What are the traditional Chinese medicine methods for regulating melasma?

The methods of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) regulation for melasma mainly include the following: 1. **Internal Administration of Chinese Herbal Medicine**: Herbs such as Concha Margaritifera, Angelica sinensis (Dang Gui), Paeonia alba (Bai Shao), and Capillaris (Yin Chen) are decocted and taken according to specific prescriptions. These formulas work by regulating the endocrine system, nourishing yin and blood, clearing heat, and detoxifying the body, thereby gradually lightening melasma. Many of these herbal prescriptions have functions of clearing heat, detoxifying, beautifying the skin, and reducing pigmentation. For example, combinations including Concha Margaritifera, Rose flower, and Jujube (Da Zao), or prescriptions containing Angelica sinensis, Paeonia alba, and Eclipta prostrata (Han Lian Cao) have shown significant improvement in melasma. 2. **Acupuncture and Gua Sha**: Acupuncture therapy involves stimulating specific acupoints, such as Ganshu (BL18) and Taichong (LR3), to harmonize qi and blood circulation and unblock meridians, thus improving melasma. Gua Sha therapy uses tools such as a water buffalo horn board to scrape the skin surface, promoting blood circulation, resolving blood stasis, and enhancing skin detoxification and beauty. 3. **Dietary Therapy**: Consuming foods rich in vitamin C, such as jujubes, chives, and spinach, helps to reduce oxidative stress, whiten the skin, and prevent the formation of melasma. 4. **Topical Treatments**: For example, using Lithospermum root (Zicao) wash formula, which is applied externally via wet compress or wash, directly acting on the skin to effectively treat melasma. It is recommended that these treatments be performed under the guidance of a qualified physician.