What is it about aging? It’s a natural, inevitable process yet so many us of fear its approach. When it comes to cosmetic upkeep there is one goal in mind: to look the best we can.
There are countless dermatological and surgical treatments available today, from Botox, to fillers and face lifts. The problem with these treatments is that they employ unnatural chemicals to be injected into the body and, after physically altering the face, wear off requiring constant upkeep. This cycle of maintenance can often result in actually moving away from the shape of our own face, eventually looking unlike our original ourselves.
In cosmetic acupuncture, our approach does not bring new elements into the body, but rather taps into the patients own biology to improve their appearance. I’ve discussed this particular modality in an earlier blog post.
But in a western medical explanation, acupuncture for the face improves the skin by stimulating the cells to generate new collagen. Collagen is the main structural protein in the skin, which acts like scaffolding and provides volume resulting in fuller, wrinkle-free face. But, as we age, this collagen breaks down, causing wrinkles to appear and the face to sag. Acupuncture, through the micro-trauma of the needles, helps to stimulate the production of new collagen, resulting in an improved appearance.
So what to expect? As a new cosmetic acupuncture patient, a phone prescreening will be required, as there are several contradictions for the treatment (high blood pressure, diabetes, bleeding disorders, and pregnancy are a few examples). If you are a candidate for a cosmetic acupuncture treatment, you will arrive at the office and we begin like any other TCM treatment, reviewing your general constitution (energy, digestion, sleep) and taking traditional tongue and pulse readings. Then together we will map your treatment journey over the coming weeks.
Once the intake is completed, needle insertion begins, starting with the body (yes we needle the body too in cosmetic acupuncture!) then moving onto the ears and finally the face. Once the needling is done, you rest for 15-30 minutes, just as you would in a traditional acupuncture treatment. Once you’re done “cooking” and the needles are removed, the treatment will end with a facial massage, which entails the traditional practices of cupping and gua sha. But not to worry! These two modalities are employed differently when it comes to cosmetic acupuncture; we do not create any marks on the face, but rather use these tools to promote lymphatic drainage and promote blood flow. It is a gentle and soothing massage.
The result of your initial treatment will be a sense of well-being, calm and refreshment. You may even notice minor improvements in a single treatment. However, it is recommended to have at least 12 weekly treatments to develop longer lasting changes to the face and neck.
