✨Holistic Oriental Medicine Treatments for Various Skin Conditions (피부질환)🌿

Our skin is not just a protective barrier—it reflects our internal health and balance. Many chronic skin conditions arise from underlying imbalances in the body’s organ functions, immune responses, and circulation rather than merely external triggers.

At Life Giving Acupuncture & Herb Clinic (생명주는한의원), we provide comprehensive and personalized treatments for various skin conditions, focusing on restoring internal balance while promoting natural skin regeneration.

1️⃣ Acne (여드름) & Acne Scars Treatment

What Causes Acne?

Acne occurs due to an imbalance of sebum and keratin, leading to clogged pores and inflammation. However, sebum and keratin alone are not the cause—the real issue lies in internal organ dysfunctions and circulatory stagnation, which trigger skin hypersensitivity and inflammation.

💡 Oriental Medicine Approach to Acne:

✔️ Regulating internal imbalances that cause excessive sebum production

✔️ Enhancing blood circulation to prevent congestion and stagnation

✔️ Calming skin hypersensitivity and strengthening the skin barrier

🔹 Treatments Include:

✅ Herbal Medicine (한약) – Personalized formulas to balance sebum production and reduce inflammation

✅ Acupuncture (침치료) – Enhances blood circulation and promotes detoxification✅ Micro-needling Therapy System (MTS) – Stimulates collagen regeneration and improves acne scars

✅ Herbal Peeling (한방 필링) – Used for back acne (등여드름) and post-acne hyperpigmentation

📌 Acne Scar Treatment: Acne scars result from damaged collagen structures that fail to heal properly. Using acupuncture and micro-needling therapy (MTS), we can:

✔️ Break down fibrotic scar tissues

✔️ Trigger natural wound-healing mechanisms

✔️ Induce new skin cell and collagen production

📚 Scientific Studies on Oriental Medicine for Acne:

A clinical trial published in the Journal of Dermatology (2021) showed that acupuncture combined with herbal medicine significantly reduced acne inflammation and improved skin texture compared to conventional treatments.

2️⃣ Atopic Dermatitis (아토피) & Eczema (습진, 지루피부염)

What Causes Atopic Dermatitis?

Atopic dermatitis and eczema are chronic inflammatory skin conditions that cause itching, swelling, and skin barrier dysfunction. The root issue in these conditions is a weakened skin barrier, which allows allergens and irritants to penetrate easily, triggering immune overreactions.

💡 Oriental Medicine Approach to Atopic Dermatitis:

✔️ Strengthening the skin’s natural barrier by restoring moisture balance

✔️ Enhancing immune regulation to reduce inflammatory responses

✔️ Addressing underlying imbalances in digestion, stress, and circulation

🔹 Treatments Include:

✅ Herbal Medicine (한약) – Tailored formulas to regulate the immune system and reduce inflammation

✅ Detox Therapy (해독요법) – Removes accumulated toxins that may exacerbate symptoms

✅ External Herbal Creams (한방연고, 자운고 등) – Anti-inflammatory and skin-regenerating ointments

✅ Acupuncture & Cupping Therapy – Improves circulation and alleviates stress-induced flare-ups

📚 Scientific Studies on Oriental Medicine for Atopic Dermatitis:

A study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2020) found that patients receiving herbal medicine and acupuncture experienced significant reductions in atopic dermatitis severity and itching compared to those using corticosteroids.

3️⃣ Dyshidrotic Eczema (한포진) & Psoriasis (건선)

💡 Dyshidrotic Eczema (한포진):

✔️ Characterized by itchy, fluid-filled blisters on the hands and feet

✔️ Often triggered by stress, excessive sweating, or immune dysfunction

✔️ OM focuses on detoxification (해독) and immune regulation (면역조절)

💡 Psoriasis (건선):

✔️ A chronic condition with red, scaly patches due to immune dysregulation

✔️ Highly sensitive to stress and environmental factors

✔️ Requires immune-balancing herbal medicine & acupuncture to prevent flare-ups

🔹 Treatments Include:

✅ Herbal Medicine – Clears heat toxins (청열해독, 淸熱解毒) and strengthens immunity

✅ Acupuncture & Moxibustion – Enhances blood circulation to prevent recurrence

✅ External Herbal Creams – Anti-inflammatory and skin-repairing herbal formulations

📚 Scientific Studies on Oriental Medicine for Psoriasis:

A meta-analysis published in The Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine (2019) demonstrated that herbal medicine and acupuncture were effective in reducing inflammation and improving skin lesions in psoriasis patients.

🔬Understanding Steroid Rebounding & the Healing Process in Oriental Medicine 🌿

Steroids are commonly used to manage chronic skin conditions like eczema (아토피), psoriasis (건선), and other inflammatory skin disorders due to their fast-acting anti-inflammatory effects. However, long-term steroid use can lead to steroid rebounding, a phenomenon where symptoms return even more severely after stopping steroid treatment.

On the other hand, Oriental Medicine takes a different approach—treating the root cause rather than just suppressing symptoms. During the early stages of herbal medicine treatment, some patients may experience a temporary worsening of symptoms before gradually improving, which is a natural part of the healing process.

🔬 What is Steroid Rebounding?

📌 The Problem with Long-Term Steroid Use

Steroids, particularly topical corticosteroids (TCS) and oral corticosteroids, work by suppressing the immune response and reducing inflammation. While this provides rapid symptom relief, it does not address the root cause of the condition.

When steroids are used for an extended period, the skin and immune system become dependent on the medication. Once the steroid is discontinued or reduced, the body struggles to regulate inflammation naturally, leading to a severe rebound reaction.

⚠️ Common Symptoms of Steroid Rebounding:

✔️ Severe inflammation & redness (erythema, 홍반)

✔️ Burning, itching, and swelling

✔️ Worsened rashes & flaring of symptoms

✔️ Skin peeling, dryness, and hypersensitivity

✔️ Delayed recovery & prolonged withdrawal effects

➡️ The key takeaway: Steroids suppress symptoms but do not restore the skin’s natural healing ability—when stopped, the body overcompensates, leading to a rebound effect.

🌿 How is Oriental Medicine Different?

📌 Healing from the Inside Out

Unlike steroids, Oriental Medicine (OM) does not artificially suppress symptoms. Instead, it focuses on:

✔️ Restoring immune balance

✔️ Reducing inflammation naturally

✔️ Strengthening the skin barrier & overall constitution

📌 Why Can Symptoms Worsen Initially?

During the early stages of herbal treatment, some patients may experience temporary worsening of symptoms, often mistaken as a negative reaction. This phenomenon is called healing crisis (好転反応, 호전반응) and is a sign that the body is adjusting and beginning to heal from within.

📌 Patience is Key: Unlike steroids, which act quickly but only provide temporary relief, herbal medicine works gradually but leads to lasting improvement.

💡How to Transition from Steroids to Oriental Medicine Safely

✔️ Taper Off Steroids Gradually: Sudden discontinuation may trigger an extreme rebound reaction. A gradual tapering strategy, combined with herbal medicine, can ease the transition.

✔️ Support Skin Barrier Recovery: Use herbal creams (자운고, 황백연고) and natural moisturizers to restore hydration and soothe irritation.

✔️ Strengthen Internal Health: Supporting digestion, circulation, and stress management through herbal formulas, acupuncture, and dietary therapy can improve immune function.

✔️ Be Patient & Stay Consistent: Healing takes time—temporary flare-ups do not mean treatment is failing.

4️⃣ Burn Recovery (화상 후 피부 재생) & Scar Healing

Acupuncture is clinically proven to accelerate burn wound healing, reduce scarring, and promote natural skin regeneration.

📌 Scientific Evidence:

SCIE Journal (2022, Journal of Burn Care & Research): → Acupuncture accelerates wound healing in burn-injured mice
Burns Journal (ABA, American Burn Association): → Utilization of Acupuncture and Herbal Ointment Instead of Skin Graft Surgery for Burn Injuries

💡 Benefits of Acupuncture for Burn Healing:

✔️ Stimulates immune function and enhances tissue repair

✔️ Speeds up wound healing by increasing blood flow

✔️ Softens scar tissues and prevents hypertrophic scars

🔹 Herbal Scar Treatment (자연재생고, Herbal Ointment):

✅ Astragalus (황기, 黃芪): Anti-inflammatory, enhances wound healing

✅ Angelica (당귀, 當歸): Stimulates immune function and skin regeneration

✅ Scrophularia (자초, 紫草): Treats dermatitis and reduces inflammation

✅ Lonicera (금은화, 金银花): Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial

and so on.

📌 Treatment Timeline:

➡️ 25-45 days for optimal healing

➡️ Longer duration required for deep burns

5️⃣ Wrinkle Reduction, Skin Rejuvenation & MTS Therapy (미세침, Microneedle Therapy System)

Aging is a natural process, but wrinkles, fine lines, and loss of skin elasticity can make us feel less confident. Unlike chemical peels and laser treatments, which can thin and damage the skin barrier, Microneedling Therapy System (MTS, 미세침치료) and Facial Acupuncture (안면침) offer a natural, non-invasive approach to restoring youthful, radiant skin.

At Life Giving Acupuncture & Herb Clinic, we specialize in holistic skin rejuvenation techniques that enhance collagen production, boost blood circulation, and promote long-lasting skin health.

💡 What is MTS?

Microneedling Therapy System (MTS) is a cutting-edge, minimally invasive treatment that stimulates the skin’s natural collagen and elastin production by creating tiny micro-injuries using a derma roller with microneedles. This process activates the body’s healing response, leading to:

✔️ Increased collagen and elastin production → Reduces wrinkles and sagging

✔️ Enhanced skin elasticity and hydration → Strengthens the skin barrier

✔️ Refined skin texture → Minimizes fine lines, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation

📌 Why Choose MTS Over Other Treatments? Unlike chemical peels and laser treatments, which remove the outer layer of skin, MTS preserves the skin barrier while stimulating deep cellular renewal. It is a safe, effective method for skin rejuvenation without excessive downtime or risks.

🔹 Common Skin Concerns Treated with MTS:

✅ Wrinkles and fine lines

✅ Acne scars and enlarged pores

✅ Uneven skin texture and hyperpigmentation

✅ Skin sagging and loss of elasticity

📚 Scientific Evidence Supporting MTS:

A 2020 study published in the International Journal of Dermatology found that microneedling significantly improved skin elasticity and reduced wrinkles over a 12-week period. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9332435/)
Another clinical trial in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (2021) showed that microneedling combined with natural serums improved skin hydration and collagen production compared to traditional anti-aging treatments. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11499218/)