Acne is abhorred  by most teenagers and adults and gives them grief.  Pimples or acne  manifest on the face or body when skin follicles become blocked by oil or sebum that normally drains to the surface of the skin. These secretions increase with hormonal changes, especially around puberty, pregnancy and menopause and when the sebum is blocked it allows bacteria and yeast to grow, causing the skin to become inflamed and eventually resulting in acne.

The severity of the infection defines the characteristics of the acne. Whiteheads are secretions trapped beneath the skin; blackheads are the sebum breaking through the skin, colored black as a result of the body’s natural pigment deposits; and cystic acne is characterized by severe pus-filled infections under the skin, which can be painful.  In severe cases, acne can lead to permanent scars.

I remember a teenage boy who had such severe acne on his  face to the extent that he always felt self conscious in public and it affected his self esteem. He had tried antibiotics and all kinds of topical cleansers and creams, as well as the drug Accutane, without much  success.

 I treated him from the inside out with diet and nutrition, topical and internal herbal therapy and Acupuncture. His condition cleared up substantially after 5 months of treatment. To his credit, his level of commitment was high and he stuck to the food program that was  recommended.

In Chinese Medicine, the skin is controlled by the lungs; acne is commonly a sign of pathogenic heat in the lungs and intestines. So the Chinese Medical approach to treating acne is to cool the heat, cleanse the lungs, detoxify the intestines and externally heal the condition. Work with your dermatologist or skin professional to find natural and effective treatments for your condition.

Using toxic free, natural plant derived skincare products can also assist the skin to re-balance itself to better health.  A clear complexion can be a welcome result from daily application of nutritious creams to the skin, both morning and night.  We recommend the highly advanced collection by WILDHEART [wellbeing].