaz or Ortho Tri-Cyclen, reported improvement with their acne. Other oral contraceptives (such as Levora, Previfem, and Seasonale) more often did not help with acne or, in some cases, worsened acne. Hormonal contraceptives contain a progestin component with or without an estrogen component. Estrogen components appear to inhibit acne by a variety of mechanisms including the feedback suppression of androgen production in the ovaries and increased synthesis of sex-hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), thereby reducing blood levels of free testosterone. Progestin components may have worsening effects on acne, as many synthetic progestins cross-react with androgen receptors. However, some newer synthetic progestins, including cyproterone acetate and drospirenone, possess anti-androgenic activity and appear to be helpful in the reduction of acne breakouts. Within oral contraceptive categories, a hierarchy emerged based on the progestin component, where drospirenone (most helpful) > norgestimate and desogestrel > levonorgestrel and norethindrone (P .035 for all pairwise comparisons). Research - J Drugs Dermatol. 2016;15(6):670-674.

Immune balance is an important aspect of good health. Within the immune system are many different types of cells, all operating within a delicate balance. T helper cells are the regulators of the immune system. A healthy immune system is both dynamic and balanced between Th1 and Th2 activity, switching back and forth between the two as and when needed. However, genetic and/or environmental factors can cause a Th1 or Th2 dominated response to occur. Th1 cells defend against ...intracellular pathogens such as virus and certain bacteria by directing cell-mediated immunity. A Th1 dominant response is implicated in organ-specific autoimmune disease and some delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions. Th2 cells direct humoral immunity (antibody-mediated) fighting pathogens, and initiating allergic reactions. A Th2 dominant immune response is associated with allergy and atopic disease and systemic autoimmune disease. Natural treatments can help to reestablish the balance between Th1 and Th2: Plant Sterols - Modulate both an under-producing and an over-performing immune system and may be a beneficial support for those suffering from allergy and atopic disease. Clinical evidence has also shown that plant sterols can provide relief of symptoms associated with seasonal allergic response. Plant sterols inhibit the release of interleukin 4 and so histamine production is reduced and allergy symptoms are controlled. Omega 3's - The increased prevalence of atopic disease has recently been associated with an imbalanced consumption of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids and this can also have a negative effect on Th1 / Th2 immune balance. Supplementation with omega 3 fatty acids from fish oil may help to support immune and inflammation balance. Stress Support - Research indicates stress may cause increased susceptibility or progression of allergy / atopy. Stress hormones promote the dysregulation associated with Th2-dominant immune disorders. Adaptogenic herbs such as ginseng, rhodiola and cordyceps may prove helpful in individuals with allergies exacerbated by stress. Book a consultation to learn more about how we can help you.

If you've ever blown on your makeup brushes to remove excess powder before applying cosmetics to your face, then I hate to break it to you but this is a massive no-no. Not only is it pretty unhygienic, but it could also ruin your whole look, too...... First, you're putting saliva on your brushes and then likely on your eye. Imagine just for a moment, when you blow on your brush, that 1 or even 600 of those mouth inhabiting bacteria come flying onto your makeup brush, and then are swiftly applied to the faceback to the makeup pan and repeat. Good, bad, or indifferent, bacteria applied to the face, the makeup brush or the pan is NOT good. Bacteria can cause breakouts, skin irritations, and eye cysts or styes. Second, it may alter the way the product applies. If the powder gets moist, it'll make it patchy on application. So then what can you do to remove excess product from your brush? Simply tap the brush handle on the back side of your opposite hand, and whatever you do, don't blow!

One of the most common acne myths is that spending time in the sun can help you get rid of whiteheads, blackheads and other acne lesions. Like most acne myths, this one combines a small amount of truth with a lot of fiction. While a small amount of sun exposure is good for your general health, spending too much time in the sun can worsen both your acne and your skin as a whole.... When you spend time in direct sunlight, your skin is exposed to UV radiation. This radiation is what causes your skin to produce more melanin, resulting in a tanned skin tone that, for many people, is the entire purpose of spending time in direct sunlight. UV radiation also dries out your skin, which is why your acne might temporarily look better after you spend a lot of time tanning or working outdoors in direct sunlight. Long term, however, sun exposure can make your acne worse. By drying out your skin, sunlight can actually boost your body’s sebum production, increasing your risk of developing pimples in the days after you spent time in the sun. The solution? Enjoy sun exposure in small doses to optimize your vitamin D levels (six minutes is usually enough in summer, or 15 minutes in winter) and apply a non-comedogenic, SPF 30+ sunscreen daily to prevent sun damage. #greenbeauty #healthyskin #naturopathicdoctor #acne #acnetreatment #acnemyths #clearskin #glowingskin #holisticdermatology #naturalskincare #sunprotection #SPF

You may have heard that hormonal birth control can improve acne and make your hair fuller. You may have also heard that hormonal birth control can cause acne or make your hair fall out. It can be confusing, especially when your personal experience is different from that of your friends and loved ones, or what you’ve been told to expect. Not all hormonal birth control is the same, so the side effects aren’t all the same either. Hormonal birth control comes in many forms (impla...nts, IUDs, injections/shots, pills, patches, and rings) and contains different types and levels of hormones. Combined hormonal contraceptives are birth control methods that contain two hormones (estrogen and progestin), like the pill, patch, or ring. Progestin-only contraceptives contain just a form of progestin hormone (a synthetic version of the hormone progesterone), like the implant, hormonal IUD, shot, or mini-pill. Birth control pills that contain both estrogen and progestin are often prescribed to "treat" acne and hirsutism (the growth of more dark, coarse hair than expected on areas of the body like the face, chest, abdomen, and thighs), and sometimes hair loss. Progestin-only methods such as the implant, hormonal IUD, mini-pill or shot may worsen acne, hirsutism, or hair loss in some people. Not all hormonal birth control is the same. Aside from the categories of combined versus progestin-only, the specific type of progestin varies between methods, and can change the side effects impacting hair and skin. Some progestins are more androgenic (likely to activate the androgen receptors) and could make the skin and hair more oily or lead to excess hair growth. Other progestins are anti-androgenic (block the androgen receptors) and may make the hair and skin less oily and protect against excessive hair growth. I highly recommend thoroughly discussing your options with a practitioner who can take the time to provide you with the pros and cons of each option. #birthcontrol #acne #skinhealth #holisticdermatology #hormonalhealth #hormonebalance

Our skin is a window to our internal health. It is the body’s largest elimination organ, and also a canvas where toxicities, nutrient deficiencies, food sensitivities, and hormonal imbalances can show up. Often, changes in the texture of skin and hair will be a first sign that something is off about our health. Women with Hashimoto’s and autoimmune conditions are more likely to have dry, dull skin, rashes, hives, pre-menstrual acne and facial swelling, especia...lly if their thyroid levels are not optimized, and they are not absorbing vitamins and nutrients correctly. Many women with Hashimoto’s feel like their skin is aging prematurely; this is often as a result of the dryness due to hypothyroidism/nutrient deficiencies while at the same time, some may see breakouts that they haven’t had since teenage years, due to hormonal imbalances/toxicities/food sensitivities. If your skin is dull and dry, be sure to check your thyroid hormone levels, TSH, Free T3/Free T4. If your thyroid is under-active, you may benefit from medications, a dose increase, or switching medications. I also recommend avoiding endocrine disruptors like plastics, synthetic toxic chemicals in personal care products, and fluoride. It can also be helpful to identify and eliminate food sensitivities. If you are curious about how your thyroid may be impacting your skin book a complimentary 15 minute meet and greet appointment with me by clicking the link in bio. #thyroid #thyroiditis #hashimotos #autoimmune #skinhealth #skincare #everythingsconnected #skin #health #beauty #hypothyroidism #rootcase #evidencebasedmedicine #naturopath #naturopathicdoctor

After a workout, many of us scoop some protein powder into a smoothie or scarf down a protein bar to get some quick fuel on-the-go. It’s convenient nutrition that tides you over until you can sit down for a legit meal. But recent research is suggesting that most people’s go-to protein, whey, isn’t as good for skin as it is for muscles. In fact, the milk-derived protein has been linked to acne breakouts. The studies found that many people’s skin cleared up when ...they cut whey protein from the diet, or conversely, acne increased when adding in whey. Even those whose acne didn’t clear up with traditional meds, including isotrentinoin (Accutane), started to see results. The reason whey may cause acne is unknown, but there are a few theories. Studies have suggested a connection between dairy in general and acne, specifically low or nonfat dairy, which points to whey as a potential culprit. Whey is a part of milk - it’s mostly what’s left in a skim product. One of the theories is that whey may cause by increasing insulin and insulin-like growth factor. Whey encourages the production of a peptide in the gut that then stimulates production of the hormone insulin. Since, in addition to its role in blood sugar regulation, insulin is known to influence sebum production, an increase can create the perfect environment for acne. This is why use Designs for Health PurePaleo Protein Powder which is made from hydrolyzed beef protein - better for the skin and delivers 21 g of readily absorbed protein per scoop...and it tastes better than most protein powders. #acne #skin #acnetreatment #skincare #acnescars #beauty #aesthetics #dermatology #evidencebasedbeauty #functionalmedicine #accutane #adultacne #acneprone #hormonalacne #cysticacne #holisticdermatology #toronto #health

Calling all skincare enthusiasts, there’s a new beauty buzzword whizzing around and no, it’s not retinol. In fact, retinol has officially become a thing of the past because it’s cooler, more effective big sister has arrived say hello to retinaldehyde (or retinal for short). Retinol and retinal are both convertible forms of Vitamin A, and while retinol has been a huge hit in the beauty industry due to its powerful rep as an anti-aging ingredient in moisturizer...s, retinal is now said to do the same, only better. It boasts powerful anti-bacterial properties, making it particularly useful for those with blemish and acne-prone skin who also want to protect their skin from premature ageing. But what exactly makes it so much better than our beloved retinol? Both retinal and retinol speed up cellular regeneration and collagen production to plump the skin, whilst reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. However, the main difference is the speed in which they yield results. Retinal has been clinically-proven to work up to 11 times faster than retinol. Retinoic acid is the active form of vitamin A, the form that is actually utilised by the skin. This is why all variations of vitamin A, including retinal, must be converted to retinoic acid before they can take effect. Retinol must be converted to retinal and then to retinoic acid, whereas retinal only requires one conversion to retinoic acid. Crucially, this last step is extremely rapid in comparison to the previous conversions, which is why retinal is able to provide such rapid results. In addition, retinaldehyde/retinal is the least irritating and safest form of Vitamin A on the market and has a greater level of effectiveness because of its ability to penetrate the skin more efficiently. It doesn't contribute to photosensitivity. It isn’t drying or irritating to the skin; in fact, it balances oil production whether you are excessively oily or dry. And it is also safe in pregnancy, unlike most retinoids. #retinol #antiaging #retinoid #acnetreatment #acne #agemanagement #skincare #dermatology #naturopathicdoctor

A common complaint of many patients beginning an acne regimen is that their acne gets worse before it gets better. This is not always the case, but can be frustrating for those patients who do experience the initial acne flare. When we begin treating acne, there are already acne lesions developing in the skin. Although acne treatments help to stop the development of new acne, the treatments can not always halt the emergence of preexisting acne on the skin.... Topical retinoids get a particularly bad rap for causing an initial acne flare. The reason for this is that retinoids stimulate skin cell turnover, removing all of the skin cells that are clogging the follicles and attracting acne-causing bacteria. As the skin cells turnover, sometimes this brings out inflammation in the skin and causes acne to flare initially. We work together to create a comprehensive treatment plan that includes dietary and lifestyle modifications to help to minimize any initial flare while also creating a good homeware routine for skincare that soothes inflammation and reduces the risk as well. It is also important to stick with the protocol as persistence past that point where you are feeling frustrated is when we really start to see the desired results. To book a consultation click the link in my bio or reach out to my amazing admin team at Integrative Health Institute at 416-260-6038. #acne #clearskin #acnetreatment #healthyskin #glowingskin #holisticskincare #skincare #holisticdermatology #stickwithit #persistencepaysoff #patience

We've all heard the rumours that the skin absorbs 60% of everything applied to it and seen natural brands marketing using these "facts". There is ample evidence of transdermal absorption (transdermal applications of some medications, increased levels of toxins and heavy metals in the bloodstream, etc) but it doesn't seem to be a simple process and there are a lot of conflicting messages out there. Penetration vs Absorption Penetration is when a chemical makes it into the deep...er layers of the skin, while absorption is when the chemical actually makes it into the bloodstream. While both things are important considerations when you’re choosing skin care products, absorption rate is really what we’re after here. Most chemicals, even if they can penetrate to the deepest levels of the skin, are too big to be absorbed directly into the bloodstream. The truth is, every chemical has a different absorption rate. To complicate that even further, some chemicals react on the body and make other chemical compounds more or less absorbable. Ethanol (alcohol), for example, is a common additive in skin care products that increases absorption rates of other chemicals that are presentboth because it breaks down the skin’s natural barriers, and because it pulls apart chemicals into individual constituents, so that they are small enough to absorb. So yes or no? Does our body absorb what we put on our skin? Unfortunately, the answer is yes and no. We can most assuredly absorb things through our skin and into our bloodstream, but it’s not as simple as 60 to 70 percent of everything. Some things absolutely absorb right into our bodies, especially if there are other chemicals present that increase the absorption rate. That being said, most things don’t absorb directly into our bloodstreams through the skin, though they can often penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin. I stick with natural skin care products to ensure that I am nourishing my skin and body, but I'm also happy to know I'm not blatantly absorbing everything I come into contact with. #skincare #naturalbeauty #beauty #greenbeauty