What is Cosmetic Acupuncture?
Cosmetic acupuncture has continued to gain popularity in recent years for its natural approach to anti-aging and healthy skin and has become a go-to alternative for Botox, face lifts, and other cosmetic procedures. So, what is cosmetic acupuncture exactly? To put it simply, it is a natural treatment based on traditional Chinese medicine that focuses on improving the elasticity, complexion and overall appearance of the skin by healing from the inside out. The face is a map of what is going on inside the body, therefore looking at characteristics such as sagging, dryness, puffiness under the eyes, and even the size of one’s lips for example can help the acupuncturist determine a proper diagnosis for addressing your target areas on the face along with improving your general health.
How does cosmetic acupuncture work?
From a traditional Chinese medicine perspective, treatment works by balancing the body’s qi and blood flow to the face to enhance nutrients, collagen and elasticity in the skin. From a modern medicine standpoint, the needles create a micro-trauma that then send fibroblasts to the site to form new collagen and elastin in the skin; in turn making the skin appear brighter, younger, tighter and overall healthier. Because the foundation of cosmetic acupuncture is based on Chinese medicine, many individuals report seeing improvements in addition to their skincare including better sleep, smoother digestion, less stress, more energy, and hormone balance.
What are the benefits of cosmetic acupuncture?
Benefits of cosmetic acupuncture include and may not be limited to:
Collagen and elastin production
Reduction of fine lines and wrinkles
Reduce presence of deeper lines and scarring
Improved complexion
Softer, brighter skin
Less puffiness
Naturally lifts the face and decreases sagging
Better definition in jaw line
Decreased facial pain/TMJ pain
Supportive for asymmetry as a result of Bell’s Palsy or stroke
Promote lymphatic drainage
Improvement with acne and rosacea
What does a cosmetic acupuncture treatment consist of?
At Sacred Healing Acupuncture, a cosmetic acupuncture treatment consists of acupuncture throughout the face and body, paired with LED light therapy while you relax with the needles. After the needles are removed, treatment will conclude with the application of natural skincare products derived from Chinese herbs along with facial cupping and facial gua sha. LED light therapy is the administration of low-level light in different wavelengths and colors to provide healing benefits. For example, red light therapy can help stimulate collagen production, reduce inflammation and swelling, decrease redness, and aid in wound healing. Blue light therapy can support the sebaceous glands by controlling oil and improving acne. Green light therapy is good for those with sensitive skin. Facial cupping and facial gua sha are great integrative therapies to help stimulate collagen production, increase qi and blood flow in the neck and face, promote lymphatic drainage, and help the skin appear smoother and firmer. Skincare products used are from My Zen Skincare and contain naturally derived herbs and ingredients including vitamins C and E, organic jojoba oil, organic green tea essential oil, oregano oil extract, avocado oil, organic astragalus, and other safe, non-toxic ingredients.
How many treatments will I need?
A series of 10 treatments is recommended to start but additional treatments may be necessary depending on the areas being targeted, overall skin health, age, lifestyle practices, and other underlying health conditions. 2 treatments per week is ideal, however it is recommended to do no less than 1 treatment per week for optimal results. Maintenance treatment is recommended to maintain good results, typically one treatment per month or two treatments every 6 months. Results may vary from person to person and can last anywhere from 6 months to 3 years especially when paired with maintenance treatments.
Am I a good candidate for cosmetic acupuncture?
Cosmetic acupuncture is most successful for individuals with generally good health. With that being said, it may be necessary to start with general health acupuncture treatments first before starting cosmetic acupuncture if there are underlying health conditions that need to be addressed first (like fibromyalgia, chronic digestive issues, or post-cancer treatment weakness and fatigue for example). However, there are certain contraindications and other factors to consider that may not be suitable for cosmetic acupuncture. Some contraindications include:
Chronic headaches and migraines: cosmetic acupuncture stimulates a lot of blood flow to the head, which can exacerbate headaches. Let’s focus on treating those headaches with general acupuncture first, then we can consider cosmetic acupuncture!
Uncontrolled hypertension
Seizure disorders
Individuals taking blood thinning medications
Pregnancy
Patients undergoing cancer treatment
Excessive smoking or alcohol use: while it is not necessarily a contraindication for treatment, please take into consideration that engaging in excessive use can be damaging to the skin therefore you may not see optimal results or may more treatments.
Recent Botox, injections, or other cosmetic procedure: it is recommended to wait a minimum of 4-6 weeks after getting Botox or having a cosmetic procedure done before getting cosmetic acupuncture. This is to allow enough time for the Botox or other injections to properly settle without causing a shift or infection, along with allowing enough time to heal following a cosmetic procedure.
Cosmetic acupuncture is not the same as plastic surgery, chemical peels, or Botox. It is a process that involves naturally improving the appearance of the skin through traditional Chinese medicine. Results will vary from person to person and differ from other cosmetic procedures like surgery or injections.
Start healing your skincare from within today!
