Every type of acne basically starts with one basic lesion: the comedo. This is a hair follicle that has been enlarged and filled with bacteria, dead skin cells, and oil. Chinese medicine typically views acne as the result of the environmental force of heat. In Chinese medicine, acne is termed “lesion of the lung wind” or “fei feng fen hsi.”

According to Chinese medicine, the skin is intimately associated with the lung organ. It relies on the lungs to furnish the “essential substances of grains and water.” In turn, the skin can affect the normal process of respiration, as can be evidenced when cold and evil wind (feng) gain access into the body via the sweat-pores.

Basically, Chinese medicine classifies acne into three types: the phlegm-accumulation type, the toxic-heat type, and the blood-heat type. The primary signs and symptoms of the phlegm-accumulation type are: a slippery pulse, a tongue with greasy and white coating, and cystic and indurative acne. For the toxic heat type, the foremost signs and symptoms are: a rapid pulse, red tongue with yellow coating, furuncles and abscesses on the face, acne, scattered inflammatory nodules and malar flush. The primary signs and symptoms of the blood-heat-type are: a rapid pulse, tongue with reddish tip and yellow and thin coating, and acnes, tubercules, and red papules with inflammatory infiltration around them, accompanied by a burning sensation.

Specific Chinese herbs can cure acne when given at the earliest stages of the disease. A Chinese herbal formula known as the Acne Formula is made up of two parts: preparation and prescription of ingredients. According to the prescription, preparations refer to the types of herbs prepared. They may include pillets, jelly, powder, pills, soup, etc. Through the application of a well prepared treatment plan, acne can be completely cured.

A lot of people aren’t familiar with the basic aspects of acupuncture even though they might be aware of what the treatment is and may know someone who’s tried it

History

A form of Chinese medicine, or to be exact, a branch of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), acupuncture has been practiced in the Far East for over 5,000 years. This therapy consists of tiny needles being inserted into specific points on the skin known as acupoints to help resolve diseases, ailments and even mental conditions.

Theory

When an individual suffers from a certain illness, it is because the energy in one or more of his 12 pathways of energy is improperly circulating inside his body. This circulation can be restored to normalcy by inserting needles into one or more of the 1,000 acupoints on his skin.

Treatment of Acne

Acupuncture treatment of acne concentrates on the normalization of the hormones of the body. Acupuncture practitioners think that the disharmony and imbalance of the hormones results in more oil being secreted in the skin. When balance is restored in these hormones, the production of oil or sebum is lessened which cures the acne.

The Role of the FDA

The utilization of acupuncture needles is regulated by the FDA. These needles must be used only once, should be clearly labeled, sterile, and only available to qualified acupuncturists. Before you undergo treatment, be sure to ask your acupuncturist if he/she is using single use, sterile needles regulated by the FDA.

Searching for a Qualified Practitioner

It requires the completion of education and training set by your state to become a certified and qualified acupuncturist. Go to the webpage of the NCCAOM (National Certification Commission Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine) to look for a qualified practitioner in your area.

Your First Visit – What to Expect

Medical history: Your acupuncturist will question you about your medical history before he proceeds with the treatment itself. He or she may ask questions about your level of stress, diet, lifestyle, and other health concerns.

The needling process: During treatment, your acupuncturist will insert one to a dozen or more very thin needles into your body. The needle’s thinness compares to a strand of hair on your head. Your acupuncturist may likely administer auricular acupuncture, also known as ear acupuncture, on you in the treatment of acne. For most acupuncturists, ear acupuncture is the best way to cure acne, since specific parts of your ear are known to represent the health of your skin.

In an ear acupuncture treatment, the practitioner may insert up to a dozen needles in certain areas in your ear which are left in inserted for half an hour.

Is the Treatment Painful?

A majority of patients say that acupuncture is not painful at all. But since people have a different threshold to pain, some may feel varying degrees of sensation from the needle. Some people might feel a slight pinch during a needle insertion.

Acupuncture needles are not hollow which means they are solid and are different from the needles used for injections or blood transfusions, which makes them much tolerable. The patient might feel a numbing or tingling sensation once the needle is in place. This is to be expected and desired since it is a sign that the treatment is working

After Treatment

You may feel energized, groggy, or relaxed after the needles are removed. These effects should disappear within a day or two. Do not commit to appointments following treatment, since you may not how you’ll feel after treatment.

Does it Work?

Unfortunately, there’s been little research done on acupuncture’s effectiveness in treating acne. Outcomes have been ambiguous although some small studies and individual cases have demonstrated positive results.

Studies

In a study printed in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, most of the patients experienced a decrease in their acne symptoms after 8 to 15 treatments. Sixty one patients suffering from acne and other skin ailments in a different study were administered with nine acupuncture treatments. Half of the subjects had a complete cure of their acne while the rest saw noticeable improvements.

A skin condition affecting a great number of people and in varying degrees at some point in their lives, acne can take the form of a simple pimple to full blown acne. Though not lethal, acne can do huge emotional damage to affected people. It strips them of their self-esteem and is quite difficult to get rid of.

There are so many available treatments for acne which makes it hard to choose the good products from the questionable ones since the market is flooded with products that promises instant and/or guaranteed cures.

Acne originates in the hair follicles and pores of the shoulders, chest, and face. This skin condition comes about when pores develop blockages caused by an overabundance of an oily substance called sebum. This substance is secreted by the glands, obstructing the pores making the gland very susceptible to bacterial infection.

When the gland becomes infected, the body begins to fight infection causing pus to develop in the pores. This is the way the body fights this condition. Acne is the manifestation of the fight between the bacteria and the body and the symptoms resulting from this battle include a core filled with pus inside swollen red welts.

As mentioned before, acne is not a lethal condition; however, it may lead to severe scarring in the face, which is a huge cosmetic disaster for the sufferer.

Pimples Can Manifest in Several Forms

Pimples typically appear in six forms. Knowing the correct type of treatment depends on knowing the type of pimple you have.

1. Blackheads – These pimples are caused by sebum and appear as a waxy concentration and when squeezed form like a black top.

2. Whiteheads – These pimples appear without any top. They look like a white spot and tend to stay under the skin’s surface. They contain a thicker, harder secretion and are difficult to squeeze.

3. Pustules – The name itself implies that these pimples contain pus with an inflamed, red base secreted from the top.

4. Papules – Bumps that are tender, small, and form without a top.

5. Cysts – These types of pimples are almost similar to boils. They form deep within the subcutaneous layer of the skin. They are capable of developing into scars and are painful.

6. Nodules – They are marked by painful and large concentrations of pus formed deep within the skin.

Acne Risk Groups

In the United States alone around 17 million individuals suffer from certain forms of acne. The fact is acne is the most common skin condition in this country. It can affect persons of all races and ages although teens and young adults are the ones most likely to suffer from this condition. It is not surprising then that over 85% of those with this condition are people between the ages of 12 and 24. The good news is that a majority of these sufferers see their condition heal by itself around the age of 30. People who may still have acne after that period may need to endure it even up to the start of their adulthood.

What Causes Acne?

No one knows what exactly causes acne although medical researchers list some possible factors that may be responsible for this condition. They include:

-Genetic predisposition/heredity
-Long term use of poor quality cosmetics
-High levels of testosterone and steroid use
-Allergic reaction to certain types of medication
-Taking birth control pills or ending their use
-Pregnancy
-Hormonal imbalance or change
-The start of puberty

Acne Treatments

There are dozens of acne treatments which make it difficult to select the right one for your specific condition. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), specifically acupuncture, and other forms of alternative therapies can be ideal modes of treatment for this disease. Due to the growing awareness of the safety and effectiveness of natural modes of treatment, more and more people are now opting for acupuncture for treatment of a wide range of conditions including acne.

The goal (or should I say goals) of acupuncture in treating a condition is to resolve the symptoms and address the underlying problem that caused the symptoms and illness in the first place. Although it may lack Western scientific validity, tons of anecdotal evidence exists proving that acupuncture works for acne and other skin conditions. The following must first be considered before one decides to embark in an acupuncture treatment for their condition:

1. Candidate patients need to have strong confidence in the experience and qualification of their acupuncturist. These patients need to query their practitioner about their qualifications and their experience in treating conditions they’re suffering from. The acupuncturist may not be the best choice if they feel uncomfortable answering such questions.

2. Acne treatments that produce the best results usually entail a combination of acupuncture and diet and lifestyle changes.

Being a long term treatment, acupuncture may involve weekly or monthly sessions and may last for several months.

Conclusion

For many young individuals, acne is a serious unsightly, annoying and sometimes painful problem. A lot of factors need to be taken into consideration when selecting a type of treatment program for this condition. It’s important to exactly know the severity of your acne and the proper initial step to treatment is to consult with a certified dermatologist. If the dermatologist fails to treat your problem, then trying out acupuncture and other TCM treatments may be the next sensible choice.

Although acne is a really terrible condition that cannot be treated, there are a number of medical options you can try to mitigate this problem. However, you need to be very careful when selecting a plan of treatment for your condition. It is recommended that you first consult with your doctor who may examine you in order to determine what type of acne you’re suffering from. When this has been determined, he may recommend to you the best course of treatment for your problem. One of the best recommendations he may suggest is acupuncture. Unlike conventional medications, acupuncture is a holistic type of treatment that does not have any side effects and produces outcomes that are long-lasting and oftentimes more superior to these drugs. Conventional Western medicine considers acupuncture as an alternative therapy. It involves the use of extremely thin needles stuck in to certain body points in order to generate a self healing response from the body. This form of acne treatment is usually combined with proper changes in your lifestyle and diet in order to produce maximum results.

What to Expect From an Acupuncture Treatment

Before going for acupuncture for acne treatment, you need to take a closer look at the procedures involved. Being unaware of the procedure may make you surprised and uncomfortable during the treatment procedure itself. There are different techniques of acupuncture that a practitioner may utilize for each patient. The procedure may involve the use of a single technique or it may be a combination of various ones. Ear acupuncture (auriculotherapy) and hormone balancing acupuncture are the two most common techniques used to treat acne. A lot of acupuncturists believe that hormone balancing acupuncture is a much superior option for women because it gives extra benefits apart from the curing of acne. The treatment of cramping and mood swings during the onset of their menstruation is just some of the extra benefits this type of acupuncture can provide these women.

The Importance of Finding a Highly Qualified and Experienced Acupuncturist

Acupuncture can be very powerful and effective if done by a licensed and experienced acupuncturist. It is then imperative to get treatment from a practitioner who is highly experienced in the field of acne treatment. If you want to make sure that the acupuncturist you are considering for treating your acne is duly licensed, you can call the Secretary of State’s office to see if the practitioner has a license to perform such treatments in your area. There are states wherein one can practice acupuncture without the need of a license. If you are in a state where licensing is not a legal requirement, you may need to talk to a number of acupuncturists to ask about the experiences and qualifications of this specific practitioner. You can also be upfront with the acupuncturist and ask him/her to show you his/her credentials. You can also talk with past patients to know more about the practitioner.

The Need to Do Positive Lifestyle Changes

Adhering to a good lifestyle is a vital component of acupuncture for acne treatment. You need, for example, to avoid eating oily foods so that the skin cannot secrete too much oil that can lead to acne breakouts. Moreover, you need a bit of patience when deciding to go for acupuncture treatment for your acne. You may be required to undergo three to four acupuncture treatment sessions for the treatment’s effect to become manifest.

Acupuncture for acne treatment can be a great way to resolve acne for sufferers who don’t want to take medications or for those who cannot afford expensive laser treatments.