Return to the Acupuncture Articles index.
Rejuvenation Acupuncture Part 2
You'll recall from last time that acupuncture can be a powerful tool to help you look and feel your best. (If you didn't read that issue, you can see it here.) There are many reasons for this, including the fact that acupuncture works with your body's natural healing ability to help reduce lines, wrinkles, discoloration and drooping.
The other powerful thing about improving your appearance this way is that we always work on correcting your internal health issues at the same time. The result is that you look and feel younger.
How Does It Work?
Obviously, there is no simple answer to this question. However we do know certain things that acupuncture does quite effectively.
For example, in the approach I use, the treatment stimulates the production of collagen and elastin in the dermal layer of the skin. For those not familiar with these terms, collagen and elastin make up the underlying structural components of skin and other tissues in the body.
Collagen and elastin take about 4 weeks to be created, which is why the treatments are done twice weekly for 5 weeks. During this time the treatment stimulates the body to create new underlying support tissues.
What does this mean for you?
Building up this underlying support tissue makes your skin look fuller. This fullness erases fine lines, reduces deeper lines and gives the skin a more radiant look. In other words, you look younger. And, because these changes are created over time, the results can last for 3-5 years.
In addition, because we work with your underlying health issues, your overall health improves at the same time. You feel better while you look better.
Who Shouldn't Use This Technique?
As with anything health-related, cosmetic acupuncture is not for everyone. In fact, before I'll use the technique with someone, they must qualify by coming in for a free consultation where we can determine if this is right for them.
There is a short list of conditions that must be cleared or which are contraindicated for using acupuncture to improve your appearance:
- Pregnancy - obviously, we don't want to do anything that might divert the body's energy from supporting a healthy pregnancy. If someone is pregnant, they need to wait until after giving birth to have the treatment.
- Seizures - since most cosmetic acupuncture focuses energy on the head, people with seizures could experience a worsening of the problem. Therefore, people with seizures are not good candidates for this process.
- Migraines - acupuncture can be very effective for clearing migraines. However, they must be resolved before starting the cosmetic process.
- Someone who doesn't like anything about their appearance - at best, acupuncture takes the face you already have and makes it look great. If there are absolutely no features about your face that you like, acupuncture can't give you a whole new face. If you really want a totally new face, surgery is your best bet.
- Uncontrolled hypertension - until you get your blood pressure under control, we cannot begin the procedure. If you choose to do this naturally, herbs and acupuncture can help.
- If you're taking blood-thinning drugs - just as in surgery, you must not be taking blood-thinning drugs during the week before and at any time during the procedure. This applies not only to prescription medications such as coumadin, but also aspirin, and even vitamin E. We want to minimize any bruising from the treatment and these drugs might encourage bruising.
- Other conditions - there are several other conditions that should be resolved before beginning the treatment. At the free consultation we will discuss these so you can make an informed decision.
Along with the actual acupuncture treatment, you will need to commit to a regimen of skin care between treatments. In addition, as part of the process you will receive 2 full facial treatments, along with any herbal support necessary. We will also discuss nutritional issues that may apply.
As you can see, this is an involved process. And, it gets serious results. I welcome your questions about Cosmetic Acupuncture and encourage you if you are interested to contact me at my office to schedule your free consultation.
Return to the Acupuncture Articles index.
