Educate yourself about alternative medical treatments available for specific diseases and conditions. This site is presented to help you research alternative medical treatments, natural and herbal remedies and different ways of thinking about how to solve specific medical problems.  Please read our disclaimer.

Alternative Treatments for Acne

Alternative treatments for acne have been used by people in other cultures for many years.  Some treatments are very effective for some people.  Others may only work because the patient believes they will work, much like the way placebos sometimes work in medical experiments.  However, we believe that the more you know about the options, the more you will be able to make intelligent, informed decisions about the medical treatment, which may be right for you and your particular medical conditions.  Please read our disclaimer.

About Acne:

Acne is an incredibly common skin disease that most commonly results in the reddening and inflammation of persons’ face, neck, shoulders and back. Acne occurs where hair follicle cells exist, most notably above the upper torso. Changes in these follicles that are still not understood by the medical community result in the excessive shedding of cells that block the skin and the release of oils from under the skin. Then these oils and the blocked cells assist and exaggerate the growth of bacteria underneath the skin that result in inflammation and redness. Acne is most common during teenage years, when the body is undergoing hormonal changes. However, acne is not uncommon after late teenage and the early twenties and many people, more commonly women can undergo flare-ups any time in their lives. The most detrimental effects of acne are psychological. Thankfully, as acne is so common there are many home remedies for the prevention and reduction of acne.

• If you are using makeup, you should examine its components. Oil-based makeup only exaggerates the presence of detrimental oil that lead to acne. Thus, it is best to avoid all oil-based makeup and the water-based alternative is preferable.
   
• Avoid over-washing your face. While it is important to keep your face clean and daily remove the oils the can accumulate on the skin surface, excessive washing can irritate the skin and make acne worse. Therefore, stick to washing your face once or twice a day. Further, when washing the face try to avoid washing it too harshly for the same reason. It is always best to wash your face gently and thoroughly rather than brashly.
   
• Avoid touching your face throughout the day. Examining your pimples with your fingers and resting your head in hands when tired can irritate acne and inflame areas of the face even more.
   
• Try to prevent yourself from picking at and squeezing pimples. Often, popping pimples leads to further inflammation because it spreads the contents of the pimple over and underneath the skin. Unfortunately, popping some pimples can result in permanent scarring.
   
• Drinking water (4-8 glasses a day) is not only good for your general health, it also helps with acne problems, as does getting 7-8 hours of sleep each night.
   
• Ensure that if you are planning on a facial or exfoliation that the administrator understands how to treat and work with acne-prone skin. Many times exfoliations aggravate the skin and facials can do more harm than good.
   
• Don’t obsess over your diet. Chocolate and potato chips that are commonly associated with and attributed to causes of acne are not detrimental and have little correlation. Chocolate does not cause acne and the main danger of potato chips is wiping the grease and oil from the products on the chips on your face.

The strongest correlation between diet and acne has been shown with partially skimmed dairy products. Controversial research suggests that the consumption of milk, cottage and cream cheese that is not non-fat may increase the prevalence of acne. However, the exact correlation is still unclear and it is best to examine your personal reactions to such products on an individual basis.

Have questions about Alternative Treatments?

We recommend that you review the information about physical therapy on this website, look at the alternative medical treatments on the appropriate websites, do your own independent research, talk with your doctor or other medical professional and learn as much as you can before making the decision that is right for you.  We are not qualified to answer medical, behavioral or health related questions, so please do not ask.