Acne and Acupuncture: A Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective

Stella de Stefanis
Sep 18
4 min read

Updated: Oct 13

Acne is one of the most common skin conditions worldwide, affecting nearly 85% of people at some point in their lives. For many, it’s not just about appearance - it can also bring discomfort, self-consciousness, and frustration when treatments don’t provide lasting results.

At Acupunctury in Santa Monica, we approach acne through the lens of both Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and modern biomedical research, helping clients find balance and long-term skin health.

Understanding Acne in Western Biomedicine

From a Western perspective, acne develops when pores become clogged with excess oil (sebum), dead skin cells, and bacteria (Cutibacterium acnes). Hormonal changes - especially fluctuations in androgens - play a central role by stimulating the sebaceous glands.

Other contributing factors include:

Inflammation: Overactive immune responses trigger redness, swelling, and painful cysts.
Diet and lifestyle: High glycemic foods, dairy intake, stress, and poor sleep have all been linked to acne flare-ups.
Medications: Some individuals use pharmaceuticals such as antibiotics, hormonal therapies, or isotretinoin (Accutane®) to manage symptoms, which can be effective but often come with side effects.

Understanding Acne in Traditional Chinese Medicine

In TCM, acne is rarely seen as just a skin issue - it reflects underlying imbalances in the body. The skin is considered an “outer mirror” of internal health. Common TCM patterns include:

Damp-Heat Accumulation: Presents as red, inflamed pustules, often on the face, chest, or back.
Lung Heat: Whiteheads, blackheads, or small red papules, especially on the forehead and cheeks.
Stomach Heat: Breakouts around the mouth and jawline, often aggravated by greasy or spicy foods.
Blood Stasis: Deeper, painful cysts that linger and may leave scarring.
Qi and Yin Deficiency: Dry, persistent acne that doesn’t fully heal, often linked to stress or fatigue.

Each pattern guides an individualized treatment plan - a key distinction between TCM and one-size-fits-all approaches.

How Acupuncture Can Help with Acne

Acupuncture has been shown to regulate the body’s inflammatory response, support hormonal balance, and improve circulation to the skin. A 2021 systematic review in Frontiers in Medicine found that acupuncture significantly reduced inflammatory lesions and improved overall acne severity when compared with conventional treatments.

Benefits of acupuncture for acne may include:

Reducing inflammation: Calming redness, swelling, and discomfort.
Balancing hormones: Supporting regular cycles and stabilizing hormonal fluctuations.
Regulating oil production: By harmonizing internal organ systems (such as the Lung and Stomach).
Improving healing: Enhancing microcirculation and tissue repair, reducing risk of scarring.

Microneedling for Acne Scars and Skin Renewal

Once active breakouts and inflammation are under control, many clients want to address the scars and uneven texture acne can leave behind. This is where microneedling becomes an invaluable treatment. Using tiny, controlled micro-injuries, microneedling stimulates the body’s natural healing response - boosting collagen and elastin production, which are essential proteins for firm, smooth, and resilient skin.

Clinical studies show that microneedling can:
Soften and remodel acne scars.
Improve overall skin texture and tone.
Minimize fine lines that sometimes develop in areas of prior inflammation.
Support long-term skin health by increasing circulation and nutrient delivery.

At Acupunctury, we combine microneedling with acupuncture to address both the root (internal imbalances) and the branch (skin repair) - offering a holistic, inside-out approach to skin renewal.

Blending Evidence-Based Acupuncture with FDA-Cleared Modalities: Celluma LED Light Therapy

We combine the best of both worlds: acupuncture, which has been scientifically shown to reduce inflammation, regulate hormones, and support skin healing, and FDA-cleared technology like the Celluma PRO PLUS LED Light Therapy device.

Blue light wavelengths in Celluma specifically target and reduce acne-causing bacteria (C. acnes), helping to calm active breakouts and prevent new ones. Meanwhile, red and near-infrared light penetrate deeper layers of the skin to enhance circulation, accelerate tissue repair, and stimulate collagen and elastin production.

This integrative approach - uniting acupuncture’s internal regulation with Celluma’s external skin support - allows us to treat acne on multiple levels. The result is not just clearer skin, but a healthier foundation for long-term resilience. Many of our clients describe this combination as both effective and restorative, addressing the root causes while also nurturing the skin directly.

Supporting Clients Coming Off Western Pharmaceuticals

Some people choose to discontinue pharmaceuticals due to side effects or because their acne has persisted despite medication. Acupuncture can help during this transition by:

Supporting skin detoxification and natural repair.
Managing inflammation and flare-ups that may occur after stopping medication.
Reducing stress and regulating sleep, which are both critical for skin health.

At Acupunctury, we emphasize that there’s no “right” or “wrong” choice - Western medicine, TCM, or a combination can all be valuable. Our role is to support you along the way with personalized, holistic care.

Why Try Acupuncture Before Pharmaceuticals?

For individuals who haven’t yet tried medications, acupuncture offers a gentle, non-invasive option with minimal side effects. It can be especially beneficial for those who prefer natural approaches or who want to avoid long-term antibiotic or hormonal use. That said, every person’s journey is unique, and we encourage clients to choose what feels best for them.

The Role of Nutrition and Lifestyle in Acne

Both TCM and Western research agree: diet and lifestyle play a major role in skin health.

From a TCM perspective: Foods that are greasy, fried, or overly spicy can contribute to “Damp-Heat,” while stress and late nights deplete Qi and Yin.
From a Western perspective: Diets high in sugar and dairy, poor gut health, and chronic stress increase inflammation and hormonal fluctuations.

Supportive habits include:

Eating whole foods rich in fiber, antioxidants, and omega-3s.
Staying hydrated and favoring warm teas instead of iced drinks.
Prioritizing consistent sleep and stress-reduction practices.
Considering skincare routines that support the skin barrier.

A Whole-Person Approach to Skin Health

At Acupunctury, our approach to acne treatment is rooted in compassion and personalization. Whether you’re managing flare-ups for the first time, exploring alternatives to medications, or simply seeking better long-term skin health, acupuncture - and when appropriate, cosmetic acupuncture, or microneedling - can offer meaningful support.