TCM Acne Treatment: What's The TCM Perspective on Acne?

Acne is a common skin condition many people face at any point in their lives caused by a buildup of excess oil (or sebum), dead skin cells, and even dirt that clogs your pores. Inflammation and bacterial infection are also risk factors that can cause acne, and that can really dampen your spirits and make you feel self-conscious when you are out and about.

TCM can offer a holistic treatment experience that will help you manage your acne effectively and allow you to regain your confidence in no time. But how does TCM acne treatment really work? Our handy guide will give you a rundown of what you can expect from a TCM session.

What is the TCM Perspective on Acne?

To TCM, acne results from internal imbalances caused by a multitude of factors, including lifestyle and external factors. These imbalances can cause various bodily functions to perform poorly, leading to illness and other conditions, including acne. In fact, TCM considers the skin a reflection of internal health: when your skin develops worrying conditions, it is a sign that your body has imbalances that need to be treated.

Three primary contributing factors typically lead to acne and breakouts you face.

Accumulated Heat and Dampness

The concept of Yin and Yang in TCM represents balance within your body; if either of these elements is out of balance, it will negatively affect your well-being. Yin is responsible for moistening and cooling the body; when it becomes deficient or out of balance, your body will begin to heat up, resulting in dryness in your skin. Another result of this dryness is that your skin may feel more sensitive than usual, making the acne feel more arduous to deal with due to the irritation it causes.

As your body starts to feel overheated, it can trigger other organ meridians, such as the heart, liver, and lungs, which can impair their function and cause imbalance throughout your body. You may also notice your pores look reddish and inflamed at the same time, with a slight chance that it can affect other parts of your body if it continues to accumulate heat and dampness over time.

Qi Stagnation

Qi is the life force that flows through our body, and any imbalance in your Qi flow can cause various complications, including acne. In most cases, qi stagnation results from blockages in your meridians, the channels in which Qi flows freely to all corners of your body. Apart from physical conditions, stress and anxiety can also cause Qi imbalances and result in acne breakouts and inflammation.

Another cause of Qi stagnation is the buildup of dampness and phlegm, typically characterised by stickiness, heaviness, or slowness in physical well-being. Both stem from unhealthy lifestyle habits, including too many fatty or oily foods in your diet, a lack of exercise, and external factors like humid environments. These elements can interact and make you feel ill, stagnating your Qi and blood flow and thus reducing the nutrients received by various body parts, including your skin.

The excess heat in your body, which we discussed earlier, also contributes to acne breakouts and their overall severity, accompanied by other less-than-pleasant symptoms such as bad breath.

Poor Health and Diet

As we just mentioned, a lack of proper well-being care is a surefire way to weaken your body and cause acne breakouts. Poor gut health from an unhealthy diet, for example, can cause an imbalance in your gut that may spread toxins to other parts of your body, including your skin. A lack of proper sleep and relaxation habits to stave off stress are also substantial contributing factors towards the imbalances you are facing, all of which culminate in frequent acne breakouts and inflammation.

Treating Acne with TCM Techniques

Unlike Western medical practices, TCM treats acne by taking a more holistic approach that targets the underlying cause and not the symptoms. To TCM practitioners, careful examination and understanding of the underlying causes of your illness—such as the imbalance in Qi and blood flow—are what causes your ailments, so treating the root cause first is the best way to improve your health and restore your body’s natural balance. There are a few ways TCM can help to treat your acne problem with promising results.

Herbal Remedies

TCM practitioners use herbal medicine to address the imbalances in your body, using specific herbs based on your constitution and the nature of your acne. Much like the primary aims of TCM, herbal medicines help address the root of the problems that are causing your acne flare-ups.

• Honeysuckle

Honeysuckle is a well-known herb thanks to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which are derived from its rich blend of compounds like flavonoids and saponins. It is also known to help stop itching and soothe the skin, as it can control sebum production and curb the growth of acne-causing bacteria. It also makes an excellent choice to treat acne symptoms while preventing breakouts and thoroughly cleansing your skin.

• Dandelion

Dandelion is typically considered a cold herb that can help alleviate excess heat and toxicity in the body; it comes packed with vital antibacterial and antiviral properties that address various inflammatory and infectious conditions and restore Yin deficiency.

• Coix seed

Not only is coix seed good for treating eczema, but it is also an ideal choice for treating acne. Its diuretic properties help eliminate dampness from the body while promoting fluid metabolism that reduces skin discomfort; it can also strengthen your spleen, clear up excess heat, and even drain pus buildup in your body, that can contribute to further dampness or phlegm.

Acupuncture

A qualified TCM practitioner can provide relieving acupuncture, where they will gently place small, sterile needles into your skin at specific acupuncture points (acupoints) that can activate your central nervous system, releasing chemicals that promote your body’s natural healing process. It is considered one of the cornerstones of TCM  treatment that addresses the root causes of internal imbalances and other factors causing or worsening your acne.

In treating eczema, acupuncture targets specific acupoints corresponding to particular organs or bodily functions while promoting a healthy flow of blood and Qi throughout the body. Acupuncture alleviates the imbalances in your meridians and organs, including your heart, liver, and lungs. By addressing the root causes of your acne, your body will slowly see the healing of pimples, blackheads and other signs of acne while gradually restoring your skin’s barrier functions.

Since acne can also stem from too much stress, acupuncture can encourage relaxation by releasing endorphins to improve your mood and give you a better chance of making a swift recovery.

TCM Topical Creams

It is also possible to incorporate TCM techniques into topical creams by using a fusion of natural and scientifically formulated (and skin-safe) ingredients that can soothe your skin and prevent acne breakouts. With a careful inclusion of select TCM ingredients, these topical creams are made with comfort and inner healing in mind to lower the severity of acne symptoms while addressing your skin’s slow but steady healing.

Other Ways to Include TCM to Treat Acne

Consultation with a TCM Practitioner

A qualified TCM practitioner can give you a clear idea of what to expect from your treatment, relying on a complete, holistic assessment of your current health; they will also ask questions regarding your lifestyle choices and habits to better understand your overall well-being (and ailments). TCM practitioners make use of diagnostic methods such as pulse reading and tongue examination to accurately determine the underlying imbalances contributing to your acne, allowing them to come up with a more personalised treatment plan that suits your healthcare needs.

Taking Care of Your Health with TCM

Even after your acne is treated and managed, regular follow-ups with your TCM practitioner can better understand your current well-being and determine if your treatment plan is sufficient or needs modification. You should be more careful with what you eat and drink and include other healthy practices such as regular exercise to keep your inner workings in balance and great shape, too. Consider going for regular jogs at the nearby park or taking up yoga with your friends; a meditation session can also help to refresh your mind and help you to relax.

Be Mindful of Your Skincare Products

Some skincare products may contain artificial ingredients that may cause an allergic reaction to your skin, contributing to your acne’s severity. When shopping for your skincare needs, you should carefully read the labels and look for particular ingredients that may be comedogenic or harmful to your skin. You can always do a simple spot or patch test when trying out a new product so you can tell if the product is suitable for you or if it ends up causing a flare-up or skin irritation. At the very least, a patch test ensures that it only affects a small part of your skin and not your entire face.

In most cases, some ingredients you want to be careful with include sulphates (such as sodium lauryl sulphate), parabens, phthalates, and fragrances.

Are You Interested in TCM for Eczema?

TCM takes a holistic approach to acne, integrating natural herbs and personalised treatment plans. Consider including Serene SkinLab’s Acne Treatment Gel in your routine, which helps you reduce swelling and redness while healing your skin. Designed to complement the TCM principles of providing a holistic approach, the treatment gel fights off pimples and exfoliates dead skin cells to help promote better skin healing while addressing the damage caused by acne.

Are you curious to learn more about our Acne Treatment Gel or our other products? Take some time to browse our shop or contact us today.