After a week on the all-fruit diet, the patient can gradually adopt a well-balanced diet, with emphasis on raw foods, especially fresh fruits and vegetables, sprouted seeds, raw nuts and whole grain cereals. Further short periods on the all fruit diet for three days or so may be necessary at a monthly interval ti the condition of the skin improves.
The patient with acne should avoid meats, sugar, strong tea or coffee, condiments, pickles, fried foods, refined and processed foods as well as soft drinks, candies, ice cream and products made with sugar and white flour. Starchy, protein and fatty foods should restrict.
As regards local treatment, hot fomentation should be applied to open up the pores and squeeze out the waste matter. Then rinse with cold water. Sun and air baths by exposing the whole body to the sun and air are highly beneficial. The healing packs of grated cucumber, oatmeal cooked in milk, and cooked, creamed carrots, used externally, have been found to be effective.
The orange peel is valuable in the treatment of acne; the peel pounded well with water on a piece of stone should be applied to the affected areas. The lemon peel has also provided beneficial in removing pimples and acne. It should be applied regularly.
A teaspoon of coriander juice mixed with a pinch of turmeric powder is another effective home remedy for pimples and blackheads. The mixture should be applied to the face after thoroughly washing it every night before retiring.
Garlic has been used successfully in the treatment of acne. Pimples disappear without scars when rubbed with raw garlic several times a day. This even heals very persistent forms of acne suffered by some adults. The process is further helped by also taking the herb orally, to purify the bloodstream so as to secure a long term clearance of the skin eruptions.
The juice of raw potatoes has also proved very valuable in clearing skin blemishes. This cleansing results from the high content of potassium, sulphur, phosphorus, and chlorine in the potato. These elements are, however, of value only when potato is raw as in this state they are composed of live organic atoms.
A hot Epsom salt bath twice a week will be highly beneficial in all cases of acne. This bath is prepared by dissolving one and a half kilo of Epsom salt to 60 liters of water having a temperature of about 100F. the patient should remain in the bath from 25 to 35 minutes till he perspires freely. After the bath, he should cool off gradually.