Visualization - Can the mind help clear up the skin?

Keep in mind that this is an extra, fun thing you can do and is not required.

Before I begin, I first want to make the point strongly that we are not responsible for creating acne with negative thought. Acne is a genetic disease, and you are no more at fault for it than you are for the color of your skin, or how tall you are.

Topical treatment to get rid of acne should be the first line of defense. However, results from biofeedback studies are hinting that the mind may be able to help clear up acne, at least to some degree. Simply put, if you visualize clear skin, you may have a better shot at achieving it. Plus it can be fun and you can use this technique with anything you want to achieve in your life.

What to do:

  1. Start by feeling good. This will get you in a fertile mindset for your visualization to take root. You can do this by thinking about someone you love, by listening to a favorite song, singing, dancing, smiling, or doing whatever it is that makes you feel good. You can change this each time you do your visualization, or it can stay the same. Just have fun with it.
  2. Now that you feel good, sit down and close your eyes. Take a few deep breaths as you start visualizing yourself with beautifully clear skin. Visualize it in the present, as if you have already achieved it. You can say phrases to yourself like, "I am enjoying perfectly clear skin", or "My skin is smooth and healthy". Get creative and say what feels best to you. Try to really feel what it feels like to have clear skin. Do this for 1-2 minutes. If you're having fun with it, keep going for longer.
  3. As you go through your day, keep that feeling with you. Keep reminding yourself that you have clear skin. It may sound silly, but it feels good, it's fun, and it really may help. You can repeat the phrase, "Thank you for my clear skin". The feeling of gratitude that this sentence creates will help keep you in a good feeling place at the same time that you are reminding yourself of the clear skin you are bringing into your life.
  4. Seize opportunities to act. If something presents itself that will aid you in your journey toward clear skin, reach out and seize it.

Comments from Acne.org visitors

4 pages

That´s what i´ve been tolding on acne.org from many long time. I totally cleared up my skin, by visualizing the healing process, 20 minutes every night before sleep.

Anonym from Europe
This is wonderful! I haven't tried it with my skin yet, but I know for a fact that visualization works, as I have recently gotten rid of a plantar wart that I'd had on my foot for 2 years within a couple weeks. There are actually quite a few studies that show that visualization boosts the immune system, which is why it is commonly effective for warts. So if it works on warts, maybe it will work on acne!

Tasha from Ohio
after i did this, next day i woke up and a couple pimples i was getting completely went away. i've been doing this every day for a week and my skin is completely clear, maybe it's me, but i think it's God that's helping me.

Anonymous from Orange County, CA
This definitely works!! I saw this on the acne.org site and also read a book called "Remembering Wholeness" by Carol Tuttle. Her book combined with this article basically say that we create our reality. I had trouble believing this at first, because we think that life has to be a struggle. It's not that way at all! We choose every thought we think, and we can create whatever thought we want! Bottom line: we choose our perception, and our perception becomes our reality! Before I saw this, I would wake up every day and run to the mirror thinking, " Let me see how bad my skin is." Now I realize what an incredibly TOXIC thought that is. I go to bed saying that my skin will look great in the morning, and remind myself that our bodies have a tremendous capacity to heal. I used to have cystic acne, and now it's almost as if they are just vanishing. I strongly recommend this, just remember to truly believe your positive thoughts. If you do so, you will attract it into your life!

Catherine from Philadelphia, PA
Wow...it really works!

Paul Ignacius from Philippines

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    References

    Brown, B.W., "Treatment of Acne Vulgaris by Biofeedback - Assisted Cue - controlled and Guided Cognitive Imagery" (Dissertation, North Texas State University)

    Shenefelt, PD. Dermatol Ther. "Biofeedback, cognitive-behavioral methods, and hypnosis in dermatology: is it all in your mind?" 2003; 16(2): 114-22.