AYURVEDIC CURE FOR ACNE
Q For the past year, I’ve been having pimples all over my face. Is there any ayurvedic remedy?
A Factors that contribute to the formation of acne are overproduction of oil, irregular shedding of dead skin cells and buildup of bacteria.
Sebaceous glands secrete an oily substance known as sebum to lubricate your hair and skin. The glands, however, go into overdrive when our hormones surge. This is why teens get acne. Excess sebum and build-up of dead skin cells in hair follicles result in whiteheads/blackheads. All types of acne – blackheads, whiteheads, pimples and cysts – develop when pores in our skin get clogged. As the bacteria multiply in a clogged pore, the pore becomes inflamed. An acne cyst forms when inflammation reaches deep into the skin.
Acne treatments work by reducing oil production and by fighting bacterial infection.
Avoid oily or greasy cosmetics, sunscreens and hair-styling products. Use products labeled ‘water-based’. Keep hair clean and off the face. Picking or squeezing acne can cause infection or scarring. Use gentle soaps and do not scrub skin too hard when washing.
To prevent acne from forming, exfoliate your skin regularly. Wash your face twice a day. Once daily, mix equal parts of lemon juice and cucumber juice. Pat mixture on your face, wait for 10 minutes and rinse with warm water followed by a cool water rinse.
Drink plenty of water; include leafy vegetables and sources of vitamin A and zinc in your diet. Vitamin A reduces the secretion of oils from the glands and also prevents dead skin cells from sticking together. Zinc fights infection and arrests spread of skin bacteria. Internal use of herbs like neem, thriphala, turmeric and dried ginger works well for acne problems. Use a paste of Thriphala powder to wash your face.
Apply a mixture of lemon juice and cucumber juice to get rid of acne scars.
Favour fresh, whole organic foods, leafy green vegetables, sweet juicy fruits, legume soups and olive oil.
Apply a paste made by mixing 3 tbsp honey and 1 tsp cinnamon powder on pimples and wash it next morning.
Apply a mixture of 1 tsp lemon juice and 1 tsp cinnamon powder.
Gently rub freshly-cut garlic or onion on and around pimples.
Use an exfoliating mask with papaya once a week Apply a paste of green gram powder and kasthoori manjal (a type of turmeric) in equal quantity mixed with adequate quantity milk to fade the pimple marks.
Internal use of ayurvedic medicines like Nimbadi kashayam, Manjishtadi kashayam, Patoladi kashayam, Thriphala choornam, etc are beneficial in the acne treatment.
Please consult an ayuredic physician for a detailed consultation and to rule out any underlying problem.