Face Mapping to Solve Skin Issues

Have you ever heard of face mapping? No worries if you haven’t, but you really want to learn about this.

Basically, about 5000 years ago, the ancient Chinese had discovered that every bump, pimple, rash, spot … has an internal cause. Everything was mapped out so that you can pinpoint what is going on inside your body by the things that show up on your face. It is truly fascinating and very much true, as we ARE what we eat. So if you are dealing with acne or melasma or strange rashes, it is time to try something new.

Now, I am going to give you lots of amazing suggestions in this post, but I am not a doctor so always double check with your personal care taker to see if these will be good choices for you. I bet you will be able to just SEE the potential as you move forward with the article though. So, let's get to learning!

Now, if you are eating sugars – including gluten/ wheat products such as bread, pasta and rice – well, you most likely have your issue right there. But, let’s really dig in and see what’s happening and what you can do for ALL the common issues..

Let’s use the map of our face to figure out a root cause. *You can print this out if you wish. Just right click and hit print for a larger image.

As you can see the face is separated into zones and each zone has an organ(s), or issue assigned to it that needs to be addressed. What we have done is put together the main issues that we hear from our customers time and time again with solutions attached.

• Acne
• Melasma
• Rosacea
• Puffy Eyes / Dark Circles
• Eczema/Psoriasis/Dermatitis

ACNE

Now go take a look at your face in the mirror. If you have a cropping of large spots or pimples, notate what area they are in. Some areas, such as zone 1 the forehead are caused by an overgrowth of candida in the gut. Candida is fed by sugar and mucus. That is why diet is SO important when trying to keep your skin clear. You can add on herbs such as Pau d’Arco, Black Walnut, Calendula, Cinnamon, Cloves, Neem, Oregano Oil and Cayenne *mix with milk as to not cause stomach distress* to help you fight them. Always remember though, ...

SUGAR IS THE KEY. Starve Candida by eliminating it!

Now, do you have acne in zones 9 and 10? That is generally caused by estrogenic toxins. That means things such as medicines, chlorines and even certain food preservatives can build up in your body. Your body is “tricked” into thinking that there is more estrogen than there is, so it slows down production and now there is too much testosterone. And yes, there is definitely a connection with testosterone and pimples.

Acne on the cheeks and back are mostly caused by digestive issues. To find out quickly what you are sensitive too you can do a fast [do not eat any food] for about 2-3 days. Then, start off eating your favorite food on the first day back. Why your favorite food? Because it is usually what we love that causes issues. Cheese is my love – yet it isn’t food for me and I had to drastically cut back to keep myself in check!

Keep a diary of how you feel (bloated, sickly, headache…) as you add new foods in so you can determine what to avoid. Basically, if you don't feel well you need to try and eliminate that food. 

Blackheads are spearheaded by foods too. Watch out for dairy products and fried foods, both of which stimulate mucus in the body. You need to reduce the formation of mucus to control this type of acne. Other common issues that cause mucus are allergies and sinus nose drips. 

Sebaceous Hyperplasia is also caused by mucus, like blackheads. But it can also be stressed by candida which will cause swelling. Reduce candidia by incorporating more Vitamin A into your diet and eliminating sugars and wheat (flours, pasta, rice) which are its food source.

BASICALLY WE SHOULD ALL HAVE CLEAR, HEALTHY SKIN! 

If your skin is having an issue – it is your body TELLING you there is a problem! Listen to it. Give your skin the strength it needs by supplementing with:

• Vitamin A
• Pantothenic Acid 500mg **Take 3-4 capsules (1500mg - 2000mg) with meals. **Especially helpful for TEENS!!! During the growth cycle teens are low in B5. Make sure to keep taking this every day to keep skin clear. Back off a bit or add more as needed. Maximum dosages of 10,000 could cause diarrhea so stay under that. 
• 50mg of Zinc picolinate
• Selenium
• Omegas 3 & 6. 
• Spironolactone - prescription that is excellent for hormonal acne. *Best for women as this limits testosterone. 

Topically use products like Retinol, Vitamin B, Sulfur and hydroxy acids to clear the pores and slow down skin proliferation (excess buildup).

Not every solution is a topical one. Yes, topicals can most definitely help most situations – but if your problems are relentless – look at your diet. You can see this post to learn in depth what the best foods and oils are for your skin’s health.

You can help to strengthen your liver by taking about 500mg. of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) every day. This will help our bodies to produce more glutathione which magnetically attracts heavy metals making them easier to excrete. Alpha Lipoic acid, Vitamin C, Selenium and Sulfur are other co-factors which boost production. You can take glutathione as a supplement, but it doesn’t work as good as creating your own.

MELASMA

First off with hyperpigmentation we need to identify why we have that spot. If you are fair or red haired, you may just have freckles naturally. If you got a terrible burn in Cancun, well you know where that came from and you just need to follow some general skin balancing protocols such as retinols and Fade Bright to get that removed.

Now, if you have dark, blotchy areas in any of the zones, that just appeared when you got into your 40’s or after you had children, or after you took a long bout of medicines, well you most likely have melasma. Melasma on our Face Map shows the liver as the area infected. This is because your liver can get weak or damaged after pregnancies and medication usage.

You will mostly see melasma on your cheeks, forehead and around the mouth. Liver spots are larger and you will mostly see them on face and hands. They too are aptly named, as a deteriorating liver is generally the cause of their existence. In either case liver detoxifying is a good place to start internally.

The main function of our livers is to convert fat soluble toxins into water soluble molecules that we can excrete naturally. Fat soluble poisons such as bacteria, drugs, environmental toxins, pesticides, heavy metals and chemicals can slow down glutathione production by our bodies. It is the glutathione that is the antioxidant powerhouse of our bodies which keeps us healthy and our livers clean.

You can help to strengthen your liver by taking about 500mg. of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) every day. This will help our bodies to produce more glutathione which magnetically attracts heavy metals making them easier to excrete. Alpha Lipoic acid, Vitamin C, Selenium and Sulfur are other co-factors which boost production. You can take glutathione as a supplement, but it doesn’t work as good as creating your own.

ROSACEA

The main cause of rosacea is your digestive system. There is an issue somewhere that you need to target. It is found mainly in zones 1, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. The large intestine, small intestines, and sometimes the lower esophagus are generally irritated. 

Look for things such as bloating, heartburn, and diarrhea. Try to associate foods with them so that you can eliminate it from your diet. Just like acne, a couple day fast can help to soothe your system and give you a do-over. Now start introducing key foods you think are trouble and watch for digestive distress. 

Watch for gluten sensitivities and chronic conditions such as IBS as they can cause havoc. Use digestive support supplements such as digestive enzymes before each meal, and apple cider vinegar. Probiotics can be exceptionally helpful as well as Omega 3 fats (cod liver oil or flax seed oil) and Omega 6 (gamma linoleic acid) can help with inflammation.

PUFFY EYES / DARK CIRCLES

First we have to understand that some ethnicities have darker colorations around or under the eye areas. These “genetic circles” will generally not be able to lighten as they are a natural part of the skin. Topical lightening products can be used, but will most likely not give the best results.

Now if we have eliminated allergies as a contender, which you can always do a 30 day test and use a product such as Claritin daily, then we need to dig into the body for its clues. Zone 3 is generally the kidneys. Kidney strain, medications, sleep deprivation and stress should be addressed.

Try to get more sleep (aim for 8 hours every night), reduce your stress and try to detox the skin. Work on your blood circulation and inflammation with nutritional supplements such as Omega 3’s (or just eat more foods like salmon and walnuts) which can help to improve blood flow. Getting up and being active is also a way to get that blood flowing! Switch to green tea instead of coffee. Also watch for excessive salt intake and counterbalance that with extra water.

Detox your skin and body by drinking plenty of water and by eating water-rich foods like veggies. Add in daily supplements such as MSM 500-1000mg, Selenium 200-400mcg, Vitamin E 400iu, and Vitamin C 1-10g to help your entire body handle the poisons we run into daily.

ECZEMA / PSORIASIS / DERMATITIS

Coupled with psoriasis, dermatitis and rosacea are all digestive issues. Watch your diet again closely and pay attention to foods that cause you distress such as gas and elimination issues. Remove those foods from your diet immediately if you want to fix your issues and then work on detoxifying the body.

Take a bath in Epsom salts to help detox the body. Treat candida by eliminating sugars and processed wheat from your diet. Take digestive enzymes with every meal and add in healthy fats such as Omega 3 and 6’s every day. GLA, flaxseed and cod liver oils are all excellent options.

Have you noticed that the SAD or Standard American Diet is basically the root cause of most of these skin issues? I certainly have. With the “recommended” requirements of wheat (breads, pastas and rice turn instantly into sugar once your saliva touches them) and lots of fruits (fruit is nature’s CANDY - never forget that), we are bombarding our systems with the exact inflammatory and candida breeding foods we should be avoiding for maximum health and beautiful skin. It’s time to make a change in your diet.  

A healthy diet now is different than what was "thought" to be good 40 years ago when our Food Pyramid was conceived and the government "stepped in" and decided to tell us what was good for us. We know that breads and pasta and sugars are all bad - shoot, our grandmother's grandmother's grandmother knew that! 

We have to start marching to our own drum. Choose the foods that are good for your body - not foods that are processed garbage that is only good for the producer's pocketbooks! 

Make sure to choose organic whenever you can. Aim to eliminate sugars and grains while upping your healthy vegetables, meats, fish and oils such as olive, ghee and coconut oil. And eat fruits sparingly. Berries have the least amount of sugar. 

Choose wisely and your skin will thank you for it!