By Xiaomei Cai, L.Ac., Ph.D. and Qineng Tan, L.Ac., Ph.D.
Facial flushing? Persistent redness, tiny bumps, or a burning sensation across your nose and cheeks? These can be signs of rosacea, a common inflammatory skin condition that affects millions of people. Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offer holistic rosacea treatment to address both the symptoms and the root causes of rosacea.
What is Rosacea?
Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that most often appears in the middle of the face — the nose, cheeks, chin, and forehead. It can cause persistent redness, visible blood vessels, and small, painful pimples or red bumps on skin, like a red dot on face.
While facial rosacea is the most common form, there are some other skin conditions that can be related or sometimes mistaken for rosacea:
Pityriasis Rosea – Though the name is similar, this is actually a different condition caused by a viral infection. It leads to a scaly, pink rash that often appears on the torso and may be mistaken for rosacea, especially in its early stages.
Ocular Rosacea – In some patients, rosacea affects the eyes, causing symptoms like redness or “bloodshot eyes,” burning, stinging, dryness, or a gritty sensation. The eyelids may become inflamed, making the eyes appear bloodshot.
Perioral Dermatitis – considered by some practitioners to be a type of rosacea, this is a face rash that also appears on the face. “Dermatitis” is a general term that covers many types of inflammatory skin conditions.
Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that will flare up at times, and at other times, appear to be improving (remission). If it is left untreated, rosacea can worsen over time and affect other areas, including the eyes.
Acupuncture and TCM can be used as a complementary or alternative treatment for roseacea.
Symptoms of Rosacea
Common signs and symptoms include:
Facial Redness – Persistent redness or flushing, especially across the nose and cheeks.
Visible Blood Vessels – Tiny, broken blood vessels may appear near the surface of the skin.
Acne-like Bumps – Small, red, or pus-filled bumps that can be tender and painful.
Burning or Stinging Sensation – The skin may feel sensitive, warm, or sting when exposed to triggers like sun, wind, or skincare products.
Dry Skin – skin may appear dry, rough, scaly, or thickened (in severe cases).
Eye Symptoms – Red, irritated, or dry eyes (ocular rosacea)
Edema – puffiness or swelling in the face
What Causes Rosacea?
While the exact cause of rosacea is still not fully understood by medical science, many factors may play a role in the development of this skin condition. It is an inflammatory response that may be triggered by the immune system, certain foods, emotional stress, or environmental conditions like sun (U/V rays), heat, or wind. Genetics probably plays a role, as well.
Many people who suffer from rosacea have higher levels of mast cells. Some also have skin mites (Demodex mites). Demodicosis (face mite infestation) is not uncommon, but can show up in increased amounts in people who have rosacea and may be one of the factors that triggers the inflammatory response that contributes to rosacea flare-ups.
SIBO, or intestinal bacterial overgrowth, can sometimes contribute to rosacea.
Rosacea Treatment
A doctor or dermatologist typically diagnoses rosacea based on its characteristic signs and patient history. In some cases, a skin biopsy or other tests might be done to rule out other conditions like lupus or allergic dermatitis.
Common treatments include:
- Topical medications like metronidazole or azelaic acid. Some medications for rosacea constrict blood vessels to reduce redness, while others are antiparasitics
- Retinoids (Vitamin A)
- Oral antibiotics (doxycycline, minocycline) to reduce inflammation
- Laser therapy for visible blood vessels
- Lifestyle and trigger avoidance (avoiding sun exposure, alcohol, spicy foods)
While these treatments can help manage symptoms, rosacea often returns when treatments are stopped, and long-term antibiotic use can affect gut health and immunity.
Can Acupuncture Help Rosacea?
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, rosacea is viewed as a result of internal imbalances that manifest as external skin changes. The skin is seen as an extension of the body’s internal state.
According to TCM theory, rosacea would usually be considered the result of stagnation of Qi, blood, and heat in the body.
Diagnostic patterns that an acupuncturist might observe as being the root cause of rosacea might include:
- Wind-heat of the lung meridian
- Damp heat of spleen and stomach
- Heat stagnation in the liver channel
Heat and toxicity in the lungs and stomach can create excess internal heat, which may rise to the surface, causing redness, flushing, and pustules.
Stagnation of Qi and blood, along with chronic stress, hormonal changes, and dietary habits can impede the flow of qi and blood, leading to stagnation and visible capillaries.
In some patients, dampness combined with heat can cause swelling, acne-like bumps, and increased oiliness.
In long-standing rosacea, depletion of yin (cooling, moistening energy) can cause lingering redness and sensitivity.
How TCM Treats Rosacea
Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine take a personalized approach to rosacea, focusing on restoring balance within the body and addressing both internal and external symptoms.
Acupuncture works by:
- Reducing systemic and local inflammation
- Improving blood flow and microcirculation
- Regulating the autonomic nervous system
- Helping balance the gut-skin connection
- Calming the body and reducing stress, a common rosacea trigger
Research supports acupuncture as an effective therapy for rosacea. A review and analysis of studies found that a complementary treatment for rosacea combining conventional treatment and TCM therapy reduced the recurrence of symptoms. Acupuncture can reduce flushing, redness, and skin lesions associated with rosacea by modulating inflammatory pathways and promoting tissue healing.
One published case study demonstrated that a patient who had gone through 18 months of conventional treatment for rosacea with unsatisfactory results experience significant improvement after 3 acupuncture treatments, with no recurrence of a flare up in the subsequent six months. Laser Doppler showed increased blood microcirculation (blood flow) in the localized area of the skin rash.
Chinese herbs can be used both internally and externally to reduce redness, clear heat, and support overall skin health. The herbs in one TCM herbal remedy often used to treat rosacea—Liang Xue Wu Hua Tang—for example, works to remove toxins, cool and activate blood, and disperse wind. A traditional formula may be modified to suit the patient’s specific presentation, making TCM highly individualized.
Skincare for Rosacea
In addition to acupuncture and herbs, a TCM practitioner will recommend:
Avoiding rosacea triggers like alcohol, caffeine, and spicy foods.
- Incorporating cooling, anti-inflammatory foods (e.g., leafy greens, cucumber).
- Managing stress and promoting relaxation.
- Maintaining a consistent skincare routine using gentle, hydrating products.
By addressing the root causes of rosacea and working with the body’s natural balance, acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine can help reduce the frequency and severity of rosacea outbreaks, often yielding long-lasting results.
Acupuncture Near Me for Rosacea in West Los Angeles
If you’re tired of dealing with rosacea and want a natural approach that supports both your skin and overall health, we’re here to help. At Art of Wellness Acupuncture, we specialize in treating rosacea and other skin conditions with personalized acupuncture and herbal therapy. Contact us today to book your consultation and take the first step toward calmer, clearer skin.
*This article is for education from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine only. The education provided by this article is not approved by FDA to diagnose, prevent, treat and cure human diseases. It should not stop you from consulting with your physician for your medical conditions. Traditional Chinese Medicine is based on Qi, which is an invisible force that usually cannot be observed by modern science. Because science focuses on testing ideas about the natural world with evidence obtained through observation, these aspects of acupuncture can’t be studied by science. Therefore acupuncture and Chinese herbs are often not supported by double-blind, randomized trials, and they are considered alternative medicine therapies in the United States.
