Does Acupuncture Work For Acne?
Acne may not be a serious issue, but it is one of the most common and most difficult to deal with. There are a lot of skin care products in the market for the treatment of acne than for anything else.
However of late, there has been a lot of interest in acupuncture as a treatment for acne. Traditionally, acupuncture has been used for other physical ailments, but as a treatment for acne, it is only now being considered.
In this article, we will explore whether or not acupuncture as a treatment for acne is effective.
What is acne and how does it form?
Acne is a collection of oily sebum under the pores of the skin. Modern science has not managed to identify why this happens, although there are a number of theories such as hormonal imbalances, etc. The generally accepted cause, though, is that the sebum collects under the pores because the pores themselves have been blocked by excess skin cells.
What is the normal method of treating acne?
The normal method of treatment for acne is to wash the face repeatedly with a face wash that gets rid of the excess oil. Some deep cleaners are supposed to go into the pores and flush out any oil inside, therefore preventing the formation of acne. The problem with this is that too much of washing the face can actually acerbate the problem.
How does acupuncture work for acne?
The Chinese system is different. They believe that acne is caused due to the increase of bodily heat.
This internal heat is usually caused by the lungs, the stomach, and the spleen. Heat caused by the lungs and the stomach is the common cause of acne, according to Chinese medicine. The heat is said to manifest as black heads on the cheeks, forehead, nose, and even chest and arms. Sometimes, the tongue may have a slightly yellowish look, and the skin too will be flushed.
By getting rid of the heat in these organs, the propensity of acne to form is reduced. This is done by acupuncture at specific points on the body.
What are the acupuncture points for acne?
The points at the elbows and behind the knees are the best places to release heat from the stomach and lungs. There are other places too along the arms and legs, but these two spots have been found to be the most effective.
Does acupuncture remove acne scars?
Acupuncture for hormonal acne scars is really not known. While the effects of acupuncture for acne are being studied, there is no literature for acupuncture’s effectiveness for scars formed by acne.
