WELLNESS AUTHOR
Debbie Kung, DAOM, L.Ac.
REJUVENATE YOUR SKIN IN 2021 n New Year, new skin. Introducing a new, monthly column with Debbie Kung, DAOM, L.Ac.!
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our skin health isn’t just skin-deep. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), your skin is considered an outer reflection of your entire inner physical, mental and spiritual health. This internal-external mirror reflects through the skin by way of symptoms such as hyperpigmentation, lines, loss of elasticity, wrinkles, marks (such as moles/ freckles), acne and other skin disorders. These symptoms most noticeably manifest on our facial skin and are considered symptoms of a root cause, which could stem from imbalances between yin and yang, Qi and blood, or even pathogenic factors such as cold, heat, dryness and dampness. One of the root causes of acne, for example, can be “heat toxicity in the blood.” Other examples of root causes for issues such as hyperpigmentation can be “blood stasis” and wrinkles can be “Qi and yin deficiency.” Fortunately, skin is constantly repairing and renewing itself. Your skin’s cellular turnover process repeats approximately every 28 days and can even slow to a 40-day turnover as we age. However, even with regular cell turnover, it is still important to understand our own skin and how to best take care of it. Because
JANUARY 2021
every person’s skin is different, TCM works well to diagnose the individual and their ailment instead of a broad, generalized approach to treatment. How does one improve and rejuvenate their skin? Simply by working with your body’s natural healing process, you have the power to improve and rejuvenate your skin. TCM is a safe, effective and natural solution to rejuvenating your skin and working preventative healing into your regular routine. One way to expedite this rejuvenation process is by using different TCM modalities such as acupuncture, herbal remedies, cupping, facial Gua Sha and Qi Gong.
Acupuncture
In acupuncture, fine needles are inserted throughout the body with the purpose to unblock Qi flow. By unblocking your Qi, your body can run smoothly; you feel balanced, nourished and healthy. Acupuncture works to stimulate fresh blood flow and Qi, which is known as “energy life force,” to your skin while also releasing nitric oxide. This helps the body regulate pain, widens blood vessels and stimulates the release of the human growth hormone (HGH).
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