Acne
Introduction
Acne is a common skin disorder in which sebaceous glands and hair follicles can become blocked and inflamed. This causes co-eating, pimples and sometimes deeper inflammations or nodules. Acne occurs mainly in the face, but can also occur on the chest, shoulders and back. The severity varies greatly: one is mainly a few sea-eaters, while another can cause painful inflammation and scars.
Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can be used in acne. Within Chinese medicine, not only the skin defects themselves, but also for example redness, fatness, digestion, menstrual cycle and other physical complaints. The treatment is then adapted to the overall symptoms and underlying TCM pattern.
Common symptoms
Acne may consist of different types of skin abnormalities that may be present simultaneously:
- open co-eaters (black comedones);
- Closed co-eaters (white comedones);
- red bumps or pimples;
- pustules with pus;
- deeper, sometimes painful lumps or cysts;
- oily or shiny skin;
- red or dark discolorations after inflammation has resolved;
- scars or wells after more severe or prolonged acne.
Acne often occurs in the face, especially on the forehead, cheeks and chin, but also the chest and back may be affected.
Possible causes
Acne comes from a combination of processes around the sebaceous glands and hair follicles. Increased sebum production, blockage of the hair follicle, bacteria and inflammation reactions play a role here. Hormones are also important. Therefore, acne often starts around puberty and acne can change around menstrual periods in some women.
The predisposition varies from person to person and hereditary factors can play a role in this. Certain medicines and cosmetic or skin products can also influence acne.
Within TCM, other mechanisms are used to describe differences between people with acne. For example, Heat, Dampness, Phlegm and disruption of the circulation of Qi and Blood can play a role. In acne that is clearly related to the menstrual cycle, the Liver, Kidneys and the Chong Mai and Ren Mai are also considered.
How can acupuncture help with acne?
Acupuncture treatment takes into account the type of acne and other characteristics of your health. For example, surface red pimples can fit a different pattern within TCM than deep, persistent nodules. Acne that especially worsens around menstrual periods may also require a different approach.
Depending on your symptoms, treatment may be directed at:
- reduce skin redness and inflammation reactions;
- help regulate a very oily skin;
- reduce deep and persistent inflammation;
- support digestion when there are complaints;
- decrease menstrual worsening of acne;
- to support skin recovery.
Which acupuncture points are used is determined by the individual complaint image.
How can Chinese herbal medicine help with acne?
Chinese herbs are also tailored to the type of acne and the underlying TCM pattern. For example, with red and highly inflamed skin, other herbs are chosen than with persistent cystic acne or acne that is getting worse around menstruation.
Depending on the grievance picture, Chinese herbal medicine can focus on:
- reduce redness and inflammation;
- reduce pimples and pustules;
- help regulate greasy skin;
- reduce deep lumps and cystic acne;
- support menstrual acne;
- treat additional digestive problems.
Herbs can be used daily between acupuncture treatments. The composition can be adjusted during the treatment course when the skin image changes.
TCM vision on acne
Within Chinese medicine, acne is not seen as the same disturbance in everyone. The appearance and location of skin abnormalities give information, but other symptoms are also included.
The Lung has an important relationship with the skin within TCM. Heat in the lung system is mainly associated with red, more superficial skin defects. The Stomach and Spleen play a role when Heat and Dampness are at the forefront, for example in greasy skin and inflamed pimples. In chronic, dark or deeper acne the circulation of Qi and Blood stasis can become more important.
In women, the relationship with the menstrual cycle can also give clues. If acne is getting worse before or around menstrual periods, the Liver, Blood and Chong Mai and Ren Mai are considered. These two particular meridians play an important role in the menstrual cycle within TCM.
What is a TCM organ system?
A TCM organ system describes a group of related body functions and is wider than just the anatomical organ with the same name. Read more at TCM basics .
What is a TCM pattern?
A TCM pattern is a recognizable combination of complaints and physical characteristics that indicates which imbalance is likely to contribute to the complaints. Read more at TCM basics .
Below are only the most common patterns discussed. Other patterns are possible and multiple patterns can occur at the same time. This allows you to recognize yourself in different descriptions. Also, someone with a certain pattern does not have to have all the symptoms mentioned. The pattern is determined on the basis of the overall picture of complaints.
Most common TCM patterns in acne
Lung-Heat / Wind-Heat in the Lung
Brief explanation
Within TCM, the Lung has a close relationship with the skin. When Heat accumulates in the lung system, this can become visible as red skin abnormalities according to TCM theory. When Wind is present, the emphasis is often on relatively superficial skin symptoms.
Common symptoms
- small red or light red pimples;
- especially acne on forehead, cheeks and around the nose;
- co-eaters may be present;
- oily or shiny skin;
- sometimes dry mouth or nose;
- Pustules may develop with increased inflammation.
Stomach-Heat and Dampness-Heat
Brief explanation
According to TCM, heat can combine with Dampness: an accumulation associated with, among other things, fatness and moist or festering skin defects. The Spleen and Stomach play an important role in the processing and transport of food and moisture.
Common symptoms
- red and inflamed pimples;
- pustules;
- fatty or shiny skin;
- acne around the mouth and in the face;
- being easily hot;
- thirst, sometimes preferably for cold drinks;
- constipation;
- sometimes strong smelling or dry stools.
Blood-Heat
Brief explanation
Blood Heat describes within TCM a state where Heat is considered deeper in the body and affects the skin and blood. The redness and heat are usually clearer than with more superficial patterns.
Common symptoms
- clear red papules and inflammation;
- warm or burning sensation of the skin;
- redness of the face;
- acne around nose, mouth and between eyebrows;
- in women worsening around menstrual periods;
- sometimes thirsty;
- dark or yellowish urine.
Qi- and Blood stagnation / Blood stasis
Brief explanation
If acne is present for a long time, the free circulation of Qi and Blood can be disturbed. This may eventually lead to Blood stasis. The skin abnormalities are often darker and more persistent.
Common symptoms
- acne that has existed for a long time;
- dark red or purple skin abnormalities;
- persistent inflammation;
- nodules;
- dark discoloration after inflammation;
- in women getting worse before menstruation;
- menstrual pain or menstrual periods with clots may be present.
Phlegm-Dampness with Blood stasis
Brief explanation
With long and deeper acne, according to TCM Phlegm and Blood stasis can occur together. Phlegm does not literally mean mucus in the airways, but a TCM concept for accumulation and thickening. This pattern is mainly associated with deeper and more difficult disappearing skin abnormalities.
Common symptoms
- deep nodules or cysts;
- recurrent and persistent acne;
- larger red-purple swellings;
- nodules that can feel soft or firm;
- pustules or secretion may be present;
- scarring after deeper inflammation.
What can you do for yourself?
With acne, mild skin care is usually best. Wash the skin gently daily with lukewarm water and possibly a soap-free product. Hard scrubbing can irritate the skin. Preferably use skin care products and cosmetics that do not seal the pores easily.
Don't try to squeeze pimples and blackheads, especially in the case of deeper inflammation, this increases the risk of damage and scarring.
Many foods are associated with acne. For example, the TCM source establishes a long-term relationship with lots of fat, sweet and strongly spiced food. From a western medical perspective, the evidence for simple nutritional rules is much less unambiguous; therefore, Home Arts advises on a general healthy diet and states that there is insufficient research to avoid specific foods standard.
Outlook
The course of treatment depends, among other things, on the severity and duration of acne, the type of skin abnormalities and the underlying TCM pattern. Superficial papules and pustules can usually change more easily than long-term acne with deep noduli, cysts and scarring. Also hormonal or menstrual acne may require more time, because the course has to be assessed over several cycles.
In the initial phase, one acupuncture treatment per week is a common guideline. If improvement occurs and remains stable, the frequency can be reduced. Chinese herbs can be used daily between treatments when appropriate.
Medical safety
Have acne assessed by the general practitioner if you have a lot of or severe acne, if deep sore lumps occur, if you start to get scars or if previous treatment does not help enough. The general practitioner can use medical treatment and refer to a dermatologist if necessary. In addition, acne treatment often takes several weeks before improvement becomes visible.
In severe acne, isomycin may be used. This medicine contains important precautions, especially around pregnancy and child desire. Existing acne medication should not be adjusted or stopped on its own.
In women, it may also be useful to have hormonal causes assessed when acne is associated with, for example, irregular menstruation and clear over-hairing.
Contact
Do you regularly suffer from acne and want to know if acupuncture and/or Chinese herbal medicine can fit with your complaints? During a first consultation we discuss not only the acne itself, but also your skin, digestion, menstrual cycle when relevant and other physical symptoms.
On the basis of the overall complaint picture, it is considered which TCM pattern is likely to be at the forefront and which treatment fits in with it.