There is a lot of information in this article so please focus on what you believe needs changing in your lifestyle. The best changes are made when addressed appropriately and slowly changed.
Acne Vulgaris
Acne comes from the increased production of sebum on the skin, causing greasy skin. This creates an environment for bacteria to proliferate. The follicles of the skin can become blocked leading to comedone formation. This pattern continues to reoccur with the increased bacterial growth and hyperkeratosis {when the outer layer of the skin (stratum corner) begins to thicken and harden}. Acne is a symptom of the inflammation and dehydration of the skin superficially.
Usually acne vulgaris is common in teenagers due to increased androgens and can be worsened by stress, poor hygiene habits and a diet that has refined grains, dairy, sugars and junk food.
Traditional Chinese Medicine View of Acne
In Chinese medicine, the lungs open to the skin so acne reflects lung and it’s paired organ large intestine energy deficiency. This heat-type acne suggests there is either an excess of heat or a deficiency of yin (hydration) in the body. There is also some form of liver qi involvement. The liver qi moves stuck energy and cleanses the blood. So the liver is somewhat compromised to purify the blood. Clean, healthy blood circulating in the body produces clean, healthy skin.
The gut (stomach/spleen energy) is also involved, as poor gut function can lead to constipation where the bowel moves less frequently and therefore reabsorbs toxins. It is common for people with constipation and slower bowel elimination to have acne. Therefore, once the diet improves, and bowel elimination regulates so does the skin.
Dietary
Given acne makes your skin vulnerable to thickening and oiliness, it’s important to have a clean diet. A poor diet which produces a lot of heat and dampness and will exacerbate the condition.
Therefore the aim is to enjoy plenty of clean foods rich in antioxidants that are anti-inflammatory. They help support hormone balance, immune function and overall healthy skin, such as:
- Probiotic foods: The healthier your gut is, the better your balance of good versus bad bacteria. When you consume probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, kefir, kombucha, miso soup and cultured vegetables (sauerkraut & kimchi from the fridge), the probiotics line your gut and create a healthy, sealed barrier that prevents inflammation that can trigger acne.
- High-zinc foods: Zinc supports wound healing and enzyme reactions in immune function. People with acne can be low in zinc, but you can boost your intake by consuming things like grass-fed beef, chickpeas, pumpkin seeds and cashews. Zinc is especially important for teenage boys – 11mg daily.
- Vitamin A and C-rich foods: Foods high in vitamin A and vitamin C — like berries, greens like kale and spinach, sweet potatoes, carrots, peppers, and citrus fruits — fight infection, defend against oxidative stress and speed up healing. Cod liver oil half a teaspoon daily.
- Fibre-rich foods: Consuming high-fibre foods like vegetables, fruits, nuts, dried fruits, seeds, lentils encourages colon cleansing as well as the growth of good bacteria in the gut.
- High-quality protein foods: Grass-fed beef, organic chicken, wild-caught fish and organic eggs are high in protein and nutrients and help balance blood sugar, a key component in the fight against hormonal fluctuations.
- Liver-supportive foods: Since hormones are processed in the liver, eating liver-supportive foods can help clear up acne. Eat more cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli and cauliflower, as well as leafy greens and high-fiber fruits, such as berries, pears and apples.
- Dark red and green foods – in Chinese medicine these foods such as berries, spinach, cherries, beetroot, parsley, coriander, mint and green vegetables are good for clearing heat and nourishing the blood to support your skin.
- Carbohydrates – go for healthy carbohydrates such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, essene bread, rye sourdough, basmati rice and spelt pasta.
- White foods – In Chinese medicine the naturally white foods support your lung energy, therefore pears, lychees, celery, radish and so on are very good for your skin. Lots of fruit especially pears! You can eat them poached, steamed, raw and baked or add them in a fresh juice or smoothie.
ALLERGENS: Some people react badly to eating highly-processed foods or certain food allergens, so pay attention if you have a unique reaction to anything particular and how your diet affects your skin. It may potentially help to avoid certain foods, such as:
- dairy
- chocolate
- refined grains
- added sugar
- alcohol
- processed meats
- foods with trans fats
Advice For Patients
HYGEINE – Good skin hygiene is crucial in the treatment of acne. Many patients use extra make-up to cover the acne but do not remove it thoroughly. This blocks the pores causing more acne.
SKINCARE – A good quality cleanse and face steam in the morning and night, followed by a toner and light moisturiser is excellent. Ask us about our recommended natural-based skincare line with salicylic acid that is suitable for teenagers and very sensitive skin types. And we have samples for you to try too. We also provide complimentary skincare consultations.
SPOT TREATMENT – use a cotton bud with tea tree oil topically for any larger or problematic spots once or twice a day.
FACE MASK – Highly recommend using a charcoal face mask, two to three times per week, it will pull the toxins and bacteria out from deeper skin layers and prevent oily skin which prevents skin thickening.
DEHYDRATION – The underlying issue of this type of acne is yin deficiency (lack of hydration). Patients can drink warm water throughout the day and especially at night. Filtered water with a pinch of Celtic sea salt is good. This will hydrate the body better and improve circulation and bowel elimination. Having soups, stews, bone broth and poached/cooked fruit are all very nourishing for moistening the body and replenishing the yin.
YIN DEFICIENT TYPE PATIENTS – can be sensitive, run slightly warm to hot, tend to be thin and can be prone to burn out and stress. Teenagers can be more run down especially if they are studying a lot with many activities. Hence acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, supplements and tissue salts can all help. Other tips for these patients is to avoid drying and dehydrating food such as too much fried or baked goods. Foods and drinks which are spicy in nature; coffee, alcohol, tea, (green tea is ok, peppermint and chammomile are great), chilli and black pepper. Yin deficiency types tend to have an overactive mind therefore spending time in nature and allowing themselves some forced relaxation such as yin yoga, ocean swim, meditation, and time to unwind before falling asleep. Float tanks.
A NOTE ABOUT ORANGES – In Chinese medicine, oranges and orange foods like pumpkin and chilli have a heating nature. I would swap orange juice for pear juice which are more cooling. Freshly squeezed juices with a mix of fruits and vegetables are excellent too.
Medical Treatment For Acne
There are various medical treatments such as Roaccutane and a course of amoxycillin. Roaccutane does work but it is a very strong and harsh drug. It’s usually prescribed for cystic acne which is a different kind of acne. It dries the body out further which isn’t ideal for the yin (hydration) deficiency types. It’s a harsh internal retinoid and we have an amazing very gentle plant-based vegan retinol-alternative lotion which we can recommend to prevent further breakouts to add to the above skincare line if trying retinol is something that interests you.
Amoxycilin would work well for this type of acne as antibiotics are cooling in nature. The downside is that antibiotics do further weaken the spleen and stomach energy, and also kill your natural beneficial bacteria in your whole body. They can compromise your immune and gut health long-term. Read more about drugs and how they function from a Chinese medicine perspective here.
Chinese Herbs For Acne
We are registered and qualified Chinese herbalists, Chinese herbs are excellent for clearing heat, nourishing yin (moistening) the body, moving the bowel and also have an anti-bacterial function. Chinese herbs for acne don’t usually taste good for but they are very beneficial for you and the right formula can support your skin and body from the inside. You can also use some of the herbal powder as a mask on the acne areas. Our herbs are TGA-approved and come from Taiwan, they are scientific grade and of the highest quality.
Tissue Salts & Homeopathics
Tissue salts are also very supportive, we can prescribe the right remedy for you. For heat types it may be a remedy to nourish the nervous system or oxygenate the blood to clear the heat. Another remedy detoxifies the liver which helps release toxins and bacteria from the body. We use high quality German Tissue Salts.
LED Phototherapy
Read more about LED light here, the blue light is excellent for acne. Phototherapy with visible light, specifically blue light, has been shown to improve skin condition in cases of acne and blemishes. It is further reported to control the condition before an outbreak occurs. This blue light therapy is clinically shown to control acne without harsh chemicals or prescriptions and improves the skin’s appearance. We administer this with out acupuncture treatments here with a TGA-approved device that is very safe and gentle.
Acupuncture
During your acupuncture treatment we focus on tailoring what your body needs such as clearing heat, moving blood and calming the mind to holistically treat the root cause of your acne. This works well with the LED phototherapy. For more stubborn cases of acne we will insert fine needles around the clusters of pimples on the face to improve circulation and detoxification to the area. Acne patients often love this as they find it feels good on their face and they can see their skin clear up.
Consultations
At Femme Vital, expect the best holistic health consultation, coaching, tailored treatment and advice with 15 years experience supporting wellbeing with acupuncture and Chinese herbs.
For in Clinic or Online appointments Book Online or contact us on 03 9005 6730 if you have any questions, by appointment only.
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