Efficacy of Lodhradi Facepack in Acne Vulgaris(Mukhadushika)

Acne vulgaris is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease of the pilosebaceous unit, with open or closed comedones, papules, pustules, or nodules on the face or trunk, result in pain, erythema, hyperpigmentation, or scars. 9.4% of the global population has acne and 85% of them are teenagers. Treatments as per American Dermatological association guidelines include topical therapies, systemic antibiotics, hormonal agents, oral isotretinoin, physical modalities, complementary and alternative medicine, and dietary and environmental interventions. Though topical antibiotic therapies are the mainstay of grade II acne; adverse effects like irritant dermatitis, bacterial resistance are big concerns. Herbal medicines are becoming a promising strategy in cosmetics and skin care products and researches showed effectiveness of herbal and Ayurveda formulations in moderate acne vulgaris (Mukhadushika) with fewer adverse events. Mukhadushika charecterised by   Salmali-kantakaakara pidaka [lesions resembling the prickles of  silk cotton tree] , yoonam vakre [occurs in the  face  of young people]  sarujam (associated with pain),Ghana:[thick and dense lesion],medogarbha: [presence of fatty pultaceous material inside the lesion] The drugs having varnya(enhancing complexion), kushtaghna(curing skin diseases), kandoogna(antipruritic) and krimigna(Antihelminthic) actions are utilized in Ayurveda treatment. Lodhradi Facepack (LF) is a novel medicine formulated with bark of Lodhra (Symplocos cochinchinensis.Lour.), root of Manjishta (Rubia cordifolia L.), rhizhome of  Yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) and Multani-mitti (Fullers earth); which are having Mukhadushikahara, Varnya and Kandugna properties. Also unlike  antibiotics ,herbal medications have no side effects  like irritant dermatitis, bacterial resistance  etc  . Present medication  if proved to be effective can be used independently in moderate Acne vulgaris and adjuvant  in severe acne along with other medications.