Understanding and treating acne, maskne, back acne the TCM way

Link copied! Acne is an inflammatory skin condition that happens when the hair follicles under the skin become clogged. It is the most common skin condition, affecting roughly 40 to 50 million individuals annually. [1] Acne is usually caused by excess build up of oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria in the pore. Common areas of acne occurrence include: 1. Facial acne The face is the most common area for acne. Adult acne tends to occur on the lower half of the face (U-zone) around the cheeks, jawlines and chin area, while adolescent acne tends to appear on the forehead and nose area, also known as the T-zone. [2] 2. Body acne Apart from the face, acne can also appear on other areas of the body, including the back, the buttocks and even the limbs. Back acne, also known as Bacne, is one of the most common forms of acne and can cause significant discomfort. Body acne arises from the same reasons as facial acne, but can also happen due to wearing tight clothing and excessive sweating. 3. Mask-ne A term newly-coined since the pandemic, Mask-ne has affected many of us as we grow accustomed to wearing masks indoors and outdoors. Having to wear a mask over long periods of time can irritate our skin and clog our pores, leading to skin issues such as redness, bumpiness and itchiness. Acne in TCM terms In TCM, acne is most closely associated with Heat in the Lungs and Stomach. This is often caused by excessive consumption of spicy, oily and flavorful foods which causes an accumulation of Damp Heat in the body. In TCM, acne in different parts of the face and body could be an indication of poor health of their corresponding organs. Facial Acne Bacne and Chestne Acne that happens on the back or chest, accompanied by oily skin is believed in TCM to be caused by Heat Dampness in the Spleen. Acne is a condition that affects all ages, but individuals that experience fluctuating hormonal levels are more prone to suffering from it. As such, teens and working adults with a stressful lifestyle are more likely to suffer from acne. However, there are other factors that can also lead to facial and body acne.   TCM and Non-TCM Acne myths 1. Chocolate and other “heaty” foods cause acne – Fact In TCM, “heaty” foods like chocolate, snacks, and fried foods are believed to cause acne. This is true as overconsumption of these foods can lead to Lung and Stomach Fire, which are the two main causes of acne in TCM. This corresponds to modern knowledge as these foods belong to a group of high Glycemic Index (GI) foods, which are commonly associated with acne. Consuming high GI foods can lead to a rise in blood sugar, which triggers a series of reactions that lead to skin inflammation and overproduction of skin oil. [5] 2. Staying up late causes acne – Fact You may realize that you break out more easily or have dull-looking skin after staying up late. That is because research has shown that sleep disturbance does impact skin disease. [6] Having an irregular sleep schedule causes fluctuation in brain chemical and hormonal levels, resulting in excessive oil production and clogged pores. In TCM theory, 1am to 3am is the time period where our liver detoxes, a process that can only take place when you are asleep. As such, staying up late beyond that time may hinder the liver’s detox process and cause an accumulation of “toxins” in the body. These “toxins” are essentially the body’s metabolic wastes that may accumulate in the organs if not properly removed from the body, resulting in acne breakouts on the corresponding areas on the face and the back. 3. You will get acne if you don’t wash your face often enough – Myth If you suffer from acne, you may have been told that it’s because you haven’t washed your face enough. This is a myth that has been debunked by many experts as washing your face in excess may actually cause more breakouts. [7] Excessive scrubbing and cleaning can strip your skin of moisture and essential oils, causing dryness which could lead to excess sebum production. Excessive face-washing can also interfere with the good bacteria on our skin that is necessary to keep our skin barrier healthy. As such, washing your face in moderation is key to preventing acne. In general, washing your face once in the morning and once at night is sufficient to keep your skin feeling clean and healthy. ORG treatments that can help prevent acne Herbal Medication In TCM, herbs are usually the first line of treatment against acne as they can address the body’s underlying imbalance, which is the root cause of acne outbreaks. Patients that suffer from acne due to Lung Heat or Stomach Heat will benefit from Wind Heat-dispelling herbs like Loquat Leaves, Mulberry Bark and Raw Licorice. On the other hand, patients with Damp Heat in their body can take Damp Heat-dispelling herbs like Yin Chen Hao Soup and Huang Lian Jie Du Tang. Facial Acupuncture Facial acupuncture is a treatment that involves the insertion of needles on the face. It is commonly used to treat acne and other facial skin conditions like skin sagging, dull skin, and even paralysis. As the needles used are thinner than regular acupuncture needles, there is minimal discomfort in the process. Facial acupuncture can help to improve local microcirculation and remove heat from the face and body. This helps to calm down acne flare-ups and prevent acne outbreaks. A 2018 study showed that a patient with rosacea who was treated with acupuncture 3 times a week experienced a significant decrease in symptoms. [8] Acupuncture can also speed up the healing of acne scars by inducing an accelerated wound-healing response, as shown in a 2020 study performed on diabetic patients. [9] Regular/Body Acupuncture If you suffer from hormonal acne or are experiencing breakouts caused by periods