Q If I treat acne with Korean medicine, in what specific order does it proceed?
A It proceeds in three stages: first emptying the heat-toxins to calm inflammation (clearing-heat and detoxification), then stabilizing the overreactive immune system, and finally regenerating the damaged skin to prevent recurrence. Herbal medicine and acupuncture are used together at each stage.
Detailed Answer
Treatment proceeds in stages. It begins first with the clearing-heat and detoxification (cheongyeol-haedok) stage, which expels the body's heat-toxins and waste to calm the angry, inflamed redness. Next comes an immune-stabilizing stage that balances the internal organs to soothe the overreactive immune system, and finally it concludes with a skin-regeneration stage that strengthens the damaged skin barrier and boosts regenerative power to prevent recurrence.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
At Dongjedang, in line with each stage, we combine herbal medicine that promotes the circulation of qi and blood by raising-water and lowering-fire (su-seung-hwa-gang), detoxifying acupuncture and pharmacopuncture that directly expel toxins, and a steroid-free natural herbal ointment. The goal is not to suppress symptoms temporarily, but to build a body and skin in which acne is unlikely to form.
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