TCM Dermatology

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TCM dermatology is a specialty requiring advanced training in the diagnosis and treatment of both acute and chronic skin disease.

Chinese medicine has a long and sophisticated tradition of treating diseases of the skin. TCM dermatology is a specialty within that tradition, requiring advanced training in the diagnosis and treatment of both acute and chronic skin disease.
My work in this field is grounded in advanced training with world-renowned TCM dermatologist Mazin Al-Khafaji, one of the foremost practitioners and teachers of Chinese medicine dermatology. I am also a member of the International TCM Dermatology Association (ITCMDA), an international community dedicated to advancing excellence in the practice of Chinese herbal medicine for dermatological disease.
My approach is thorough, highly individualized, and designed to evolve as your skin changes:

❋ 1. UNDERSTAND THE WHOLE PICTURE

We begin with an in-depth look at your skin and health history, including how your condition began, how it has changed over time, what aggravates or improves it, and what else may be happening in your body. When we meet in person, I also closely examine the skin itself.

❋ 3. REASSESS & REFINE

Your treatment is not static. We follow up regularly to assess how your skin and overall health are responding. Herbal formulas are typically adjusted every few weeks as inflammation settles, lesions change, and the underlying pattern evolves.

❋ 2. CREATE YOUR TREATMENT 

Using everything we’ve learned, I design a treatment plan specific to you and the way your condition is presenting. This most often includes a customized internal herbal formula alongside targeted topical therapy, with acupuncture, nutrition, lifestyle, and skincare guidance incorporated when appropriate.

❋ 4. TRACK YOUR PROGRESS

Skin gives us something incredibly useful: we can see change happening. Photographs taken in the clinic and at home allow us to objectively follow your progress over time and make thoughtful adjustments to your treatment.

  • “Lee has…played a central role in clearing up continuous skin issues that plague my 37-year-old face.”

    —Kim

  • "“We felt the fun vibe from the first hello. Instant love!”"

    -- Joyful Visitor

  • "“Service so smooth we almost forgot it was work. Yay teamwork!”"

    -- Happy Partner

FAQ

  • Every case is different. The length of treatment depends on the condition itself, how long you’ve had it, its severity, your overall health, and how your skin responds along the way.

    For chronic skin conditions, I encourage patients to think in terms of months rather than weeks. We are looking for meaningful change along the way, but the larger goal is to get your skin healthy, stable, and less prone to relapse—not simply quiet a flare temporarily.

  • Skin conditions rarely exist in isolation. In Chinese medicine, what we see on the surface often gives us important information about what is happening internally.

    We work on both at the same time: calming what is happening on the skin while identifying and treating the deeper patterns contributing to it. As those patterns change, your herbal prescriptions and topical treatments evolve too. Healing skin takes time, and lasting change often happens in stages.

  • Most dermatology patients take a customized herbal formula every day. Depending on your treatment plan, herbs may be prescribed as concentrated granules, traditionally prepared decoctions, pills, or other preparations.

    Dermatology formulas can taste strong—sometimes very strong. That is part of working with medicinal herbs, and consistency matters. I’ll help you find the most appropriate preparation for both your condition and your ability to realistically stick with treatment.

  • Most likely, yes. I maintain a clinical pharmacy of herbal creams, ointments, masks, plasters, soaks, and other topical preparations that can be selected or customized according to what is happening with your skin.

    I think of dermatology treatment as both inside-out and outside-in: internal herbal medicine addresses the deeper pattern while topical medicine gives us a targeted pathway to work directly with the skin.

  • Herbal medicine—both internal and topical—is generally the foundation of my dermatology work. Acupuncture may also be incorporated when it is appropriate for your particular condition or when we are addressing other aspects of your health alongside your skin.

    Your initial dermatology consultation is devoted to understanding your history, examining your skin, making a Chinese medicine diagnosis, and developing your treatment plan.

    If we decide to incorporate acupuncture, then we will schedule a separate acupuncture appointment.

  • Yes. Chinese herbal medicine can be a wonderful option for children with skin conditions, although treatment looks different depending on the child’s age.

    Adolescent acne often responds very well to a combination of internal herbal medicine, topical therapy and dietary guidance. For babies with eczema, I use a much gentler approach—often herbal baths alone—and do not prescribe internal herbal medicine.

    Toddlers can be a little trickier. Chinese herbs have a strong flavor, and young children can also be particularly sensitive to the sensation of creams, ointments, and other topical treatments. When the treatment itself becomes a daily battle, consistency can be difficult. We’ll consider your child’s age, temperament, and condition together and choose an approach that is both therapeutically appropriate and realistic for your family.

  • In the beginning, we’ll follow up every 4 weeks so I can see how your skin is responding and adjust treatment accordingly. Chinese herbal medicine is dynamic: as your skin changes, your prescription should change with it.

    Follow-ups can often be spread out every 6-8 weeks and conducted by telehealth, with photographs used to closely track changes between visits.

  • No. Consultation fees cover our time together, assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and ongoing management of your case. Herbal prescriptions and topical medicines are purchased separately.

    The cost varies depending on the formula, dosage, preparation, and topical treatments prescribed. I will always be transparent about costs, and if you are working within a particular budget, please tell me so we can take that into consideration when designing your treatment.

  • You don't need to live nearby to work with me. I offer telehealth dermatology consultations, allowing us to manage many skin conditions remotely through detailed health history, photographs, customized herbal prescriptions, and regular follow-up.

    For those who prefer to work with a practitioner locally, the International TCM Dermatology Association also maintains a directory of practitioners trained in Chinese medicine dermatology. www.tcmdermatology.com