Alnernative therapies for acne?

Question

Ive suffered with Acne on my back since my teens, I have just finished another course of antibiotics and they've not done a thing for it.
I dont really like the idea of filling myself with anti biotics and was wondering if anyone knows of other treatment?
Im planning to get married next year and i cant face having a spotty back in my wedding dress!
Chinese herbs? Accupunture? anything!
Thanks x

Answer 1

HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT FOR ACNE / PIMPLES :-

Head remedy.Pimples worse during menses;worse after eating fats, sugar, coffee and meat Psorinum 200X or 1M weekly (3 Doses)

Pimples at the age of puberty with itching Asterias Rub 30X, 6 hourly

If Asterias rub fails; pustuler eruptions Kali Brom 30X, 6 hourly

Chronic cases; worse after taking eggs and during winter seasons Streptococcin.200X or 1M, weekly (3 Doses)

To clean the complexion Berberis Aquifolium Q(Mother Tincture) 4 hourly, 7 - 8 drops

Pimples; stools constipated like sheep's dung; worse from sea bathing Magnesia Mur.30X, 6 hourly

Acne of nose; better in damp weather Causticum.30X, 6 hourly

To cover tendency of pimples and to purify the blood Echinacea Q(Mother Tincture) 4 hourly, 5 - 10 drops

Acne rosacea.Pimples are painful for some distance around; worse during menstruation. Eugenia J Q(Mother Tincture) 4 hourly, 5 -10 drops

Pimples hard like flee bites, chilblains Agaricus Mus 30X or 200X, 6 hourly

Skin moist; pimples; digestion slow; flatulence; better fanning Carbo Veg 30X or 200X, 6 hourly

Rose colourd pimples; pale,waxy skin; chilly persons Silicea.200X or 1M weekly (3 Doses)

Acne in tuberculer patients Tuberculinum K 200X or 1M weekly (3 Doses)

Acne hard; indurated base with pustule at apex; night sweats Arsenic Iod 3X or 6X, 4 hourly

When above remedies fail (intercurrent remedy) Sulphur 200X or 1M weekly (3 Doses)

No side effects or complications if taken as directed, please do not exceed the given dosage and under any circumstances do not try to mix any remedies and avoid Chocolates, Mints, Coffee, Red Meat, Alcoholic and Carbonated drinks, Spicy Rich Food while taking any Homeopathic remedies, and keep the medicines away from direct sunlight, heat strong smells and perfumes and do not store them in the fridge.Curing without any side effects or Complications Thats the Beauty of Homeopathic Medicine

Take Care and God Bless !

Answer 2

First of all how is your diet? Changing your diet to the healthy side and drinking lots of water can help your skin in more ways then you think. Also could it be the soap that you are using? If you have really sensitive skin try using a soap die free and that has no purfumes. There are also soaps for body acne which might help. Also i can say this, although i have never used accupunture for acne i have used it for other things and it has worked wonders!! Just amazing! So you could give it a try or at least go in for a free visit and asked questions and see if they have any treatment options for your situation. good luck!

Answer 3

I've started having acupuncture for something else - found a really helpful woman quite close to where I live. Not only do I get the treatment but she also recommended supplements for me to take and a change of diet so that might be worthwhile for you. I had an initial consultation where we went through my problems and took it from there. If you went to a Chinese herbalist they would probably recommend acupuncture and herbs, along the same thing as a UK acupuncturist. Sometimes I've heard of sunbeds helping improve skin - although of course this can also be dangerous. Good luck.

Answer 4

I would try using Tea Tree Oil, or Oil of Cajeput. Both of these things open up the pores, and draw out any and all bacterium. They also act as an astringent. Even though these are oils, they can easily dry out your skin, so be sure to still use a good facial moisturizer. The only thing is you must be very very careful not to get any in your eyes, and the smell is strong, enough to make your eyes water the first few times. Then you get used to it. I used it every night on my back and chest before my wedding as I too suffer from "backne". Good Luck.

Answer 5

My friend had really bad achne and turned vegan, cut out all gluten too. She also make her own enemas!!! Also she uses... (don't cringe!).. urine therepy. Her acne has all but gone! I can find out more if you want me to.

Answer 6

strawberry leaf & cucumbers made into a mush and used as a skin scrub like an astringent, maybe clay mask will dry up the acne, vitamin E will prevent scarring

Answer 7

Acne is a condition in which a certain bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes) causes an inflammation in a skin pore which is blocked with sebum (whiteheads and blackheads.) The bacteria produce enzymes which break down the sebum, causing inflammation. Superficial acne occurs when it is near the surface. Deeper infection may result in cystic acne. Excess sebum is a result of an outpouring of testosterone, particularly in teenage males, though girls also can suffer from acne. Apparently, it is not so much the hormonal changes that produce testosterone that is the problem, as it is the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT,) the same villain that causes enlarged prostate and balding later in life.

Other factors also seem to be involved. Acne used to be viewed as a problem of colon health and that idea might be valid in some cases. One study confirmed that 50% of acne sufferers absorbed toxins from their intestines.

Another factor is an imbalance in essential fatty acids, especially from eating fried foods and trans-fats (margarine.) Milk contains hormones and should probably be avoided, too.

Certain chemicals and drugs can also cause acne. Drugs include hormones, corticosteroids, Dilantin™, and lithium carbonate. Many industrial pollutants which cause acne include machine oils, coal tar derivatives and chlorinated hydrocarbons.

Acne is treated by the medical mainstream with antibiotics, often chronic ingestion of antibiotics which ironically damage intestinal health and help destroy the immune system over time. It is also treated with various drying agents and skin peelers and abrasives, none of which is very effective. Severe acne is treated with Accutane™, a vitamin A derivative which can cause birth defects, liver problems and excessive cracking and drying of the skin and mucous membranes.

Eliminating acne starts with a diet rich in vitamins and minerals, especially Chromium, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Selenium and Zinc. Chromium is important because one researcher refers to acne as "skin diabetes." Acne patients do not metabolize sugar correctly and their skin cells do not uptake glucose because of insulin insensitivity, much like some diabetics. Insulin improves acne and one study showed that Chromium (which improves insulin sensitivity) resulted in rapid improvement in patients with acne. Chromium is synergistic with Niacin and they should be taken together. Magnesium also helps defeat insulin resistance.

Correcting a essential fatty acid imbalance alone can have impressive effects on acne. Bad fats should be restricted and a tablespoonful of Flax Seed Oil in low-fat cottage cheese should be taken daily to increase Omega-3 fatty acids. Perilla Oil may also be used. After some time on these oils (a few months) switch to an oil blend to avoid Omega-6 deficiency.

The conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) can be blocked with a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor such as saw palmetto extract. Although no studies have been done testing this on acne, it might be worth trying.

Zinc sulfate has shown results similar to the antibiotic tetracycline but with no side effects. A topical form of zinc has shown remarkable results in other skin disorders such as psoriasis and eczema. It may work as well in acne cases.

An extract of Oregon Grape Root has also shown extraordinary effectiveness against acne when used topically.

Vitamin B5, Pantothenic Acid, may be of value in high dosages. In one study of 100 Chinese, each was given Vitamin B5 in a dose of 2.5 grams, 4 times daily. They also applied a 20% B5 cream 4 to 6 times daily. After a day or two there was a noticeable decrease in sebum production. Within one or two weeks, eruptions declined and existing acne started to disappear. No side effects were noted. Another approach might be to use Coenzyme A which might give similar results more conveniently.

Vitamin A in emulsified form, especially at high doses, may act like the prescription drug Accutane™ for severe cystic acne. Certain cautions apply.

A 15% solution of Australian tea tree oil is at least as effective as 5% Benzoyl Peroxide and has no side effects (some people can develop contact dermatitis.) It kills 27 of 32 strains of P.acne. Also worth trying is Grapefruit seed (not grape seed) extract.

Azelaic acid is a substance used by mainstream medicine for acne.

Sulfur has been known to be effective in acne for years. A particular form of biological sulfur called MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) has anecdotally achieved excellent results in acne cases. It has no side effects.

Intestinal health should also be addressed with fiber and probiotics. An excellent fiber is flax seed powder. A probiotic which may be of immense help are the soil-based organisms. Champignon mushroom extract may also be useful as it neutralizes toxins in the intestines.

Regular detoxification, especially skin detoxification is also important, either through sweating (as in a sauna) or skin brushing. Similarly, exposure of skin to toxins such as chlorinated water may provoke acne and a water filter should be used to prepare water or bathing or showering. Washing the affected areas frequently will help remove excess oil and sebum, too. Exposure to sunshine or ultraviolet light also decreases acne