P. Sze 
Acne is the most common of all skin conditions in the United States, with over 50 million Americans facing the condition on a yearly basis. Ance is common in young adults, but it has even been noted that adult women are dealing with acne at an increasing amount. I was one of those women, and acne seemed like the one medical obstacle that I could never overcome. I tried cream after cream, and I even took medicine to help cure my adult acne, but nothing my dermatologist recommended ever provided a lasting solution. After years of acne breakouts, I found acupressure points for face pimples, and these acupressure points changed my life.
I went from being insecure about my red, irritated, and dry skin to enjoying a glowing complexion in just a few weeks. My dermatologists had long told me that my acne breakouts were considered hormonal acne, but as a woman, I could not permanently stabilize my hormones, and I did not enjoy the side effects of medication. Others I had known with similar issues complained of similar issues with taking medication, so I was overjoyed when I learned that pressure points to cure pimples actually worked! No one should have to suffer from the discomfort of acne, which is why I am going to share my favorite acupressure points for face pimples with you!
Is Acupressure Safe For The Face?
It is always worrisome to start a new medical treatment when it comes to your face. The skin on our faces is more delicate than the rest of our bodies, and for those with acne, it can be extra sensitive. Despite these sensitivities, acupressure for acne is considered safe. This method of Chinese medicine has been practiced for centuries, and it has also been successfully applied to the face.
The face is full of acupressure points that connect to various parts of the body and improve natural functions. If activated properly, these points can heal the face causing the skin to look brighter and skin conditions like acne to fade away. The only way acupressure could be damaging to the face is if acupressure points in sensitive areas are pressed too hard or you use an unclean item to apply pressure, both of which can be easily avoided.
Can Acupuncture Cure Acne?
Studies have been conducted concerning how effective acupressure points for acne are, and the results are rather promising. Individuals who received acupuncture enhanced treatments experienced a more significant reduction in acne breakouts than those who did not receive acupuncture. It was shown that this method of treatment becomes even more successful when it is paired with other treatments, regardless of if that is western medicine or herbal medicine.
While these studies need to be further investigated for more concrete results, they do support a really promising case for acupressure, which stimulates the same points as acupuncture for acne. Even more encouraging is the fact that this study did not find a single one of their over 300 subjects to have a negative reaction to the acupuncture treatment.
Besides acupuncture, you may also want to try Chinese herbs for acne.
How Long Does Acupuncture Take To Cure Acne?
While it has been shown that acupuncture and acupressure for acne are effective, the amount of time it takes these treatments to take effect varies. Individuals with minor acne breakouts may see improvements over the course of a few days or weeks, while those with hormonal acne may need months before they notice significant changes. You won’t know exactly how long it will take to heal your acne with acupressure until you get started, and remember to be patient as all good things take time.
Acupoint: LI-4 (Other Names: Large Intestine-4/He Gu/Joining Valley)
If you suffer from acne that is painful or has left open sores, then it can be best to start with acupressure points for acne treatment that are not located on the face. LI-4 is a popular acupressure point located on the hands, and it serves many purposes. Since this point is attached to the large intestine, it is very beneficial for processing waste and removing it from areas of the body where it is causing trouble. This waste removing effect has made LI-4 popular in acupressure points for gas and bloating, but it also makes it extremely effective when it comes to aiding the body in the removal of waste products that build up in the skin and manifest as acne on the face.
Locate LI-4 by holding one hand in a C-shape. Focus on the area where your thumb and pointer finger are joined by an area of skin. You will need to trace the thumb of your opposite hand along that area until you reach the lightly muscled area where the bones of your thumb and pointer finger meet. Apply firm pressure to this point by squeezing it between the thumb and pointer finger of your opposite hand. The pressure you apply should feel comfortable, and you will want to hold it in intervals of three to five seconds while you take deep breaths.
Acupoint: LI-11 (Other Names: Large Intestine-11/Qu Chi/Pool at the Crook)
This is another useful point when it comes to treating your acne without touching your acne. The large intestine channel is a powerful channel when it comes to enhancing your vital energy by increasing the flow of waste from your body. The waste-removing aspect of this point has made it useful as an acupressure point to reduce arm fat, but it is also a little-known acupressure point to reduce pimples and acne scars.
When you hold either arm at a 90-degree angle, you will notice a crease the appears from the inside of the elbow. This crease acts as a direct guideline to the LI-11 point, which falls right at its end. Apply as much pressure as you feel comfortable with here, and hold the point in intervals of three to five seconds. This is most effective if you breathe in time with the pressure.
Acupoint: GV-14 (Other Names: The Governing Vessel-14/Da Zhui/Great Vertebra)
The body’s natural ability to heal is what helps people maintain a glowing appearance full of vital energy. The GV-14 point bolsters the body’s natural healing abilities, especially when they have fallen out of balance due to stress or bacterial infections. This point is so powerful for healing that it is commonly referenced for acupressure points for fever and headache, and all of that healing also affects the skin!
This governing vessel point is located on the back, which may make it hard to locate without assistance. This point is right below the spinal protrusion that falls at the base of your neck and inline with your shoulders. You should be able to feel this point if you run your fingers down your spine, but if you can not reach this point, applying heat is another effective option.
Acupoint: Bl-13 (Other Names: Urinary Bladder-13/Fei Shu/Lung Transporter)
This bladder channel point may seem unrelated to curing acne, but it has similar healing capabilities to GV-14. This point is known for its ability to expel wind and enhance the strength of the lungs as an acupressure point for chest pain, but it also helps heal the skin by strengthening it against bacterial infections and internal pressures that cause skin conditions like dry skin and acne.
To locate this point, you will have to be able to reach your back, or you will need a friend to assist you. BL-13 is located in line with the third spinal protrusion of the neck, right above the shoulders. It is 1.5 cun to either side of this spinal protrusion which translates to two finger widths. You will need to apply firm pressure or heat to this area for a few seconds to activate this acupressure point for face pimples.
Acupoint: LU-5 (Other Names: Lung-5/Chi Ze/Cubit Marsh)
Acupressure points for acne often cross paths with acupressure points for white patches since they both treat visible skin conditions. LU-5 is a great point for increasing blood flow, which results in an increase of natural skin functions like pigmentation and healing. This point is also known to aid in decreasing the inflammation associated with skin conditions, especially hormonal acne.
This point is located on the inside of your elbow. Simply hold your arm out with your elbow slightly bent and your thumb facing up. You will see a slight crease inside of your elbow, and you will want to find the point on that crease that is in line with your thumb. Apply firm pressure here for a few seconds at a time, but do not apply enough pressure to cause any pain.
Acupoint: ST-40 (Other Names: Stomach-40/Feng Long/Abundant Bulge)
Acupressure points on the stomach meridian have the unique ability to impact the metabolism and balance the body in an internal sense. The balancing ability of this point has made it popular as an acupressure point for vertigo, but it can also be applied to curing acne since it improves blood flow and balances the metabolic changes that can trigger acne breakouts.
ST-40 is easy to activate on oneself since it is located on the leg. In a seated position, you will easily be able to locate this point halfway between the bottom of the kneecap and the ankle. Once you located this point, move your fingers two-finger widths away from the outer edge of the shinbone. The skin here should feel more muscular, and you should apply pressure here for a few seconds at a time.
Acupoint: TE-6 (Other Names: Triple Energizer-6/Zhi Gou/Branch Ditch)
The triple energizer channel and its many points are masters of balancing vital energy in the body. TE-6 in particular is very useful since it can reduce the inflammation associated with acne, enhance blood flow, and improve metabolic function for a better reduction of the waste product build-up that causes acne. These attributes have also made TE-6 a popular point on our acupressure points for tooth pain list.
To locate this point, extend your forearm with your palm facing downwards. Then measure four finger widths down your forearm from the crease on your wrist. This point exists at that depth, and it is directly in the center of your arm. You may even be able to feel the two tendons that it falls between when you apply pressure. Remember to breathe deeply while applying pressure to this point.
