The radiance and color of our skin can reflect our overall health. Visiting a beauty salon may temporarily improve skin tone, but for lasting beauty, adopting a healthy lifestyle and addressing the root causes of skin conditions are essential. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) aims to identify these root causes and restore internal balance for naturally radiant skin.
Finding the root cause
TCM focuses on identifying these underlying causes and restoring internal balance to achieve naturally radiant skin.
During the TCM process, the physician will inquire about the patient’s skin condition, lifestyle habits, and medical history. They will then examine the tongue, pulse, and skin appearance before diagnosing the fundamental causes of the condition.
Restoring balance
Based on the identified causes, doctors may prescribe treatments to restore bodily balance. This could involve increasing blood supply, replenishing Yin energy for deficient organs (a concept in TCM different from Western medicine), enhancing the flow of meridian pathways if circulation is an issue, or eliminating excess heat or dampness from the body.
Common treatments include herbal medicine, acupuncture, external washes, or a combination of these methods. Dietary changes or avoiding certain foods may also be recommended.
The risk of side effects is low due to the plant-based nature of Chinese herbal medicine. Acupuncture is generally safe when performed by experienced practitioners.
Holistic approach is key
Each patient has unique needs, and the duration of treatment depends on the severity of the skin condition and the patient’s constitution. For example, a woman with pale or sallow skin due to irregular menstruation and Qi-blood deficiency may need 8 to 12 weeks of treatment. A foundation of a healthy lifestyle is crucial for radiant skin, including a balanced diet, sufficient sleep, work-life balance, emotional well-being, regular exercise, and sun protection.
Skin appearance and underlying causes
Pale
– Appearance: Paleness
– Causes: Qi deficiency, blood deficiency, cold constitution
- Yellow
– Appearance: Unhealthy yellow/light brown
– Causes: Spleen deficiency, dampness accumulation
- Red
– Appearance: Rosy, healthy, reddish, and unhealthy
– Causes: Yin deficiency, internal heat, external heat
- Black
– Appearance: Withered
– Causes: Kidney deficiency
- Green
– Appearance: Bluish (deep blue-gray)
– Causes: Poor circulation of Qi and blood, cold constitution
5-Minute acupressure & facial massage
According to TCM theory, massaging specific acupoints helps enhance the flow of meridians, slowing down the aging process and restoring skin radiance. Simply massage these ten points for five minutes each day. It’s worth a try!
Jing Ming: Located on the inside edge of the orbit of each eye.
Cuan Zhu: Located in the depression of the medial end of each eyebrow.
Yu Yao: Located in the middle of the eyebrow directly above the pupil
Si Zhu Kong: Located in the depression at the lateral end of the eyebrow.
Cheng Qi: Located below the pupil, between the eyeball and the infraorbital ridge.
Ying Xiang: Located next to each nostril.
Ju Liao: Located below the pupil, at the level of the lower border of the nostril.
Quan Liao: Located below the outer corner of the eye, in the depression on the lower border of the cheekbone.
Lian Quan: Located on the neck, in the depression below the root of the tongue.
Yi Feng: Located in the depression behind the earlobe.
