Cosmetological thinking and methods in TCM in the Sui-Tang Dynasty

Abstract

In the heyday of Chinese feudal society, women's status in the society of the Sui-Tang period was improved in the Tang Dynasty.The demand for female to stay young and anti-aging had attracted lots of attention in the society, thus providing a favorable social environment for the formation and development of Chinese herbal cosmetology. The important representative medical works on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) were published in the Sui and Tang Dynasties, such as Bei ji qian jin yao fang (Essential Recipes for Emergent Use Worth A Thousand Gold), Qian jin yi fang (Supplement to Recipes Worth A Thousand Gold), Wai tai mi yao (Arcane Essentials from the Imperial Library) etc., all carry chapter(s) on Chinese herbal cosmetology. In the Tang Dynasty, beauty techniques became perfect, with rich exquisite make-up style. Make-up had become an integral part of daily life. Cosmetic surgery has reached a fairly high level, with a number of cosmetic surgeries appeared, such as the making of artificial dimples, artificial eyes, and dental cosmetic.