Cosmetic use of acupuncture for facial rejuvenation is popular worldwide and for good reason. Facial acupuncture can improve one’s appearance by promoting skin health and targetting specific structures of the face. It can be complementary to other aesthetic treatments and stand-alone as a holistic cosmetic approach of its own.
What is Facial Acupuncture?
Facial (or “cosmetic”) acupuncture involves the insertion of extra-fine needles in specific areas of the head, face, and neck. These are areas where nerve signals and energy (or “Qi”) flow and where the acupuncturist can influence their effect on the body.
By targeting energy channels the acupuncturist can promote overall health and achieve targetted improvements in our complexion. The needles are placed on and around the face to draw circulation to the area and create minor ‘trauma’ (the same principle as laser face treatment) so that the body produces more collagen to the areas of reduced collagen and deep wrinkles. Acupuncture can be used to improve muscle tone, tighten saggy skin, reduce facial edema and dark eyes (1).
Integrative Skincare
Unlike other cosmetic treatments, facial acupuncture focuses on well-being, not just your face. In addition to targeting points on the face, cosmetic acupuncture treatments usually include a full-body session. This is because in Traditional Chinese Medicine it is believed that the face is a clear reflection of health, organ function, and energy balance. By bringing the body out of imbalance, facial acupuncture does much more than improve our physical appearance and keeps patients energetic and healthy from the inside out.
A Unique Approach
Facial acupuncture is a non-invasive cosmetic approach that can be used to supplement other treatments. It has a tonifying effect on the skin and muscles of the face that can prolong and maintain the effectiveness of other cosmetic treatments.
Facial acupuncture requires a few treatment sessions before experiencing visible results, but most find it worth the wait. When improvements show, one can be confident that overall health is also flourishing.
References-
- Barrett, and John B. “Acupuncture and Facial Rejuvenation.” OUP Academic, Oxford University Press, 1 July 2005, academic.oup.com/asj/article/25/4/419/190569.
- Yun, Younghee, et al. “Effect of Facial Cosmetic Acupuncture on Facial Elasticity: an Open-Label, Single-Arm Pilot Study.” Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : ECAM, Hindawi Publishing Corporation, 2013, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3745857/.
