Acne is one of the most common skin conditions that affects men and women. Acne occurs when your pores become clogged, and while the severity of symptoms can vary, typically the signs include whiteheads, inflamed growth and blackheads. Although acne treatments typically consist of applying topical medications directly to the skin, if you are interested in taking control of your skin problems without using synthetic chemicals then you may be interested in using saw palmetto.
Saw palmetto is better known for its ability to help treat BPH in men; however, the primary active constituents within saw palmetto may also help reduce the severity of acne. According to the University of Maryland Medical center the primary constituents of this herb include plant sterols, fatty acids and flavonoids.
Saw palmetto contains a high concentration of polysaccharides, which are used by the human body to enhance the immune system as well as work as an anti-inflammatory. One of the primary benefits of saw palmetto is its ability to hinder the transformation of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, which is also known as DHT.
While the studies regarding saw palmetto and acne are limited, several studies have found that the oral consumption of saw palmetto may help reduce the severity of hormone-driven acne in women and men.
The use of saw palmetto for acne treatment has anecdotally proven successful for some people. This herbal supplement has reported potential to treat a variety of ailments, including hormone imbalances, which may also be responsible for some cases of acne. How saw palmetto works is not fully understood, and its medicinal qualities are not scientifically proven. The efficacy of saw palmetto for acne is therefore questionable.
The saw palmetto tree is small with long, narrow palm leaves. It is native to the eastern coastline of the United States and is found particularly in the southeastern regions. Saw palmetto produces a fruit historically used by the Seminole Tribe of Florida to treat various ailments. Today, those deep red berries are often sold commercially in capsule, tablet, liquid extract and infused tea varieties. Some people take saw palmetto supplements for its healing properties, believed to treat numerous ailments from urinary disorders to hormone imbalances.
Hormones may become imbalanced at different points throughout a person’s life. Puberty, menstruation periods, pregnancy and menopause are key times for these changes. While the exact cause of acne is essentially unknown, some health care professionals speculate that it is linked to hormone surges. Androgens such as testosterone are male hormones present in the bodies of women and men which may produce an oil surplus that ultimately clogs hair follicles and spurs bacteria growth, thus leading to acne.
The cause of an increase in pimples is due to the overproduction of sebum within your oil glands. This overproduction clogs your pores, which results in inflammation and pimples.
Although the scientific community has not released an official dosage of saw palmetto for the treatment of acne, the University of Maryland Medical Center suggests users consume 160 mg of saw palmetto two times per day. Make sure that the supplement is comprised of a minimum of 85 percent fatty acids and plant sterols. Oral supplements of saw palmetto are readily available, and unless pregnant, women should not be worried about taking what is commonly called a male supplement. This is only because studies have shown that saw palmetto’s hormonal effects can help male prostate problems.6 Standardized extracts of 85-95% of the active fatty acids and sterols from saw palmetto are recommended, at a dosage level of 320 mg/day.
One dermatologist has created a topical application that combines the most active constituents of saw palmetto with other natural acne-fighting substances. Clearogen® purports to help lower the conversion of testosterone to DHT, which in turn will inhibit acne-stimulating sebum production. Another skin and acne expert, Dr. Richard Fried suggested that although clinical studies are lacking to support the use of saw palmetto as an acne treatment, the underlying theory is not implausible, given saw palmetto’s known anti-androgenic properties. He suggests that saw palmetto holds promise as an acne remedy.
Oral use of saw palmetto is generally considered safe. Based on one report of excessive bleeding during surgery in a patient who used saw palmetto, there is a concern that it may have anticoagulant properties. Those having elective surgery should discontinue use several weeks prior to any surgical procedure, and people on anticoagulant drugs (e.g., aspirin and warfarin) should be cautious about using saw palmetto.
Since saw palmetto appears to inhibit androgens, it could theoretically interfere with the estrogen in oral contraceptive drugs or hormone therapies. Pregnant or nursing women should not use saw palmetto. Any use of saw palmetto should be discussed with your doctor before taking it, and especially if you are already taking other medications.
More specifically, saw palmetto suppresses DHT production in the body, which is a potent hormone produced by testosterone. This means that saw palmetto is often recommended to treat enlarged prostate in men, and it is also thought to be able to regulate excessive hair growth and abnormal blood pressure in women.
For the many people out there that believe that acne is purely hormone-based, they often recommend saw palmetto acne treatment as a means to regulate hormones and minimize breakouts in the skin. However, I must point out that there is absolutely no scientific backing to this theory. The truth is that acne is caused by a known chain of events, all starting with poor dietary habits and resulting in severeal different types of acne.
These poor dietary habits trigger digestive issues that cause toxic overload in the body, which will directly lead to an imbalance of hormones. This hormonal imbalance will create bacterial overgrowth on the skin that causes acne, as well as excess oil production that also causes acne, and it will even weaken the immune system to make it difficult for the skin to heal itself and resist acne.
From this example, it is clear to see how vital it is to attack acne at its source by first of all correcting your diet.
Yes, it may be possible for an option like a saw palmetto acne treatment to regulate some hormones and provide temporary relief to acne, but why would you trust in an acne treatment that does not have scientific proof? What does have scientific backing is the fact that eating a healthy diet will ensure optimal digestion to regulate all processes in your body, including an imbalance of hormones. This will guarantee that your acne is not caused by a hormonal imbalance in the first place, meaning that you may not need a saw palmetto acne supplement after all.
To give you a clearer picture, here is what several acne sufferers from the had to say about using saw palmetto to remedy acne:
I took saw palmetto for a long while as a substitution for spironolactone. I found that it wasn’t effective for my acne. Spironolactone worked for me within a week or two.
I took saw palmetto for a long while as a substitution for spironolactone. I found that it wasn’t effective for my acne. Spironolactone worked for me within a week or two.
Joan. NY
I took beta-sitosterol which is the active ingredient in saw palmetto.
My face was clear of oil but the sexual side effects were ridiculous. It
definitely does what it is supposed to at least for me. I had no sex
drive at all along with other weird stuff.
Elizabeth. TX
Used saw palmetto for over two months and saw little change in my skin. Didn't have any changes in my breasts or libido either, though I did have frequent mild headaches. Switched to Generic Benzac and saw IMMEDIATE results, and also using Generic Azelex as I am severely allergic to BP. Perfect skin and Generic Azelex have worked wonders on my adult acne.
Lazy. Tampa
Been
taking saw palmetto for about a week now. I have been taking 3 a day
to equal 1800mg I may cut to taking 2 pills as it seems everyone takes
lower. My acne has completely stopped. Last week was terrible with
inflamed red spots and new cystic acne everyday, now it is completely
smooth and not red at all. It's actually unbelievable. I do take
speariment tea everyday as well as this is an anti androgen. But I can
tell the saw palmetto is really working.
Diane. San Diego.
I'm 24, female and I've
suffered from acne since I was 12. I have tried everything to cure my
acne (except accutane). I was on Diane-35 for a few years and it
controlled my oily skin and helped with my acne quite a bit..but I came
off of it last year after I became more health-conscious and realised
that it was not good for my body. I had a terrible acne flare-up when I
came off of it and I've been trying everything since to cure myself.
I had read a lot about saw palmetto and how it might help with acne in
women who have polycystic ovaries. I bought a bottle of the standardized
version by Swiss vitamins. I took it religiously for 3 months but it
never really altered my skin any.
Jessy. IL.
Saw palmetto side effects
Few severe side effects of saw palmetto are noted in the published scientific literature. The most common complaints involve the stomach and intestines, and include stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, bad breath, constipation, and diarrhea. Stomach upset caused by saw palmetto may be reduced by taking it with food. Some reports suggest that there may be less abdominal discomfort with the preparation lipidosterolic extract of Serenoa repens (LSESR). A small number of reports describe ulcers or liver damage and yellowing of the skin (jaundice), but the role of saw palmetto is not clear in these cases. Similarly, reports of headache, dizziness, insomnia, depression, breathing difficulties, muscle pain, high blood pressure, chest pain, abnormal heart rhythm, and heart disease have been reported, but are not clearly caused by saw palmetto. People with health conditions involving the stomach, liver, heart, or lungs should use caution.
Caution is advised in people scheduled to undergo some surgeries or dental work, who have bleeding disorders, or who are taking drugs that may increase the risk of bleeding. Dosing adjustments may be necessary.
Some men using saw palmetto report difficulty with erections, testicular discomfort, breast tenderness or enlargement, and changes in sexual desire. Saw palmetto may have effects on the body's response to the sex hormones estrogen and testosterone, but no specific effect has been well demonstrated in humans. Men or women taking hormonal medications (such as finasteride/Proscar®/Propecia® or birth control pills) or who have hormone-sensitive conditions should use caution. Tinctures may contain high levels of alcohol and should be avoided when driving or operating heavy machinery.
In theory, PSA (prostate specific antigen) levels may be artificially lowered by saw palmetto, based on a proposed mechanism of action of saw palmetto (inhibition of 5-α-reductase). Therefore, there may be a delay in diagnosis of prostate cancer or interference with following PSA levels during treatment or monitoring in men with known prostate cancer.
The combination product PC-SPES®, which contains saw palmetto and seven other herbs, has been found to contain prescription drugs including warfarin, a blood thinner. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning not to use PC-SPES® for this reason, and it is no longer commercially available.
Perhaps the reason that so many acne sufferers are willing to jump on the saw palmetto acne treatment bandwagon is because we are all looking for a natural and gentle treatment to clear up our skin!
However, making healthy changes in your diet to eliminate foods that contain processed chemical ingredients will help you to promote healthy digestion, flush your body of toxins, and keep all hormones in check. This is a completely natural and effective approach to regulating hormones that does not have any side effects, and you will also have the long-term benefit of improving your overall health as you clear up your skin.
Saw palmetto allergic reactions
Few allergic symptoms have been reported with saw palmetto. A study of people taking the combination product PC-SPES® (no longer commercially available), which includes saw palmetto and seven other herbs, reports that three out of 70 people developed allergic reactions. In one case, the reaction included throat swelling and difficulty breathing.
Few severe side effects of saw palmetto are noted in the published scientific literature. The most common complaints involve the stomach and intestines, and include stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, bad breath, constipation, and diarrhea. Stomach upset caused by saw palmetto may be reduced by taking it with food. Some reports suggest that there may be less abdominal discomfort with the preparation lipidosterolic extract of Serenoa repens (LSESR). A small number of reports describe ulcers or liver damage and yellowing of the skin (jaundice), but the role of saw palmetto is not clear in these cases. Similarly, reports of headache, dizziness, insomnia, depression, breathing difficulties, muscle pain, high blood pressure, chest pain, abnormal heart rhythm, and heart disease have been reported, but are not clearly caused by saw palmetto. People with health conditions involving the stomach, liver, heart, or lungs should use caution.
Caution is advised in people scheduled to undergo some surgeries or dental work, who have bleeding disorders, or who are taking drugs that may increase the risk of bleeding. Dosing adjustments may be necessary.
Some men using saw palmetto report difficulty with erections, testicular discomfort, breast tenderness or enlargement, and changes in sexual desire. Saw palmetto may have effects on the body's response to the sex hormones estrogen and testosterone, but no specific effect has been well demonstrated in humans. Men or women taking hormonal medications (such as finasteride/Proscar®/Propecia® or birth control pills) or who have hormone-sensitive conditions should use caution. Tinctures may contain high levels of alcohol and should be avoided when driving or operating heavy machinery.
In theory, PSA (prostate specific antigen) levels may be artificially lowered by saw palmetto, based on a proposed mechanism of action of saw palmetto (inhibition of 5-α-reductase). Therefore, there may be a delay in diagnosis of prostate cancer or interference with following PSA levels during treatment or monitoring in men with known prostate cancer.
The combination product PC-SPES®, which contains saw palmetto and seven other herbs, has been found to contain prescription drugs including warfarin, a blood thinner. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning not to use PC-SPES® for this reason, and it is no longer commercially available.
Perhaps the reason that so many acne sufferers are willing to jump on the saw palmetto acne treatment bandwagon is because we are all looking for a natural and gentle treatment to clear up our skin!
However, making healthy changes in your diet to eliminate foods that contain processed chemical ingredients will help you to promote healthy digestion, flush your body of toxins, and keep all hormones in check. This is a completely natural and effective approach to regulating hormones that does not have any side effects, and you will also have the long-term benefit of improving your overall health as you clear up your skin.
Saw palmetto allergic reactions
Few allergic symptoms have been reported with saw palmetto. A study of people taking the combination product PC-SPES® (no longer commercially available), which includes saw palmetto and seven other herbs, reports that three out of 70 people developed allergic reactions. In one case, the reaction included throat swelling and difficulty breathing.
Saw palmetto alternatives for acne treatment
1) Generic Benzac (Pernox, Benzoyl Peroxide) contain an Acrylates Copolymer / glycerin complex. Acrylates Copolymer are tiny highly porous beads. These beads are so porous that they can absorb up to four times their own weight in fluid. Acrylates Copolymer beads soak up certain liquids quickly and easily, but they are selective about what they can absorb. They can rapidly absorb oils, however, they can’t absorb water because water has a very high surface tension.
The other AC ingredient is glycerin. This lubricates the skin, imparting a feeling of smoothness and softness.
What does this mean practically in the treatment of acne? When a topical product containing Acrylates Copolymer/glycerin complex is applied to the face, the beads come in contact with lipids, such as sebum, that have a high affinity for them. Sebum, because of its attraction to the beads, forces the glycerin out of the beads and onto the skin surface. The beads then absorb the sebum.
Benzoyl Peroxide (Pernox) is an aid in the
treatment of acne. It is recommended to start treatment with 2.5%.
2) Generic Azelex (Azelaic Acid cream) is a mild emollient and moisturizing formula indicated for the topical treatment of mild-to-moderate inflammatory acne vulgaris. Aziderm is believed to work with dual modes of action - antimicrobial activity and normalization of keratinization (the process by which epithelial cells mature as they move toward the skin surface and then slough off) - which attacks two of the major causes of acne. Aziderm was choosen as acne treatment drug number one in 2012, according to customers (patients) feedback.
