As the pursuit of living naturally gains popularity around the world, natural cosmetology have become the new standard in attaining beauty. With the advent of natural herbal products, TCM cosmetics have been gaining the spotlight with their emphasis on achieving beauty not just through time-tested skin rejuvenating herbs, but also through improving one’s health and longevity.
Balancing one’s body condition not only heightens one’s overall health, but also helps to regulate one’s skin moisture, sebum production, as well as improve skin tone and complexion etc.
What is TCM Cosmetology?
Today, TCM cosmetology combines ancient Chinese herbal beauty formulas with current day knowledge and techniques. It is rooted in TCM concepts and helps the user achieve beauty through a holistic development of one’s overall health.
In TCM cosmetology, any imperfection or blemish is seen as an imbalance of the body, for example, Qi deficiency, Blood stagnation, excess Heat etc. These are determined through TCM diagnostic means. After a clear diagnosis of one’s body condition, oral or topical herbal prescriptions, acupuncture, qi-gong, food therapy or other treatment modules can be used to help bring the body back to an equilibrium.
Balancing one’s body condition not only heightens one’s overall health, but also helps to regulate one’s skin moisture, sebum production, as well as improve skin tone and complexion etc.
TCM Beauty Food Therapy
In TCM, food is often seen as a source of medication, as each food item has its own unique nutritional content and medical benefits. There are many everyday food items that can improve complexion, that are also safe for long term consumption.
To enhance the beautifying effects of food therapy, herbs that improve the skin can also be added into our dishes. This makes food therapy a highly convenient option for anyone looking to nourish their skin without any additional hassle.
One example is the humble red date. Dates are sweet, tasty in many dishes, and are known to replenish Qi and Blood in the body. Apart from strengthening the body, dates also nourishes the skin and adds a healthy rosiness to the cheeks.
Oral and Topical TCM Food Therapy
The beauty of food therapy is that not only can the food be enjoyed as part of our everyday meals, they can also be applied topically onto our skin for direct dermatological effects. Topical application is often used to achieve skin moisturising, lightening, tightening, exfoliating and other purposes.
For example, snow fungus makes a light and delicious dessert soup, and can nourish the body to treat dry cough and dry skin. However, when applied topically, it can directly moisturises the skin, lighten spots, and regulate sebum production.
The combination of oral and topical therapy is another expression of the holistic nature of TCM cosmetology.
近年来，随着回归自然的热潮，天然美容成了爱美人士的目标。美得自然，美得健康，美得持久，美中带气质，美中有活力均成为人们追求时尚健美的标志。在这全面性的美容概念之下，中医美容也日渐受到世人的关注及青睐。
这种全身调养的做法使中医美容比其他美容疗法更胜一筹，在健美治疗过程中同时达到未病先防，延年益寿的果效。
中医美容的突出
中医美容是一门既古老又新兴的医学学科，它结合了中医学和现代美容学，主要是运用整体化的自然疗法来达到养生健美，抗衰老的目的。
中医美容虽以美容为出发点，但特点是疗效范围并不局限于颜面等的局部美化。它乃是以中医诊断，针对个人体质，通过中药、针灸、推拿、气功、食疗等来调理气血阴阳、五脏六腑，以达到养颜的目的。这种全身调养的做法使中医美容比其他美容疗法更胜一筹，在健美治疗过程中同时达到未病先防，延年益寿的果效。
中医食膳美容特点
根据中医美容学，食膳美容的概念是运用食物或在食物中加入可药食两用的中药，通过日常饮食来达到防病，治病和保健美容的目的。食物可长期食用而不产生毒副作用，安全性高，容易取材于日常生活中。例如，大枣除了有益气养血的功效，长期服用能强健身体以外，也有养颜的作用，使皮肤红润。
内外并用
一提到食膳美容，多数人就想起食用具有美容功效的食品。但食膳美容其实也包括外用法。
内服法是以平衡脏腑阴阳，调节气血经络，增加器官活力为主。人体整体达到平衡，能使皮肤得以滋润，改善。
外用法则是将食物根据需要而配制成不同制剂，用在表皮肤上，让其效疗直接在局部发挥作用，例如润肤，美白，祛斑等。
例如，银耳内服具有养阴润肺，润滑肌肤的功效。外用可使皮肤滋润饱满，同时有美白及调节皮肤油性的效果。
注重整体性，融合外用及内服为一体乃是食膳美容的一大特点。 请阅读此文章系列的第二章《中医美容的奥秘（二）：中医食膳美容功效》
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