Acne

Acne is caused by a plug of skin cells obstructing the flow of Sebum (an oily substance secreted by the sebaceous glands) at the neck of the hair follicles. When sebum becomes trapped in a follicle, bacteria multiply and the follicle becomes inflamed, taking on the appearance of a spot.

Acne can be a hereditary condition, and often manifests in both males and females during hormonal changes. The condition can be aggravated by some drugs, including steroids, barbiturates, and drugs used in the treatment of other health conditions such as epilepsy.

Acne occurs mainly on the face, in the center of the chest, on the upper back, on the shoulders and around the neck. The most common acne spots are open comedones (blackheads), closed comedones (whiteheads), papules, pustules, nodules (firm swellings below the skin) and cysts (larger, fluid-filled swellings in the skin).

The Orthodox Approach

Over-the counter or prescribed topical treatments (applied to the skins) such as benzyl peroxide, retinoic acid, antibiotic lotions and creams containing sulphur, act by unblocking pores and removing sebum to promote healing. If topical treatment fails, long-term therapy (lasting at least three months) using oral antibiotics or the contraceptive pill can be an option.

In the case of severe acne, the use of retinoid drugs can improve the condition, but these will not usually be prescribed until other forms of treatment have failed, and must be used cautiously because they can lead to liver damage. They can also cause foetal malformation, so must not be given to a woman who might become pregnant.

Acne cysts can be treated by intralesional therapy (injection of drugs into the acne spot) which can help prevent scarring. For those who already carry severe acne scars, dermabrasion (removal of the top layer of affected skin under general aesthetic) is occasionally used to improve the appearance. However, you will still be left with a rough complexion and it is an extremely painful treatment that would only be considered as a last option in extreme cases.

Some beauty spas offer a cosmetic treatment for mild acne scarring whereby collagen is injected into small acne pits to plump them out. It is reported to give perceptible results but the effects are not permanent and the treatment has to be performed repeatedly.

The Hale Approach

Orthodox treatments are rarely prescribed on the basis of looking for an underlying cause of the condition, and therefore tend to be effective when they are being used, but not always in the long term. Complementary treatments will examine your entire lifestyle and are far more likely to help find a cure, or help best optimize management of the condition.

However, if patients wish to address the hormonal imbalance which originally aggravated the condition, then homeopathy, acupuncture, Ayurveda and herbal medicine or nutritional therapy can be of great benefit. If the acne seems to be strongly related to a person’s mental state, hypnosis or other psychotherapy modalities may be helpful.

Nutrition

Ayurveda

Homeopathy

Acupuncture

Hypnotherapy

Herbal Medicine - The Herbal Treatment of Acne

The herbal approach has successfully treated many teenagers and adults suffering with acne. It usually takes 3-12 weeks to effect changes from combined dietary and herbal treatment, depending on the severity of the acne. Herbal Medicine is given to boost liver function, which is important for the regulation of the hormones involved with acne. Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory herbs are also given to combat infection and inflammation. As acne is usually caused by a hormone imbalance, herbal medication is given to rebalance the hormones. Often stress is a factor and can make the condition worse. In such cases, herbs to reduce stress levels are also given. This approach gets the best results because it treats the underlying issues, rather than just treating the symptoms.