Skin Care Benefits of Acupuncture
Should You Ditch Your Dermatologist For Acupuncture?
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- What is acupuncture, and how does it work? During an acupuncture treatment, the practitioner inserts fine, sterile needles into specific pressure points on the skin to create local reactions. It is based in traditional Chinese medicine, wherein qi, or energy, flows along certain channels (known as meridians) in the body to keep you balanced. Should the qi be disrupted or blocked, acupuncture can stimulate and unblock the qi, activating healing responses in your body.
Though these beliefs are different from Western medicine, modern research has proven that acupuncture therapy can have significant effects on your body's various systems. Dr. Zhang blends Western and Eastern medicine to get the best results for each patient. "For example, Chinese medicine states that if the lung is healthy, skin is healthy, but Western medicine says liver toxins can be the cause of poor skin health. Based on the needs of each patient, I choose which route to go for treatment."
- What skin conditions can be treated with acupuncture? "Acne, wrinkles, dermatitis, and eczema can all be treated with acupuncture," said Dr. Zhang. "Sagging, dark spots, dullness, and enlarged pores can be improved, and even some types of hair loss respond to acupuncture." Issues like male-pattern baldness and deeply damaged skin may be harder to treat. In his practice, he frequently treats acne, eczema, psoriasis, and hair loss caused by stress.
