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Acne Acne is an inflammatory skin disease commonly seen in adolescents. It usually affects the face, back and shoulders and other areas that are densely populated with sebaceous glands. Acne presents either as blackheads, whiteheads, pimples or nodules. Facts and Figures Acne commonly affects 85-100% of people at some time during their lives. More common in males than females during adolescence. More common in women than in men during adulthood. Causes Four factors are involved in the development of an acne lesion. Excessive proliferation of epidermal cells lining the inner surface of hair follicles and abnormal production of keratins leads to a block in the hair follicle. Sebum is the oily secretion of sebaceous glands present in skin, which drains into the hair follicle and then onto the skin surface. Sebum is primarily responsible for lubricating hair and skin. Excessive secretion of sebum in conjunction with epidermal hyperproliferation leads to blockage of hair follicles often referred to as plugged pores. Propionibacterium acnes and inflammation are the other factors, which further the pathological process leading into full-fledged acne. Symptoms The plugged skin pore (hair follicle) together with the dead cells, sebum, bacteria and dirt leads to the formation of 'comedones'. This is the first stage in the development of acne. Acne can present in any of the following forms: Whiteheads (closed comedo) Blackheads (open comedo) Pimples (raised red spots with a white center, when blocked pores are inflamed or infected) Cysts (blockages, inflammation and infection deep inside the hair follicle) Ayurveda Referred to as 'Yauvana pidika' (yauvana - youth, pidika - skin eruption), Ayurveda has a singular approach to all forms of Acne as, according to Ayurveda, this problem appears due to imbalance of the three doshas—Vata, Pitta and Kapha. However, the main cause is the aggravation of the Pitta dosha, an Ayurvedic humor that symbolizes heat or fire. Pitta dosha manifests in the skin and causes accumulation of heating toxins. These heating toxins accumulate in deep tissues like rasa (nutrient plasma), rakta, (blood), mamsa (muscles) and lasika (lymphatic). These toxins cause contamination of deeper tissues. Contamination of deeper tissues and aggravation of pitta dosha leads to Yauvana pidika. Treatment The disease being deep rooted, use of local creams, antibiotics, lotions etc. only masks the symptoms. Thus, specific Ayurvedic treatment is advised which includes right diet, lifestyle and some specialized herbal combinations, that tackle the disease from its root cause. Jiva Ayurveda offers free online consultations (www.ayurvedic.org/ayunique/free_consultation) with Ayurveda experts directly from India. A wide array of natural products made in accordance with Ayurvedic principles and beneficial in cleansing the toxins from the deep tissues are available on AyurBuyer (www.ayurvedic.org/ayurbuyer). For more enquiry contact: info@jiva.com Dos and Donts Treat your skin gently Wash with a mild cleanser Avoid irritant cosmetics Do not squeeze the acne lesions Shave carefully Play the video below to know more about the Ayurvedic prespective.