A More Natural Treatment Option
Jeffrey Sassmannshausen, MD
Over the last few years, I have been learning more about natural supplements and vitamins and their benefits, especially in inflammatory diseases. Seeing benefits in my own family members as they changed their diet and added supplements was very eye-opening. I began studying where supplements can be used in skin diseases and was excited to see several with strong science and clinical studies. I have decided to embrace an integrative approach. Here are a few products that I feel area extremely beneficial to skin health.
HELIOCARE®
Heliocare is an extract from the tropical fern Polypodium leucotomas. It is a naturally-occurring compound that has been available in the US for many years. A potent antioxidant, recent studies have confirmed its ability to aid in the protection against UV radiation and sunburn when using topical sunscreens as well. In addition, many other clinical benefits have also been discovered.
The scientific data supporting the use of Heliocare have shown its photoprotective effects are achieved through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and the way it can regulate the immune system in a positive way. By limiting the damage that the UV radiation does to the cell’s DNA, Heliocare can promote and stimulate normal skin health with improved repair of sun damage and decreased skin aging over time.
Studies have shown that Heliocare taken every day along with the use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen or other sun protective measures significantly reduced the risk of sunburn and also the long-term damage from the sun. It has been recommended that if increased sun exposure is anticipated, such as a day at the lake or heading to Florida for spring break, increasing the daily dose of Heliocare may help add additional protection to the skin, especially in fair skin individuals. (But that does not mean you shouldn’t wear your sunscreen!)
There are many skin diseases in which people are extremely sensitive to the sun, like lupus or other autoimmune diseases. In these individuals, studies have shown that when taking Heliocare every day, a noticeable decrease in the number and severity of the skin flares was observed.
Vitiligo is another skin condition in which Heliocare can be very beneficial. In people with vitiligo, adding Heliocare to any treatment plan greatly increased repigmentation of the skin. Interestingly, in those individuals with increased pigmentation, such as melasma, adding Heliocare to their treatment regimen showed much more improvement in pigment formation, helping to even out the skin’s pigment. Heliocare can also help reduce the numbers of skin cancers and precancers. Recent studies in patients with multiple precancerous actinic keratoses and squamous cell carcinomas found fewer new cancers and precancers developed in those individuals who started taking Heliocare every day. A simple and safe supplement made a major difference in the health of the skin.
When looking for this supplement, I recommend taking the Heliocare brand and not using other products that are found online or in the stores. Why? Because Heliocare is a standardized formulation with strict quality control that may not be present in all products. Heliocare has also been evaluated in multiple clinical studies showing consistent results with its photoprotective and antioxidant effects. I want to emphasize: it is important to use Heliocare in conjunction with a broad-spectrum sunscreen or other sun-protective methods.
NIACINAMIDE
Niacinamide has long been known to have anti-inflammatory benefits. Within Dermatology, it has been added to many treatment plans when more help is needed in controlling a very inflammatory disease. The difficulty has been in finding niacinamide itself. Often, the pharmacist will recommend niacin in its place. Unfortunately, they are not the same. Niacinamide is the medication you want. Heliocare Advanced includes niacinamide. This makes sure you have the highest protection against the harmful effects of the sun and excellent support for overall skin health.
Niacinamide can be a helpful addition to any acne regimen. It has been found to decrease the size and numbers of red acne bumps and cysts due to its anti-inflammatory effects. It has also been found to be sebostatic which means it can decrease the oil production in the skin. Niacinamide will likely not clear a face, back or chest by itself but will make a difference in the numbers or size of the acne.
Niacinamide has also been found to help repair the skin barrier. This can be helpful in people suffering from eczema, psoriasis, or just very dry skin. This repair is done by helping the skin to grow the important proteins and fats that are needed to keep the water in the body and the bad irritants out. It also acts as a humectant which means it holds water in the skin increasing the skin’s hydration.
For the icing on the cake, in a study where the patients were taking two pills a day of niacinamide, the results found that fewer skin cancers and fewer precancers developed. This is why I have chosen to recommend the Heliocare Advanced.
NUTRAFOL
Nutrafol offers one of the most scientifically-advanced and complete hair loss supplements. It targets the common causes of hair loss including elevated stress hormones and inflammation. Nutrafol is manufactured from plant-based ingredients. Its patent-pending Synergen Complex contains natural ingredients to address the causes of multiple hair problems. Nutrafol contains the Synergen Complex, a composition of standardized plant-based active ingredients with clinically-tested properties. The main compounds include curcumin, ashwagandha, saw palmetto, and tocotrienols It also is anti-inflammatory and inhibits the body’s hormonal signal that causes hair loss.
A recently published double-blind, placebo-controlled study looked at the use of Nutrafol supplement and its ability to promote hair growth in women. Using Nutrafol for six months, the study found it safely and effectively increased the growth of new and existing hair.
SKIN COMPLETE
Overall skin, hair, and nail health is supported with daily use of Skin Complete. This supplemental combination contains two products. Skin Antioxidant fights the free-radicals that attack our skin every day. Skin Antioxidant has seven antioxidants that come from plants that will protect your skin from environmental pollutants which speed up the aging process. Using Skin Antioxidant, the skin keeps it healthy appearance. The skin cells turn over faster giving a fresher look. Blood flow is increased to the skin. Pigmentation is more even. Fighting free-radicals delays fine lines, sun spots, sagging skin and overall sun damage.
This is paired with Skin Vitamin A which helps to maintain healthy skin as it aids in the repair of sun damage and stimulates the skin turnover leading to a fresher complexion. It also strengthens the skin’s immune system protecting the body from many environmental insults. Skin Vitamin A also helps with skin breakouts and can decrease skin and scalp oiliness. Together, as Skin Complete, everyone’s skin will be supported from the inside out.
SKIN OMEGAS
For the dryness caused by medications, or just sensitive skin (such as found in rosacea), the Skin Omegas will help increase the skin’s moisture. This “internal moisturizer” helps to maintain the skin’s natural barrier function and stimulates a healthy lipid layer. In addition, it is anti-inflammatory which can reduce itching, redness, and irritation. Expect an increase in smoothness, elasticity, hydration and improvement in wrinkles. In addition, the Skin Omegas can lead to healthy hair. Studies found increase in hair thickness and density and less hair loss. All skin types will benefit from the Omega-3 and Omega-6 in this supplement.
SKIN ACCUMAX
There is a more natural treatment for our complexion. For acne, Skin Accumax has been shown to lessen the size and numbers of red pimples. Studies looking at using only Skin Accumax for 14 weeks show significant improvement not only in the number and size of the pimples but also the residual red marks that the pimples leave behind. Our experience with Skin Accumax has been excellent. Using this in combination with topical medications as part of a skin care regimen can lead to a clear complexion. Using natural ingredients, it focuses on decreasing the inflammation that is found within the acne lesion itself. It also helps prevent new acne lesions by interfering with the way the body’s hormones are interacting with the oil glands in the skin.
It is awesome to be able to offer a product that is very effective and not a prescription. Skin Accumax is a great option if you want to try to avoid or postpone using antibiotic pills. Using them with antibiotics makes clear skin that much more achievable.
In the past when a patient asked if there is anything that they can do with changing their diet I used to say, “Eat healthy and take a multivitamin”. Now when I am asked this question, I have a much better answer. I discuss the many options that have been proven effective and recommend one of the supplements we offer. I can be confident in what results can be expected if following through with the prescribed treatment. Combining supplements with prescriptions and/or other treatment programs will enhance any outcome.
