As we journey through life, most of us will experience Acne at some point. Acne has always been seen as part of ‘growing up’ but many people are now facing the effects of acne at later stages in their life.
Acne is a chronic and inflammatory condition and may present itself in different forms, from common acne such as white heads, black heads, and pimples to more severe forms such as cysts and nodules which may lead to scarring.
It may not seem like a big deal for some, but for others it can have a detrimental impact on their day to day lives. Due to its external appearance mixed in with the pressure of today’s society to look good, acne can affect the way people see themselves and show up in the world. It can cause social withdrawal, anxiety, low self-esteem, anger and even depression.
Western medicines take on acne is a ‘one size fits all’ approach. Having only a few medical solutions to lean on – patients will all be treated in the same way. These medications seem to work in the short term, but often once patients stop using it, they rear their heads. Plus, the side effects of long-term use are off putting in themselves!
Chinese medicine has been around for thousands of years and each person is seen as an individual with a unique body. Chinese medical practitioners look at a person’s relationships, their emotional wellbeing, their lifestyle, as well as their diet plus more!
In TCM a skin disorder is seen as an internal imbalance in the body. There are two types:
1. Heat in the lungs and stomach (show up as acne mainly on the face with the appearance of oily or shiny skin).
2. Stagnation of phlegm with dampness and blood stagnation (shows up as dark red acne and appear in clusters).
Lifestyle and dietary changes can have a positive effect on acne. Avoiding spicy, greasy, sugary, and processed foods plus getting your blood flowing by doing gentle exercise can help. Other natural treatments which have a positive effect on acne are acupuncture, herbs and adaptogens.
If you are wishing you understood why those pesky pimples keep showing up, why don’t you get your hands on our Meraki E-book and learn the language of face mapping, so you can lovingly embrace and look after the skin you are living in.