THE FOLLOWING ARE SYMPTOMS AND CONDITIONS COMMONLY TREATED BY THE WASHINGTON ACUPUNCTURE CENTER. ACNE VULGARIS Acne is a common skin disorder, mostly on the face, neck and back, which is usually associated with adolescence Various ointments, lotions, soaps and diets are helpful in many cases. Recovery is usually spontaneous before age 25. But many cases of acne are resistant and persist beyond puberty, often leaving scars. Antibiotics, such as tetracycline, are useful when the pustules become infected but will usually not prevent new pimples from appearing. Taking them over a long period of time can cause serious adverse reactions. X-ray treatments are effective but may cause loss of subcutaneous tissue and even cancer of the face many years after treatment. Acupuncture can be an effective treatment of acne because of its ability to promote homeostasis and regulate hormone production. It can also combat the depression and other emotional disturbances which often accompany acne. There is considerable evidence that many American adolescents select a diet which is deficient in vitamins and contains excessive amounts of refined sugar and fat. During this period of growth and development, it is especially important that people with acne eat a diet high in proteins and LOW in fat and refined sugar. Vitamins and minerals are also important for healing acne and promoting good general health. They can be taken along with acupuncture treatments and continued indefinitely afterwards. Treatments can be given on a daily or weekly basis. Sometimes ten treatments are enough to reverse the acne condition, and healing will be almost completed during the month following treatment. In other cases it is necessary to have another series of ten treatments at least a month after the first. next