Ah, a big event—a job interview, a birthday party, a wedding. Ah, and what’s that? A huge pimple. Naturally.
So how do you deal with an acne breakout—stress-related, hormonal, or otherwise? What do you do when there’s a pimple, aching to be popped? A zit you want to zap with every acid and chemical and exfoliant your bathroom cabinet has in its arsenal?
Well, before you bring out the bazooka, consider a more holistic approach, via Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Sandra Lanshin Chiu, a licensed acupuncturist, TCM practitioner, and founder of Brooklyn-based holistic healing studio Treatment by Lanshin, shares a simple and effective method for getting rid of acne fast that’s derived from ancient techniques. Chiu holds a masters in Traditional Chinese Medicine from the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, and studied with several of the field’s most prominent experts.
First, she suggests submerging a gua sha tool (or a spoon, if you don’t have one) in warm to slightly hot water. Test the heat on the back of your hand, before you hold the tool directly onto the offending blemish. Hold it for between 30 seconds to two minutes.
When you feel it again with your finger, the pimple should feel a lot softer. With a clean finger, press on it gently and turn your digit clockwise, hold for seven seconds, then reverse it. Keep pressure gentle. When you let go again, the pimple will be smaller, softer, and less tender. While you’ll probably still see it, this should make the spot fade quicker.
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Why? Well, in Traditional Chinese Medicine, pimples are related to internal imbalances of heat and blood stagnation. (The ancient healing system takes an inside-out approach.) As Chiu notes, using heat and acupressure helps to “unblock the roadways” of circulation. “This hot little ball of stagnation should clear faster,” she says. When you use this hack and see a noticeable improvement in color and density, it’s because circulation is improving and your body can more easily address it as normal blood flow returns.
This is a time when TCM has never been more popular, with practices including acupuncture, as well as cupping, herbal medicine, and other somatic therapies (or something as simple as drinking warm water) going mainstream in the Western world. But what might seem like a fleeting trend is firmly rooted in longheld culture, integrated into people’s routines and wellness practices for centuries. Whenever you engage with TCM, it’s important to respect that.
It might seem simple, too, but it all checks out. Acupressure is considered a solid holistic approach to acne. (When hitting the right pressure points, it is said to help with bloating, anxiety, stress, and other issues too. On Chiu’s page, you’ll also find tips for gua sha-ing to release tech neck and prevent facial sagging, and the acupoints that clear sinus congestion and remedy jaw pain.) As acne develops through inflammation, the practice of acupressure is used to reduce swelling and encourage blood circulation. Gentle heat applied directly to a breakout also helps to increase blood flow and soften the skin, decreasing redness and drawing out any infections more quickly.
If the pimple is more cyst-like, Chiu advises to repeat the technique 2-3 times throughout the day. To add to it, apply a bit of your favorite spot treatment or a pimple patch. The only time you shouldn’t do it is when the pimple is open or oozing. You’ll spread bacteria and irritate your skin more. And if this is more of a persistent problem, severe, or shows other signs of infection, you should always seek medical advice or speak to a dermatologist.
So when you don’t have the time or cash for a cortisone shot, noncomedogenic beauty routine, or an IPL treatment, have a rummage in your kitchen drawer and tap into TCM.
