Clear skin may seem like a far-flung dream after years of using over-the-counter treatments.
Most people’s acne treatments are only skin deep. After a long time struggling with acne, you’re probably surprised to discover that the solution to beautiful, glowing skin is to treat the issue from the inside.
Did you know you can use Ayurveda for acne? Treating your skin issues is easier than ever when you approach your skin concerns holistically.
How do you use ayurvedic medicine to treat your acne? Check out our beginner’s guide on getting clear skin using ayurvedic herbs.
Ayurvedic practitioners study the skin to diagnose ayurvedic treatments of all kinds. The absence of a glowing, healthy complexion is often the first sign that something is out of balance internally. When the skin begins to show irritation and redness, it becomes clear that the body is retaining heat.
Acne vulgaris, the most common type of acne, is often caused by inflammation in the body. In Ayurveda, this kind of acne is called mukha dushika, or “that which causes harm to the beauty of the face.”
Often, acne comes from inflammation. Inflammation is the result of too much heat in the body, usually caused by an imbalanced pitta dosha.
Ideally, your three doshas are balanced; your pitta, vata, and kapha work together to keep your body healthy. However, if we don’t get enough exercise, control our stress, or honor our diet, we can become out of balance.
The heat of pitta can lead to many health issues related to inflammation. If you are breaking out, you may also be experiencing other pitta related issues, like heartburn, digestion problems, hot flashes, and imbalanced appetites.
However, your doshas aren’t the only thing raising the heat in your body! You may have high digestive heat, or agni, causing excessive metabolic waste, or ama. Ama can be caused by inconsistent eating habits, which lends credence to the belief that junk food causes acne.
People who have acne often experience metabolism and digestive issues too. Therefore, it makes sense to treat the stomach and GI tract to eliminate skin issues.
Fortunately, there are many treatments that work wonders to rebalance the pitta dosha and heal your digestion!
Stop wasting money on creams, masks, and other treatments that only attempt to heal acne on the surface! Healing both acne and the root cause of your acne can be done over time for any age with multiple holistic treatments.
You won’t just look better; you’ll feel better, too!
Consult with your local Melbourne ayurvedic provider to determine which treatments are best for your skin.
Sweat out your excess heat with a swedana treatment.
Swedana means “perspiration” or “sweat” in Sanskrit, and one of the best ways to relieve inflammation is to sweat out toxins. Usually, this treatment is offered in a full-body steam bath or a facial steam session that clears up blockages in the body’s channels, or srotas. Decreasing the ama in your body can lower your agni, leading to a clearer face and a soothed digestive tract.
For the most effective detox treatment, we provide an oil cleansing ritual that helps the skin absorb healing herbs during the treatment. The swedana can also be completed at home before you receive a full treatment. Simply add recommended herbs to a warm shower and sit in the bathroom to benefit from the steam!
After swedana, virechana is a purification ritual that balances the pitta dosha through controlled purging. By detoxing the small intestine, liver, and colon, you can clear out the internal heat that erupts from an unhealthy diet and excess stress.
Virechana is offered three days after a swedana treatment, so your ayurveda practitioner may request that you perform a steaming ritual at home before a virechana treatment. Virechana removes any additional toxins in the blood, sweat glands, and gastrointestinal tract to eliminate the causes of acne.
For a natural acne treatment, we administer astringent and sweet herbs to induce purging. While the detox make take multiple days to exit your system, the herbs are completely free of side effects, making virechana a fantastic way to treat acne holistically.
Specific herbs used in ayurvedic medicine can help your body heal following a detox and help your skin look its best.
One of the most popular herbs for treating acne is turmeric. Turmeric is particularly useful for treating inflammation and improving digestion when ingested, but it can also be used on the skin. As a commonly used herb in Indian cooking, turmeric is easy to find and add to your diet.
Neem leaf and amla are some of the primary herbs to treat any skin issue. Neem supplements can be used alongside neem oil to treat acne both inside and out.
Some herbs are better for healing digestive issues, like amla and triphala. Settling outstanding gastrointestinal issues will help you feel your best inside and out!
Other herbs like manjishta, sariva, and guduchi may be more appropriate for your specific health concerns. However, taking too many herbs or herbs that counteract each other may make your skin worse. Before taking any herbs, check with your local Melbourne ayurveda practitioner to ensure you follow the right treatment plan for your needs.
While treating imbalances and blocked channels may improve your skin in the short term, diet and lifestyle changes are necessary to maintain the benefits of your ayurvedic treatment.
Maintaining digestive health is crucial to keeping your skin clean and clear. Use some of the herbs previously mentioned in your cooking for delicious, healthy meals. Keep your diet consistent to help your complexion stay predictable.
Expelling the excess heat in your body can be done through exercise. Sweating out the toxins in your body, followed by a cleansing shower, can help you feel and look your best.
Finally, do your best to keep stress to a minimum. Relaxing activities can help your doshas stay balanced and prevent all types of illness, including blemishes!
Embarrassing acne can be a thing of the past with ayurvedic medicine! Using ayurveda for acne helps you treat the causes of acne from within to get healthy skin and a healthy body all in one treatment.
Are you still struggling with acne? Make your appointment with the best ayurvedic healers in Melbourne for beautiful, glowing skin!