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Taking
a holistic approach to acne treatment
If there's one thing homeopathic medicine
does right, it's taking a look below the
surface when it comes to treating acne.
Homeopathy tends to look at your total
health, considering acne not just as
something skin-deep, but rather as a symptom
of an underlying health disorder. For most
cases of acne, this approach is correct.
Moreover, in practice, many homeopathic acne
treatments are not very homeopathic....They
often dilute their agents down to an almost
nonexistent level, relying instead on more
typical antioxidant formulations to do most
of the work. Thus, some "homeopathic"
remedies may work for reasons completely
unrelated to homeopathy.
In any case, while the definition of
homeopathic treatments seems to be getting
ever broader, let's take a look at a few of
the more popular ingredients:
Sulphur
is probably the most used homeopathic acne
treatment, although not always as a
supplement. It acts mainly as an exfoliating
agent, causing your top layer of dead skin
cells to peel away before they can build up
and clog your pores. Sulphur is often
combined with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic
acid in topical ointments, and also has
antibacterial properties.
Kali
Bromatum
is said to soothe your nerves and reduce
skin irritation, as well as itchiness.
Mainly recommended for mild cases of acne.
Sanguinaria
is said to reduce acne for women with
irregular menstrual cycles or poor
circulation.
Hepar Sulphuris
works by localizing inflammation, causing
cysts to mature faster and pushing acne
pustules to the surface, so that you can get
it over with. It is also said to reduce
sensitive or irritated skin.
Antimonium tartaricum
is recommended for more severe cases of
acne, with large cysts that are sensitive to
the touch.
Nux vomica
is said to improve skin tone, reducing red
blotches and discoloration. This ingredient
is often touted for its soothing effects,
including the treatment of irritable or
sensitive skin.
Natrum Muriaticum
works by acting on your sebaceous glands,
aiding your body in regulating skin oil and
thus preventing acne.
Psorinum
is another ingredient said to combat oily
skin, as well as dryness and itchiness.
Calcarea Silicata
is considered a long-term treatment for
acne, as well as itchy, burned, or sensitive
skin.
It's worth noting that when choosing a
homeopathic regimen, you don't simply pick
ingredients based on your skin condition.
You will usually see a homeopathic doctor
who will evaluate everything from your body
weight to your temperament and stress level,
and then decide what you should be taking
based on a holistic view.
Homeopathic supplements are taken a little
differently
Unlike traditional pills that you swallow
whole, homeopathic supplements usually come
in tablets or pellets that are chewable,
though it is recommended to simply let them
dissolve under your tongue. This way the
ingredients are more readily absorbed into
your bloodstream.
Personally, I don't recommend homeopathic
acne treatments. Certain ingredients may
or may not work, but I'm one of those people
who likes to understand the science behind
how a treatment works, and there is just so
little medical evidence that it's often hard
to tell if an ingredient really does what it
is claimed to do. I would approach most of these
natural remedies with a healthy degree of
skepticism.
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