Acne Articles

I know what it's like to suffer from severe acne. As a teenager, I experienced constant and extreme acne outbreaks all over my face and shoulders. It was gross. It was embarrassing. It wrecked my self-esteem. And it meant I spent a lot of time at the dermatologist's office. I experienced every conventional treatment known at the time. From chemically-laden, over-the-counter acne cleansers to the latest fad prescription drugs, I tried it all--to no avail. The acne persisted, despite all the best efforts of conventional Western medicine.

The Dangers of Conventional Acne Treatments

Years later, in the course of my research as a homeopathic practitioner, I found out that many conventional acne treatments are known to cause frightening side effects in those who take them:

• Isotretinoin, prescribed for severe acne and one of the most popular treatments today, can cause depression, psychosis, and suicidal tendencies. Associated with liver damage, ulcerations of the cornea, and intense abdominal pain, this treatment can also cause birth defects in unborn children.
• Antibiotics are often prescribed to kill the bacteria that cause acne inflammation and infection. Overuse of this treatment tends to create super strains of bacteria that resist antibiotic treatment. Antibiotics are also known to kill healthy flora in the body, and often create yeast infections in women.
• Retinoids, often prescribed for topical or oral acne treatment, are also associated with birth defects in unborn children.
• Benzoyl Peroxide, found in many popular over-the-counter acne creams and cleansers, is now recognized as a free-radical generator. That means it's carcinogenic, and repeated application can increase one's chances of getting cancer.

Yikes! I think it's hard enough to be a teenager without adding the pressure of dangerous, depression-causing drugs into the mix. No teen -- nor adult, for that matter -- should have to take an acne treatment drug that might cause suicidal thoughts or set the stage for cancer later in life. So, in support of acne-ridden teens everywhere, I began to research homeopathic remedies and blend topical homeopathic lotions that would gently rid the body of acne without making anyone feel like jumping off a bridge.

Homeopathy Offers All-Natural, Effective Acne Treatments

One of the things I discovered as a young adult is that diet holds a key to health, inside and out. When I cut out soda and excess sugar, and started incorporating loads of fresh fruits and veggies into my diet, my skin cleared up considerably. So I heartily encourage my acne-prone clients to review their diets and make changes if they tend to eat lots of sugar, soda, or processed foods. Further, because chronic acne tends to be a signal of greater imbalance in the body, I always encourage people to pursue constitutional homeopathy with a goal of restoring optimum balance to internal systems. However, for occasional or acute acne flare-ups, many of my friends, family members, and clients have had great success using the homeopathic remedies of Sulphur, Kali Bromatum, Pulsatilla, and Causticum. While one remedy might work best for one person, another remedy might be more in alignment with another person's overall bodily systems. So it's very important to take a detective-like approach when understanding what works best for you. Try one remedy and note how it works. If the symptoms remain, then try the next suggested remedy. Continue like this until you have found the suggested remedy that works for you. Further, you do not need to keep taking homeopathic remedies once the symptoms have disappeared. Because remedies work by stimulating the body to heal itself, the body does not require ongoing homeopathic medication. Often only one-to-three doses is all it takes. Later, if you experience another acne flare-up, put yourself through another round of remedies. Finally, it is my firm belief that topical application of remedies works far better and more quickly than oral remedies -- particularly for a skin- or muscle-based condition. When seeking the right remedy or combination of remedies for acne treatment, look for topically applied remedies for best results.