Nowadays, more and more people are choosing to visit traditional Chinese medicine hospitals in search of healthier and more natural beauty. A reporter's visit found that in recent years, the number of patients at traditional Chinese medicine beauty clinics in many top-tier hospitals in Beijing has been rising, with beauty seekers ranging from teenagers to the elderly, and traditional Chinese medicine beauty is quickly becoming a part of people's lives.
"In the past three years, the outpatient visits to our department's traditional Chinese medicine cosmetic clinic have increased by about 30% annually. The majority of patients seeking beauty treatments are young women and middle-aged groups, with the proportion of middle-aged and elderly patients steadily rising," introduced Cui Bingnan, Director of the Dermatology Department at Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences.
The "Huangdi Neijing" points out, "What exists internally must manifest externally." The holistic regulation concept of traditional Chinese medicine precisely aligns with this. For example, common skin problems such as acne and melasma are regarded in TCM as being related to imbalances of the zang-fu organs and qi and blood caused by the environment, emotions, and stress. Through comprehensive treatments such as Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture, improvements from the inside out can often be achieved.
In addition, the potential medical risks of modern cosmetic procedures make beauty seekers more cautious, making traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) beauty, which has been refined over thousands of years and emphasizes natural healing, more favored. 'TCM focuses on syndrome differentiation and treatment, with a personalized approach for each individual, which aligns more with modern people's pursuit of personalized and health-oriented beauty,' said Cui Bingnan.
"From adolescence to the elderly, TCM beauty services cover the entire life cycle." Cui Bingnan stated that teenagers often have a physique leaning towards excess heat, so regulation focuses on clearing heat, detoxifying, and controlling oil to address acne and excessive skin oil; middle-aged people focus on anti-aging, emphasizing liver conveyance and Qi regulation, nourishing and activating blood to deal with early signs of aging such as melasma, fine lines, and sagging; in the elderly stage, the focus is on tonifying the liver and kidneys, benefiting Qi and nourishing blood, improving skin itching, spots, and elasticity decline caused by Qi and blood deficiency.
Skin problems in the elderly are particularly suitable for treatment with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). For example, elderly itching is often caused by blood deficiency and wind-dryness. Simply using topical steroids has limited effect, but nourishing the blood and moisturizing dryness with Chinese medicine, combined with special external medications (such as anti-itch moisturizing creams), can fundamentally regulate the condition. Another example is age spots. TCM believes they are related to kidney qi decline and blood stasis. Taking internal kidney-tonifying and blood-activating formulas, combined with facial fire acupuncture or laser treatment, can lighten spots and improve overall health.
Traditional concepts integrate with modern technology
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) beauty treatments are more like a "personalized" long-term health management plan. Zhou Shuanglin, associate chief physician of the Department of Dermatology at Guang'anmen Hospital of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, introduced that TCM beauty projects can be divided into three categories: medicinal therapy, non-medicinal therapy, and lifestyle guidance.
Medicinal therapy covers internal regulation (Chinese herbal decoctions, granules, patent medicines, medicinal pastes, tea substitutes, etc.) and external application (wet compresses, facial masks, aromatherapy, etc.); non-medicinal therapy includes acupuncture thread embedding, fire needling, water needling, ear acupuncture, micro-needle knife, bloodletting and cupping, gua sha, and more; lifestyle guidance encompasses diet, emotions, exercise, and other aspects.
Traditional Chinese medicine is not limited to local skin problems, but aims to achieve improvement from the inside out by regulating the body's overall qi and blood and the functions of the internal organs; secondly, treatment can be tailored according to the patient's constitution, season, region, and other factors, avoiding a 'one-size-fits-all' approach; in addition, TCM beauty treatments are gentle and safe with minimal side effects, placing more emphasis on long-term conditioning, helping those seeking beauty to achieve it on the basis of health.
Modern traditional Chinese medical (TCM) beauty treatments are also actively integrating technological methods. Reporters have learned that devices such as skin analyzers, red, yellow, and blue light therapy, radio frequency, and lasers have been widely used in clinical settings, complementing traditional techniques. In the TCM cosmetic dermatology clinic at Guang'anmen Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, 38-year-old Li Yuwei (pseudonym) lies on a treatment bed, with more than ten fine acupuncture needles, as thin as hair, inserted on her face. Above her face, a soft yellow light treatment device shines on her. The combination of the two harnesses the overall regulatory advantages of acupuncture while using light therapy to enhance local efficacy.
Clarify misunderstandings, pursue beauty scientifically
As traditional Chinese medical beauty gradually becomes popular, some misconceptions have emerged, and experts have clarified them.
Misconception 1: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) beauty treatments work very slowly. For acute inflammation, such as red and swollen acne, fire needling and bloodletting through pricking can quickly reduce swelling and redness; for mild to moderate skin laxity and fine lines, acupuncture and thread embedding can show visible firming and lifting effects after several treatments.
Misconception 2: Purely natural products can be tried at will. Cases of skin allergies caused by self-abusing Chinese herbal face masks or folk remedies occur from time to time. External use of Chinese medicine must be based on differentiation of syndromes, and internal prescriptions require even more consideration of body constitution and drug toxicity, and must be used under the guidance of a professional physician.
Misconception 3: Once treated, it will be a one-time solution. Skin condition is closely related to overall health and is continuously affected by age, environment, and lifestyle. Traditional Chinese medicine beauty care requires periodic maintenance and the support of good living habits.
How can one scientifically and effectively use traditional Chinese medicine methods to care for the skin? Experts have summarized four practical suggestions.
Regular institutions. Choose hospitals or clinics with proper qualifications, and consult professional doctors who specialize in traditional Chinese cosmetic medicine.
Visit the doctor without makeup. Try to keep your face clean during the visit and avoid wearing makeup in order to accurately assess the condition of your skin.
Do not be impatient. Traditional Chinese medical beauty treatments usually use a 2-3 month period as a basic observation cycle, allowing enough time for the skin and body to adjust.
Moderate combination. Traditional Chinese medicine beauty treatments also have indications, and certain structural skin problems can be considered for a combination of Chinese and Western medicine approaches.