Q My skin elasticity has dropped sharply since my 40s. Can Korean medicine help?
A Skin aging is a physiological process in which collagen and elastin decrease, dermal moisture decreases, and sebum secretion decreases in a complex progression — complete reversal is difficult, but slowing the rate of progression is possible. Korean medicine aims to delay aging by replenishing kidney essence (腎精) and strengthening the lung's (肺) function of governing the skin. Taking tonifying qi and blood (補氣補血) formulas suited to one's constitution consistently can be expected to improve skin elasticity and radiance.
Detailed Answer
Intrinsic skin aging manifests as sebaceous gland atrophy, decreased skin barrier function, and decreased collagen synthesis with age, while extrinsic aging (photoaging) is accelerated by accumulation of UV rays, smoking, and fine dust. After age 40, decreased estrogen rapidly progresses skin moisture and elasticity loss, and intervention during this period can effectively slow the rate of progression. Combination with topical ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, retinol, and vitamin C is also recommended.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
In Korean medicine, skin aging appears as a complex of kidney essence (腎精) deficiency and lung qi (肺氣) weakness, and since the lung governs the skin and body hair (皮毛), sufficient lung qi is necessary for skin radiance. Liuwei Dihuang-wan (六味地黃湯) and Zuogui-wan (左歸丸) that replenish kidney essence, and Bopye-tang with added angelica and white peony to strengthen lung qi, improve skin regeneration function. Combining acupuncture and moxibustion at Zusanli (足三里), Feishu (肺兪), and Shenshu (腎兪) activates overall qi-blood circulation, also sufficiently supplying nutrients to the skin.
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