Avoid Side Effects of Acne Drugs by Fighting Naturally!

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Acne is the most common skin condition in the U.S., affecting 17 million people. For most, the condition clears up by the age of thirty. Acne is caused by blockage of the pores leading from the sebaceous glands, which secret an oily substance called sebum. When these glands become blocked, they can become infected, leading to comedones and, in more extreme cases, nodules or cysts. When the acne heals it can often leave the skin scarred which can be a reason enough to pursue all sorts of remedies.

Antibiotics and topical creams are usually the first defense dermatologists recommend in fighting acne. They work by inhibiting protein synthesis in bacteria, thereby inhibiting growth of the bacteria in the sebaceous glands that lead to acne. However, they also reduce the normal bacterial flora in your intestines that you need for digestion. Common side effects are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Antibiotics in general are fairly safe for healthy people but they aren't as effective in the treatment of acne compared to medications like accutane, benzoyl peroxide cream, azelaic acid, salicylic acid, retinoids, sulfur, tazarotene, tretinoin, or adapalene gels.

However, if you look at the chart below, you might want to consider natural treatments than taking the risks of the side effects from the acne drugs.

Drug
Use
Common,
Benign
Side Effects
Serious
Side Effects
Life-
Threatening
Side Effects
Reasons
Not to Take
Tetracycline
Acne
Nausea,
Vomiting
Diarrhea, tooth damage, skin sensitivity
Liver or Kidney toxicity (rare)
Hypersensitivity,
Sun sensitivity
Allergy, kidney or liver disease, pregnancy, lactation
Doxycycline
Acne
Nausea,
Vomiting
Diarrhea, tooth damage, skin sensitivity
Liver or Kidney toxicity (rare)
Hypersensitivity,
Sun sensitivity
Allergy, kidney or liver disease, pregnancy, lactation
Demeclocycline
Acne
Nausea,
Vomiting
Diarrhea, tooth damage, skin sensitivity, sunburn
Liver or Kidney toxicity (rare)
Hypersensitivity,
Sun sensitivity
Allergy, kidney or liver disease, pregnancy, lactation
Minocycline
Acne
Nausea,
Vomiting
Diarrhea, tooth damage, skin sensitivity, dizziness, vertigo
Liver or Kidney toxicity (rare)
Hypersensitivity,
Sun sensitivity
Allergy, kidney or liver disease, pregnancy, lactation
Benzoyl peroxide
Acne
Dry skin, skin irritation
Sun sensitivity, rash, blistering
None
None
Azelaic acid
Acne
Itching, burning, stinging, tingling
Rash
None
None
Sulfur
Acne
Skin irritation, itching
Sun sensitivity, bruising
Allergic reaction, jaundice
Kidney disease, allergies to sulfa
Zinc oxide
Acne
Dry skin, skin irritation
Sun sensitivity
None
None
Salicylic acid
Acne
Skin irritation
Dizziness
Confusion, drowsiness, vomiting
None
Tretinoin
(Retin-A)
Acne
Dry skin, skin irritation
Sun sensitivity
Allergic reaction
Allergy to medication
Adapalene
Acne
Dry skin, skin irritation
Sun sensitivity
Allergic reaction
Allergy to medication
Tazarotene
Acne
Dry skin, skin irritation
Sun sensitivity
Allergic reaction
Allergy to medication
Isotretinoin
(Accutane)
Acne
Headache, dry skin, dry eyes, skin peeling
Elevated lipids, osteoporosis
Depression, psychosis, aggression, suicide, irritable bowel disease, birth defects, bone and joint pain, brain swelling, liver damage
Current depression, pregnancy
Dapsone
(Avlosulfun)
Acne
Stomach upset, sore throat, fever
Sun sensitivity, rash, pale skin
Mental changes, bleeding, vomiting
Pregnancy, lactation, anemia, liver disease
Spironolactone
(Aldactone)
Acne
Headache, diarrhea
Hair growth, deepening of the voice, breast enlargement, impotence
Confusion, blurred vision, dizziness, vomiting
Pregnancy, lactation, liver or kidney disease, taking anti-hypertensives

The Bottom Line

Prevention is the first-line treatment for acne.
Drink less milk and stay away from high-sugar and processed foods. 
Exercise regularly and reduce stress. 
And of course there are alternative treatments. 

Get Acupuncture and drink herbal tea from an Acupuncturist who knows what he is doing.

At Raah Natural Care, along with Acupuncture and Herbal tea to restore your balance, we use 100% natural herb mask, formulated and blended just for your skin condition, followed by facial using USDA certified organic products to correct disfigurement and scarring caused by acne. 

Give us a call @ 323-422-4964 to make an appointment for detailed consultation on how to successfully treat acne naturally!

Get the most out of your First Acupuncture Session!

Are you Interested in maximizing the benefit from your acupuncture sessions at Raah Natural Care? Check out these tips below.

1) Fill out intake forms. Completely.

Although some of the questions may seem unrelated to your condition, every little detail provide me a clue to figuring out your core issue. It allows me to create your customized treatment plan based on your unique constitution, health history, and current symptoms.

There are a couple of sections on the intake form that I would consider critical. Make sure to list any prescription medications, vitamins and/or herbal medications, significant medical history (such as low blood sugar, hepatitis, or seizures), and allergies – including to foods. Not knowing you are allergic to cats during the treatment probably won’t ruin your day. Not knowing you are allergic to shellfish when I prescribe certain Chinese herbs will.

2) Eat a light snack or a meal at least two hours before your appointment.

To get the most out of Acupuncture session, your body need some energy to work with. If your session is in the morning, please don't skip breakfast. Ideally, you don’t want to be too hungry or too full.

3) Skip brushing/scraping your tongue before your appointment.

Observing your tongue is simple and easy yet very important diagnostic method. It can be used to determine the condition of the Organs, whether your pattern is Excess or Deficient, Hot or Cold, and to evaluate the level of body fluids. Please avoid drinking coffee or any foods with color that can change your tongue color before your session.

4) Silence your cell phone.

This is your time to rest, relax and heal. You wouldn't want the Radiation from your cellphone to disrupt the flow of Qi while getting Acupuncture.

5) Follow-up with your practitioner.

Successful Acupuncture session relies on good teamwork. Giving feedback on your last session and reporting any changes or new symptoms is very important so that the treatment can be adjusted accordingly.

6) Schedule and keep regular appointments.

This is especially important if you are dealing with a chronic condition. You may feel some benefit after the first treatment but don’t stop there or your problem will likely return. Acupuncture has a cumulative effect. Several appointments scheduled at regular intervals can help you achieve more progress than sporadic appointments scheduled only when symptoms are at their worst.

7 ) Take herbal tea EXACTLY as prescribed.

There are many types of herbal products out in the market but I believe taking the herbal decoction works the best if you follow the instruction as prescribed. It's like custom made suits fit way better than off-the-rack suits. Custom herbal teas made only for you requires a lot of knowledge and experience and takes a lot of time formulating, cooking and packing but they do work the best. Acupuncture can help you fix and build stronger structure but not with the nutrition.

8) Practice the lifestyle recommendations.

Take charge of your health and well-being. I may recommend adjustments to your diet, exercise and many other suggestions but these tips require a level of commitment and involvement. Like I said earlier, we need to work as a team. It is all of the little things we do day in and day out to honor our health and well-being that allow us to lead the life we choose.