Rated Acupoints
Acupuncture treatment for Acne
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Acne is a known chronic inflammatory condition which is very common and quite visible in the skin. This condition most commonly affects areas where the sebaceous glands are largest and most abundant such as the face, anterior trunk and upper back.1 Typical acne is characterized by comedones known also as blackheads, which are no more than dilated pores with a plug of keratin. Severe acne is characterized by whiteheads (small cream-colored, dome-shaped papules), red papules, pustules or cysts. Acne is very common, affecting 80% of young adults, 54% of adult women and 40% of adult men (mainly those in their early or mid-20s).2
CONTENTS
SYMPTOMS
CAUSES
TREATMENTS
SYMPTOMS
In fact, acne symptoms are different from one person to another. However, the most common include whiteheads, blackheads, small red and tender bumps, pimples, nodules and cystic lesions. 3
CAUSES
The real cause of acne is not clear, since there are many factors such as hormonal changes, heredity/genetics, drugs, cosmetics, alcohol, and smoking among others.4 At the same time, risk factors for the development of acne are not identified other than genetics; indeed secondary contributors include infections, diet, stress and smoking to some extent.5 Sunlight and cleanliness are not associated with acne.6
TREATMENTS
Typical acne treatment aimes at decreasing inflammation as well as alleviating discomfort while improving appearance and always preventing scarring and emotional distress.7 There are plenty of effective medications available for acne, although side-effects—such as local irritation, dry skin, high cholesterol, and increased risk of depression—are always a matter of concern.8 Over-the-counter preparations and herbal remedies are also common as well as skin- hygiene routines including dietary modifications are often prescribed.9 In addition to prescription medications, traditional chinese therapies are used to treat acne in many parts of Asia including China as well. One such therapy is acupoint stimulation. However, several methods can be applied: acupuncture with needles, moxibustion, which involves the controlled burning of material typically mugwort or Artemisia vulgaris herb, at certain points or areas of the body surface; cupping therapy, which involves applying suction by placing a vacuumed, usually by fire cup or jar on acupoints to increase blood flow or hemostasis; acupoint injection, which involves injecting medication into an acupuncture point and acupoint embedding, which involves embedding in the skin over the acupoint a small needle.10
Acupoint-stimulation methods are based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). TCM states that acne is caused by a combination of several pathogenic factors. These include intense lung heat or stomach heat, damp (humidity)–heat with blood stasis (congestion), and qi (vital energy or life force) stagnation (inactivity). As the condition continues, pathogenic heat rises and accumulates in the skin and tissues which brings on the lesions.11 Therefore, potential mechanisms of acupoint stimulation for acne include relieving heat toxicity, eliminating dampness (humidity), regulating the qi (life force) and blood, while always enhancing the immunologic function. Some studies also mention that acupuncture can stimulate and balance androgen (male hormone) levels to properly inhibit excess secretion of the sebaceous gland.12
Some known acne related acupuncture points include:
ST-2, ST-3, G-20, GV-24.5, BL-23, BL-10.
Other related acupuncture points include:
LI-11 LI-4 LU-5 LI-11 ST-44 GV-14 LI-11 SP-10 SP-9
Footnotes
- Treatment of acne with topical antibiotics: Lessons from clinical studies – Br J Dermatol – 2005, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16086756
- Acne vulgaris: Review and guidelines – Dermatol Nurs – 2009, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19507372
- Questions and answers about acne – National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases – 2016, https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/acne
- Acne – patient.info – 2017, http://patient.info/health/acne-leaflet
- Epidemiology of acne vulgaris – BJD – 2013, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23210645
- Acne Vulgaris in children and adolescents – Minerva Pediatrica – 2011, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21909065
- Acne Vulgaris, II: Treatment – Cutis – 2002, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19507372
- Acupoint Stimulation for Acne: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials – Med Acupunct – 2013, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3689157/
- Acne Vulgaris – BMJ – 2002, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12202330
- Acupoint Stimulation for Acne: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials – Med Acupunct – 2013, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3689157
- Manual of Dermatology in Chinese Medicine: Acne and rosacea – Eastland Press – 1995, https://www.abebooks.com/Manual-Dermatology-Chinese-Medicine-Shen-De-Hui/208908522/bd
- Acupoint Stimulation for Acne: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials – Med Acupunct – 2013, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3689157/
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