Treating Skin Conditions with Traditional Korean Medicine

Nov 12

Written By HY C

Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) clinics are well-known for providing effective, non-invasive, non-surgical, and medication-free treatments, especially for pain management. In fact, most patients who visit TKM clinics do so to address pain-related issues. The second most common reasons are digestive or overall health concerns. However, it’s less known that TKM clinics can also treat certain skin conditions effectively and non-surgically. Based on my clinical experience, the following skin issues respond particularly well to TKM treatments.

1. Ganglion Cysts

Ganglion cysts typically appear on the wrist, either on the palm side or the back, as well as on the fingers and ankles. They are among the most common benign tumors in the body. Conventional treatments often involve applying external pressure to burst the cyst or using a needle to drain the fluid inside. In contrast, I use acupuncture and moxibustion to gradually reduce the size of the cyst until it disappears. For smaller cysts, a single treatment may suffice, while larger cysts may require multiple sessions.

2. Skin Tags

In TKM, skin tags are thought to be caused by an accumulation of "damp-phlegm." This concept is particularly relevant for overweight individuals, as excess weight can also be related to this accumulation. In simple terms, damp-phlegm represents an issue in the body’s metabolism, where food isn’t fully digested, leaving unwanted byproducts behind. These byproducts can lead to weight gain and contribute to the formation of skin tags. For treatment, moxibustion is applied to remove skin tags. Small tags can often be eliminated with a single session, while larger ones shrink over time with repeated treatment.

An advantage of TKM treatment for skin tags is the lack of post-treatment care. Unlike laser treatments, which require patients to avoid water and sunlight and may cause pain or scabbing, TKM treatment allows for immediate return to daily activities without any special precautions. There’s minimal pain, and the treated area is unaffected by exposure to sunlight or water. Small skin tags usually disappear after one treatment, while larger ones may need several sessions. Healing is typically complete within two weeks, with no scarring.