Treatment for acne depends on the acne’s severity and its cause. Acne treatments vary, and different treatment options are available, from over-the-counter drugs to natural remedies. Listed below are the most popular and effective treatments for acne.

Acne treatment has always been popular in medical journals and women’s magazines. Acne is a broad term for skin rashes like pimples and deeper pustules that clog pores. In some instances, when the process goes too deep into the skin, acne leaves permanent scars.

Over-the-Counter Medicines

Once you have discovered the cause of your acne, you can use over-the-counter medications such as creams, ointments, lotions, and other anti-bactericidal products that contain benzoyl peroxide.

Other Treatments for Acne

Prescription medications are also available if you want a sure way to treat acne problems. It is also best when you combine oral medications with antibiotics.

However, natural remedies for acne are the best way to treat acne without leaving scars on your skin. Also, if scars have already developed, natural remedies for acne are the best treatment for acne scars.

What is acne?

Acne is a common, predominant skin disorder that affects all nations, races, and genders regardless of their ethnic background, geographical location, or environmental conditions. The resulting impact is even more troublesome.

According to a recent survey done in the US, about 25% of adults and 31% of teens surveyed said that acne sometimes keeps them from participating in social activities. Today, dermatologists have a consensus that only a few people survive their teen years without at least an occasional acne breakout. For many, acne continues into adulthood, causing embarrassment and prompting the sufferer to search the cosmetic counters for means to cover the spots.

Acne is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition that causes spots and pimples, especially on the face, shoulders, back, neck, chest, and upper arms. Whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, cysts, and nodules are all types of acne.

Acne is an inflammation of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles. This skin disorder usually affects young people during puberty (usually between 10–11 and 24–25 years). While in puberty, the human body produces an uncommonly high level of sex hormones. This upsurge of hormones subsequently happens in both girls’ and boys’ organisms, creating enormous amounts of sebum (an oily product of the sebaceous glands). This oily component irritates and clogs the pores, resulting in blemishes that get infected and convert into boils. Usually, after puberty, the level of hormones diminishes; however, in a woman’s body, the upsurges of progesterone may happen every month after ovulation, and as a result, this hormonal “spike” initiates the flare-up of premenstrual acne.

Acne is a skin ailment that impacts the oil glands and hair follicles.

The particular reason for acne is unidentified; however, several associated processes may cause the development of acne.

Physiological cycles that typically change hormonal production (menstrual cycles, puberty, etc.) hypothetically are accountable;
An increase in the level of male sex hormone androgens stimulates the production of sebum by the enlarged sebaceous glands.
The Same upsurge of progesterone during pregnancy can stimulate acne development.
Inheritance, or genetics, is another factor that causes acne. Scientists accept as accurate that the predisposition for acne may be genetic and may come from either parents or even previous generations.
The buildup of dead epidermal cells may clog pores and stimulate acne.
The body becomes allergic to microorganisms that develop colonies in the skin pores.
Skin injuries, scratches, or irritations may activate the inflammation of hair follicles.
Taking birth control pills changes the hormonal balance.
Some pharmaceutical drugs;
Some kinds of cosmetics and makeup

Acne is a comprehensive term that includes different forms of skin rashes. The list of skin disorders that fall under the term acne includes:

Acne vulgaris: usually initiated before or during puberty, most common localization: face, shoulders, chest;
Acne rosacea: A red skin element mainly on the skin of the face;
Acne keloidal is nuchae: Acne as a result of shaving with blades;
Acne conglobate Chronic carbuncles initiated in sweat glands; most common localization: underarms, buttocks, and groin;
Acne fulminant: The most aggressive form of acne conglobate;
Acne cosmetic: Skin rash as a result of the use of some cosmetics;
Acne medicamentosa: Acne appears at the beginning or the end of taking some pharmaceutical drugs.

Homeopathic medicine approaches acne treatment using a “like cures like” philosophy. It heals the individual as a whole system rather than particular skin elements and rashes. The homeopathic acne treatment process centers on the individual as a person who has individual physical and emotional properties as well as on the patient’s pathological state. Homeopathic remedies are carefully chosen due to a complete medical and psychological assessment and case analysis. The assessment always takes account of medical history, somatic, psychological, and constitutional signs, the miasmatic tendency (predisposition or susceptibility), etc.

Signs and symptoms of acne

Acne is a vast term, and the signs and symptoms of acne usually come in three skin elements.

Pustules
Blackheads
Whiteheads

Pustules are the inflammatory form, while blackheads and whiteheads are the non-inflammatory forms. Pustules, also commonly known as pimples or zits, are red, inflamed, and tiny swells that occur due to the walls of hair follicles that rupture for some reason.

Blackheads are formed when the skin pores are clogged. This form of acne does not usually cause inflammation. Hence, they do not develop into pimples. Being close to the skin surface, the melanin (the pigment in our skin that provides its color) in the clogged pores is oxidized, resulting in black coloration. As a result, it is not true that dirt and poor skin hygiene cause it; water and soap cannot remove it.

On the other hand, whiteheads are more likely to be inflamed and develop into pimples. Unlike blackheads, these are formed when the skin pores are clogged in the deeper part of the skin, and the lack of an exit point will lead to the formation of whiteheads.

Cysts, larger than pimples but also red and inflamed, are another sign and symptom of acne. These symptoms signify a more severe type of skin condition.

Our sebaceous glands’ overactive oil production and skin pores clogged with dead skin cells are the causes of the above signs and symptoms. The skin that undergoes this condition is typically oily and has large skin pores. Teenagers are more affected by this because, during puberty, the glands that secrete the sebum are overactive due to hormonal changes.

Causes of acne

Although the causes of acne are unidentified, doctors recognize that there are factors linked to its causes. The causes of acne on the chin are the same as in any other body part. Inflammations of the skin on the chin are generally the result of hormone instabilities that can occur during puberty or the menstrual cycle. However, chin pimples can affect anyone of any age.

Listed below are the most common causes of acne

Hormones

Androgens, or male hormones that surge during puberty, are said to affect acne breakouts significantly. The hormonal changes in menstruation and pregnancy may also flare up acne in women. Hormonal birth control pills are also one of the causes of acne on the chin. The reason behind this is that hormonal contraceptives may alter the regular hormonal cycle of women, which may contribute to acne. The solution for this is to switch from hormonal to non-hormonal contraceptives. Stopping a hormonal treatment (such as testosterone) may also contribute to hormonal imbalance and, in turn, be a reason for the causes of acne on the chin.

Genes

Indeed, studies have shown that school-aged children with acne have family members who have had or are still having zits.

Environment

The environment contributes largely to acne breakouts. Those residing in tropical and humid countries may experience breakouts, unlike those in cold countries.

Other Factors

Stress is one of the factors that contributes mainly to acne. Another factor that causes acne is skin irritants. These include oil-based cosmetics as well as harsh handling of the skin.

Natural treatments for acne

Natural treatments for acne aim to reduce the pimples and blemishes that characterize acne and treat the scars left behind on the skin by acne. Listed below are the most popular options for natural acne treatment.

Home remedies for acne—the most popular natural treatment for acne

Home remedies for acne are natural treatments that help improve a person’s acne, pimples, and sores. Home remedies for acne include gentle herbal creams and gels, essential oils, natural supplements, and simple lifestyle changes.

Jojoba oil

Jojoba oil is a home remedy for acne extracted from the jojoba shrub’s seeds. The waxy substances in jojoba oil may help repair damaged skin, which may also help speed up wound healing, including acne lesions. Jojoba oil is one of the best treatments for acne scars.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is a natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory home remedy for acne that can help reduce the appearance of acne and prevent acne breakouts.

Honey

Honey has been used to treat skin conditions such as acne for thousands of years. It contains many antioxidants to help clear waste and debris from clogged pores. Honey is also one of the best treatments for acne scars.

Diet for acne: an essential part of any natural treatment for acne

Diet for acne is a natural acne treatment that has been proven to be effective. Diets for acne help cleanse the body and detoxify the major organs, allowing your skin to function naturally. The best diet for acne is to eat non-inflammatory foods that keep your skin from looking red and blotchy.

Most acne diets out there perform one primary function: reducing inflammation. Non-inflammatory diets are essential because they give your body and digestive system a healthy balance and time to digest the nutrients in your food.

Listed below are the rules of diet for hormonal acne

Leafy greens.

Leafy vegetables are an excellent diet for hormonal acne because they contain vitamins A, E, and K and are perfect for treating hormonal acne. They are also packed with antioxidants and polyphenols, which will help your body eliminate acne-causing toxins. Some examples include spinach, kale, broccoli, and romaine lettuce.

Bright-colored fruits.

Bright-colored fruits like bananas, oranges, and lemons are also ideal for a hormonal acne diet because they contain vitamins C and D and are perfect to round out your daily nutritional intake. Like leafy greens, they are also packed with antioxidants and are suitable for curing acne and giving you a little energy boost throughout your day.

Fish.

The best hormonal acne diet is fish because they are a good source of protein and can be a replacement if you find that chicken or red meat is making you break out. Fatty fish like salmon and Chilean sea bass are also good sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to reduce sebum production in the skin and fight acne.

Chinese herbs for acne: an effective and popular natural treatment for acne

Chinese herbs for acne are one of the natural acne treatments that have been proven effective in treating acne. As long as you take Chinese herbs for acne as your doctor has prescribed, they are generally considered safe with few to no side effects.

Listed below are Chinese herbs for acne

Manjistha

Manjistha (Rubia cordifolia) is a Chinese acne herb critical to healthy skin. Research shows that Manjistha has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiandrogenic abilities that may help prevent and treat acne.

Neem

Neem (Azadirachta indica) is another popular Chinese herb for acne. Neem effectively treats skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis. According to a 2001 study, Neem has antibacterial activity against several microorganisms. This includes Staphylococcus, a bacterium that’s linked to acne.

Remedies for cystic acne: a home-based natural treatment for acne

Cystic acne typically develops due to oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells trapped in a hair follicle or pore. The cysts usually appear on the face, neck, back, shoulders, and arms. They resemble boils and are painful to the touch.

Listed below are remedies for cystic acne

Ice

Ice is one of the remedies for cystic acne that effectively decreases swelling, itchiness, pain, and redness. Some natural healers suggest rubbing an ice cube on the cystic acne spot until the cold becomes uncomfortable. Some recommend doing this three times a day.

Turmeric mask

Mixing small amounts of water with turmeric powder to create a thick paste is one of the remedies for cystic acne. The home remedy recommendation is to apply this paste directly to the cystic acne and leave it in place for about 45 minutes before rinsing it off with water.

Acupuncture for acne: a traditional Chinese natural treatment for acne

Acupuncture for acne is a natural remedy that aims to look at what’s going on underneath your skin. Acupuncture for acne works by treating these underlying issues, such as weak digestion or hormonal imbalance, which means treating the root cause of what is going on with your skin.

Homeopathic acne treatment is the #1 natural treatment for acne

The remedies for acne treatment listed below point to the therapeutic similarity; however, they do not provide comprehensive and specific instructions for homeopathic acne healing.

Moreover, the symptoms shown for each remedy are not necessarily unswervingly linked to acne since, in homeopathic medicine, both wide-ranging symptoms and constitutional signs are considered when picking the right medicine.

Sulfur

It is probably the medicine most commonly designated for acne treatment and other skin problems, especially in chronic form. To prescribe sulfur, a homeopath should find the skin bumpy and firm. This acne patient will complain about constipation. Patients who benefit from sulfur feel aggravation from water, so they avoid washing their faces and showering.

Other indications for sulfur are a pale face with a cloying color, hot, dotted irritation, and wide-open black pores. Itching in sulfur patients usually intensifies in the late afternoon hours. It’s also become worse with warmth. Acne punctata is the skin disorder most closely linked to sulfur.

Sanguinaria

It is another beneficial homeopathic medicine for acne treatment, mainly in females with light and short menstruation and unbalanced blood circulation with areas of stagnation. Other homeopathic medicines for acne that develop due to a woman’s sexual hormonal misbalance are Calcarea carbonica and Aurum muriaticum.

Kali Bromatum

The acne that would yield this remedy is on the face, front, and sides of the neck and upper shoulders.

We often see acne in patients treated with high doses of bromides due to epilepsy. Kali Bromatum is most similar to Acne simplex and indurata, mainly in hyper-aesthetic females. Other symptoms that link Kali Bromatum to acne patients are:

The face is reddened.
Pustules and acne on the face
Intellectual deficiency: significant memory loss, melancholia;
Numbness of the mucous and skin;
Suicidal desires, tremulousness;
The main localization of the skin rash is the face, upper shoulders, and chest.

Dr. J.H. Clarke says, “In instances of a vulgar form of acne, Kali Bromatum 30C is the most useful and efficient.”

Antimonium crudum

This remedy requires very specific symptoms and generalities:

Antimonium crudum acnes are always in the form of small pustules

In patients with alcohol addiction and stomach disorders,
The patient is dehydrated with a white-coated tongue.
Face with a depressed appearance, agitated, annoyed, and grumpy;
An antimonium crudum patient cries when she looks, washes, or touches acne.
These patients are also euphoric, pensive, and emotional.

Antimonium Tartaricum.

Stubborn medical cases of acne, with a predisposition to pustulation, are curable with Antimonium Tartaricum.

Natrum Muriaticum

This famous homeopathic remedy pinpoints its power mainly to sebaceous glands and is a very beneficial medicine in an acne treatment clinic.

To select Natrum Muriaticum, a homeopathic physician must focus mainly on the individual’s constitutional signs. Personality, temper, propensities, and other common signs are more significant than simple topical symptoms.

Belladonna

This remedy is best suited for acne and rosacea. The rawness and whiteness of the skin replace each other. Belladonna patients’ skin is dehydrated, hot, inflated, and puffy. Pustules are mainly localized on the skin of the face. A face suddenly turns red and then suddenly pales. Belladonna patients are usually overweight, with blond hair and blue eyes. Their intellectual level is above average. In his Materia Medica, Hahnemann mentioned that Belladonna doesn’t work on patients with low IQs. Also, all symptoms in Belladonna patients are acute and happen unexpectedly.

Many more homeopathic remedies are effective for different forms of acne if used based on “like cures like” principles.

Routine hygienic procedures are a vital component of any natural treatment for acne.

Personal hygiene and homeopathic remedies are vital for fast and effective acne treatment. I recommend to my patients the following hygienic procedures:

Gently rinse the skin of the face using mild cleansing products at least twice a day and after any activities that may cause it. It is essential to wash your hair regularly. If the hair is oily, wash it more often. Rinse your face with plain water 5–6 times a day.
Do not scrub or touch skin lacerations. Scrubbing and touching increase blood circulation and allow bacteria to travel around your body.
Any actions on blemishes (squeezing, picking, punching), especially without the use of sterile materials, may result in the advance of infection and further progress of scars or dark marks.
Careful shaving is very important. Both blades and electric shavers may cause symptoms of deterioration.
Be careful when selecting the right cosmetic products. Read reviews about each product you are planning to use. Avoid cosmetic products that contain any scrubbing ingredients.

If common hygienic procedures and over-the-counter creams have not accomplished good results after a few months and skin elements are still present or have become even worse, contact your family doctor, dermatologist, or homeopath.

Acne treatment at Philadelphia Homeopathic Clinic

Doctor Tsan and associates have academic and clinical experience in acne treatment at the Philadelphia Homeopathic Clinic. For many acne patients, homeopathic medicine becomes the last resort and, believe it or not, the best one at the same time. It’s a well-known fact that homeopathic medicine does not heal; it cures if structural changes in the body parts and internal organs are recoverable. The earlier homeopathic acne treatment starts, the better the prognosis for complete recovery without residual scars and blemishes.

If you suffer from acne and need help, contact our clinic at (267) 403-3085 or click here to schedule an appointment for the homeopathic evaluation.