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Facial Rejuvenatiion
What is Cosmetic Acupuncture?
Cosmetic Acupuncture is an effective, non-surgical treatment to reduce the signs of aging. It is based on the principles of Chinese Medicine, which involves the insertion of very thin disposable needles into the acupuncture points on the face & body where needed.
This superficial insertion will increase the local circulation to the face and stimulate collagen production, which will fill out the lines and give firmness to the skin for a healthy, glowing complexion.
Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years to treat many conditions and illnesses. The effectiveness of acupuncture has been related to the manipulation of the energy points on the body to balance and to remove blockages in the meridians (channels of blood and energy), in order to achieve health and to prevent diseases.
Cosmetic Acupuncture has attracted great attention in the last few years, especially in the big cities like New York City and Los Angeles. It used to be a treatment only for the rich and famous in Hollywood, but now everyone wants the royal treatment.
"A 1996 report in the international journal of Clinical Acupuncture reported that among 300 cases treated with Cosmetic Acupuncture, 90% had marked effects with one course of treatment. The effects include: The skin becomes delicate, improvement of elasticity of facial muscles, ruddier complexion, and overall rejuvenation. "
How does it work?
A practitioner specializing in Cosmetic Acupuncture is able to utilize the meridians that either end or begin at the face to stimulate and balance the energy and at the same time, treat the underlying factors that contribute to the aging process. This involves the insertion of hair-thin disposable needles into specific areas on the face, ears, hands, legs and torso. The needles are inserted into the energy pathways or meridians to improve the flow of Qi (energy). As the movement of energy improves, a greater amount of energy and blood are circulated to the face, nourishing, hydrating, toning and diminishing the appearance of wrinkles.
At the same time we are attending to the outside (what you see) we can use some additional acupuncture points (usually on the arms and legs) to work on the inside. In this way we are working holistically, namely on the physical appearance and on the underlying factors which influence that.
What are the benefits of Cosmetic Acupuncture?
Cosmetic Acupuncture may take 5-10 years off your face. It helps to eliminate fine lines and makes the deeper lines look softer. It can also help to minimize dark circles, puffy eyes, double chin, sagging skin, and dropping eyelids. Other benefits include:
- Relaxes muscle tone
- Increases circulation, therefore oxygenates the skin
- Tightens the pores, and brightens the eyes
- Keeps acne skin under control
- Nourishes the skin, giving you a healthy complexion with a natural glowing, radiant, younger looking skin.
- Moisturizes the skin from inside, and gives rosy cheeks to people with dull, tired looking skin
- Help minimize or eliminate fine lines
- Help reduce a double chin
- Help reduce frown lines
- Help lift sagging skin, puffy or droopy eyelids
- Increase collagen production
- Brighten the eyes
- Improve muscle tone and dermal contraction
- Improve hormonal balance to reduce acne
- Even facial color and tone
- Soften scars
- Increase blood, energy and lymph circulation
- Leave you feeling refreshed, relaxed and rejuvenated.
What is the course of treatment?
The course of the treatment is between 10-15 sessions. This will be done 1-3 times a week for best results. Each individual will respond different to the treatment depending on their age and lifestyle. Visible results will be noticeable after 6 -7 sessions. Maintenance maybe needed once every month.
Treatment lasts about 45-60 minutes.
Why choose Cosmetic Acupuncture over a Face Lift?
While not a replacement for surgery acupuncture is an excellent alternative. It is far less expensive than cosmetic surgery and is safe, virtually painless and has no side effects or risk of disfigurement (slight bruising can occasionally occur). This is unlike surgery, which may have an extended recovery period with swelling and discoloration. There is no trauma from Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture and if it does not suit you then you can stop with no ill effects. Treatment protocols can be modified to suit individual patients. For example, it is possible to do face rejuvenation without needles (though not as dynamic) if someone is really needle phobic.
Who should Not have Cosmetic Acupuncture?
There are various cautions including pacemakers, thyroid problems, blood disorders, damaged blood vessels and general hypersensitivity. However, it may still be possible to use some massage and alternative techniques in such circumstances. If you have concerns we can discuss these before commencing any treatment.
Can I do Cosmetic Acupuncture if I had botox?
Yes, Cosmetic Acupuncture will maintain the effectiveness of botox, so it will save you a couple injections per year.
Does it really make a difference?
Cosmetic Acupuncture has been performed for thousands of years in China. As early as the Sung Dynasty (960AD-1270AD) Cosmetic Acupuncture was performed on the Empress and Emperor’s concubines. For centuries, the Chinese have known that beauty radiates from the inside out. If the internal body is nourished and the energy and blood are flowing smoothly, the external body will reveal this radiance.
A study in 1996 in the International Journal of Clinical Acupuncture reported that among 300 cases treated with Cosmetic Acupuncture, 90% had marked effects with one course of treatment. The effects included: the skin becoming delicate and fair, improvement of the elasticity of facial muscles and leveling of wrinkles, a ruddier complexion, and overall rejuvenation.
There are many conditions that acupuncture can help with and I am always happy to discuss those and address them along with the face treatment whenever possible.
Facial Acupuncture Gaining Ground
By MICHAEL HILL, Associated Press Writer ALBANY, N.Y.
Paula Scardamalia has pins in her face - nine tiny ones angling out near her eyes, mouth and jaw. The pins were poked in to tighten chin skin and erase lines on the 52-year-old woman's face. The practice, called facial acupuncture, is becoming popular as a sort of holistic alternative to trying to turn back time through toxins or surgery.
"This has got to be healthier than Botox or a surgical facelift," said
Scardamalia, the little needles wagging slightly. Interest in facial acupuncture might be connected to the rising popularity of alternative medicine, or to society's obsession with youth and beauty, or to the mass of aging baby boomers. Whatever the reason, acupuncturists report a wave of interest in the ancient Chinese practice.
"It's very hot," said Mary Elizabeth Wakefield, a New York City practitioner whose facial work now consumes about three-quarters of her practice. Acupuncturists typically stimulate selected points on the body with hair-thin pins to promote good health and alleviate pain. They view it as correcting energy imbalances along the body's "meridians," which carry an energy flow called Qi (pronounced "chee") - a concept many mainstream physicians say lacks scientific evidence.
In facial acupuncture, needles are usually stuck in wrinkles and sags to bring more blood, Qi and muscle tone to an area. The theory, in a nutshell, is that a healthy face is a better-looking face.
"As you might imagine, facial acupuncture for, shall we say, cosmetic purposes, was not one of the core issues in ancient Chinese medicine," said Michael McCoy, executive director of the Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Alliance. "It just turns out to be an interesting application that fits a lot of cultural values of the present."
Some practitioners advertise the process as an "acupuncture facelift," though more tradition-minded practitioners blanch at the term. Wakefield says that's an improper label for what amounts to an organic healing process.
Marion Bergan, the licensed acupuncturist who treated Scardamalia for a demonstration, offers "facial rejuvenation acupuncture" in addition to her medical acupuncture. The 90-minute procedure includes an herbal face mask, a massage and a mild electrical stimulation. But the underpinning, so to speak, remains acupuncture.
Most of Bergan's facial customers are women in their 50s and 60s. But Wakefield said her practice gets a fair share of men, too. "They realize in order to keep their jobs and to get jobs, they need to look younger," Wakefield said. Patients who get over any aversion to having needles stuck in their face find out it doesn't hurt, at least not much. Bergan stuck eight needles in my face and neck with little discomfort. A needle was jabbed into the furrow between my eyes. No pain. Then laugh lines. No pain. Then my cheeks. OK, felt those. But the needles were thin and the jabs shallow. The needles were out within a half-hour, leaving no trace of pinprick wounds.
Facial lines, such as they are for someone in his late 30s, were still there after a single treatment.
Mary O'Connell, a 60-year-old treated by Bergan last year, said she noticed a tighter face after her sixth of 10 weekly treatments. "It didn't put me back to age 16," she said. "... What it did do is take out the heavy, deep, deep lines around my cheeks and mouth and has sort of eliminated the drawn, tired look." Ten treatments ran O'Connell about $1,300. That's cheaper than a facelift. A treatment with Botox, the wrinkle-smoothing agent derived from the toxin that causes botulism, can cost around $400.
While millions of Americans have had acupuncture treatments, the practice has never been fully embraced by the American medical establishment. The American Medical Association has no position on it. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, part of the National Institutes of Health, cites on its Web site research that found evidence acupuncture is useful for managing pain, depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Proponents cite an 8-year-old study in the International Journal of Clinical Acupuncture that found a 90 percent success rate for facial acupuncture. Still, some medical professionals are dubious. Stephen Barrett, a retired psychiatrist who runs the Quackwatch Web site, compares faith in Qi and meridians to believing in ghosts. "I can't think of any anatomical reason why needles in the face would affect wrinkles," he said.
O'Connell said that besides making her face look younger, the process just made her feel good. Which is part of the point. Bergan said many clients are starting to visibly age and the acupuncture helps them deal with it in a healthy way. "The women just need a little lift," she said.
To learn more about Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture
you can contact:
Cernosek Chiropractic Health Services
Craig Cernosek, D.C.
1411 N. Valley Mills Dr . , Ste. H
Waco , TX 76710
(254) 772-6579
www.AcuPointClinic.com
