Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine can assist with breaking the acne cycle.  End the frustration of acne breakouts and achieve clearer, healthy skin without harsh chemicals or toxic medications.  By combining facial cosmetic acupuncture, micro-needling, and Chinese herbal medicine we can effectively break the acne cycle and support healthy skin and balance the body.

 

There are many different types of acne that can be addressed via Chinese Medicine: cystic, whiteheads, blackheads, pustules, papules, nodules; each of these can vary in degrees of severity and can be cyclic in presentation.  Acne can be traumatic for patients causing stress and anxiety; treatment can address the physical acne and any mental issues associated with it. 

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Acne scarring and dark pigmentation can also be addressed and improved; treatment can soften the pitting and uneven skin surface by increasing blood circulation and stimulating collagen in the affected area, promoting healthy skin renewal and growth. The addition of micro-needling is quite effective .  MicroNeedling is a cosmetic procedure which involves needling the skin with tiny sterilized needles which are delivered via an FDA approved medical device that resembles a pen.  These needles create micro-traumas to the skin which in turn trigger your body to deliver new collagen and elastin to the area, thus leading to visual improvement of the affected site.  Micro-needling is schedule once per month alongside weekly acupuncture visits.

 

In general, Chinese Medicine sees most types of acne as a form of toxic heat in the body.  An analogy of toxic heat and acne is that of lava bubbling inside a volcano and erupting when the heat builds up and has no where to go but out.  Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine are very effective in resolving the toxic heat in your body.  Through consistent treatment, herbal therapy, and maintaining a cleaner diet, acne can be effectively managed and resolved.

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Cystic acne is one type of acne that is commonly seen in clinic.  Cystic acne can appear as large pimples that are hard and very painful.  They present on the cheeks, chin and mouth area, jawline, and neck; breakouts can last up to 2 weeks before the cysts subside, as they never really come to a head.  Cystic acne sometimes begins after ceasing oral contraception, while some have break outs most of their life.  Cystic acne can affect anyone from teenagers to adults, though it seems to affect women more often.

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How long does it take to see results?  Acupuncture is a cumulative therapy so frequency in visits is very important for lasting results.  Keep in mind that if you have had acne issues for some time, it could take a little time to resolve, so patience is key.  This is why increased frequency is especially important during early treatment; beginning initially at twice a week then moving to weekly visits once the process is flowing and results are evident.  We remain at weekly treatments until we move into a maintenance treatment level of once to twice a month.  These are highly suggested treatment suggestions for optimal treatment results.  Of course results vary, but with regular consistent treatment, patients are very satisfied with their results; and with routine acupuncture maintenance visits, results can be maintained.

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MicroNeedling and LED Light Therapy are the ideal add-on therapies to facial cosmetic acupuncture; these therapies accelerate the healing process and are highly recommended, often leading to quicker results.​