Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) Testing for Acne
At Melissa Birch Nutrition, we know that true acne healing goes beyond topical treatments. Your body’s mineral balance, metabolic type, and cellular health all play a vital role in how your skin functions and clears. That’s why I include Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) as a powerful tool in uncovering the hidden root causes of acne.
HTMA offers a unique window into your body’s internal mineral levels and metabolic processes, helping us identify imbalances that traditional blood tests may miss. This test analyses a small sample of hair to reveal how your cells are working at a deep, biochemical level, an insight that’s invaluable for creating a personalised acne healing plan.
Why a HTMA is Helpful for Acne
Acne often stems from complex systemic issues such as stress, hormone imbalances, poor detoxification, and nutrient deficiencies. HTMA helps reveal these hidden factors by measuring the mineral and toxic metal content in your hair, which reflects your long-term metabolic health.
For example, HTMA can identify your metabolic type, whether your body tends toward fast or slow metabolism, which affects how you process nutrients, manage blood sugar, and respond to stress. It also evaluates your blood sugar response, showing how well your cells respond to insulin. This is crucial because blood sugar imbalances are a top acne root cause.
The test further sheds light on your vitality and cellular health by measuring the sodium and potassium pump function. Key indicators of energy production and cell function, which directly impact skin regeneration and repair.
HTMA also provides insight into thyroid health at a cellular level, which can influence skin healing and hormonal balance, and assesses adrenal health and overall stress resilience—two critical players in acne development.
Additionally, HTMA can detect the presence of infections that might be depleting your iron stores, a common problem in those struggling with low serum iron and persistent skin issues. It also reflects stomach acid levels and how effectively your body breaks down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Important for nutrient absorption and reducing inflammation.
What We Test & Why It Matters for Acne
The minerals analysed in HTMA include key electrolytes like sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, as well as trace minerals such as zinc and copper. These minerals regulate hormone function, inflammation, and detoxification, all crucial for clear skin.
Imbalances or toxic metal overloads revealed by HTMA can point to:
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Poor adrenal function and stress response, which fuel hormonal acne
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Blood sugar dysregulation, a major acne trigger
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Nutrient deficiencies or excesses that hinder skin repair
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Slow metabolism or impaired cellular energy production
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Compromised thyroid function impacting hormonal balance
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Digestive issues affecting nutrient absorption and inflammation
By understanding these deeper imbalances, we can target your unique acne triggers through precise nutrition, lifestyle, and supplementation strategies tailored to your HTMA results.
The Difference Between GP & Functional Testing
Unlike standard tests ordered by your GP, HTMA offers a longer-term view of your body’s mineral status and metabolic function. Not just snapshots. Blood tests often miss mineral imbalances because minerals fluctuate in blood and are tightly regulated, whereas hair reflects mineral deposits over weeks to months. That's why I assess both blood tests and a HTMA test.
Furthermore, HTMA interprets your mineral ratios and patterns to determine metabolic type and biochemical individuality, providing insights that standard lab reports do not. This allows for truly personalised acne care, focused on restoring balance at the cellular and metabolic level, something conventional testing rarely addresses.
Clear Skin Complete Programme
Once we identify your unique imbalances, we create a tailored plan to address them through targeted nutrition, lifestyle shifts, and supplementation, helping you achieve truly lasting skin clarity.
Ready to discover the hidden mineral imbalances affecting your skin? My Clear Skin Complete Programme is the most comprehensive way to understand and address the root causes of your acne.
Apply today and take the first step toward naturally clear, healthy skin.
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