While some people with acne use relaxation tapes to help concentrate
their minds on relaxation, others use meditation or guided
imagery to achieve similar results. Meditation involves using concentration
techniques to clear the mind in order to relax the body
and relieve stress. While meditating, people silently repeat a word or phrase until they feel calm and all stressful thoughts are removed
from their minds. Research has shown that during meditation, the
production of cortisol decreases and remains lowered when individuals
practice meditation often. As a result, sebum production
and acne outbreaks are reduced.
Guided imagery is a type of meditation in which people center
their thoughts on relaxing and healing their bodies. For example,
when faced with a stressful situation, many acne patients use
guided imagery to imagine themselves in a tranquil environment,
such as a forest or beach, where they feel relaxed and happy. At
the same time, they envision their complexion without acne. The
feelings evoked during guided imagery help people with acne
lower their stress levels and strengthen their resolve to heal. An
acne patient explains:
I light scented candles, pop in a CD, and imagine myself walking
on the beach in Mazatlan [a beach resort in Mexico]. I think
about how good I feel, how peaceful the beach is, and how the
sun warms my face and heals my skin. I imagine the sun cleansing
and clearing my skin from the outside, and my own body
doing it from the inside. In my mind, my skin is perfect and
I’m beautiful. When I’m done, I’m relaxed and more confident,
too.
