Calming active spots and reducing new growth when Heat and Damp patterns sit behind the surface.
In brief
The Facial & Skin programme at PULSE TCM is physician-led care for acne, eczema, dullness, brown spots, and eye-area concerns viewed through Heat, Dampness, Blood disharmony, and Liver qi patterns. Plans may combine acupuncture and safety-regulated herbal medication after consultation. Results vary; your physician sets expectations at assessment.
- MOH-registered
- Pattern-based plans
- 15 clinics
The programme
Skin as a signal of internal balance
From a TCM view, facial and skin concerns often reflect internal patterns, constitution, stress, or lifestyle, together with external factors such as weather and pollution. Care starts by naming that pattern, not chasing a single surface fix.
Your physician may describe Heat (redness, active breakouts), Dampness (oiliness, sticky inflammation), Blood disharmony (dullness, dryness, lingering marks), or Liver qi stagnation (stress-linked flares). Tongue and pulse findings sit beside what you see on the skin so acupuncture and herbs, when used, target the same story. At PULSE, MOH-registered physicians also refer to dermatology when infection, sudden widespread rash, or suspicious lesions need conventional care first.
How care unfolds
Care pathways
Support for breakouts, reactive skin, and complexion
Four common entry points. Your assessment may name a different mix of patterns and goals.
Settling itch, dryness, and flare cycles when Wind, Dampness, or Blood deficiency feature.
Eczema & reactive skin
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Supporting tone, dullness, and brown spots when qi and Blood circulation to the face run low.
Ageing & complexion
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Addressing puffiness and darkness when Spleen, Kidney, or Blood patterns show around the eyes.
Eye bags & dark circles
Book this pathway* Skin care is complementary under physician guidance. Seek medical assessment for infected lesions, sudden widespread rash, severe allergic reaction, or moles and spots that change quickly.
Approach to healing
Therapies used in facial & skin plans
Your physician recommends a combination based on your assessment. Not every visit uses every modality.
Acupuncture
Fine sterile needles at local facial points and distal channel points after consultation, used to support circulation, calm Heat or itch, and regulate the pattern behind the surface.
Acupuncture treatment
Chinese herbal medicine
Personalised formulas, often as granules, when your physician judges that clearing Heat, transforming Dampness, or nourishing Blood will support the skin from within.
Chinese herbal medicine
Cupping therapy
Gentle suction used in selected clinical situations to ease stagnation and support drainage when that fits your pattern. Not used on inflamed or broken facial skin.
Cupping treatment
Moxibustion
Warm mugwort heat held away from the skin when cold or deficient patterns feature. Your physician confirms suitability before use.
Moxibustion treatmentAcupuncture is a common foundation. Herbal medication may address the internal pattern behind the skin. Cupping or moxibustion join when stagnation or cold-deficiency features appear.
Your care roadmap
From assessment to steadier complexion
Care unfolds in phases after tongue, pulse, and skin findings. Session count, frequency, and pace are customised. The steps below are a general guide, not a fixed package.
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Assess & settle
One-to-one consultation with tongue and pulse examination, then a clear pattern name in plain language. Early sessions often focus on calming Heat, itch, or active breakouts and settling the acute surface picture. Frequency: once or twice weekly when flares are active.
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Rebalance
Shift toward the internal pattern behind the skin, with acupuncture and, when indicated, herbal formulas that clear Damp-Heat, nourish Blood, or smooth Liver qi. Focus: fewer new flares and more even tone. Frequency: often weekly as the surface settles.
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Maintain complexion
Space sessions as the skin holds steadier. Plans may ease into maintenance while sleep, stress, and digestion stay in view. Focus: sustain calm skin through weather or cycle shifts. Frequency: bi-weekly or monthly, physician-advised.
Why patients choose PULSE
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MOH-registered, bilingual physicians
TCMPB-registered under MOH. English and Mandarin care across the network.
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Pattern decoded before needles
Four examinations name Heat, Dampness, Blood disharmony, or related patterns in plain language.
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Surface and constitution in one plan
Local facial work sits beside internal regulation, not as a spa facial menu alone.
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Adjusted as your skin changes
Plans evolve as flares settle; referral when dermatology is safer first.
Physicians
TCM physicians for facial & skin
TCMPB-registered under MOH. Several physicians work with internal medicine, women's health, and facial or skin-related care relevant to this pathway.
Dr Sim Beng Joo
Advisor / Consultant Physician
Gastrointestinal Syndromes · Pain Management · Sleep / Fatigue
Dr Kevin Tang
Consultant Physician
TCM Oncology · Pain Management · Gynecology
Physician Fang Ying
TCM Physician
Pain Management · Sports Injuries · Gynaecology
Physician Ji Hui Jun
TCM Physician
Gynaecological Issues · Women’s Health · Digestive Issues
Physician Yumi Yen
TCM Physician
Pain & Injury · Dry eye · Internal Medicine
Physician Patricia Wang
TCM Physician
Eye Conditions · Internal Medicine · Pain Management
Physician Judy Zhu
TCM Physician
Facial Beauty Acupuncture · Facial Nerve · Cosmetology
From the clinic
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Skin often mirrors digestion, sleep, and stress as much as topical care. Naming Heat or Damp early keeps us from treating every spot the same way.
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For breakouts I look at timing with the cycle, diet heat, and how the tongue looks. Acupuncture and herbs then follow that pattern, not a fixed facial script.
Patient stories
Patient stories from facial & skin care
Limited-time offer
Promotion
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First-timer bundle for the TCM × PSYCH Insomnia programme: physician consultation with acupuncture or herbal prescription, one psychotherapy session, and AŌRA Joy or Calm. Exclusive of GST.
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Insomnia programme details
Locations
Find a skin clinic near you
Private treatment rooms islandwide, near MRT, with bilingual teams and consistent hygiene standards.
- 15 clinics islandwide Including ION Orchard, Great World, Paragon, Woodleigh, Millenia Walk, Raffles Place, and neighbourhood locations across Singapore.
- Comfort and privacy Calm rooms built for confidential consultations on acne, eczema, and complexion concerns.
FAQs
Facial & skin questions, answered
Timelines, creams and medication, herbs, dermatology red flags, fit, and booking.
How soon can I expect to notice a difference in my skin?
Surface calm, such as less itch or fewer new spots, may appear within a few sessions for some people. Stubborn marks, tone, and chronic eczema cycles usually need weeks to months of consistent care. Your physician sets a realistic pace after assessment; results vary.
Can I continue steroid creams or acne medication while doing TCM?
Often yes, as complementary care. Tell your MOH-registered physician about any creams, oral medicines, or isotretinoin so plans stay coordinated. Do not stop prescribed treatment without your medical doctor's advice.
Is facial acupuncture painful?
Most people feel a light pinch or dull ache that settles quickly. Facial needles are fine and shallow. Say so if anything feels sharp so your physician can adjust.
Why are herbal formulas included alongside acupuncture?
Acupuncture works through points and channels in the session. Herbs, when prescribed, support the same pattern between visits, for example clearing Heat or nourishing Blood. Not every plan includes herbs.
When should I see a dermatologist instead of, or as well as, TCM?
Seek conventional medical care for infected lesions, sudden widespread rash, severe allergic reaction, or moles and spots that change quickly. TCM can sit alongside dermatology when your physicians agree it is appropriate.
How do I know if this programme is right for me?
It suits people seeking pattern-led support for acne, eczema, dullness, brown spots, or eye-area concerns who want physician-led acupuncture and, when indicated, herbs. A first consultation confirms fit.
Where can I book TCM skin care in Singapore?
Use the online booking form, WhatsApp, or phone. Select Face & Skin Conditions as the concern when prompted. Care is available across our islandwide clinic network.
References
Sources & page citations
- Jiao R, Yang Z, Wang Y, et al. The effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for patients with atopic eczema: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Acupuncture in Medicine. 2020;38(1):3–14. doi:10.1177/0964528419871058
- Liang S, et al. Acupuncture for atopic dermatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open. 2024;14(12):e084788. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2024-084788
- Mansu S, Liang H, Parker S, et al. Acupuncture for acne vulgaris: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2018;2018:4806734. doi:10.1155/2018/4806734
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Traditional Chinese medicine: What you need to know. 2019. nccih.nih.gov
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners Board. Registration & practice standards for TCM physicians. Ministry of Health, Singapore. healthprofessionals.gov.sg/tcmpb
- Ministry of Health Singapore. TCM practitioners (Healthcare Professional Portal). hpp.moh.gov.sg/tcm-practitioners
Clinically reviewed
Reviewed by Dr Sim Beng Joo
Advisor (Science & Strategy) / Consultant Physician · TCMPB T1303003A
MOH-licensed TCM physician and biomedical scientist, with clinical work spanning digestion, pain, sleep or fatigue, and related internal patterns that often sit beside facial and skin change.
View full profileEducational information based on clinical experience and TCM principles. Not a substitute for personalised consultation. Speak with your healthcare provider before starting new treatments. TCM complements (and does not replace) urgent or specialist Western medical care, including infected skin, sudden widespread rash, severe allergic reaction, or lesions that need dermatology assessment.
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Begin your facial & skin consultation
Tell us what you are noticing, breakouts, eczema, dullness, or eye-area change. We will match you with the right physician and clinic.