Cosmetic Acupuncture

• Scars - from accidents or surgery
• Post-botox - softening of frozen expression
  
• Skin pathology - eczema, acne, flushing, rosacea
  
• Facial rejuvenation - to slow aging and improve appearance
  

eye-bags puffiness of the face drooping eyelids and eyebrows double chins jowls and turkey necks broken capillaries

reduced eliminated banished lifted toned minimized

The local circulation to the face improves, the movement and stimulation of lymph leads to improvement of skin texture and colouring, the moisture content of the skin, muscle tone improves, and pore size regulated.

In ancient China (475-221BC) cosmetic acupuncture was primarily a luxury, reserved for the Empress and the imperial concubines. The ancient text Nei Jing (The Yellow Emperor's Classic) describes the effects of illness and age on the skin and appearance, and the techniques to employ including acupuncture, moxibustion, facial massage and qi gong.

In modern times the popularity of cosmetic acupuncture is on the rise.

It was noticed that when treating conditions involving facial paralysis, the treated area was visibly improved in following ways: skin colour, texture, complexion, sebaceous secretions, and the size and depth of wrinkles as well as the eyes becoming brighter. Currently the mei rong (beauty acupuncture department) is in most hospitals and universities in China.

The International Journal of Clinical Acupuncture (1996) reported of 300 cases treated in China with cosmetic facial acupuncture, 90% had marked effects with one course of treatment. Effects included: improvement in skin texture and colouring, increased elasticity, reduction of wrinkles and overall rejuvenation.

The effects of cosmetic acupuncture vary according to the prior condition and lifestyle of the patient, the techniques involved and the skill of the practitioner. Experts claim that it may erase as many as five to fifteen years from the face, with some results apparent as early as the first treatment (Doran).

The whole treatment takes about an hour and a half. For the treatment, the needles are inserted in ear points first, then the body points - feet, legs, hands or arms - according to constitutional needs of a particular patient, to treat the root, and, finally extra-thin needles are inserted to or around problem area of the face. Cosmetic acupuncture requires quite a lot of needles as the intention is to bring the wave of qi and blood to the face.

Possible Side-effects:

The face bruises much more easily than other parts of the body. But other than temporary bruising and haematomas, there is no risk or adverse side-effects, especially if compared with cosmetic surgical procedures.

The contraindications to Cosmetic Acupuncture include:

• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Some pituitary disorders
• Heart disorders
• Haemophilia
• Tendency to bruise easily
• Migraines
• facial lymphoedema
• Pregnancy
• Acute illness (flu, nausea, headache)

All the conditions listed above should be addressed first. Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine have a good record in treating some of these conditions.

Chronic illness makes people tired and depressed, which is reflected on the face as constant frown. With Chinese medicine habitual expressions melt away from the face, and illness leaves the body.