Understanding Acne: A Chinese and Western Medicine Perspective

Treating the Root, Not Just the Skin

Acne is a common inflammatory skin condition that affects people of all ages—not just teenagers. It typically appears on the face, chest, back, and shoulders, and may present as blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, cysts, or nodules.While Western medicine often treats acne with topical creams, antibiotics, or hormonal medications, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a natural and personalized approach to treat acne from the inside out, addressing the internal imbalances that trigger breakouts.

🔹 What Causes Acne?

In Western medicine, acne is caused by a combination of:

Excess oil production (sebum)Clogged hair follicles

Bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes)Hormonal fluctuations

Inflammation and immune response

Common triggers include puberty, menstrual cycles, stress, diet (especially dairy and sugar), medications, and poor skincare habits.

🔹 How TCM Understands Acne

In Chinese medicine, acne is often categorized as a “Heat” or “Toxin” condition. The underlying patterns vary based on each individual’s constitution, diet, emotions, and lifestyle. Common patterns include:

Lung Heat: Pimples on the face, especially the forehead and nose; often red and inflamed

Stomach Heat: Acne around the mouth and chin; oily skin, cravings for greasy or spicy food

Damp-Heat: Deep, cystic acne with pus or swelling; may affect the chest or back

Blood Heat or Blood Stasis: Dark red or painful pimples, often with hormonal involvement

Liver Qi Stagnation: Acne flares during stress or before menstruation; mood swings, PMS

Spleen Qi Deficiency: Digestive issues and poor elimination leading to toxin buildup

Rather than just targeting the skin, TCM focuses on clearing internal Heat and Dampness, detoxifying the Blood, and balancing the organs to treat acne at its root.

🌿 How Chinese Medicine Helps with Acne

✅ Acupuncture

Acupuncture helps regulate the body's internal environment by:

Reducing inflammation and redness

Balancing hormones and calming stress

Improving digestion and detoxification

Promoting better circulation and skin healing

✅ Herbal Medicine

Chinese herbs are customized for each patient and may include formulas to:

Clear Heat and toxins from the Lung, Stomach, or LiverDry Dampness and reduce oil production

Cool the Blood and reduce breakouts

Regulate menstruation and hormonal cycles

✅ Diet and Lifestyle Support

TCM recognizes that what you eat and how you live affect your skin. We guide patients to:

Avoid greasy, spicy, fried, and sugary foods

Reduce dairy (a common acne trigger)Eat more cooling and detoxifying foods (e.g., leafy greens, cucumber, mung beans)Stay hydrated and maintain regular sleep

✅ The ZiQia Self-Consistent Medicine System

At our clinic, we use Dr. Pan Xiaochuan’s ZiQia System, which includes pulse diagnosis and constitutional assessment. This allows us to offer morning and evening herbal formulas that work with your body's natural rhythms, targeting both immediate symptoms and deeper imbalances that cause chronic acne.

💬 A Clearer Face Starts from Within

Acne may show up on your skin—but its root often lies deeper. Chinese medicine offers a holistic, non-invasive solution that helps you heal from the inside out—naturally, gently, and effectively.Whether you’re facing teenage breakouts, adult hormonal acne, or post-inflammatory scarring, we’re here to help restore your skin—and your confidence—with personalized, whole-body care.