What is the Reason For Acne and its Ayurvedic Treatment
by Dr Vaid Ji on Jul 06, 2024
Reasons for Acne
Acne can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
1. Hormonal Changes: Hormonal fluctuations during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, or due to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can lead to increased oil production, causing acne.
2. Excess Sebum Production: Overactive sebaceous glands produce excess oil, which can clog pores and lead to acne.
3. Bacterial Infection: The bacterium Propionibacterium acnes can infect clogged pores, leading to inflammation and acne.
4. Clogged Pores: Dead skin cells, oil, and other debris can block hair follicles, resulting in acne.
5. Diet: Diets high in refined sugars, dairy products, and unhealthy fats can contribute to acne.
6. Stress: Stress can trigger or worsen acne by increasing hormone levels that stimulate oil production.
7. Genetics: A family history of acne can increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
8. Cosmetic Products: Certain makeup and skincare products can clog pores and lead to acne.
9. Medications: Some medications, such as corticosteroids, androgens, and lithium, can cause or worsen acne.
Ayurvedic Approach to Treat Acne
Ayurveda treats acne by addressing the underlying imbalances and purifying the body. The approach involves dietary and lifestyle changes, herbal remedies, and Panchakarma therapies. The treatment often includes the following steps:
1. Dosha Assessment: Identify the aggravated doshas (primarily Pitta) through diagnostic methods like Nadi Pareeksha (pulse diagnosis).
2. Diet and Lifestyle Changes: Specific dietary and lifestyle recommendations to balance the doshas and reduce acne.
3. Herbal Remedies: Ayurvedic herbs such as Neem, Turmeric, Manjistha, and others are used to purify the blood, reduce inflammation, and promote skin health.
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 Face 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.
Panchakarma Therapies for Acne
Panchakarma therapies are designed to detoxify the body and balance the doshas. For acne, specific Panchakarma therapies include:
1. Vamana (Therapeutic Emesis): Induced vomiting to eliminate excess Kapha and toxins from the body, often used when acne is associated with digestive issues.
2. Virechana (Purgation Therapy): Use of purgative herbs to cleanse the intestines and eliminate excess Pitta, which is often linked to acne.
3. Nasya (Nasal Administration): Administering medicated oils or powders through the nose to cleanse the nasal passages and balance doshas.
4. Raktamokshana (Bloodletting): A procedure to purify the blood, which can help reduce acne caused by blood impurities.
5. Lepa (Herbal Pastes): Application of herbal pastes to the affected areas to reduce inflammation, kill bacteria, and promote healing.
6. Abhyanga (Ayurvedic Massage): Full-body massage with medicated oils to improve circulation and detoxify the body.
7. Swedana (Sudation Therapy): Inducing sweat to open pores and eliminate toxins through the skin.
Treatment Protocol
1. Initial Consultation: Thorough assessment to determine the individual's constitution, dosha imbalance, and specific causes of acne.
2. Diet and Lifestyle Advice: Personalized recommendations to support healing and prevent further aggravation of symptoms.
3. Herbal Medicines: Prescription of specific herbs and formulations to purify the blood, reduce inflammation, and support overall skin health.
4. Panchakarma Therapy: A series of detoxification and rejuvenation treatments tailored to the individual's needs.
5. Topical Treatments: Application of herbal pastes and oils to treat acne externally.
6. Follow-up and Maintenance: Regular follow-up to monitor progress and make necessary adjustments to the treatment plan.
By incorporating these Ayurvedic principles and therapies, acne can be effectively managed, promoting clear and healthy skin.