People are always looking for tools to help cure their acne, and the latest one taking over TikTok is Chinese Face Mapping.
The ancient technique is said to help determine what is causing your spots, but a dermatologist has warned it may not be that useful.
What is Chinese Face Mapping?
Chinese Face Mapping, also known as mien shiang or ‘face reading’, is a 300-year-old practice that sees the face as a map and each section coordinates to a different organ in the body, Healthline explains.
It stems from the belief that when the body is imbalanced, the skin will show this via redness, blemishes or dryness. The location of these spots on the face corresponds to specific organs or systems within the body, suggesting an underlying health issue in that region.
There are many different Face Mapping diagrams, but they all follow a similar format:
- Forehead – Digestive system
- Temples – Bladder
- Eyebrows – Heart
- Eyes – Kidneys
- Top of the nose – Liver
- Bottom of the nose – Pancreas
- Top of the cheeks – Stomach
- Side of the cheeks – Lungs
- Above the mouth – Heart
- Chin – Reproductive system
So, according to the ancient belief, a pimple on your forehead is caused by a problem with your digestive system, while a spot on your chin relates to your reproductive system.
Viral acne tool takes over TikTok
Face Mapping diagrams have made their way onto TikTok, with one woman saying in a viral video: “I can’t believe no one is talking about this.”
“Chinese Face Mapping is crazy, it literally tells you exactly where your acne is coming from and once you know where it’s coming from you can learn how to heal it,” she continued.
The woman then showed a picture of acne all over her cheeks and chin and said she figured out she had a gut and hormonal problem using the diagram.
“Once I balanced the bacteria in my gut and balanced my hormones, my skin was night and say,” she added.
Dermatologist reveals the limitations
However, we spoke to dermatologist Dr. Hannah Kopelman, who said you should never rely on Chinese Face Mapping alone to cure acne.
“As a dermatologist, I appreciate the growing interest in holistic and alternative approaches to skincare, such as Chinese Face Mapping,” she told The Focus.
“While the concept of Chinese Face Mapping is intriguing, it’s important to approach it with a balanced perspective. Scientifically, there is limited evidence to support the accuracy and efficacy of face mapping in diagnosing or treating acne.”
Acne is a complex condition influenced by many factors including genetics, hormones, diet, stress, and skincare practices, and modern dermatology focuses on understanding these “multifaceted causes” and employing “evidence-based treatments” to manage acne effectively.
For example, hormonal imbalances do often cause acne on the jawline and chin, while stress can create breakouts on the forehead. However, Kopelman said these patterns are “not absolute” and can vary from person to person.
“While Chinese Face Mapping can offer an interesting perspective and may encourage individuals to consider their overall health and lifestyle, it should not be relied upon as a definitive diagnostic tool,” she concluded.
Dr. Hannah Kopelman is a dermatologist with a fellowship in hair loss from Columbia University and skin cancer from Boston University.
