What is your acne trying to tell you?
Check out my skin health article with Honey Nine News:
For centuries traditional Chinese medicine practitioners have read faces in a practice known as face-mapping to determine how the condition of the skin corresponds with internal issues.
And, it’s as relevant today as it was hundreds of years ago, says Emma Quine, a doctor of Chinese medicine and acupuncturist with a special interest in facial rejuvenation acupuncture.
“Pimples, blemishes and lines in certain areas can indicate what is happening internally at an organ level,” she says, explaining that pimples are like a volcano erupting, but the lava is coming all the way from the organ system.
“And it’s this lava that runs up the channel to manifest on the face where the acupuncture channel runs.”
If you’re currently experiencing acne, your body may be communicating the following health issues:
Acne on your forehead
Linked to your Bladder and Small Intestine organs, acne in this region may indicate problems with food absorption and elimination, says Quine. “Eating an alkaline diet and drinking plenty of fluids – particularly lemon water – will help support these organs.”
Acne between your eyebrows
Linked to the Liver organ, pimples in this area indicate your body is stressed and overloaded. “It shows that the Liver organ is working overtime to flush saturated fats and toxins from the body,” says Quine who recommends starting each day with a tall glass of warm water to help flush said toxins out.
Reducing fatty foods and alcohol and eating a diet rich in dark, leafy greens and dandelion tea will help improve liver function, as will taking up moderate daily exercise. “To help chill you out, I would also recommend meditation,” adds Quine.
Acne on your cheeks and/or upper mouth
Related to the Stomach/Spleen, the appearance of acne in the cheek and/or upper mouth area may reflect that you have digestive issues going on.
“You may be experiencing bloating or irregular stools as well so it’s a good time to ask yourself what you’re eating and which foods make you feel good?” says Quine.
To help support your Spleen and Stomach organs, cut out refined sugar and dairy products and decrease the amount of raw and cold food in your diet.
“It’s all about eating more of the foods that make you feel vitalised, although drinking plenty of peppermint and chamomile tea will also help aid digestion,” she says.
Acne around your nostrils
Directly linked to the Large Intestine, acne around the nostril region indicates a struggle to eliminate waste from the body, says Quine.
“Overhaul your diet by reducing both the amount of rich, fatty foods you eat, as well as the amount of caffeine you consume and increase your daily intake of filtered water for improved health.”
Acne on your chin and/or jaw line
Related to the Hormonal/Reproductive region, acne that appears along the chin or jaw line is generally hormonal and harder to shift, says Quine.
“Long-term acne in this region may indicate gynaecological issues such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), for example.” Speak with your GP and/or gynaecologist and try to get adequate sleep, fluids, ‘me time’ and a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables in your diet.
“Not only will these help to regulate your hormones, but they’ll help keep your skin look clear and healthy,” says Quine, adding that acupuncture and herbs can also help get you back in balance.
As a final note, Quine also recommends paying attention to the type of pimples appearing on your face. If your pimples are pus-filled or cystic (deep and long-lasting), it indicates the Chinese medicine term ‘internal dampness’, she says.
“Living in a damp environment, insufficient sweating or eating too much greasy, raw or sugary food are all contributing factors for dampness and you can help dry out the problem by increasing your cardio activity and cutting out phlegm-forming foods such as dairy, sugar and fast food.”
Red pimples, on the other hand, indicate internal heat – often caused by stress, over-thinking, spicy foods, hormones and poor circulation.
“To resolve this, cut out smoking, coffee and alcohol which increase stress and heat in the body, and eat cooling foods such as mushrooms, chicken, pears, tofu and cucumbers,” says Quine.
Drinking peppermint tea, meditating and taking up yoga should also assist in both cooling and relaxing the body.
And just remember, if you’ve done all the right things (changed your sheets regularly, wiped down your mobile phone daily), and your acne still keeps on coming back, your body may just be trying to relay a message from deep within. It’s up to you to pay attention.
Book online if you'd like to learn more about face mapping and experience facial rejuvenation :-)