ACNE AND ITS AYURVEDIC TREATMENT

OVERVIEW

Acne is a skin condition in which there occur eruptions on skin due to blockage of hair follicles with oil and dead skin cells. Hair follicles are the pits from which hair root erupts and contains supply of blood to provide nourishment to the hair follicle. When any dirt, oil or dead skin cells get accumulated in the hair follicle, a pimple appears. It also leads to formation of whiteheads or blackheads.

Acne is very common among teenagers but it can affect of all ages. Acne is of various types depending on the type of eruptions. It most commonly appears on face, chest, forehead, upper back and shoulders.  There are various treatments which are available in market but some of the self-care measures can also be very effective. 

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF ACNE?

There are several types of acne. Following are the different types of acne:

Cystic acne: In this, deep, pus-filled pimples occur. This can lead to formation of scars.

Hormonal acne: People who have excessive production of sebum have clogged pores leading to formation of acne.

Fungal acne: When yeast builds up inside the hair follicles, fungal acne occurs. The skin gets itchy and inflamed.

Nodular acne: It is a severe form of acne. There occur pimples on the surface of skin and nodular lumps under the skin.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF ACNE?

Acne most commonly affects face, chest, upper back, forehead and shoulders as these areas have most of the sebaceous glands. Hair follicles are connected to sebaceous glands and get lubrication from them. When these hair follicles get blocked, it leads to eruptions on skin. The follicles get blocked due to excessive production of sebum, accumulation of oil and dead skin cells, bacteria, etc. The hair follicle then bulges out leading to production of whitehead, blackhead and pus-filled pimples.

WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR DEVELOPING ACNE?

Following are the factors which make a person more prone to acne:

• Hormonal changes such as during adolescence
• Having a genetic history of acne
• Wearing tight-wearing headgear
• Air pollution
• High humidity
• Certain medications like steroids, lithium, testosterone, etc
• Intake of oily and junk food
• Excessive stress
• Lack of sleep
• Suffering from polycystic ovarian disease
• Beauty products like cleansers, creams, moisturisers, etc
• Cigarette smoking
• Alcohol intake
• Friction on skin

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF ACNE?

The common signs and symptoms of acne are:

• Blackheads – plugged pores with a black top
• Whiteheads – plugged pores with a white top
• Small, discolored bumps which turn from red to purple known as papules
• Pus-filled bumps known as pimples
• Solid, large and painful lumps present under the skin known as nodules
• Pus-filled painful lumps under the skin are known as cystic lesions

WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS WHICH ARE ASSOCIATED WITH ACNE?

Acne is associated with the following complications:

• Scars after acne
• Keloids
• Hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation of the affected skin
• Hardening of the skin where acne was formed

MANAGEMENT OF ACNE WITH THE MEDICATIONS OF CHANDIGARH AYURVED CENTRE

Here are some of the medications of Chandigarh Ayurved centre which are used for the treatment of acne:

1. Twak Tailam
Twak tailam is used for those who have acne-prone skin, skin discoloration and equally good for all skin types. It includes – Wrightia tinctoria, Coconut oil. This oil has been subjected to less intense refining, lower temperature with no chemicals. It has pacifying or cooling properties which further beneficial for improving the skin’s elasticity. In one single step, the skin is deeply cleansed as well as moisturized. It seeps into the pores and hydrates deeply and the molecules present in the oil ensuring the repair of the collagen layer.
Recommended Dosage: For external application over the affected area.

2. Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe Vera Gel is formed with the pure extract of herb Aloe Vera and the mixture of rose petals. Thus this wonderful composition provides a cooling effect on the skin that relieves from burning sensation, itchiness, etc. The gel helps in maintaining healthy skin and repairing skin damage.
Recommended Dosage – Gently apply over the affected area of the skin.

3. Panchatikta Ghrita Guggulu
The tablets are very beneficial in curing skin diseases as it contains the Pitta pacifying ingredients such as Shuddh guggulu (Commiphora mukul), Neem (Azadirachta indica), Amrita (Tinospora cordifolia), Gajapippali (Piper chaba), Shunthi (Zingiber officinalis), etc. The tablet is Tridoshahara, thus is very effective in maintaining the hormonal level in the body.
Recommended Dosage –Take 2 tablets twice daily with normal water.

4. Skin Care tablet
Skin care tablet is herbo mineral and purely ayurvedic formulation. It contains various herbs like Haridra khand, Panchnimba churna, Panchatikta guggulu, Patol patra, Ajmoda, Khadir chhal, Chirayta, Mulethi, Manjistha, Chopchini, Gandhak, etc. Skin care tablet is a blood purifying. It cools and detoxifies the blood, dissolves obstructions in the blood flow that further increase blood circulation of the skin. It minimises the blemishes, lighten sun tan, delay ageing of skin and heal skin problems. These tablet also act as a skin moistuirizer, Improves blood circulation, Remove blemishes, Reduce itching and burning sensation of skin, Prevent acne and pimples, Relieves leucoderma.
Recommended Dosage –Take 2 tablets twice daily with normal water.

5. Detox Premium Powder

• This is a herbo-mineral preparation that contains ingredients like Parwal Pishti, Giloy satv, Shukta Pishti, Kamdudha Ras, Gandhak Rasayan, etc.
• Parwal Pishti: This Pishti reduces inflammation, flaking, itching of the skin. The Pishti is composed of natural coral calcium processed with rose water.
• Shukta Pishti: It helps to balance the Pitta dosha in the body. All signs and symptoms related to Psoriasis patients are managed with this article.
• Giloy Satv: This satv is prepared from the herb Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia). The anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and analgesic properties of this herb deal with psoriasis easily.
• Kamdudha Ras: This herbal-mineral classical preparation balances Pitta dosha in the body.
• Gandhak Rasayana: This herbal preparation is used since ancient times for all types of skin disorders.
• Tal Sindoor: It contains ingredients like Shuddh parad, Aloe vera, Gandhak, etc that relieve redness in psoriasis patients.
• Akik Pishti: This Pishti reduces all types of Pitta related disorder hence it gives good results in psoriasis.

Recommended Dosage: Take 1 sachet twice daily with plain water.

6. Rose Serum

Rose Face Serum is purely herbal and Ayurvedic preparation. It contains pure rose extract which is used for thousands of years because it has nourishing, hydrating and soothing effect on skin. The other ingredients used like Winter cherry and goat milk have anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory properties and are loaded with essential vitamins that are helpful in various skin conditions like eczema, acne, pigmentation etc.

Method of Application – Use after face wash.