Acne is known as a chronic inflammatory skin condition with serious adverse effects on patients' quality of life. Increasing antibiotic resistance reduces their effectiveness in treating acne. This increases interest in using probiotics for acne and other skin conditions.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO DEVELOP ACNE AFTER TAKING ANTIBIOTICS?
Although they are frequently prescribed for treating stubborn acne, antibiotics can deplete the natural bacteria living in the gut, which also leads to dysbiosis and inflammation—two potential factors contributing to the development of acne. To avoid this effect when taking antibiotics, consider a probiotic supplement researched for use during and after antibiotic therapy, which has been proven to restore balance in the gut microbiome following antibiotic treatment.
IN MODERN DERMATOLOGY, ONE OF THE MAIN MECHANISMS OF INFLUENCE THROUGH PROBIOTIC THERAPY INCLUDES
Reduction of inflammation – acne is an inflammatory condition, and Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria strains have been shown to reduce the release of proinflammatory cytokines – TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8, while increasing the release of anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-10.
Reduction of oxidative stress – the body naturally produces so-called free radicals as a result of its metabolic processes. Antioxidants consumed in our diet, such as those found in brightly colored fruits and vegetables, counteract these free radicals. However, there is frequently an imbalance with an excess of produced free radicals and an insufficient amount of antioxidants to counteract their effects, which is known as oxidative stress. This surplus of free radicals contributes to inflammation. In acne, an increase in markers of oxidative stress, such as hydroperoxide, is observed. The levels of these markers decrease upon the application of specific probiotic strains.
Rebalancing of gut dysbiosis – probiotic supplements can balance the gut microbiome by increasing the levels of beneficial bacteria and inhibiting the growth of more harmful ones.
Management of stress effects – there is a link between mental health, the state of the gastrointestinal tract, and skin health, known as the gut-skin-brain axis. Mental health issues such as anxiety and depression frequently co-occur with chronic skin conditions like acne, and stress is a significant factor in the onset of acne. In response to stress, cortisol, our primary stress hormone, is released into the bloodstream. It can bind to receptors in the skin, leading to increased sebum production and inflammation. Stress can indirectly trigger acne by causing gut dysbiosis. This disruption of the gut microbiome can increase intestinal permeability, leading to subsequent inflammation. Both dysbiosis and secondary increased permeability can contribute to the development of acne, but they can also be improved through probiotic intake.
HOW EFFECTIVE ARE PROBIOTICS FOR THE TREATMENT AND PREVENTION OF ACNE?
Currently, the term “bacteriotherapy” is re-emerging in the scientific community, encompassing various bacterial products and application methods, including isolated or diverse bacterial species. It can be widely used to describe various uses of bacteria or bacterial components for therapeutic benefits. Most global discussions conclude that probiotics hold great potential for the treatment of acne. The effectiveness of both topical and oral probiotics has been tested, and both have been proven effective. Conclusions on which of the two is the better option vary depending on the set objectives of the study.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO USE PROBIOTICS FOR ACNE?
Probiotic foods help your skin from within. Probiotic skin products, on the other hand, provide a protective shield from the outside by strengthening the skin barrier. They restore and maintain skin hydration while preventing the risk of future infections and irritation.
The Snowborn series is designed to target all listed aspects.
Practice shows that
1) active inflammation decreases by up to 50% within the first week of application, leading to complete control after the first month.
2) provides good control over the appearance of new blemishes during treatment.
3) reduces the number of already present open and closed comedones.
4) simultaneously reduces the likelihood of new ones forming.
5) proven to minimize the risk of residual sequelae after active acne.
6) successfully and lastingly targets hyperpigmentation and evens out skin tone. Combining it with an oral probiotic, specifically developed for acne, will create even more lasting control, especially in more severe forms.
Probiotic products open up new treatment possibilities that appear even more promising than conventional therapeutic approaches!
For consultations, call 0898 988890 or email consult@snowbornski.com
Dr. Ivanka Temelkova, MD
Practicing Physician at the Clinic of
Dermatology and Venereology
MoI Hospital – Sofia
