From an Ayurvedic perspective, acne(known as Yuvan pidika) is primarily caused by an imbalance in the pitta dosha, PITTA- Inflammation, redness, burning, pus KAPHA- oily skin, comedones, whiteheads, cysts VATA- scarring, pigmentation, dryness
CONTRIBUTING FACTORS -impaired digestion->(Mandagni->Ama) -Blood impurities(rakta dushti) -Hormonal imbalance(especially in women) -Improper skin hygiene -Stress, lack of sleep, poor lifestyle
TREATMENT GOALS 1)balance pitta and clears toxins 2)improve digestion- agni deepana 3)blood purification- rakta sodhana 4)regulate hormones 5)promote skin healing and scar reduction
TREATMENT PLANNED FOR YOU
INTERNAL 1)GANDHAK RASAYANA- 1 tab twice daily after meals= 8-12 weeks continue
2)AROGYAVARDHINI VATI- 1 tab twice daily after meals= 12 weeks
3)NIMBADI GUGGULU- 2 tabs twice daily after meals= 8-12 weeks
4)MAHAMANJISTHADI KWATH- 20 ml+40 ml water twice daily before meals= 3+ months
5)SARIVADYASAVA- 15ml+equal water after meals twice daily= 2 months
PANCHAKARMA ADVISED IF FEASIBLE -VIRECHANA(purgation) -RAKTAMOKSHAANA(leech therapy) -NASYA(nasal drops)
EXTERNAL APPLICATIONS
1)CLEANSER(daily use) -Triphala decoction(cooled)- use as a gentle wash -Neem water- antibacterial -Herbal face wash with turmeric, aloe, neem
2)FACEPACKS(2-3 TIMES/WEEK)
-multani mitti+ neem powder+ turmeric+ rose water= anti-acne, reduces oil, clears pores
-Sandalwood powder+milk+manjistha powder= for pigmentation, cooling effect
-Massor dal paste + milk or rose water= lightens acne scars
apply for 15-20 minutes, wash off with cool water.
3)OILS FOR ACNE MARKS AND GLOW -KUMKUMADI TAILA- scar reduction, pigmentation lightening, glow -JATYADI TAILA(if active acne present)- anti-inflammatory, heals eruptions -NEEM OIL(DILUTED)- potent antibacterial
apply thin layer before bed
DIET:-
EAT -BITTER AND ASTRINGENT TASTES- neem, bitter gourd, amla, bottle gourd -COOLING FOODS- coconut water, cucumber, coriander -FRUITS- amla, pomegranate, guava, apple -WHOLE GRAINS- red rice, barley, wheat(avoid polished rice) -WATER- warm water, triphala-soaked water(overnight infusion) -DETOX TEAS- cumin-fennel-coriander seed decoction
AVOID -milk+salt, curd+fruits, banana+mmilk-> virrudha ahara(incompatible) -excess oily, fried, spicy, sour foods-pickles, chips -chocolates, ice creams, caffeinated and carbonated drinks -late night meals, irregular eating -smoking, alcohol, junk food
LIFESTYLE GUIDELINES -wake up before 6 AM- aligns with brahma muhurta, boosts healing
-Oil massage- 2 times/week with neem oil or coconut oil
-Yoga- Suryanamaskar, sarvangasana, matsyasana, trikonasana etc
-PRANAYAM- anulom vilom, sheetali, bhramari- cools pitta
-Adequate sleep- 7-8 hours of undisturbed sleep crucial for skin regeneration
-Face hygiene- don’t touch face often, clean pillow covers weekly, avoid harsh scrubbing.
MENTAL - EMOTIONAL -chronic skin disorders often correlate with repressed emotions, stress, or frustration -Daily 10 minute meditation, journaling, or mantra chanting helps reduce cortisol, which worsen acne.
DO FOLLOW
HOPE THIS MIGHT BE HELPFUL
THANK YOU
DR. MAITRI ACHARYA
For managing face acne, acne scars, large open pores, body acne, and dark circles, Ayurveda offers holistic solutions by addressing root causes like dosha imbalances and poor digestion. Here’s a structured approach incorporating these principles:
1. Acne and Acne Scars: Balance pitta dosha, often associated with skin inflammations. Incorporate cooling foods like cucumber, cilantro, and bitter gourd into your diet. Drink neem tea or apply neem paste externally to calm the skin and reduce acne. Turmeric is another excellent herb for acne. You can make a paste with turmeric and water, applying it on affected areas, but ensure you do not leave it too long to avoid staining the skin.
2. Large open pores: Focus on supporting skin elasticity and cleansing. Use a face mask made from fuller’s earth (multani mitti) once a week. It helps in absorbing excess oils and tightening the skin. Rose water can be applied as a toner, helping to close pores and refresh the skin.
3. Body Acne: Maintain body hygiene and avoid tight clothing that can trap sweat and oils. For a natural body scrub, mix chickpea flour with a pinch of turmeric and water, gently exfoliating in the shower. Consistent aloe vera application can aid in reducing inflammation too.
4. Dark Circles: They may result from lack of sleep or increased pitta or vata. Try an adequate sleep routine by going to bed before 10 PM. Make a paste of almond oil and honey, applying it lightly under eyes before sleep for nourishment. Regular consumption of amalaki (Indian gooseberry) can also improve skin texture and tones.
5. General Lifestyle Tips: Focus on a diet low in spicy, fried and oily foods to prevent aggravated pitta dosha. Try yoga and meditation to manage stress, which can influence all these conditions. Practice oil pulling in the morning with sesame oil, which enhances overall skin health by removing toxins from the body.
Each of these remedies requires regular application and patience. If symptoms persist or worsen, consulting a dermatologist or healthcare provider is recommended to rule out any other underlying conditions.
Acne, scars, and related issues often indicate an imbalance in the body, particularly concerning the doshas. In Ayurveda, these skin conditions are often linked to an imbalance in the Pitta dosha, which is responsible for heat and metabolism. Let’s explore a few Ayurvedic remedies and practices to address these concerns.
For face acne and body acne, integrating neem paste into your skincare routine can be beneficial. Neem has anti-bacterial properties that help combat the root causes of acne. Create a paste by grinding fresh neem leaves with water, and apply it to the affected areas for 15-20 minutes before rinsing it off. Use this treatment twice a week.
To minimize acne scars, consider using a sandalwood and rosewater mixture. Sandalwood is known for its cooling properties and helps reduce Pitta imbalance, thereby fading scars over time. Mix a small amount of sandalwood powder with rosewater to form a paste. Apply this to scars daily and allow it to dry before gently washing it away with lukewarm water.
Large open pores can benefit from regular steam treatments. Add a few drops of tea tree oil to a bowl of hot water and take steam for about 10 minutes, twice weekly. This helps to cleanse the pores and reduce their visibility over time.
For dark circles, a paste made from turmeric and pure almond oil can be effective. Gently apply this paste to the under-eye area before bed and rinse off in the morning. Turmeric reduces pigmentation while almond oil nourishes the skin.
It’s crucial to reduce high-Pitta foods like spicy, oily, and fried foods. Favor a cooling, Pitta-pacifying diet with fresh fruits, leafy greens, and plenty of hydration. Practicing regular meditation or yoga can also help balance doshas and reduce stress.
Ensure you sleep well, manage stress, and maintain good hygiene. If these methods don’t bring improvement over time or if the condition worsens, it may be wise to consult with a healthcare professional to rule out any underlying serious conditions.
