COSMETIC ACUPUNCTURE 101

Cosmetic Acupuncture, or acupuncture for facial rejuvenation, is a centuries-old technique that can not only improve your physical appearance but also enhance your health and beauty from within.  This safe and effective form of therapy is a natural alternative to conventional cosmetic procedures such as Botox, fillers and plastic surgery.  While the effects may not be as dramatic as these more invasive techniques, results tend to be more natural in appearance and produce none of the unwanted side effects or downtime that come with. Additionally, this truly holistic technique achieves results at a fraction of the cost of some of these other procedures.  An Acupuncture Facial is a rejuvenation and revitalizing process designed to help the whole body look and feel younger.

Our cosmetic acupuncturist, Jewelz Moyer, LAc, has studied with various facial rejuvenation acupuncture specialists and is an expert in multiple protocols.  By integrating different facial acupuncture techniques such as shallow needling to promote blood flow and cellular renewal in the face, deeper needling to influence facial muscle tone, and direct needling into wrinkles to diminish their appearance, she utilizes her skills to identify which protocols will be best for each client.  She also uses facial cupping, massage, micro-current and a jade stone (facial gua-sha) roller to enhance the Acupuncture Facial. The healing powers of Jade are believed to slow down the process of cellular aging and it has the ability to strengthen the body’s natural defenses and healing powers.   

Each patient will require a different treatment approach depending upon their specific skin condition, overall health, and treatment goals.  In general, facial acupuncture not only brings more energy or qi and blood flow to the face, but can also stimulate the production of collagen and elastin in the skin.

A session of facial rejuvenation acupuncture always consists of acupuncture points on the body as well as the face.  An individualized treatment of acupuncture points on the body target internal imbalances that may be contributing to the signs of aging on the face as well as helping to promote deep relaxation.  As such, acupuncture for facial rejuvenation not only brings more youthfulness to the face, but also promotes beauty and wellness on a holistic level to the body’s entire ecosystem. 

Visible benefits of the Acupuncture Facial include but are not limited to:

• Elimination or reduction of FINE LINES AND WRINKLES
• Smoothing out of DEEP WRINKLES
• Tones, relaxes and nourishes FACIAL AND NECK MUSCLES
• Strengthens and FIRMS THE SKIN, improving texture, color and luster
• Tightens PORES
• Improvement in skin COLOR, TONE AND COMPLEXION
• Reduction of puffiness, EYE “BAGS” AND DARK CIRCLES
• Relaxation of FACIAL TENSION that can cause frown lines, smile lines, and forehead wrinkles
• Improvement in sagging skin and jowls, neck or DOUBLE CHINS
• Improvement of hormonal balance to help ACNE
• MOISTURIZING of the skin with increased local circulation of blood and lymph
• Improves Bell’s Palsy and/or NERVE DAMAGE from stroke or other related diseases

In addition to the visible benefits of cosmetic acupuncture to the face, patients may also experience improvement in more generalized areas, such as reduced anxiety, improvement in sleep quality, increased digestion and metabolism, and a greater sense of energy and well-being.  Our Acupuncture Facial leaves both you and your skin looking and feeling more youthful and radiant!  It is an effective treatment for women and men of all ages. 

History of Cosmetic Acupuncture

For thousands of years, the Chinese have known that beauty comes from the inside.  At least as early as the Sung Dynasty (960AD-1279AD), acupuncture rejuvenation practices were employed for the Empress, the Emperor’s concubines and the Royal Court.  The Chinese discovered and utilized ways to change the energy flow within the body to initiate the healing process for rejuvenation.  According to an ancient Chinese proverb, “Where qi goes, blood flows”.  They knew way back then that acupuncture increased the circulation of blood to the tissues and especially the face, creating more youthful and rejuvenated looking skin and promoting longevity. 

How It Works

Our Acupuncture Facial involves inserting very fine, hair-like needles into the face and synergistic points are used throughout the body, in specific areas of the face, ears, neck, hands and legs along channel’s of energy, strengthening the body’s Qi, thereby enhancing beauty from the inside, out.  (The channels are known as ‘meridians’ and the Chinese term for energy is ‘Qi’ pronounced, ‘chee’).  Your practitioner chooses particular points according to what you need individually.  The body’s energy is stimulated, as well as blood and circulation which improves facial color and enhances fresh collagen and elastin production.   Thousands of years ago the Chinese discovered that many meridians either begin or end on the face while some have internal branches that go to the face. Thus, practitioners of Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture know how to specifically effect the face while simultaneously treating the underlying factors that contribute to the aging process.  In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the face is a canvas of what is happening inside the body. Skin topography is mapped to indicate where internal channels, also known as meridians, ascend to different structures of the face, showing an imbalance of energy or Qi.  For example, dark circles under the eyes can hint at a fluid metabolism weakness. Forehead lines can tell us about over thinking and worry.   A furrowed brow impression, or the “angry 11s,” can indicate stress which affects the Liver, an acne breakout can illustrate heat toxicity in a channel.  Even the color of one’s over all complexion can tell us about mood or body problems before they flare up. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, when the internal spirit is nourished, the skin flourishes.

The skin is comprised of three layers:  Epidermis, Dermis and Sub-Dermis.  The dermis contains the highest concentration of collagen fibers and elastin, which give the skin its elasticity and resilience.  Wrinkles are formed by degradation of collagen by free radicals, harmful UV rays, blue light from computers and cell phones, heat, lack of sleep, poor lifestyle habits, and environmental pollutants causing damage in the fibers which appear as wrinkles.  As we age, the facial muscles become shorter and thinner and our skin becomes thinner and looser. A combination of shorter muscles and looser skin creates excessive skin over the muscles which leads to wrinkling of the skin as well.  Facial acupuncture (and adjunct therapies) relaxes and thickens the muscles and makes the overlying skin thicker and tighter. 

Acupuncture needles create a small non-invasive micro-trauma, initiating a natural stimulation of cellular repair, collagen and elastin production.  This process continues to occur long after the needles have been removed.  This builds the skin elasticity giving a more youthful and regenerated appearance.  The Acupuncture Facial rehydrates, tones and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, hyper/hypo-pigmentation and more, creating a youthful glow. 

Contraindications

Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture is a non-invasive technique that uses pre-packaged disposable sterilized needles to eliminate the spread of disease and infection. It is a modality that has a high benefit to risk ratio relative to high risk invasive therapies utilized today to enhance appearance. Procedures are performed by a licensed acupuncturist to maximize clean needle technique and ensure safe and professional practices. For the vast majority of prospective clients, it is a safe and beneficial treatment. However, there are specific conditions that are contra-indicated for this treatment.

Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture is contraindicated for some pituitary disorders, heart disorders, diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, individuals who have a pacemaker or who have a problem with bleeding or bruising (hemophiliacs), or who currently suffer from migraine headaches (more than once every 3 months).  It should not be done during pregnancy, during a bout with a cold or flu, during an allergic attack or during an acute herpes outbreak.  If a person is prone to oral herpes outbreaks, they are advised to take their prescribed  prophylactic medicine a couple of days before and after the treatment. 

Patients who have received the following treatments must wait the following prescribed periods of time before having facial acupuncture treatments:

Botox injections:  2 weeks

Laser resurfacing:   3 weeks, minimum

Microdermabrasion:  1 week, minimum

Short and Long Term Affects of Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture

Between 10 to 15 sessions is the recommended course of treatment, depending on lifestyle, age, and constitution. Although twice weekly sessions are recommended, if this is not possible for the patient, one session per week is also acceptable. Each patient will require a different treatment approach depending on specific skin condition, overall health, and treatment goals.    Each person responds differently, depending on his or her condition and lifestyle prior to treatment.  Following the initial course of treatment, maintenance sessions (once/month ) can prolong the results for five to ten years. It is often recommended to supplement the Facial Rejuvenation program with Facial Self-Massage and/or Acupressure, Facial Exercises, Facial cupping, Herbal and Nutritional Supplements, and a clean, healthy (organic recommended) diet and lifestyle. Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture may erase as many as five to fifteen years from the face, with results apparent after just a few treatments. Fine lines may be entirely eliminated and deeper wrinkles diminished. Bags under the eyes can be reduced, jowls firmed, puffiness eliminated, droopy eyelids lifted and double chins minimized. Other likely results include: moisturizing of the skin with increased local circulation of blood and lymph to the face; increased collagen production, muscle tone, and dermal contraction; tightening of the pores; brightening of the eyes; improving of hormonal balance to help acne; reduction of stress evident in the face – bringing out the innate beauty and radiance of an individual. In general, patients tend to see noticeable changes around sessions 4 to 6. However, many patients notice benefits after just 1 or 2 sessions.

News, Press, & Research

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPUt4XBXY1U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wivupyEDnTs

http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/acupuncture-facelift

 http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/13/fashion/13SKIN.html

 http://drmelindamingus.com/Citizen_News.pdf

A study in the International Journal of Clinical Acupuncture reported that 90% (270) of the 300 cases treated with Cosmetic Acupuncture had marked effects after one course (10 visits) of treatments. These effects included the leveling of wrinkles, improved facial muscle elasticity and overall rejuvenation. 

-Jewelz Moyer, L.Ac.

Acupuncturist and bodyworker at RESONANCE Spa and Wellness - Corte Madera, California