Acne Treatment

Acne vulgaris (the common acne) is very common malady of teenagers involving predominantly the face. Although many efforts have been tried to combat with this disease but still it exists as a troublesome problem in society. Modern science deals it mostly with a symptomatic approach. The disease requires correct and efficient long-term management, which produces social and psychological upset. Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the pilosebaceous units and characterized by formation of comedones (blackheads & whiteheads), papules, nodules, pustules, cysts, abscesses and scars. Four major factors are involved in the pathogenesis of acne though all the factors may not be present in one patient. They are – 

1. Increased sebum production: This can be due to increased levels of androgens or their active metabolites. Sebum disintegrates into free fatty acids, which are irritating.

2. Abnormal microbial flora: Increased levels of propionibacterium acne contribute to inflammation and irritation. But acne is not infectious.

3. Follicular wall and sebaceous duct hyperkeratinization: leads to blockage of retention of sebum.

4. Inflammation

Contribution of all these factors leads to the classical clinical features of acne.

Acne is common in both sexes after puberty. It is more severe in males. It is polymorphic disease involving mainly the face. Other seborrhoeic areas of body like back, chest and shoulders are involved in severe cases.

Emotional stress is known to aggravate acne. Sweating also aggravates them. Premenstrual flare up is known to occur in females but diet has not been proved to have any effect on acne. Familial predisposition is known.

Ayurveda 'the science of Healing' definitely have a solution for this. Ayurveda considers Vata, Pitta and Kapha as building blocks of body constitution and it deals with the diseases by applying various Medical, Surgical and Parasurgical methods of treatment.

In Ayurvedic medicinal texts this disease is mentioned as Tarunya Pitika. The etiopathology of the disease is considered due to vitiated Blood (Rakta Dushti) along with vitiated Kapha and Vata. Vitiated Kapha blocks the normal excretory function of skin and get the waste material stagnated inside, producing symptoms like itching, pustules and nodules formation. Vitiated Rakta that also get stagnated and produces multiple irruptions, redness, raised local temperature, thick bloody discharge from the boils and abscess formation. Then irritation, blackish discoloration and ugly scar formation is worked out by Vitiated Vata. Here the principle of Kha Vaigunya i.e. weak portion of the body where vitiated Doshas gets stagnated, works to produce various symptoms of the disease. To get rid of the problem, this pathophysiology of the disease should be break down and for this purpose the disease causing vitiated doshas should be either removed from the body or to be purified with local and systemic medication.

Raktamokshan (Blood letting) is a well-accepted treatment for Vitiated Rakta Dosha. As only the circulating blood is acts as a carrier of all vitiated doshas and responsible for the disease producing pathology, the process of removing this stagnated blood i.e. Raktamokshan will prove significant to treat the disease. Leech application for Raktamokshan is one of the Para surgical methods described by Sushruta. The affected tissue here remains congested with the stasis of blood and Leech therapy improves microcirculation to tissues by removing this stagnated and vitiated blood. Hirudotherapy also improves capillary tissue perfusion and thus supplying proper levels of Oxygen and Nourishment to skin. Similarly, the Sheet and Madhur properties of Jalauka (Leech) pacify the provoked Rakta resulting into resolution of the disease.

Trials were carried out working on this line of treatment and proved very beneficial. Dramatic improvement was observed not only in symptomatology but also in skin luster and glow.

•                  Much better results can be obtained with supplementation of internal medicine and local application of Lepa (Face pack).

•                  Face pack made up of Lodhra(Symlocos racemosus), Vacha(Acorus Calamus), Dhanyak(Coriandrum Sativum), Chandan(Santalum album) and Ushir(Vettiveria Zizanioides) is very beneficial.

•                  Smooth paste of Jatiphala(Myristica Fragrance) will help to remove black spots of remnants of acne.

•                  Blood purifiers like Sariva(Hemidesmus Indicus), Anantmula(Tylophora Asthmatica), Guduchi(Tinospora Cordifolia) and Manjishtha(Rubia Cordifolia) are used for internal medication.

Above mentioned Ayurvedic line of treatment gives very significant result in management of Acne Vulgaris and will be very beneficial to society by relieving the physical and psychological upset which is caused by this disease.