Say Good-bye to Those Breakouts
It’s time to break-free and say good-bye to those breakouts –
Maybe you’re lucky enough to be born with it, or maybe it’s the Maybelline, but realistically great-looking skin usually takes a lot of work. Not just externally, but internally.
People who suffer from acne including adult on-set, cystic or hormonal can attest to the frustration and despair it can cause.
Whether it be the environment, hormones, diet or stress they can all trigger various skin conditions including unwanted breakouts.
In TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) those concerns are evaluated but in addition, the patient is diagnosed by their acne presentation, including location, whether acute/chronic, overall health history and tongue & pulse diagnosis.
The key diagnostic factors for acne are observation and location.
Observations:
Red = heat
Purple = stasis
Pus = phlegm
Color of pus = phlegm heat or cold
Superficial vs. deep
Ichy = blood heat, wind
Slow to heal = blood Stasis
Location:
The area on the face indicates a channel relation.
The temporal area is often a Liver or Gallbladder pattern, especially if one-sided. In addition, an effected jaw-line usually indicates hormonal acne whereas acne on chest or back results in deeper toxin.
These observations alongside the intake and tongue and pulse diagnosis establish the pattern presentation and how to best treat the client. The most common of these patterns are:
• Heat in the Lung w/ Blood heat
• Intestinal & Stomach Damp Heat
• Blood Stasis Pattern
• Heat Toxin
Generally speaking most cases are not so clear-cut and patients present a combination of patterns. What other symptoms do they have?
Does the person have constipation versus lots of bloating and loose stools? Or, are they always thirsty, red in the face and suffer from chronic menstrual issues?
Other factors to be considered:
• Is skin oily or dry?
• Food allergies & other sensitivities
• Commonly prescribed skin/hormonal medication- topical retinols, Accutane, birth control pills
Once a treatment plan is established clients may receive:
• Acupuncture
• Chinese herbal prescriptions
• Eastern dietary & lifestyle recommendations
Skin care hygiene:
Acupuncture can help with local circulation and clearing of deeper acute flare ups but also work to help treat support the client’s diagnosed pattern. Cosmetic acupuncture, similarly to micro-needling may also be used to help scarring and clear the overall complexion.
The herbal approach would also be based on pattern diagnosis however generally when treating skin the focus would be to :
• Clear and cool heat toxins
• Move stagnation
• Resolve phlegm accumulations in the blood and lymph systems
• Tonify the body + support the digestion
The total course of treatment varies case by case but to really achieve success the root cause needs to be addressed. Clients should prepare for three to six months of regular to periodic care (compare this to a life on medications).
A TCM approach may be the answer for you to say good-bye to those breakouts! To find out, contact Traditional Today for a consultation.