Saw palmetto for acne

In my previous post, I mentioned that I had tried everything to rid myself of my acne (except Accutane).

I began looking for alternative acne treatments after feeling like I had tried every over-the-counter and prescription acne treatment available.

I started focusing more on the food I ate than on the creams and gels I applied to my skin. I stopped eating dairy, ate low-GI food, and reduced my caffeine consumption.

In addition to researching the nutritional supplements, I could use them as part of my newfound focus on my internal body chemistry and how it could help with my acne.

This caused the worst acne outbreak I have ever had in my life.

What is Saw Palmetto?

Saw palmetto is one of the alternative treatments and supplements that are recommended for acne.

I had never heard of saw palmetto before. But there were a lot of YouTube videos from women who claimed to have used it to cure their hormonal acne once and for all.

The fruit of the American Dwarf Palm Tree, which is also known as saw palmetto, is what makes up the supplements. It can be found in Florida.

Saw palmetto has traditionally been beneficial to men who take the supplement, as it supports prostate and urinary function. It is used to treat prostate infections and even prostate cancer. Powerful stuff.

Women have begun taking this supplement as an alternative to acne medication.

Saw Palmetto for Women

Women who take saw palmetto to treat acne are (misguidedly) under the impression that it will help reduce the production of androgens.

Because androgens contain hormones such as testosterone, they are often referred to as male hormones.

In addition to testosterone, androgens also include the hormones DHT and DHEA ( dihydrotestosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone, respectively). When produced in excess, DHT, DHEA, and testosterone all can contribute to acne.

Women take saw palmetto to counteract acne-causing androgens, believing it is an effective anti-androgen.

HOWEVER, There is no evidence to support anti-androgenic claims made about saw palmetto.

Clinical studies from 2006 and 2008 showed that saw palmetto was not more effective than a placebo in reducing androgen. A 2012 review of the research concluded that palmetto’s anti-androgenic effects were “far from convincing.”

YouTube is still a thing. Since there are women who claim that saw palmetto has cured their acne on YouTube, other women with acne will be inclined to try the supplement.

I won’t name the YouTuber who convinced me that Saw Palmetto is something I should try. I watched a video by a woman who seemed to be going through the same struggles as me with hormonal adult acne.

She said that saw palmetto had anti-androgenic properties (I did not know at the time how unfounded the claims were), and taking it once a week helped her hormonal acne.

“I’ve tried it all,” I said. I thought, ‘I’ve tried everything else.’

Saw Palmetto Side Effects: Horrible

After a few days, I began to notice that my skin had started purging. I was told that this is a common side effect of many acne medications and treatments. I decided to accept it.

A few days after that, I realized something was wrong. I had dozens of painful red pimples on my face.

My lower face was covered in acne. My cheeks, jawline, and chin were particularly affected.

As taking saw palmetto was the only major change I had made in my acne treatment routine, I was fairly certain that the supplement caused this horrible breakout. When I stopped taking saw palmetto, the flights stopped.

Let me make it clear, however, that just because “the breakout stopped” doesn’t mean my skin returned to normal. But the damage had already been done. My skin is still far away from fully recovering from the injury that saw palmetto caused.

I’m mad at YouTube, and I’m mad at saw palmetto plants in general, but the only one I can be really mad at is me. I did not do enough research before taking this supplement.

I assumed that the words “herbal,” “natural,” and “natural” would be enough to protect me from any adverse reactions I may have experienced. I was mistaken. Natural supplements and concentrated herbal supplements can be powerful.