Acne

Acne or pimples is probably the most common skin problem. It is an inflammatory condition of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles which get clogged with sebum (oil) and dead skin cells. Acne vulgaris is triggered by hormonal changes that happen during puberty. Acne is not just limited to the face, but may also manifest on the neck, chest, back and shoulders in severe cases.

• Whiteheads (closed clogged pores)
• Blackheads (open clogged pores)
• Small red, tender bumps (papules)
• Pimples(pustules), which are papules with pus at their tips .
• Large, solid, painful lumps beneath the surface of the skin (nodules).
• Painful, pus-filled lumps beneath the surface of the skin (cystic lesions)

1. Excessive intake of non-vegetarian food
2. Overuse of cosmetics which can impact the health of facial skin.
3. Irregular sleeping habits which disrupts the body’s natural rhythms and causes metabolic imbalance leading to toxin overload and acne.
4. Women with menstrual problems such as irregular menses can suffer from yuvan pidika. While acne is quite common in all women, the problem is exacerbated in those whose periods are delayed.
5. Deficiency of Vitamin A (retinol) can be the cause of yuvan pidika.
6. Unwholesome diet.

It may also be caused by:

• Irregular shedding of dead skin cells which irritate the hair follicles of the skin
• Bacterial infection
• Overproduction of the skin’s natural oils (sebum)
• Medications containing corticosteroids and androgens
• Genetics

According to Ayurveda there are three biological elements/doshas present in our body which should be in balance: vata, pitta and kapha. Because of the above said causes, these elements get vitiated and cause vitiation in blood and affect the skin.

Treatment protocol aims at:

1. Treating inflammation of the skin and maintaining  normal texture of the skin.
2. Prevent recurrence by healing and repairing the tissue.
3. Long term relief and rejuvenating the whole body.

The first line of treatment should always be avoiding the causative factors. If the problem persists then consider the following treatment protocol.

• Pimples with pus and painful lumps -  When sebaceous glands, or oil glands, become clogged and infected, leading to swollen, red painful lesions filled with pus. Aragvadha, Manjistha, Haritaki, Nimba, Kaishora guggulu, Shalmali will help to check the infection and heal the inflammation thereby normalising vitiated doshas.
• White heads and black heads - These are open (blackhead) or closed (whitehead) skin pore or hair follicle clogged with oil, dead skin cells and bacteria. Manjistha, Khadira, Sariva, will help to purify the blood and cleanse the follicles.
• Manjistha, Haritaki, Amalaki and Avipattikar churna remove the toxins from our body, heal the skin and prevent the recurrence by rejuvenating the cells.

(The above mentioned Ayurvedic drugs are Herbs and Herbomineral preparations) 

Other Therapies -  Virechana/Purgation therapy (cleaning digestive tract and purifies blood), Blood letting therapy.

Haritaki, Amalaki, Haridra, Nimba, Sariva, Shalmali, Khadira, Manjishta, avipattikar churna, Kaishore guggulu, Shalmali, Aragvadha

1.If self-care remedies don't clear your acne. 

2.If acne persists or is severe, you may want to seek medical treatment from a doctor.