Hello there, my name is Courtney and I’d like to tell you about how I sought the help of Chinese Medicine to treat acne naturally and bring about a lasting resolution.
My relationship with my skin has permeated much deeper than the superficial connective tissue that holds me together and at times it has torn me apart. The acne on my face was a constant alarm bell ringing in my mind. For years, it was my first thought in the morning and my last thought at night. It wasn’t until recently, that I realised the alarm bell has finally stopped ringing and my skin is completely differenI suffered with acne to varying degrees for many years, but it was whilst I was completing my clinical internship in China that things really went awry. Subtle signs of hormonal imbalance had slowly been bubbling away throughout my early 20s, manifesting as irregular periods, PMS (premenstrual symptoms) and stubborn little pimples. Then with the addition of stress and a foreign environment, these symptoms boiled over into painful, cystic acne and I was no longer getting a monthly period. Upon my return from China, my acne was the worst it had ever been, I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and I was at an all time low.
Being a Chinese Medicine Practitioner, naturally I turned to cosmetic acupuncture. I committed to regular cosmetic acupuncture treatments and drinking Chinese herbs every day. The facial treatments incorporated a series of products including an oil cleanser, herbal poultice, clay mask and serum all infused with Chinese herbs, which specifically target acne troubled skin. These products helped to balance excess oil production, calm inflammation and encourage healing. Most importantly, facial needling was an integral part of targeting active pimples and areas of concern, mostly my cheeks and jawline, where acne tended to accumulate. Jade rolling and GuaSha were also implemented, initially to reduce redness and swelling and later to build collagen and promote skin repair from scarring. (It goes without saying that as a consequence I have since undertaken training and up-skilled in order to provide these incredible treatments for my patients.)
Over this time, I also became aware of how many of my seemingly “healthy” habits were not only detrimental to my health, but were perpetuating my problem-skin and period issues. I was engaging in daily exercise, a mix of cardio, HIIT and yoga, eating an almost exclusively vegetarian diet and limiting my sugar, dairy and alcohol intake. Somehow that all seemed to be working against me, I was wired and oh so tired. It was time I stopped running my body into the ground and started replenishing my resources. For me, this meant regular acupuncture treatments and refueling my body by incorporating herbs, good quality animal protein and bone broth, into a predominantly plant-based diet. Slowly, slowly things started to change. My periods returned and became more regular and my skin started to heal.
Much to my surprise, I saw even further improvement during 2020. The mandatory closure of gyms meant I pulled back on the high intensity exercise, which gave my skin and my hormones a chance to reset and heal. I stopped exercising during my bleeding days and started working with my cycle rather than against it. The combination of this, consistent facial treatments and adding some blood building foods to my plate brought my skin to where it is currently. Now it’s a maintenance game. I still have regular facial acupuncture treatments and take herbs. I still eat meat and drink bone broth. I also still get a pimple here and there, but it’s much more manageable.
So that’s my skin story. It’s certainly evident that Chinese Medicine has a whole lot to offer when it comes to the treatment and management of acne (and periods, but more on that later!). If you or someone you love is struggling with acne-prone skin, here is my advice…
Courtney’s Advice for How to Treat Acne Naturally :
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Consult a Chinese Medicine Practitioner.
(Yes, I am biased.) Your skin is a reflection of your overall health. Often there is an underlying issue such as hormonal imbalance, digestive dysfunction or an allergy. Diet and lifestyle advice varies depending on what’s driving the acne, so it’s best to consult a professional.
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Constitutional Facial Acupuncture Treatments.
At Quiescence we offer the most incredible cosmetic acupuncture treatments, modified to target your skin as it changes. Individualised treatments are designed to target your skin specifically and may involve a combination of the following: oil cleanser, herbal poultice, clay mask, herbal serum, toner spritz, facial and body acupuncture, guasha and facial cupping.
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When it comes to products, keep it simple.
Your skin is your largest organ, absorbing whatever it comes into contact with. There is a dizzying array of skincare products out there, many of which contain harmful hormone disrupting chemicals. To make things easy, Quiescence has developed a range of skincare products that we make in house and infuse with Chinese herbs. The Oil Cleanser, Balance Serum and Clay Mask are at the top of the list for acne troubled skin.
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Cut back on inflammatory foods.
When it comes to acne, the big players are dairy and sugar. Gluten, alcohol and caffeine should also be consumed in moderation.
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Permission to pop!
If you are going to pop your pimples, it’s important to be as hygienic as possible. Only pop a pimple if it has a visible “head” and you have an alcohol swab in your hand. All that bacteria can infiltrate the surrounding tissue and make things a whole lot worse if it’s not quickly mopped up (trust me). Better yet, come in for a facial and I’ll take care of it for you!
Courtney Fisher holds a Bachelor of Health Science in Chinese Medicine and a diploma in Remedial Massage. She has also undertaken her post grad in Facial Acupuncture. If you have any questions feel free to email courtney@chinesemedcinemelbourne.com.au
