According to Indian Ayurveda text, acne is the result of high pitta moving under the skin and breaking out in pimples. Ayurveda recommends several natural approaches that, taken together, can effectively control acne. The possible pitta-provoking causes are numerous. They include emotional stress, premenstrual hormonal changes, and exposure to chemicals or too much sunlight. The problem might also be a bacterial infection. It is important to find out the cause, so it can be properly treated or, in the case of exposure to chemicals or sunlight, simply avoided. Because acne is a pitta condition, the first step is to follow the pitta-pacifying diet. Avoid spicy and fermented foods, salt, fried foods, and citrus fruits. Favor blander foods such as rice, oatmeal, and applesauce.
Chest And Back Acne Removal Guide
- Effective Indian Herbs: Here is formula that is excellent for pacifying the excess pitta that causes acne. Make a mixture of equal proportions of kutki, guduchi, and shatavari herbs. Take 1/4 teaspoon of your mixture 2 or 3 times a day. After meals, place the powder on your tongue and wash it down with warm water.
- Camphor for Spot Treatment: Spirits of camphor, available at drugstores, is also effective for spot treatments. Just dab this on an impending pimple and it will help dry it up quickly.
- Epsom Salt Bath: A hot Epsom-salt bath twice a week will be highly beneficial in all cases of acne. This bath is prepared by adding 1 and 1/2 kg. of Epsom salt to 50 liters of water having a temperature of about 100 F. The patient should remain in the bath from 25 to 35 minutes till he perspires freely. After the bath the patient should cool off gradually.
- Glycolic Acid to Unclog Pores: Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), such as glycolic acid, slough off the outermost layer of skin, which helps keep pores clear and unclogged. Try for a cream, lotion, or gel that contains 8% glycolic acid.
- Acne due to Stress: Passion flower (Passiflora incarnata) and hops (Humulus lupulus) is used when stress is contributing to your acne. Drink a cup of these calming teas whenever you need to wind down.
- Western Herbal Formula: In the Western herbal tradition, skin problems, such as acne, are considered an indication that toxins in the bloodstream are being excreted via the skin. Cleavers is one of a wide range of blood cleansing herbs that are used to detoxify the blood and lymph and support the body’s organs of elimination, thus improving skin health. Infuse 4 g (1 teaspoon) of dried aerial parts of cleavers in boiling water; drink 3 cups per day. Alternatively, juice the fresh herb (excluding the root) using a stick blender, and drunk 5 to 15 ml 3 times daily. Do not take cleavers if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, except under the advice of a healthcare professional.
- Essential Oil Lotion: Blend 2 drops of pure tea tree or lavender essential oil with 1 teaspoon aloe gel. Dot the mixture on blemishes using a cotton swab or clean finger. Tea tree and lavender are both anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial. Lavender smells nicer and can be applied without dilution. Aloe vera is also anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial. In addition, it reduces discomfort and speeds healing. Topical applications of 5% tea tree oil gel have been proven as effective as benzoyl peroxide (Oxy-5) and other commercially available products.
- Shampoo your hair at least twice a week. Don’t use leave-in conditioners or heavy styling products in your hair. Keep your hair off your face and shoulders with ponytail holders or barrettes, especially when you sleep. Don’t wear bangs if you get breakouts on your fore head. Avoid playing with your hair and then touching your skin.
If the results of your self-treatment are not evident after three months, it might be advisable to see a dermatologist. If you do, tell the doctor exactly what treatments you have been using, and what the results have been. This may be important information in deciding on the best approach for treating your particular condition. The information you supply will help to determine what kind of acne problem you have common acne (acne vulgaris) or breakouts caused by something else like cosmetics, greases, allergic reactions, medications, and so on. There are three general classes of severity: mild, moderate, and severe. If you have papules that have not turned into pustules, and a few comedones, the doctor will probably classify your case as mild. In a moderate case of acne, papules, pustules, and inflamed red areas will be present. When there are papules, pustules, and cysts, the acne case is severe. Once the doctor has determined how severe your acne is, the next step is to prescribe a treatment.