Condition + Location

Acne (Root Cause) Treatment in Santa Barbara

17 holistic practitioners in Santa Barbara who can help with Acne (Root Cause). Gabriel's evidence-based protocols, matched to local practitioners.

17 Practitioners

2 Treatments

1+ Supplements

Gabriel's Approach to Acne (Root Cause)

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 resista...

Read full protocol

Recommended Treatments

IV Nutrient TherapyRed Light Therapy

Key Supplements

Zinc 30-50mg/day (CRITICAL—anti-androgen, healing, oil regulation, most acne patients deficient, take with food), Vitamin A 10,000-25,000 IU or Cod Liver Oil (skin cell turnover, reduces sebum—but don't megadose, Accutane is synthetic vitamin A), Omega-3 2-4g/day (anti-inflammatory), DIM (Diindolylmethane) 200mg/day (metabolizes estrogen, reduces androgens), Saw Palmetto 320mg/day (blocks DHT—anti-androgen, especially for men), Spearmint Tea 2 cups/day (anti-androgen—proven in women, lowers free testosterone), Vitamin D3 5000 IU (immune, anti-inflammatory), NAC 1200mg 2x/day (antioxidant, liver support, reduces inflammation), Probiotics 50B CFU (gut-skin axis), Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) 2-4g/day (reduces oil production—controversial, some respond dramatically), Berberine 500mg 3x/day (if insulin resistant—lowers insulin which reduces androgens), Vitex (Chasteberry) 400mg (hormonal acne in women—supports progesterone), Curcumin 1g 2x/day (anti-inflammatory), Green tea extract (EGCG—antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, may reduce sebum), Vitamin E 400 IU (antioxidant, healing), Selenium 200mcg (antioxidant), Topical: Tea Tree Oil 5% (antimicrobial—as effective as benzoyl peroxide, less irritating), Niacinamide (B3) serum (reduces oil, inflammation, pore size), Azelaic Acid 10-20% (antimicrobial, unclogs pores, fades marks), Salicylic Acid 2% (BHA—exfoliates, unclogs pores, anti-inflammatory), Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5-5% (antimicrobial—kills P. acnes, but drying, start low), Retinoid (vitamin A derivative—increases cell turnover, unclogs pores, start slow, irritating initially—Differin/adapalene OTC, tretinoin prescription), Gentle cleanser (fragrance-free, non-comedogenic), Oil-free moisturizer (even oily skin needs moisture)

Key Lab Markers

Clinical diagnosis (comedones, papules, pustules, nodules, cysts), Hormonal panel (especially if hormonal acne suspected): Testosterone (total and free—often HIGH), DHEA-S, DHT (if available), Estrogen, Progesterone (often LOW relative to estrogen), SHBG (often LOW in acne—more free androgens), LH/FSH ratio (if PCOS suspected), Fasting insulin and glucose (insulin resistance drives androgens—test even if normal weight), HbA1c, Comprehensive stool test (gut-skin axis, dysbiosis), Food sensitivity panel (dairy, gluten), Zonulin (intestinal permeability), Vitamin D, Zinc (serum or taste test), Vitamin A, Omega-3 Index, hs-CRP (inflammation), IGF-1 (if high dairy intake—milk raises IGF-1), Thyroid panel (if other symptoms), Liver enzymes (baseline if considering Accutane), Lipids (if considering Accutane)

View all markers