Recently, a friend of mine expressed distress about a sudden acne breakout on her face, making her reluctant to remove her mask. Being beauty-conscious, she found the acne extremely frustrating. I treated her with acupuncture based on her body constitution and advised her to massage seven acupoints—Yangbai, Quanliao, Dazhui, Hegu, Quchi, Neiting, and Sanyinjiao—whenever she had spare time. Within a week, her acne began to subside, and she happily shared the effectiveness of acupoints with her friends.
Causes and Symptoms of Acne
Acne, also known as “pimples” or “teenage acne,” is a chronic inflammatory condition of the hair follicles and sebaceous glands, commonly occurring on the face, chest, and back. Modern medicine suggests that acne is closely related to genetic factors, hormonal influences, excessive sebum secretion, and microbial activity within hair follicles. Most cases improve naturally after puberty.
Initially, acne appears as comedones, commonly as blackheads—tiny black dots in pores that can be squeezed to release yellow-white plugs. Whiteheads, on the other hand, are small, grayish-white bumps that are harder to squeeze out. Over time, acne may progress into inflammatory papules, pustules, nodules, cysts, and even scars. Painful acne usually indicates severe inflammation.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believes that during puberty, the body’s energy is highly active. Excessive late-night activities can lead to heat accumulation in the lung meridian, causing acne on the face and upper chest, often accompanied by itching or burning sensations. Emotional stress may disrupt the balance of the Chong and Ren meridians, resulting in acne in women, which worsens before menstruation and improves afterward. Poor diet, such as excessive spicy or greasy foods, can impair the digestive system, leading to internal damp-heat, which manifests as acne with pustules and nodules. Damp-heat-related acne is often accompanied by symptoms like loss of appetite, indigestion, loose stools, bad breath, constipation, and yellowish urine.
Acupoints and Their Benefits
Yangbai (GB 14)
- Location: On the forehead, directly above the pupil, 1 inch above the eyebrow.
- Function: Clears heat and wind, improves facial circulation, and enhances skin brightness.
Quanliao (SI 18)
- Location: On the face, directly below the outer corner of the eye, in the depression under the cheekbone.
- Function: Reduces swelling, clears heat, and improves skin detoxification.
Dazhui (GV 14)
- Location: On the midline of the back, in the depression below the 7th cervical vertebra.
- Function: Governs yang energy, clears internal heat, and detoxifies the blood, helping to alleviate acne.
Hegu (LI 4)
- Location: On the dorsum of the hand, between the first and second metacarpal bones, at the midpoint of the second metacarpal bone.
- Function: Regulates energy flow, dispels wind, and clears facial inflammation.
Quchi (LI 11)
- Location: On the lateral end of the elbow crease, at the midpoint of the line between Chize (LU 5) and the lateral epicondyle of the humerus.
- Function: Clears heat from the body, improves blood circulation, and reduces inflammation.
Neiting (ST 44)
- Location: On the dorsum of the foot, between the second and third toes, behind the web margin.
- Function: Clears heat from the stomach and intestines, reduces dampness, and improves facial complexion.
Sanyinjiao (SP 6)
- Location: On the inner side of the lower leg, three inches above the inner ankle.
- Function: Regulates blood circulation, nourishes the liver and kidneys, and balances hormone-related acne.
Additional Tips for Acne Management
To effectively manage acne, one must adopt a healthy lifestyle:
- Avoid late nights and reduce stress.
- Refrain from consuming spicy, oily, and sugary foods.
- Increase the intake of fresh vegetables and fruits.
- Maintain regular bowel movements to eliminate internal toxins.
- Avoid squeezing acne to prevent secondary infections and scarring.
For severe cases, professional medical consultation is necessary. A holistic approach—combining dietary adjustments, emotional regulation, and acupoint therapy—can significantly improve acne and promote clear, healthy skin.