Acupuncture & Microneedling for Acne
Teenage acne, also known as Acne Vulgaris, is primarily caused by hormonal changes during puberty and adolescents and can have long-term damaging socio-emotional ramifications for teenagers.
Acne often negatively affects teenagers' self-esteem and body image. They may feel self-conscious about their appearance, leading to decreased confidence and a negative perception of themselves. The low self-esteem can then lead to Social Anxiety and Isolation and avoidance of social interactions or situations that draw attention to their skin.
Some teenagers may develop unhealthy coping mechanisms in response to their acne, such as excessive skin picking or attempting to cover up their skin with heavy makeup. These behaviors can further exacerbate the problem.
When desperate, many parents turn to Western drugs for their children. However, many Western drugs are quite damaging to the liver and also can cause dangerous psychological harm. The minor side effects of Western treatment are dryness, flaking, sensitivity to light, diarrhea, nausea and dizziness. However the more serious side effects can be infertility, genital numbness, liver damage, depression, psychosis, suicide, seizures, bone degradation, heart attacks, and strokes. These are not theoretical side effects. I personally have treated many kids who have experienced one or many of these side effects. Accutane currently has thousands of lawsuits filed against it.*
Considering even the minor reactions, it seems foolhardy to not try Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) BEFORE turning to the Western drugs! Traditional Chinese Medicine is safe, gentle, has little to no side effects and gets to the root cause of the acne – not merely treating it topically.
There are many root causes of acne. Some of them being hormonal fluctuations, genetic factors, excessive sebum production, Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) bacteria, blocked hair follicles, inflammation caused by stress, medications, or dietary factors.
Whatever the cause, TCM (which includes Acupuncture, Behavior Modification, Nutritional Consultation, Physical Bodywork, Cupping and Chinese Herbal Formulas) are proven to be beneficial for treating acne. TCM, is a holistic approach in that it addresses the underlying imbalances in the body that contribute to acne. This approach aims to restore balance and harmony to the body as a whole, rather than simply treating the symptoms.
TCM is wonderful at regulating the body's inflammatory response, potentially reducing the redness, swelling, and pain associated with acne breakouts. It also regulates the hormonal imbalances which cause many flare-ups, and, upon insertion, the needles stimulate and improve blood circulation to the skin, aiding in the delivery of nutrients and oxygen and promoting the removal of toxins, potentially helping to clear acne.
The best benefit of Acupuncture, in my book, has always been its' amazing ability to reduce stress. Acupuncture is known to have a calming effect on the nervous system by training the brain to not be in Fight or Flight constantly. Stress is a common trigger for acne breakouts, so managing stress through acupuncture is a great way to improve acne symptoms.
When a patient comes into Mend, I take an individualized approach to their personal situation. I first assess the patient's unique constitution, symptoms, nutritional and behavioral patterns, and overall health to create a personalized treatment plan that targets their specific underlying causes of acne. I then begin the Acupuncture treatment with very fine needles that are designed to glide through the surface of the skin seamlessly with absolutely NO pain.
Sometimes it is appropriate to perform Cupping Therapy on cystic acne. In particular, I like to do Wet Cupping. In TCM lingo, acne is often caused by heat, dampness, and stagnation. Wet Cupping, in particular, removes heat and stagnation. Wet Cupping pulls the bacteria, toxins, and pus to the surface and helps the body clear it from the system faster.
If appropriate, afterwards I then apply numbing cream to the affected area and perform a 10 minute Microneedling treatment. Microneedling is a wonderfully effective tool to dissipate acne and help heal and prevent new scarring. Microneedling is a cosmetic procedure that involves using a device with many (30-60) tiny needles to create tiny punctures in the skin. While it is commonly used for anti-aging it can also be beneficial for teenage acne due to its ability to break up existing scars, enhance absorption of healing topical treatments, reduce pore size, and improve overall texture and tone of the skin.
After treatment most patients are then offered a patented TCM herbal formula to work systemically on the cause of the acne. There are many formulas and I hand pick the most appropriate one for each patient depending on many factors. All formulas are cost effective, made in the USA, and FDA approved. The herbs are also encapsulated and easy to swallow.
I also send each patient with acne home with a sample bottle of my Mend Everything Oil - Acne Formula. It contains Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin C, Niacinimide, Sea Buckthorn, Rose Essence, Saffron, Argon Oil, and Vit E. All of these ingredients are truly magical in the skin healing process and do not clog pores or irritate the skin further. .
So now that you know how beneficial all of the modalities of TCM are in treating acne, I hope you turn to this beautiful 3,000+ year old medicine to help you or your child heal in a healthy and productive way. I look forward to seeing you and your child at Mend and helping you both through this healing journey!
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* https://www.millerandzois.com/products-liability/drugs/other-drug-cases/accutane/#:~:text=Thousands%20of%20lawsuits%20have%20been,%2C%20heart%20attacks%2C%20and%20strokes.
