Acne

Acne is a common skin disorder among teenagers & occurs in people of all ages. The hair follicles in the skin become clogged with dead skin & oil thus produces whiteheads, blackheads & pimples. Sometimes acne can be persistent even though there are treatments available. The rashes as well as the pimple gradually disappear but reappears also. Acne in severe cases can create a lot of emotional stress & even cause skin scars. It is always recommended to start the treatment earlier to lower the possible risk of scars and marks. Ayurvedic treatment of pimple always gives an ultimate solution.

Symptoms

The acne mostly occurs in the forehead, chest, face, upper back & shoulders. These areas contain more oil-secreting glands. The sebaceous glands are connected to the hair follicles.

Pimples

Whiteheads

Red tender irregularities which are small-papules

Papules with pus on the tip.

Solid nodules which are painful

Painful, pus-filled lumps.

Causes

Excessive fat secretion from the body

Clogging of accumulated dirt & oil in the hair follicles

Inflammation

Bacteria

Stress,

hormonal imbalance

Risk factors

Age, hormonal imbalances & family background play a major role. Usually, teenage, puberty, pregnancy& family history has to be considered during the treatment of Acne. Certain medications that contain corticosteroids, & lithium can trigger acne. Also, stress & related mental disturbances can worsen acne.

Complications

Individuals with darker complexions will have more profound scars & marks than others. After the disappearance of acne, the area either remains hyperpigmented or hypopigmented. Pitted skin & keloids last even longer.

 

Ayurveda perspective

Acne vulgaris is referred to as yuvana pidaka, it is described as a natural phenomenon that occurs during adolescence. It is also referred to as kshudra spotaka, vayas sphotaka by Ayurveda acharyas.It is quite an irritating & annoying skin problem in all age groups & genders. It is caused due to the Vata, Kapha,Meda & raktha dushti. Sometimes we refer them as Mukhadushika they are quite different from yuvan pidika. The causative factors include high oily foods, high consumption of meat & sweet desserts. Mental factors such as stress, anxiety, also trigger the onset of acne. Along with Vata, Kapha, raktha, & medho dhathu undergoes vitiation. The dhathu Agni becomes affected & there will be blockage of fat in the hair follicles. This gives rise to Acne.

Dos

Skin massage for enabling circulation & removal of accumulated waste

Wash face with warm water

Reverse powder massage or udwarthana, to mobilize the fat(don’t do when there is inflammation)

Drink adequate fluids for proper excretion of accumulated toxins.

Consume low-fat meat

Avoid

Excess use of oily creams or lotions

Maintain good skin hygiene by cleansing regularly

Avoid pressure on skin surfaces

Treatment

Ayurvedic treatment for acne or pimple involves external detoxification as well as internal detox. External purification involves massaging & applying lepas or paste. Manjishtadi choornam with milk, eladi gana choornam in coconut milk, & kumkumai tailam is found very effective. Also, skin massage reduces Vata & Kapha vitiation. It promotes skin tone & slows the aging process of the skin.

Panchkarma therapies are used in chronic cases of Acne. Vamana or emesis therapy helps to eliminate the vitiated Kapha dosha. Nasya with suitable taila is also advised as acne occurs in the upper segment of the body. bloodletting therapy i.e Raktamokshana is always recommended.

Internally medications are advised for shaman therapy includes –

blood purification

correcting digestion issue

stress management

cure of hormonal imbalance

Blood purifying herbs & complexion-enhancing herbs are best recommended in the treatment of Acne. Sariva, manjishta, nimba, & haridra are some of the popular herbs that are found very effective. Maha tikataka ghritam, & nimbadi choornam is very much advised in acne.

Acne is prevalent from the Vedic period itself. Due to modernization changing lifestyle, food habits, changing sleep patterns, there is more incidence of acne. Proper nutrition & sleep play a vital role in the health of the skin. Stress management can be done through the practice of pranayama. By combining the internal as well as external therapies we can control acne very effectively all above include in the ayurvedic treatment for acne.