Acupuncture is effective to treat acne

Acne vulgaris (acne) is a chronic condition that begins in adolescence and can last over 10 years. Globally, acne vulgaris affects 85% of individuals aged 12 to 25 years. The condition affects 80% of people in the United States at some point in their lives. 25% of women over 30 are still experiencing acne. Acne is characterized by inflamed and noninflamed comedones, oily skin, and cysts. New drugs are approved for treating acne. Officials with the FDA have approved a group of antibiotics -sarecycline (Seysara, Paratek and Almirall) for the treatment of inflammatory lesions of non-nodular moderate to severe acne vulgaris in patients aged 9 years and older. it becomes available in 2019 in the US

FDA approves Seysara™, a New Chemical Entity for moderate to severe acne [news release]. Barcelona, Spain; October 2, 2018: Almirall website. https://www.almirall.com/en/media/press-releases/media-detail-new?title=fda-approves-seysaratm-a-new-chemical-entity-for-moderate-to-severe-acne&articleId=3540239. Accessed October 3, 2018.

FDA Approves SEYSARA (Sarecycline) for Inflammatory Lesions of Non-Nodular Moderate to Severe Acne Vulgaris in Patients 9 Years of Age and Older [news release]. Silver Spring, MD; October 3, 2018: FDA Office of Clinical Pharmacology, Office of Translational Sciences, CDER.

Is there other option for treating acne without antibiotics? Yes, acupuncture is effective for reducing acne breakouts and acne scarring. A research has shown that after 12 acupuncture treatment sessions, there was a significant reduction in the inflammatory acne lesion counts.

References

https://www.pharmacytimes.com/news/sarecycline-granted-fda-approval-for-acne-vulgaris

Son BK et al Acupunct Med. 2010 Sep;28(3):126-9. doi: 10.1136/aim.2010.003004.