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Complexion Complexities

Joette Calabrese, HMC, PHom M

February 21st, 2021  |  33 Comments

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Joette Calabrese

Tomorrow is picture day at school.

Your wedding is this weekend.

It’s time to get dressed for your high school reunion.

The whole family is gathering to celebrate your 50th wedding anniversary.

What do all these occasions have in common? The potential for acne (or just that one quintessential pimple) to rise up and blight our smiling countenance.

Our complexions are complex throughout our lives. Childhood, young adulthood, middle age or menopause — some of us may never feel entirely impervious from breakouts.

Hormones may play a part. Stress may play a part. Diet may play a part. And now, thanks to current circumstances, there’s a new player in town: face masks.

But the end result is the same: a less-than-stellar complexion.

“Maskne” (acne caused by prolonged wearing of face coverings) is technically not new. Healthcare workers have certainly experienced it as an ongoing professional hazard. Unfortunately, now maskne has been released into the general population for those who wear them. For those of us who don’t, enjoy the fresh air (and a clear complexion)!

I’ve seen people walking on windy beaches — alone, for crying out loud — wearing masks. Come on, folks. Use some common sense! (Maybe I should say “good” sense because it appears that common sense is commonly gone.)

Facial masks trap warm, humid air against facial skin, creating a breeding ground for bacteria and yeast to flourish. The next thing you know, you look like a teenager.

Giving your face some breathing room is the best solution for maskne.

However, let’s get down to brass tacks. The homeopathic medicine for maskne must be different than the solution for other kinds of pimples I’ve written about before, right?

Wrong.

Okay. Let me backtrack for a moment. It’s important you understand that my blog — this Remedy Reference Guide — is a representative timeline of my experience with homeopathy.

Years ago, I still subscribed to the classical approach. You’ll find most of my early blog posts (through about 2013) reflect this.

As such, I wrote about several homeopathic remedies used classically to address different types of breakouts in a 2013 post entitled, Out Blasted Spots.

Even as a classical homeopath, I had already been using protocols and more than one medicine at a time in one schedule.

In fact, a little secret: classical homeopaths do this all the time but don’t admit it openly.  

But then, over eight years, I worked side-by-side with the Drs. Banerji, and they substantiated my evolving ideas and downright revolutionized my practice — both with clients and students.

The Banerji Protocols are designed to meet the symptoms rather than get bogged down with the cause’s complexities. Having a diagnosis is undoubtedly important; don’t get me wrong. However, specific symptoms are the key to choosing the proper protocol.

Perhaps you remember Pippa from Pippa, Pimples and Homeopathy. In this very popular blog post, I detailed the Banerji Protocol for adolescent pimples.*

However, on my forum sites, I’ve noticed that some of you with breakouts think this article doesn’t apply to you because you’re not a teenager. But indeed, this is where the Banerji Protocols shine.

Is the symptom the same? Then the homeopathic medicine is the same.

The Banerji Protocol for pimples is Hepar sulphuris calcareum 200C mixed with Arsenicum album 200C — one dose every other day.

Whether called upon by a teen, a stressed-out mom, a happy mom, or someone forced to wear a face mask all day, this protocol has consistently worked in my experience.

The moral of the story? Maskne may sound newfangled, but it is no match for our 200-year-old medicine.

One more reason to pass on the good news of homeopathy!

 

Warmly,

Joette Calabrese

 

P.S. * I also mentioned a slightly different Banerji approach in Pollution, Sinus Infections, Acne and Homeopathy. Don’t let the difference confuse you. In homeopathy, there is generally more than one way to skin a cat.

P.P.S. I have noticed other questions on the forums related to mask-wearing. People have mentioned feeling over-heated, chapped skin (usually on the nose from rubbing), and irritation around the ears. While I might decide to address those specific issues in future blog posts if time allows, you can certainly choose a homeopathic medicine based on the symptoms.

Suppose you’re unsure how to take a homeopathic case (assess your symptoms and find the correlating homeopathic medicine). In that case, I urge you to join a Gateway to Homeopathy study group. Not only will you learn (or refresh) your ability to effectively utilize homeopathy, but you’ll also gain a band of like-minded friends who will share their experience with homeopathy. Their experience will enhance yours — and yours will enhance theirs. Win-win!

 

 

 

I am a homeopath with a worldwide practice working with families and individuals via Zoom. I'm also a teacher and most importantly, a mom who raised my now-adult children depending on homeopathy over the last 31 years. I lived decades of my life with food intolerances, allergies, and chemical sensitivities until I was cured with homeopathy, so I understand pain, anxiety, and suffering. You may feel that your issues are more severe or different than anyone else’s, but I have seen it all in my practice and in my work in India. My opinion is that nothing has come close to the reproducible, safe and effective results that my clients, students and I have achieved with homeopathy.

Call today and learn how homeopathy might just be the missing piece in your health strategy.


Joette is not a physician and the relationship between Joette and her clients is not of prescriber and patient, but as educator and client. It is fully the client's choice whether or not to take advantage of the information Joette presents. Homeopathy doesn't "treat" an illness; it addresses the entire person as a matter of wholeness that is an educational process, not a medical one. Joette believes that the advice and diagnosis of a physician is often in order.


We've provided links for your convenience but we do not receive any remuneration nor affiliation in payment from your purchase.


The Author disclaims all liability for any loss or risk, personal or otherwise incurred as a consequence of use of any material in this article. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.



 

33 thoughts on “Complexion Complexities”

  1. Mia says:

    Joette! Please share with us how you get away with not wearing a mask! I’m so tired of all the stores where I live requiring them. Sigh.

    1. Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH says:

      I rarely go to stores and I live in FLA. Check out The Healthy American.org.

  2. victoria delacy says:

    I suffered with acne for decades before discovering the CURE. Simply wash the face several times daily with antibacterial liquid soap, towel dry gently, then follow by applying witch hazel to the face as a natural astringent. Acne will be GONE within weeks. It really works!

    1. Stacey says:

      Victoria, I read your comment today. I was wondering if you’d be willing to answer some questions. My daughter has had acne for about a year and we have tried just about everything with little to no change. Where did you hear of this protocol? What kind of antibacterial soap did you use? How many weeks did it take to clear up? Has your complexion stayed clear? Do you have to maintain this routine? Thank you for any feedback!

      1. Karisse says:

        I wouldn’t do it. That sounds horribly drying to the skin which could make for more problems. Follow Joette’s protocols. Your and your daughter may appreciate the blog post Joette mentions about Pippa and Pimples.

    2. Staci says:

      I also wouldn’t do it, as antibacterial soaps do affect our gut health and strip the skin of beneficial bacteria that help defend the body. This is the equivalent of taking an internal antibiotic for an internal infection. It may address the symptoms but it suppresses the healing that the body is trying to achieve by manifesting that symptom in the skin. This suppression then comes back as a seemingly unrelated symptom that’s more sobering and probably more chronic than pimples.
      Homeopathy addresses the presenting symptom- acne, without suppressing it further for it show up later. It heals completely and effectively and is a lot less time consuming than scrubbing your face and dabbing at it with an astringent. Joette has a whole courses on the skin, as well as antibiotics, and even the gut health that is usually connected. She also discusses this plenty throughout this blog for free!
      Hope this helps, God bless!

  3. Kerrin says:

    Hi Joette! Thank you for this post! My son has been taking the Banerji protocol your post mentioned twice daily for cystic shoulder acne since the beginning of December. We haven’t seen much improvement. Should I have him cut back to once every other day instead of twice daily? Thank you for all you do! I am so glad to have found your website and am loving learning about homeopathy! I wish I had found it sooner!

  4. Brittany says:

    Hey Joette,

    Is it safe to do this regimen while pregnant and/or breastfeeding? I’ve noticed that the further along in my pregnancies my face breaks out terribly and it is probably due to the complexities and surge of hormones going on, what do you think? Thanks!!

    1. Stephanie says:

      I would love to know this as well! I have terrible acne when I’m pregnant ☹️

      1. Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH says:

        In your browser key in the words “homeopathy medicines during pregnancy Joette Calabrese”.
        Do that for all of your questions, pls. I’ve spent decades amassing free information for the use of those with inquiring minds. Much of it is on my blog but I’m published in many other forums and on venues.

    2. Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH says:

      In your browser key in the words “homeopathy medicines during pregnancy Joette Calabrese”.
      Do that for all of your questions, pls. I’ve spent decades amassing free information for the use of those with inquiring minds. Much of it is on my blog but I’m published in many other forums and on venues.

  5. Stacey says:

    Joette, Thank you for the post. I gave this protocol to my daughter at the end of last summer and it completely cleared up her my daughter’s forehead only. She was very happy about that but it didn’t seem to touch the sides/cheeks of her face. Any other thoughts on what she could do to help?
    Thank you for any input!

    1. Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH says:

      Should you be interested, I cover cases that are stubborn or partially responsive in my online course “Skin the Ugly Truth”.

      1. Kerrin says:

        I was wondering what the best class was for this too! Allergic covers most of our problems and seems to include my son’s stubborn “backne” (shoulders and back mostly), but then Good Gut Bad Gut seems to cover acne too when the problems may stem from gut issues and then there is your Skin class! Too many good ones to choose from!

        1. Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH says:

          Hi Kerrin, I wish I could give you everything all in one course but there is too much information. The more you learn, the better work you’ll be able to do. Having said this, you might want to commence with Good Gut Bad Gut since the gut is key to general health.
          Let me suggest that if you’re not a member of the Gateway to Homeopathy Study group,(inexpensive) I urge you to join one. It is there that substantial discounts are organized but, more importantly, you’ll meet others of like mind. It will increase your ability exponentially.

  6. Tasneem says:

    Dear Joette! Wanted to say thank you so much for such invaluable information you share with us. I learn so much from you and for the last 11 years plus, you’ve helped me through your blogs and course materials ….. I pray for your continuous success.

    I wanted also to ask you if this protocol would also work for seborrheic acne on new borns?

    Thank you

    1. Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH says:

      We commence with this: Acne is acne is acne. If no improvement, we move on to more involved methods.
      That’s when I urge students to study the condition more thoroughly. That would be in my online course “Skin the Ugly Truth”.

  7. Ann says:

    What about a red, flaky yeast rash from wearing a mask? My daughter has that in the folks around her nose.

  8. Karyn Schmidt says:

    I was comparing your recommendation to the Banerji protocols and under acne it says Hepar Sulph 200, one dose every alternate day and Arsenicum Album 200, one dose daily…would you still suggest taking them together every other day or was there a misprint? Thank you – I greatly appreciate your help!

    1. Karyn Schmidt says:

      I found it under Acne Vulgaris, so maybe that is the difference…?

  9. Kate says:

    Hello Joette! In your article, when you say to “mix” the two remedies, does that mean to place them both in the mouth at the same time? Thanks!

    1. Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH says:

      yes

  10. Jill says:

    Hi Joette,
    Do you still use single remedies and cell salts (like in the blog post from 2013 as you mentioned), or do you strictly use the Banjeri Methods now?

    1. Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH says:

      I use both.

  11. Pamela says:

    Hi Joette,
    Do you cover skin issues in regard to flat moles/liver spots/age spots/cherry angiomas, etc (not warts) on your FREE blog? or in your Skin course??

    I searched on your blog, but nothing is coming up for “moles”. I also tried to search for “nevus”, “nevi” — but nothing.

    Thanks.

    1. Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH says:

      I cover these kinds of conditions in my online course titled “Skin the Ugly Truth”.

  12. Pamela says:

    Thank you for your reply!

    1-
    Are your courses “at your own pace” with an indefinite end-date? Or do they have a pre-defined amount of study time?

    2-
    In another thread in which you replied to me, you mentioned that “your students” would be able to purchase remedies from the online Pharmacy *I forgot the name* If someone takes your course, will they always be considered a “student” and be able to purchase from that Pharmacy? Or can you only purchase while actively taking the course? *hence, one of the reasons I asked Question 1 about study deadlines vs open-ended*

    Thanks!

    1. Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH says:

      My online courses are yours at your own pace and they belong to you forever. Once you’ve completed the course, you may purchase directly from OHM PHarma for as long as they make it available to my students. So far, it’s been many years.

  13. GeralynD says:

    “walking on windy beaches” wearing masks might make sense IF the sand is blowing!! Yes I had a walk where I had to rinse my mouth out AND later found sand in my undies! What an exhilerating walk that was… the wind sounded like a jet engine(up close!)! Recently I endevoured to control shedding (by wearing a mask) when transporting an aged friend who had gotten”stuck” a month earlier but a half hour of driving her to the store got me a *coff* and a week or so of remedies!

  14. Teresa says:

    My daughter had acne all over her face and upper back for two years. We started Arsen. Alb 200c + Hepar Sulph 200c every other day for three months and it minimally got better. After reading the Banerji protocol it shows Arsenicum Album 200c daily. After we increased to daily it started clearing up more. She now has a handful at a time constantly on her face and 10+ on her back. At what point do we stop taking the remedies? “Very much better” to me would be clear skin, but she’s a teen…how long is too long to take the acne protocol?

    1. Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH, PHom M says:

      We don’t expect perfection for any condition. We look for relative improvement to the point that it (whatever the condition may be) is no longer pathological.

  15. Sarah Gregory says:

    For those allergic to sulfur/sulfa, what would you recommend? I am 7 months postpartum and my acne is out of contol!

    1. Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH, PHom M says:

      Allergy to sulphur/sulfa is irrelevant when it comes to using homeopathy.

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