[Fair skin hides three flaws] Register as a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner specializing in both internal and external treatments; learn secrets to achieving an even skin tone.

In China, fair skin has long been considered beautiful. Many ancient Chinese idioms describing beautiful women emphasize fair skin, such as "skin like solidified cream" and "jade-like bones and ice-like skin." The classic Chinese medicine text, *Huangdi Neijing*, describes a healthy and perfect complexion as "white silk wrapped with cinnabar," indicating not only fair skin but also abundant qi and blood with a slight rosy glow. This time, registered Chinese medicine practitioner Huang Jingjing will share the secrets to achieving an even skin tone. Dr. Huang explains that the skin consists of the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous fat layer from the outside in. What we touch on the epidermis is the stratum corneum, which consists of 5-20 layers of dead, flattened cells. When the stratum corneum is too thick, the skin will appear drier and duller, as if it has not been cleaned properly. This can be improved by using a gentle scrub and the correct cleansing method.

She explained that after proper cleansing, if you observe dots or patches of brown or black pigmentation on your face, this is melanin deposition in the basal layer of the epidermis. When metabolism slows down, pigmentation occurs, forming age spots. The formation of age spots is related to hormones, sun exposure, medications, and some chronic diseases, and prevention is the most important aspect. Both men and women should take adequate sun protection measures. Proper sun protection can not only prevent age spots but also prevent skin aging. Another factor affecting skin radiance is the skin's structure. It is generally believed that removing dead skin and eliminating age spots should result in white and radiant skin, but this is not the case. Some female celebrities not only have fair skin, but also a dewy, translucent, and evenly white complexion. This is because the dermis has sufficient and healthy collagen fibers that give the skin elasticity and tension. Many skin care products on the market claim to contain collagen to replenish the skin's needs, but collagen, being a large molecule, cannot be directly absorbed through topical application, nor can it be directly replenished by consuming collagen.

Some people's faces appear redder, which is related to their blood vessel fullness, hemoglobin concentration, and skin inflammation. In general, visible light first reaches the skin's epidermis, and some light penetrates the stratum corneum into the skin, where it is affected by melanin, hemoglobin, collagen fibers, and other components, collectively presenting the skin's color and radiance. If the skin looks dull and lacks luster, it is likely the result of a combination of factors. Facial acupuncture is gradually gaining attention in the beauty industry, and many traditional Chinese medicine clinics in Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, and even Europe and America offer this treatment. By selecting acupoints and applying acupuncture along the lines of facial muscles, doctors can immediately accelerate skin microcirculation, making the skin appear redder and more radiant. This beneficial stimulation also provides nutrients and substances to the skin's collagen and other components, promoting the timely removal of old cellular metabolic waste. Therefore, many patients often experience an overall improvement in complexion and skin texture after 3-4 treatments, rather than just a whitening effect.

In addition to promoting metabolism and fading sunspots and melasma, acupuncture can also stimulate collagen regeneration and make it more vibrant. Therefore, it can improve the fine lines that women care about most, such as crow's feet, forehead lines, and nasolabial folds. Compared with the "plastic face" that may be caused by injections or topical medications, acupuncture is a healthy treatment that will not burden the body.

Here is a recipe for a beauty-enhancing chicken soup: Ingredients: 15g of five-finger peach root, 200ml of coconut juice and coconut meat, 10g of white poria cocos, 3 red dates, half a fresh chicken (skin, fat, and internal organs removed), 3 slices of ginger. Instructions: Boil about 800ml of water, add the chicken, five-finger peach root, coconut meat, white poria cocos, and red dates. Boil over high heat for 10 minutes, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 1 hour. Add the coconut water in the last 5 minutes and bring to a boil.

Benefits: Nourishes Qi and blood, improves complexion and promotes metabolism. The rich nutrients in chicken and coconut also help replenish the amino acids needed by the body, improving skin elasticity. It is especially suitable for women who are postpartum or post-menstrual with insufficient Qi and blood and poor complexion. It can be consumed 1-2 times a week.

Photo from registered Chinese medicine practitioner Huang Jingjing

Text: UrbanLife Editorial

Photos: UrbanLife Editorial