An Integrative Western & TCM Approach by Lulu

Struggling with acne? Have you seen a dermatologist, taken acne medications, and then stopped because your skin became extremely dry, irritated, or uncomfortable?

-Many people experience short-term improvement followed by sensitivity, peeling, or rebound breakouts.
Oral acne medications, in particular, may come with systemic side effects and often do not address the underlying causes of acne.

This is why a more balanced, integrative approach is needed.

Understanding Acne – A Western Medicine Perspective

-From a Western medical perspective, acne develops due to a combination of:
• Excess sebum (oil) production
• Blocked pores caused by dead skin cell buildup
• Overgrowth of acne-causing bacteria
• Inflammation
• Hormonal fluctuations

Conventional treatments often focus on suppressing oil production or bacteria.
While effective for symptom control, aggressive approaches may compromise the skin barrier, leading to dryness, sensitivity, and recurring acne once treatment stops.

Understanding Acne – A Western Medicine Perspective

From a Western medical perspective, acne develops due to a combination of:
• Excess sebum (oil) production
• Blocked pores caused by dead skin cell buildup
• Overgrowth of acne-causing bacteria
• Inflammation
• Hormonal fluctuations

Conventional treatments often focus on suppressing oil production or bacteria.
While effective for symptom control, aggressive approaches may compromise the skin barrier, leading to dryness, sensitivity, and recurring acne once treatment stops.

Understanding Acne – A Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Perspective

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, acne is viewed as a manifestation of internal imbalance, rather than a condition affecting only the skin.

Common TCM patterns related to acne include:
• Internal heat or damp-heat accumulation
• Digestive and metabolic imbalance
• Stress-related Liver Qi stagnation
• Hormonal and blood circulation imbalance

TCM emphasizes individualized pattern differentiation, meaning treatment is tailored to the person — not just the appearance of acne.

⸻

Hormonal & Cycle-Related Acne (Women & Men)

Hormonal fluctuations play an important role in acne for both women and men.

In women

Acne may worsen before the menstrual cycle, often linked to changes in estrogen and progesterone levels. This commonly presents as:
• Jawline or lower-face breakouts
• Inflammatory or cystic acne
• Monthly recurring patterns

In men

Hormonal acne is often related to:
• Higher androgen activity
• Stress-related hormonal shifts
• Inflammation and excessive oil production

From a TCM perspective, hormonal acne in both genders may involve:
• Liver Qi stagnation
• Heat accumulation
• Digestive and metabolic imbalance
• Disrupted circulation

Because hormonal acne often follows patterns and cycles, surface-level treatments alone are rarely sufficient.

⸻

Lulu’s Integrative Acne Treatment Approach

This approach combines Western medical understanding with TCM diagnostic principles to create a personalized treatment plan for each individual.

Treatment may include:
• Acupuncture to help regulate hormones and reduce inflammation
• TCM-based internal balancing (herbal therapy when appropriate)
• Facial acupuncture to support circulation and skin repair
• Lifestyle and dietary guidance to support internal balance
• Professional skincare recommendations that protect and restore the skin barrier

The goal is to improve acne without over-drying the skin, while supporting overall health and long-term skin resilience.