Acne

• Nutmeg paste made with milk
• Cumin paste
• Red sandalwood and turmeric powder made with milk
• A mixture of one part sandalwood oil and two parts mustard oil
• Paste of thorn of silk cotton tree made with milk
• Paste of equal parts of Suddha tankana (borax) and Shukti bhasma in honey
• Paste of equal parts of nutmeg, Raktachandan and black pepper powder Compound formulations like Kumkumadi taila, Mukhadushikahara lepa, Mukhadushikahara avachuma and Sarivadyarishta
• Sandalwood or Sukthi bhasma or turmeric

Homeopathic Treatments
The following homeopathic remedies have been found useful in treating acne:

• Antimonium tartaricum: For acne with large pustules that are tender to touch, with bluish-red marks that remain on the skin after active infection has passed.
• Calcarea carbonica: Best for people who are easily fatigued, or overweight, or chilly with clammy hands and feet, and suffering from frequent pimples and skin eruptions. This remedy may help improve the skin's resistance to infection.
• Hepar sulphuris calcareum: For sensitive, painful sores and pimples that are slow to come to a head, easily infected, and/or slow to heal. The pimples are very sensitive to touch and slow to come to a head and often accompanied by offensive-smelling pus.
• Pulsatilla: For acne that is aggravated by heat and fatty foods. Especially effective for adolescents and for breakouts that accompany menstrual periods.
• Silicea (also called Silica): Best for patients with deep-seated acne, low immune resistance, swollen lymph nodes, and a tendency toward fatigue. Helpful if infected spots are slow to come to a head, and also slow to resolve.
• Sulphur: Good for itching, sore, inflamed eruptions with reddish or dirty-looking skin. Can help in cases where itching is made worse from scratching or warm water.

Naturopathic Treatments
There are several topical treatments that can help soothe or reduce acne:

• Neem leaves, basil and menthol. Make a paste of the three ingredients and apply as a pack for half an hour and wash with warm water. This will reduce the infection and inflammation, and also speed up healing.
• Tea tree oil helps eliminate the bacterial strain associated with acne, and may also help reduce inflammations of the skin.
• Black clay can be applied on lesions, exposed to sun light and washed after half an hour. Clay removes the dead cells and speeds up the healing. (Use only if there is no infection)
• Hot steam or hot herbal compresses can help reduce inflammation for pustules and cysts.

A short fast with fruit juices or vegetable juices from a few days to a week or more will speed up healing. People who can't fast should eat only fruits and raw vegetables for a few days or at least 24 hours.

Nutritional Therapy
Some people with acne report that certain drinks and foods (particularly nuts) worsen their symptoms. Studies have yet to confirm a scientific link between diet and acne, but people with this skin condition should avoid substances that appear to aggravate their symptoms. As usual, it's best to avoid additives, artificial coloring, sugar and salt, and high fats. Also, be sure you are getting enough Vitamin C.

Preliminary studies indicate that the zinc may be an effective treatment for inflammatory acne.

Psychotherapy and Counseling
Emotional stress can worsen acne. Studies have shown that relaxation therapies such as biofeedback together with cognitive imagery may improve acne symptoms. Hypnosis also may enhance the effectiveness of treatments for acne.

Exercise Therapy
Teenagers are highly susceptible to acne because of hormonal changes. Studies have shown that teenagers who exercise have milder outbreaks of acne than those who do not, because exercise counter-balances hormonal stresses and also improves circulation and perspiration.

• Clean skin gently with a mild, non-drying soap, once or twice a day, including after exercise. Remove all dirt or make-up. However, avoid excessive or repeated skin washing.
• Shampoo hair daily, especially if it's oily. Comb or pull hair back to keep it out of your face. Avoid tight headbands.
• Try not to squeeze, scratch, pick, or rub the pimples, as doing so can lead skin infections and permanent scarring.
• Avoid touching your face with your hands or fingers.
• Avoid greasy cosmetics or creams. Look for water-based, non-comedogenic products. Take make-up off at night.

1. Hormonal changes related to menstrual periods, pregnancy, birth control pills, or stress.
2. Greasy or oily cosmetic and hair products.
3. Certain drugs (such as steroids, testosterone, estrogen, and phenytoin).
4. High levels of humidity and sweating.

There are several different kinds of acne lesions:

• Open comedones (blackheads) " plugged follicles that reach the surface of the skin. Although dark in appearance, blackheads do not indicate the presence of dirt.
• Closed comedones (whiteheads) " clogged follicles that stay beneath the skin. Whiteheads usually appear on the skin as round, white bumps roughly 1 to 2 mm in diameter.
• Papules " inflamed lesions that appear as small, pink bumps on the skin.
• Pustules (pimples) " inflamed pus-filled lesions that are red at the base.
• Cysts and nodules " large, inflamed, pus-filled lesions that are lodged deep, causing pain and scarring of the skin.