Acupuncture

“Skin is In” -  Absolutely Fabulous

Wise words, indeed, if we delve a little deeper – our skin’s appearance does come from the inside!  Your skin is a window into your overall health and vitality. A dull complexion reveals all the tiredness and stress you are experiencing, while a radiant one reflects a vibrant and balanced state of being.  But how to get there is another question.  One of the most effective and scientifically proven ways to support de-stressing is (wait for it): needles!

Acupuncture resets your nervous system, triggering a release of calming hormones and lowering stress hormones, like cortisol.  Too much cortisol disturbs the balance of our female hormones and throws off blood sugar levels; often causing fatigue, acne, weight gain and mood swings.  Cortisol increases inflammation and interferes with sleep.   And sleep is when we reset, repair and regenerate!  Plus, when you’re well rested your mood is more likely to be positive, and you’ll feel better about handling the challenges of the day.  The bottom line is, managing stress is an important way to boost overall health.

Acupuncture also helps your skin by supporting your immune system.  Conditions like acne, rosacea, eczema and psoriasis are often worsened by foods we eat and things we are exposed to in our environment. Regular treatments support the liver’s job of getting rid of metabolic waste and any toxins we’ve taken in.  That’s one of the ways acupuncture lowers inflammation.  It also strengthens digestion and improves elimination, which is helpful for all skin issues. And if you are suffering from acne around your period, know that acupuncture has helped millions of women with PMS and other menstrual complaints find relief.  Acupuncture targets many sources of skin problems on a much deeper level.

Now let’s look at some of the benefits of cosmetic acupuncture. Needling the face directly can improve muscle tone, helping firm and tighten skin and reduce sagging. Blood and lymph circulation is increased (think of the glow of pregnancy).  Edema, puffiness and bags under the eyes can be lessened. Hyperpigmentation, scars and some benign growths like seborrheic keratoses can be reduced. The insertion of needles can also stimulate collagen production to help fill in fine lines and reduce wrinkles, in as early as 5-6 weeks of treatment.  Acne breakouts and other signs of inflammation are lessened.  So, after a series of cosmetic facial treatments noticeable results are a more even skin tone, improved luster of complexion, reduction of fine lines and wrinkles, and firmer muscle tone—all creating a more vibrant, radiant you!

Some fantastic “side effects” of facial acupuncture include improved sleep and mood, relief from sinus conditions and some types of headaches, reduced TMJ symptoms, relaxed face and neck tension, strengthened immunity and a stronger digestion.  And after years of close encounters with stressed faces, I firmly believe that regulating the stress response is in itself an anti-aging treatment.  Facial needling can be more sensitive than acupuncture on the rest of the body, so it requires a delicate touch.  The Japanese style of acupuncture I practice is very gentle and relaxing overall.

There are times when cosmetic facial acupuncture is not appropriate.  If you have a history of migraines or a bleeding disorder this type of treatment is not recommended.  Also, during pregnancy, acute illnesses, or whenever someone is in severe pain, we don’t perform this type of acupuncture.  Needling increases the clearance of Botox and other fillers so some time must pass before we can work on those treated areas. And it’s best not to have facial acupuncture right after dental work.  Acupuncture should not be performed on sunburned skin nor right after procedures like laser resurfacing, microdermabrasion or chemical peels.  But compared to surgery and other cosmetic interventions, cosmetic acupuncture is an extremely low-risk treatment that rarely produces side effects. The most common is occasional mild bruising.

Please schedule a consultation if you’d like to explore the idea of cosmetic acupuncture further.  I look forward to speaking with you!