WHOEVER SAID “BEAUTY IS PAIN” HAD NEVER TRIED COSMETIC ACUPUNCTURE
And my clients? They don’t just love the process, they love the results.
Cosmetic acupuncture has been used to enhance beauty and wellbeing for thousands of years. Because it is a safe and natural treatment, this anti-aging practice has become increasingly well-known and sought after.
HOW DOES COSMETIC ACUPUNCTURE WORK?
Cosmetic Acupuncture can soften lines and wrinkles, lift sagging, increase firmness and tone in the face, fade pigmentation, and reduce scarring. Super-fine needles - made specifically for use on the face - are inserted to stimulate specific muscles. These work to either pull the skin tighter, or to relax other muscles and release tension in the face. But that’s not all. Cosmetic acupuncture stimulates the production of collagen and elastin — the key to healthy and younger looking skin.
CAN COSMETIC ACUPUNCTURE TREAT LINES AND WRINKLES?
Yes, it can. Using a specialised technique, fine needles are inserted along the line or wrinkle. This causes what’s called a "micro trauma". While it might sound dramatic, this causes your body to go into repair mode, producing collagen and elastin. How amazing is that? Over time, these treatments will soften lines and plump the face from beneath the surface, resulting in more youthful and vibrant skin.
SAGGING, DROOPING, LOSS OF FIRMNESS?
You bet. With age, our muscles naturally weaken and atrophy, and the muscles of the face are no exception. Cosmetic acupuncture works to stimulate collagen production, causing regeneration of fibres. Needling the muscles in the affected areas helps them tighten and strengthen, lifting areas and giving your face a firmer appearance.
DRYNESS, FLAKINESS, DULLNESS?
Take air conditioning, heating, weather, pollution and a hefty dose of stress, and you’ve got a combo that can pack a punch to your skin. No matter how much we limit our exposure to these aging factors or how much moisturiser we apply, our skin can remain dry, tight and even flaky. Facial acupuncture encourages blood flow to the face to combat surface dryness and revitalise the flesh and soft tissue underneath – essential for supplying nutrients and retaining moisture for the skin above.
I HAVE PIGMENTATION AND UNEVEN SKIN TONE. CAN COSMETIC ACUPUNCTURE HELP?
Skin pigmentation is common among women. It is seen as a blockage and lack of circulation in areas of the face. Cosmetic Acupuncture promotes fresh blood-flow to the surface, dispersing blockages and flushing away the pigment that cause discolouration.
TENSION IN THE FACE?
We can thank our modern, busy lifestyles for the uncomfortable tension that occurs in the face, particularly around the forehead and between the eyebrows. Cosmetic Acupuncture works to relax and release targeted muscles, relieving tension and softening your face.
CAN COSMETIC ACUPUNCTURE HELP SCARRING?
Be it from injury, surgery, or acne, cosmetic acupuncture can soften scarring (on any part of the body) by boosting circulation and encouraging the skin’s natural healing process. Perhaps you have dark red and purple skin spots, pitting (small holes), lumps, bumps or uneven skin texture? Cosmetic acupuncture can remove stagnant blood and allow fresh blood through the area, renewing and regenerating tissue, promoting collagen production and visibly improving the skin’s appearance.
PREVENTATIVE ANTI-AGEING
Let’s think of your body as a beautiful garden (stick with me here, okay?). Your face is one small part of this garden, but your whole body requires care and attention for this part to flourish. Using Cosmetic Acupuncture to stimulate collagen production is like planting seeds, fertilising and watering your garden; the more effort and care you take early on, the more abundant your garden will be in the future. In other words, the more collagen you can build now, the more you'll have later, and the more the aging process can be slowed.
IS COSMETIC ACUPUNCTURE RIGHT FOR ME?
At my Park Orchards and Mount Evelyn acupuncture clinics, I help women with a wide range of skin concerns. We’ll begin your appointment with discussing the concerns you have about your skin and I’ll assess your facial muscles, soft tissue and skin, and your overall health to establish the appropriate treatment. Tongue and pulse diagnosis will help detect any internal imbalances that may be contributing to the health and appearance of your facial skin.
Your treatment will generally include facial acupuncture plus acupuncture points on the body, which helps balance other contributing factors such as hormones, anxiety, digestion and so on. Gentle facial massage will enhance blood flow and promote lymphatic drainage. Your first appointment can take up to 75 minutes, and around 45 minutes for consecutive appointments.
DOES COSMETIC ACUPUNCTURE HURT OR HAVE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?
Cosmetic Acupuncture doesn’t introduce any foreign substances or harsh chemicals into your system, so the downtime required after a cosmetic acupuncture treatment is minimal. You might see some flushing or redness; this is due to increased circulation of blood to the face and is very normal. Occasionally, minor and temporary bruising may occur at the site of needle insertion. This is usually painless and will resolve itself within a day or two. Be gentle with your body after each session - avoid things like strenuous exercise - but feel free to return to normal daily activities. You can even apply makeup straight after your treatment if you wish.
I’M BUSY. HOW MANY COSMETIC ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENTS WILL I NEED?
The number of Cosmetic Acupuncture treatments required will vary from one patient to the next. Important things to consider are:
- Your age. A person in their 20’s will need less treatments than someone in their 50’s or 60’s.
- Your lifestyle. Those with a healthy lifestyle will have a better and quicker response than someone who drinks, smokes, neglects sleep or has a poor diet.
- Other factors such as ethnicity, skin type, and constitution.
You’ll be pleased to know that just 3 to 4 weekly treatments can deliver results for dry or dull skin. As for wrinkles or loss of firmness, you’ll notice improvements within 6 to 8 weeks.
After an initial round of treatments, maintenance treatments are recommended. You can schedule these around every 4 to 8 weeks. Maintenance treatments can help initial results last 2-3 years, after which time you may opt to do another intensive round of treatments.
IMPORTANT - BEFORE YOU BOOK AN APPOINTMENT FOR COSMETIC ACUPUNCTURE…
Cosmetic Acupuncture should be used with caution if you:
- Are pregnant.
- Are suffering a headache or migraine on the day of treatment.
- Have a cold sore or herpes on the face.
- Are currently taking blood-thinning medication.
- Have had a laser or chemical peel recently.
- Have broken or weeping skin.
- I recommend that you avoid treating areas that have received Botox in the last 3 months.