Acne

For teenage, adult and hormonal acne, read by where it shows, when it flares and what it looks like. Your dermatologist stays your primary skin doctor, and we work alongside the care you already have.

Book a visit

Read through

BothWesternClassical

Two lenses, one plan

Earth 土 is the phase it is most often read through. Here the classical lens leads: differential pattern diagnosis decides the treatment, with the Western picture as context.

The Western lensAnatomy, physiology, biomechanics

Oil, follicles and inflammation

Hormones called androgens increase oil production in the skin. When oil and shed skin cells plug a follicle, the bacteria that live there multiply and the immune response turns a blocked pore into a red bump, a pustule or a deep cyst.

Hormonal acne: Breakouts along the jaw that track the cycle are common in adult women. With irregular cycles or new hair growth, your physician may check for causes such as PCOS.
Dermatology care: Topicals, antibiotics, hormonal treatment and isotretinoin are the usual steps. They stay as your dermatologist prescribes, and herbs are checked against all of them.

The classical lensChannels, patterns, the five phases

Heat rising to the face

Classical dermatology reads acne as heat reaching the skin of the face, where the Lung, Stomach and Large Intestine channels meet. The question is where the heat comes from and what it carries.

The face as a map: Forehead and nose lean toward the Lung, mouth and chin toward the Stomach and intestines, the jaw and neck toward the Chong and Ren vessels and the cycle.
Depth: Surface papules are mostly heat; deep, hard cysts that scar are read as phlegm and stasis knotted together, which needs moving as well as cooling.

Patterns we often see

Wind-heat in the Lung channel fèi jīng fēng rè 肺經風熱
Damp-heat in the Stomach and intestines cháng wèi shī rè 腸胃濕熱
Chong and Ren out of balance chōng rèn bù tiáo 衝任不調
Phlegm and stasis knotted together tán yū hù jié 痰瘀互結

Patterns are examples of how this is often read, never a diagnosis. Yours is read at your visit.

How we work: one plan

A classical formula adjusted to your pattern and, where relevant, to your cycle, with acupuncture, cupping on the upper back when heat leads, and food advice drawn from the same reading. Your dermatologist stays your primary skin doctor, and we never ask you to change a prescription.

What acne is

Acne starts in the hair follicle. Oil, shed skin cells and bacteria block it, and inflammation follows, from blackheads and small red bumps to deep, painful cysts that can scar. It is common in the teenage years, but many adults have it too, especially along the jaw. Dermatology care ranges from topicals to antibiotics, hormonal treatment and isotretinoin. When jawline acne comes with irregular cycles or new hair growth, ask your physician about hormonal causes such as PCOS.

Where it shows and when it flares

The classical reading uses the face as a map. Small red bumps across the forehead and nose, often in teenagers, lean toward heat in the Lung channel. Oily, inflamed spots around the mouth and chin, with bloating or sluggish bowels, point to damp-heat in the Stomach and intestines. Breakouts along the jaw and neck that arrive before a period, with breast tenderness or irritability, are read through the Chong and Ren vessels and the Liver. Deep, hard cysts that linger and leave marks are phlegm and stasis knotted under the skin.

How we work with it

Herbal medicine often leads for acne. For Lung and Stomach heat, a practitioner might consider Loquat Leaf Drink to Clear the Lung (Pí Pá Qīng Fèi Yǐn, 枇杷清肺飲); for damp-heat, or breakouts that follow the cycle, a different formula instead, and the choice changes as the pattern changes. Acupuncture clears heat and supports digestion and the cycle, and cupping along the upper back may be added.

Food is part of the plan, and it follows your pattern. A damp-heat picture usually means less fried, greasy and sweet food and less alcohol; a cycle-driven picture puts more weight on sleep and stress. See dietary therapy.

We keep track with you of new spots, how deep they go and where they cluster across the month, and adjust the formula as that map changes.

Formulas here illustrate how pattern diagnosis shapes treatment. They are not recommendations; a practitioner selects and adjusts formulas for the individual.

Questions people ask

Can acupuncture help acne?

Acupuncture and herbs are studied as supportive care for acne, and research is ongoing. We read the pattern behind your breakouts and treat that, alongside your dermatologist, and we do not promise how your skin will look.

Can I take Chinese herbs with acne medication?

Bring a full list of what you use, including isotretinoin, antibiotics, hormonal medicines and topicals. Every formula is checked against it, and we never ask you to stop or change a prescription.

Does diet matter for acne in Chinese medicine?

Yes, and the advice depends on your pattern. Damp-heat cases are usually asked to cut back on greasy, fried and sugary food, alcohol and sometimes dairy; other patterns need different changes.

Are needles placed in the breakouts?

Rarely. Most points are on the hands, arms, legs and back, chosen for your pattern, with a few fine needles on the face when they help.

This is general wellness information, not medical advice.

Ready when you are.

Book online in a couple of minutes, at either clinic.

Book a visit