Acne Treatment with Yoga

Acne is defined as skin disorder involving sore spots of red color manifested on the superficial skin. It has been noticed that the face and neck become prey of the acne more frequently. However acne can appear anywhere in the body like shoulder, back etc.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
A blackhead is noticed first and that develops into acne. Blackhead generally originates when sebum, excessive body oil and toxins are expelled from the skin.

A whitehead is also origin of acne. If care is not taken to remove the oil and bacteria that collect on the skin, whitehead gets inflamed.

CAUSES

1. Our skin surface has tiny hair follicles, associated with sebaceous gland.
2. These glands secrete sebum, an oily substance, all day.
3. At the age of puberty, the male hormone, testosterone excites the sebaceous glands to expel more sebum, which then reacts with them.
4. Generally, in the case of any obstruction on the hair follicles, it results in the acne.
5. The excess sebum production, when combines with the skin’s dead cells, hinders the path of the hair follicles and that results in the acne.
6. Teenagers are more prone to acne due to stress. This is the reason more acne appear on their body before the exams.
7. Acne is the result of hormonal changes also. This is the reason when girls start menstruating, they become more prone to acne infections.
8. Pregnant women catch acne infections very easily due to hormonal changes.
9. People who have weaker immune system and sensitive skins are more prone to acne after using cosmetics and medicines that are not suitable for them.

YOGIC MANAGEMENT

• Stress is the main culprit for acne outbreak. People whose lifestyle results in more stress and who are prone to acne can look at Yoga for managing stress and combating acne.
• Yoga increases the flow of blood thereby protecting the skin from acne infections. The toxins are drained out with the blood flow.
• Yoga suggests that the spices like coriander and turmeric, which are known for their natural antibiotic properties, are useful in treatment of acne.
• People, more prone to acne are advised to practice forward bending postures along with inverted postures. This should be combined with deep relaxation for 10 minutes in the supine posture. All these yoga postures help in managing stress and combating acne.

HOME REMEDIES
Besides external medication, acne prone person can try out some home based remedies.
Take care of the skin hygiene and wash it with water many times to cure acne.

• Using lavender reduces inflammation effectively.
• Drinking the juice of cucumber and carrot also cures acne.
• Take a cotton ball dipped in egg white and move it gradually across the face. Wash it off after a few hours. This certainly reduces acne.
• Cook together tea bags and dried basil for 10 to 20 minutes. Now apply this paste on the acne-affected area using a cotton ball.
• Applying cool cucumber juice on acne spots to get optimum results.
• To treat the buttock zits a person can apply salty water to the area. Surprisingly the application of toothpaste on the effected spots has been notice to give positive results.

AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT

• Ayurvedic remedies suggested for acne include:
• Make a paste of 1 tablespoon of honey with a peeled apple, 1 tablespoon of yogurt and half a cucumber. Mix well using a blender. This paste must be applied on the face of the person and left for 20 minutes. Now wash it off slowly with lukewarm water.
• Make a paste of Neem powder, sandalwood and rose water for the treatment of acne effected skin. It is advised to apply this paste at night and wash it off in morning.
• Other suggested remedies are avocado paste and garlic cloves to cure acne.

CONCLUSION
Doctors recommend controlling diet to prevent acne. Many research evidences show that milk and milk products consumption induces acne formation. Especially the food like cottage cheese, skimmed milk and cream cheese induces the glands and skin becomes prone to acne. Sometimes seafood can aggravate acne in an effected person. Acne, a common disorder or young age, attacks adults sometimes. Controlled diet and balanced life are the best remedies for treatment of acne.

(All the information in this document is well researched but general. To know more about remedies of these diseases please contact our specialists or mail us : vivekanandneedam@gmail.com)