The Skin as a Mirror

In Chinese medicine, the skin is not treated in isolation. It is understood as a reflection of what is happening internally — in the digestive system, the liver, the lungs, and the blood. Chronic skin conditions like acne, eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis are viewed as external manifestations of internal imbalance, and treatment is directed at the root cause rather than the surface symptom.

This inside-out approach is one of the key reasons patients who have tried topical treatments without lasting success often find relief through Chinese medicine.

Acne: Heat, Dampness, and Hormones

In Chinese medicine, acne is most commonly associated with patterns of heat and dampness — often in the Stomach and Lung meridians. This maps closely to what Western medicine understands about acne: excess sebum production, inflammation, and hormonal fluctuation.

Treatment typically combines acupuncture to clear heat and reduce inflammation, herbal medicine to address the underlying pattern, and dietary guidance to reduce foods that generate dampness and heat (refined sugars, dairy, alcohol, and fried foods). For hormonal acne specifically, Dr. Mason addresses the underlying hormonal imbalance — often involving the liver's role in estrogen metabolism — which can produce more lasting results than topical treatments alone.

Eczema and Psoriasis: Wind, Dryness, and Blood Deficiency

Eczema and psoriasis are often associated with patterns of blood deficiency and wind in Chinese medicine — the skin becomes dry, itchy, and reactive when the blood lacks the nourishment to keep tissues moistened and the immune system regulated. Treatment focuses on nourishing the blood, clearing wind, and calming the nervous system (which plays a significant role in flare frequency and severity).

Herbal medicine is particularly effective for these conditions — classical formulas have been used for centuries to address chronic skin conditions, and modern research has begun to validate their mechanisms of action.

Rosacea: Liver Heat and Vascular Reactivity

Rosacea — characterized by facial redness, flushing, and visible blood vessels — is often linked in Chinese medicine to liver heat and blood heat rising to the face. Stress, alcohol, spicy foods, and hormonal fluctuations are common triggers, all of which have correlates in Chinese medicine pattern diagnosis.

Acupuncture can help regulate the vascular reactivity that underlies rosacea flares, while herbal medicine addresses the underlying heat pattern. Dietary and lifestyle modifications are also an important part of the treatment plan.

Cosmetic Acupuncture and Microneedling

Beyond treating skin conditions, Dr. Mason also offers cosmetic acupuncture and microneedling for patients interested in supporting skin health and reducing signs of aging. Cosmetic acupuncture stimulates collagen production, improves circulation to the face, and addresses constitutional imbalances that contribute to premature aging. Microneedling creates controlled micro-injuries that trigger the skin's natural repair response, improving texture, tone, and fine lines.

Both approaches are integrated with Dr. Mason's holistic assessment — so you are not just treating the surface, but supporting the internal conditions that allow your skin to thrive.