Features of Kkeut Clinic's Anti-inflammatory Herbal Acupuncture

1. An anti-inflammatory management method that excludes steroid components.

Kkeut Clinic's anti-inflammatory herbal acupuncture differs in its mechanism of action from commonly known triamcinolone (TA)-based steroid injections.

While steroids can help quickly reduce inflammation, there is also a possibility of side effects such as skin atrophy, hyperpigmentation, telangiectasia (capillary dilation), and the worsening recurrence of inflammation.

For these reasons, repeated use may be difficult and may not be suitable for long-term skin health.

Our clinic uses herbal acupuncture solution made from anti-inflammatory and antioxidant ingredients such as Coptis chinensis, Gardenia jasminoides, Scutellaria baicalensis, and Phellodendron amurense, which undergo a sterile purification process.

It works by assisting the skin's natural healing process and calming inflammation.

Since it contains no steroid components, it can reduce the burden on the skin barrier and tissues even after treatment.

2. It can be utilized not only for acute inflammation but also for recurrent inflammation management.

Kkeut Clinic's anti-inflammatory herbal acupuncture can help alleviate inflammation by directly injecting it into areas with acute inflammatory reactions such as acne, papules, and pimples that show prominent redness and heat.

Clinically, we often observe the alleviation of redness, pain, and swelling within 1 to 3 days after the procedure.

However, unlike general anti-inflammatory injections which are primarily applied during the acute phase, this procedure has broader applications.

It can be repeatedly applied with relatively little burden to areas where inflammation frequently recurs, such as the jaw, cheekbones, forehead, and around the mouth.

By reducing concerns about side effects from steroid accumulation, it can be beneficial for long-term inflammation management plans.

According to research results utilizing Hwangnyeonhaedok-tang herbal acupuncture,

It has been confirmed that after receiving weekly treatments for 10 weeks, the acne inflammation grade (based on KAGS) was statistically significantly improved (average 3.59 → 1.95, p<0.001).

This offers a distinction in that it can be widely applied not only for acute inflammation management but also for recurrent inflammatory issues.

3. It reduces the burden of side effects associated with steroid treatment and facilitates repeated procedures.

Repeatedly injecting steroid shots into the same area can increase the likelihood of side effects such as skin atrophy, depression, and blood vessel dilation.

Therefore, if inflammation repeatedly occurs in the same area, it may be difficult to decide on continuous treatment.

However, Kkeut Clinic's anti-inflammatory herbal acupuncture works by regulating rather than directly suppressing immune responses, allowing for repeated application even in areas where inflammation recurs.

This approach can be considered especially for individuals with thin or sensitive skin, or those who frequently undergo laser treatments.

4. A foundation is in place for precise and dense treatments.

Our clinic operates with a limited number of patients per day.

This is to ensure sufficient time in the treatment environment through a relaxed appointment structure.

Beyond mere convenience, this provides an important foundation for precisely observing each patient's individual reactions and performing accurate procedures.

During the anti-inflammatory herbal acupuncture procedure, we carefully monitor the patient's real-time skin reactions,

adjusting the herbal acupuncture dosage in areas where inflammation repeatedly appears,

or utilizing a method of broadly distributing and injecting the herbal acupuncture solution into border areas to prevent inflammation from spreading further.

Thus, we aim for a patient-customized, flexibly adjustable treatment rather than a uniform one.

This goes beyond simply injecting herbal acupuncture,

meaning we can plan treatments based on the patient's clinical data, even considering the 'likelihood of inflammation recurring in that specific area'.

Therefore, Kkeut Clinic's anti-inflammatory herbal acupuncture can be a treatment that allows for a dense and precise approach.

Who Should Consider Anti-inflammatory Herbal Acupuncture

1. If inflammatory acne accompanied by redness and heat repeatedly appears

It may be particularly suitable for individuals whose inflammation repeatedly recurs in specific areas, such as the jaw, around the mouth, and cheekbones.

If heat or pain frequently recurs before a breakout appears, proactive treatment can be expected to provide preventative management.

2. Skin types with concerns about steroid anti-inflammatory injection side effects

Individuals with thin or sensitive skin prone to irritation, those concerned about developing depressed scars,

or those who have experienced skin atrophy or hyperpigmentation after previous steroid injections, may find this a suitable alternative.

3. For those who feel burdened by taking oral medications such as antibiotics or sebum regulators, and frequently experience recurrent skin inflammation.

For those who wish to manage inflammation solely through treatment without oral medication.

It may be suitable for those considering localized anti-inflammatory treatment that acts directly on the inflamed area.

4. For those concerned about post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) remaining due to repeated inflammation.

If you have a skin type prone to easy pigmentation after inflammation subsides,

calming the skin with medicated acupuncture during the initial inflammatory stage can help prevent pigmentation.

5. For those who desire not only short-term inflammation relief but also long-term management to prevent recurrence.

Medicated acupuncture for inflammation can help with short-term inflammation suppression,

and can also have a positive effect on preventing recurrence and stabilizing skin rhythm by regulating immune responses.

Expected Effects of Medicated Acupuncture for Inflammation

1. Suppression of inflammatory cytokines: Helps soothe redness and swelling

Active ingredients such as berberine, baicalin, palmatine, and crocin, extracted from Coptis chinensis, Scutellaria baicalensis, Phellodendron amurense, and Gardenia jasminoides,

can reduce the production of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8, which trigger inflammatory responses.

This can contribute to alleviating heat, redness, swelling, and pain in the inflamed area within 1 to 3 days.

2. Regulation of oxidative stress: Can help reduce the risk of tissue damage and scar formation

Baicalin derived from Scutellaria baicalensis and crocin derived from Gardenia jasminoides are involved in scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS),

and can contribute to protecting skin cells from oxidative damage.

These mechanisms can be expected to reduce the risk of post-acne pigmentation or atrophic scar formation,

and can also positively influence the recovery process of the dermal layer.

3. Regulation of immune response: Helps stabilize recurrent inflammation

While steroids tend to strongly suppress immune responses,

the ingredients in medicated acupuncture can regulate the balance of immune responses, alleviating overly sensitive skin reactions.

This action can be considered in cases where inflammation frequently recurs in specific areas,

and can contribute to gradually stabilizing the skin's recurrence pattern.

4. Antibacterial and antifungal effects: Can also help with acne bacteria (P. acnes) and folliculitis

Berberine derived from Coptis chinensis and palmatine from Phellodendron amurense possess antibacterial properties,

and direct inhibitory effects on acne-causing bacteria or bacteria causing folliculitis have been reported in academic literature.

Positive effects can also be expected for inflammatory acne or skin problems suspected of secondary infection due to irritation.

5. Skin barrier recovery support: Can contribute to helping the recovery of sensitized skin

Medicated acupuncture for inflammation helps prevent dermal structural damage by regulating the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in skin cells,

and can assist in the recovery of skin barriers damaged by inflammation.

It can also be considered for soothing inflammation in sensitive skin after laser or peeling treatments.

Benefits of the Treatment

• 01. Helps calm inflammatory acne that is difficult to extract.
• 02. Reduces concerns about side effects of steroid injections for inflammation (skin atrophy, depression, pigmentation) and can promote skin improvement.
• 03. An inflammation management method that can reduce burden as it does not contain steroid ingredients.
• 04. Composed of natural herbal medicine-derived ingredients, it reduces the burden on the skin and can aid in the recovery process.

Treatment Procedure

• STEP 01. Check number of inflammations
• STEP 02. Disinfect treatment area
• In the third step, we provide personalized treatment considering each patient's individual characteristics.