How facial acupuncture is a natural alternative to Botox, how retinol reduces wrinkles, and the secret to skin whitening – Master Ruth TCM queen Ruth Lee reveals all

Ruth Lee, founder of traditional Chinese medicine clinic Master Ruth, values facial acupuncture as an alternative to cosmetic surgery, Botox and fillers
She reveals the TCM ingredient she uses for whitening, explains the benefits of gua sha, and gives her opinion on retinol, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide

Beauty

Vincenzo La Torre

Published: 11:15am, 4 Nov 2023

Why you can trust SCMP

Ruth Lee, founder of traditional Chinese medicine clinic Master Ruth, tells Vincenzo La Torre about using ancient techniques such as acupuncture to help her clients improve their well-being.

How would you describe facial acupuncture?

“Facial acupuncture is one of my specialities. It is based on the principles of traditional Chinese medicine and uses fine, disposable needles to stimulate specific points on the face to improve circulation, reduce wrinkles, and promote overall skin health.

“It is a non-invasive and natural alternative to cosmetic surgery and other cosmetic treatments such as Botox and fillers.

Ruth Lee, founder of traditional Chinese medicine clinic Master Ruth in Hong Kong.

“Facial acupuncture treats the underlying causes of ageing and wrinkles, such as muscle weakness and poor circulation. I often treat holistically and you will find other issues such as sleep, digestion and mood are improved after the treatment.”

Are there any TCM ingredients that are particularly beneficial for the skin?

“There are a lot of herbal ingredients that are good for different skin conditions. For example, pearl powder is good for whitening, mulberry is good for pigmentation, chrysanthemum is good for acne-prone skin, goji berries are good for anti-ageing […]

“I have used some herbal formulas to create herbal facial masks and five-elements essential oils for different skin conditions.”

How do you incorporate gua sha in your skincare routine?

“I love to perform facial gua sha after acupuncture. It can promote lymphatic drainage, reduce puffiness, relieve facial and jaw tension, and improve circulation. It always leaves the skin radiant and with a healthy glow.

A member of staff at Master Ruth performs a gua sha facial massage on a client. Gua sha can promote lymphatic drainage, reduce puffiness, relieve tension and improve circulation, Lee says.

“I use smooth-edged natural stones such as jade or rose quartz to do the facial gua sha, which is very relaxing and enjoyable.”

What do you think of typical ingredients such as retinol, hyaluronic acid or niacinamide?

“If I had to choose only one ingredient as the most important for skincare, I would choose hyaluronic acid.

“As I always tell my clients, hyaluronic acid is capable of binding more than one thousand times its own weight in moisture. That is why I love to put the serum on the face first and then spray a lot of organic Bulgarian rose water to let it absorb.

“Only fully hydrated skin is healthy skin.

Essential oils available from Master Ruth in Central, Hong Kong.

“Putting on retinol is my regular night routine. For wrinkle reduction, improvement of skin tone and radiance, and occasional acne, I really trust retinol’s efficacy.

“I have been using it for the past decade. However, you need to apply it correctly to minimise the side effects. As it could potentially dry your skin, I would suggest putting some face oil or moisturiser on top after it has been absorbed.

“Niacinamide is great for minimising pores. It is also a great combination with hyaluronic acid to improve skin hydration. As it is a great antioxidant it can contribute to a healthier and more youthful-looking complexion, so I would say it is a must-have for anti-ageing treatments.”

Master Ruth is at Room 302A, Kai Tak Commercial Building, 66-72 Stanley Street, Central, Hong Kong, tel: 9018 8380.

Post