Acne in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Acne is classified as a chronic inflammatory condition, resulting in skin lesions such as whiteheads, blackheads, and small cysts. This mainly occurs on the face, but is often also found on other parts of the body such as the chest and upper back.

Traditional Chinese Medicine uses a different style of diagnosis to Western Medicine, and in this case “acne” has a few possible diagnoses. These diagnoses are referred to as “patterns”, and point to different pathogens that need to be detoxified from the body. Below is a list of patterns that could be the cause of skin issues:

Damp Heat

Signs & Symptoms - Inflamed pimples with pustules, often deep and painful or cyst-like, often around the mouth, chin and neck. May be accompanied by loose stools, skin issues may worsen when consuming dairy and fried foods.

Do - Have warm lemon water in the mornings. Change your pillow case every 2-3 days.

Don’t - Avoid greasy fried foods, spicy food, dairy and ice cold foods or drinks.

Blood Heat

Signs & Symptoms - Red, irritated pimples, sometimes with bleeding, often around nose, mouth and brow. May get worse with stress and before/during menstruation. This is most similar to Western Medicine’s diagnosis of “hormonal acne”.

Do - Drink a cup of mint, spearmint, jasmine or green tea daily. Take long walks in nature.

Don’t - Avoid coffee and alcohol, and spicy food, especially in the week before menstruation.

Lung / Stomach Heat

Signs & Symptoms - Whiteheads and/or blackheads, sometimes patches of dry skin, mostly around forehead and mouth. May be accompanied by stomach pains, bleeding gums or bad breath, history of recurring coughs and colds.

Do - Hydrate with filtered water. Practice breath-work or meditation.

Don’t - Avoid very hot and spicy foods, smoking and alcohol, especially spirits.

Qi Deficiency & Phlegm

Signs & Symptoms - Deep, painful cystic spots that last a long time, pale or dull complexion. Accompanied by, or pre-empted with, periods of low energy, possibly illness/overwork/over-exercise. May worsen in the luteal phase before menstruation.

Do - Move your body every day, moderate exercise without breaking a sweat. Have ginger tea in the morning.

Don’t - Avoid lots of raw, cold foods and iced drinks. Avoid heavy meals and excess refined carbs.

Blood Stasis & Phlegm

Signs & Symptoms - Dark red or purple, painful spots, lasting scarring. May be accompanied by painful periods, headaches or migraines.

Do - Exercise daily. Drink mint, green, or jasmine tea. Keep the body warm at all times with layers and baths.

Don’t - Avoid dairy and big heavy meals.

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All of the above patterns can be addressed with Acupuncture, and TCM Nutrition plays a huge role in resolving skin issues too. At SB Acupuncture & Wellness, appointments include a tailored TCM Nutrition & Lifestyle plan, for holistic health.

Facial Acupuncture is safe for acne-prone skin, but if your skin is particularly irritated and in a current “flare”, I would recommend General Acupuncture to address the underlying and systemic issues first. After the skin has cleared, Facial Acupuncture can be used to heal residual scarring, and to give the skin some TLC!