What Can be Done to Help Clear Up Acne?

Acne can be a nuisance to clear up, not to mention, how one feels about their appearance when having an acne breakout.

There are many products in the market that are supposed to “clear up acne.”  The problem with these products whether prescription or over the counter (OTC) is that all they do is suppress the acne.  How do we know this?  Because, in a matter of time when you stop using the product the acne returns.

What can cause acne?

Well, according to WebMD¹ acne in the teen years is from puberty, hormonal levels increasing, especially testosterone. These changing hormones cause skin glands to start making more oil (sebum).  Oil releases from the pores to protect the skin and keep it moist. Acne begins when oil mixes with dead cells and clogs the skin’s pores. Bacteria can grow in this mixture. And if this mixture leaks into nearby tissues, it causes swelling, redness, and pus. A common name for these raised bumps is pimples. Additionally, certain medicines, such as corticosteroids or lithium, can cause acne to develop. And it’s not just teens who are affected by acne. Sometimes newborns have acne because, their mothers pass hormones to them just before delivery. Acne can also appear when the stress of birth causes the baby’s body to release hormones on its own. Young children and older adults also may get acne. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases² says acne can come from starting and stopping birth control pills, heredity (if your parents had acne, you might get it, too), some types of medicine and greasy makeup. Wow, as you can see there can be many reasons you can develop acne. But when you have it, all you want to do is get rid of it.

Yes, as a consultant, I agree with what WebMD and the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases are saying about what can cause acne. But, I also need to consider other items; for example, what is going on inside the body to cause the hormones to increase during puberty. Not every teenager walking on the face of the earth is getting acne.

In Homeopathy, we look at what is affecting the body, actually what is causing the liver to be stressed out.

The fact is, all skin symptoms actually start from the liver, and the digestive system (gut). The liver, the pancreas and intestines are organs which work together to digest, absorb, and process food. The liver’s main job is to filter the blood coming from the digestive tract, before passing it to the rest of the body. The blood is full of good nutrients, but also contains bad toxins and other chemicals that the liver cleans up before the blood enters the body’s circulation. If the toxins and chemicals are too much for the liver to process and eliminate, the liver throws the excess toxins out to the skin (the largest eliminating organ). Excess toxins show up as acne, eczema, psoriasis, etc.

So, what can affect the liver and cause it to throw out skin eruptions?  For many, it is everyday stresses in life (mental, emotional and physical stresses), for others it is taking medication including acne products that affect the liver.

What can we do for acne if we want to clear it up and not suppress it?

First, we can try and help support the liver by addressing the stresses going on in life the best that we can. More rest, better food, healthy relationships, less worry and anxiety. We can also begin to use a healthier natural approach that works with the liver, meaning that you are not adding work to the liver by introducing toxins to your system. Using a natural approach can clear up acne and heal the body so acne does not return. This would mean not taking a medication that suppresses the acne, providing only a temporary improvement to your physical appearance and introducing toxins to the body. Below I have listed a few common homeopathic remedies that I have recommended to clients for acne, especially for teenagers. I also list a great natural topical solution to apply to the skin to remove surface bacteria and keep the skin clean.

Echinacea Tincture Topical – Diluted in water works as a great astringent.  Add enough Echinacea tincture to one or two ounces of water until you see a slight discoloration.  Apply to the affected area two times a day with cotton ball.  In a few days’ acne, will clear up.  Store the remaining solution for future applications.

Homeopathic Remedies can be given for specific acne problems.

• Lycopodium 30c – Acne from poor digestion.
• Pulsatilla or Sepia 30c – Acne from hormonal imbalances.
• Silicea 200 – Acne with pus
• Kali Bromatum 30c – Good for acne on the back and/or chest.  Also, consider for acne where other homeopathic remedies have failed.

Additionally, there is a Qi gong exercise to stimulate blocked energy in the area.

Place your finger(s) or palm on the affected area and massage in a clockwise circular motion thirty-six times, once daily.  By the next day eruptions will have improved.

Acne on different areas of the body represent blocked energy flow in the corresponding systems.

Examples of acne trouble areas and their corresponding systems:

• Face and cheeks – digestive system.  Focus more on healthier diet.
• Chin – reproductive system.  Focus on hormonal balancing techniques.
• Back and/or chest – respiratory system.  Focus on better breathing techniques.

Feel confident that when you heal your body and remove the toxins (whether excess hormones or chemicals) from your system, there will be no need for the body to produce acne.