Cosmetic acupuncture is considered an anti-aging trend in the US, sounds amazing but it works!
With fine needles, slippery eyelids can be lifted, hanging cheeks and double chins are tightened, coarse pores can be minimized. And that after just a few sessions…
“Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture” is the name of the latest anti-aging method, developed by Virginia Doran, a therapist from the USA for over 20 years, is currently conquering practices in Europe.
Instead of Botox or fillers, this treatment relies on holistic rejuvenation and natural face lifting without the use of foreign body substance.
Because it is not wrinkleless or padded faces that make us look young, but the optimal skin quality, the healthy radiance.
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a 3,000-year-old traditional healing method from Chinese medicine. In Germany, it is mainly used for pain therapy, but it is also said to help against allergies, gastrointestinal problems, arthritis and menstrual cramps, for example. In 2003, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially recognized acupuncture as a medical treatment. It involves inserting ultra-thin needles into the skin at specific acupuncture points. This doesn’t sound very pleasant at first, but it is supposed to be relaxing. The idea from Chinese medicine is that with the help of acupuncture blockages of the life energy Qi, which flows through the body, are removed.
Also read: Facial acupuncture: Benefits and Notes
What is cosmetic facial acupuncture?
For some time, research has been conducted to determine what benefits cosmetic acupuncture can provide. The results are promising. As early as 1996, a report appeared in the International Journal of Clinical Acupuncture in which 90 percent of a test group of 300 people treated said they felt positive effects after just one session of facial acupuncture. These included increased elasticity of facial muscles, leveled wrinkles and an overall rejuvenated appearance.
How does cosmetic acupuncture work?
The effect of facial rejuvenation acupuncture is based on stimulation of the self-healing powers, because these diminish with time. Unless you treat yourself to a few needles now and then. Muscle tone and skin contraction are improved. Collagen production is stimulated and hormone production is balanced. By regulating sebum production, this method works well against oily skin, acne disease and dry skin. Due to the stimulated metabolism the excess tissue fluid is reduced, in this way the puffiness can be eliminated. It mobilizes the body’s internal resources and delays the aging process. It also slows down age-related graying and hair loss.
Procedure of acupuncture treatment for facial rejuvenation
During the first session, a detailed medical history is taken with pulse and tongue diagnosis. First, a few needles are placed on the body so that the life energy, the Qi, flows freely again. Anti-aging acupuncture also assumes that our body is flooded with Qi, which circulates along longitudinal pathways (the meridians). With increasing age, this flow is slowed down or disturbed, our self-healing powers and energy diminish. This can be seen externally in a sallower complexion, wrinkles and the loss of plump skin and defined contours.
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However, the needles are not simply pricked directly into the wrinkle: first, the doctor kneads the skin vigorously. If it’s the cheek area, for example, she strokes the skin toward the ear. “We remind the skin where it used to be – and where it should go again.” That’s where she then places the needles. Depending on what is desired, certain regions are treated more intensively, whether nasolabial folds are bothering, crow’s feet, bags under the eyes, drooping eyelids or all of the above. For each part of the face there are certain points that are stimulated with needles.
Although the treatment focuses on the face, the stimulation of the entire energy flow would also stimulate the metabolism and hormonal balance. The whole thing does not hurt, in some places you feel at most a slight tugging. “The indication that the Qi is flowing again, the congestion is released.” Studded with up to 60 needles, you have to lie for 30 minutes, after removing the needles still follows a strong pressure massage along the contours and folds.
Does it work?
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, aging of the facial skin, the process that leads to wrinkling and relaxation of the tissues, is caused by poor blood circulation. This process is also accelerated by the psychological factor with emotional stress, poor diet and too much sun exposure. As a result, insufficient blood circulation in the face leads to dry skin without strength.
Acupuncture, performed for aesthetic purposes, is becoming increasingly widespread, as it not only provides satisfactory aesthetic results, but also improves the state of mental and physical well-being of the whole organism. With this natural “anti-aging” technique, wrinkles are reduced and the elasticity of facial muscles is stimulated. The natural brightness of the skin improves with a slight lifting effect and the eyelid bags and dark circles are reduced.
According to the literature and the scientific studies conducted, acupuncture stimulates the self-healing response of the skin. The acupuncture needles activate the repair processes: Blood and lymph circulation are stimulated, oxygen supply is improved, toxins are eliminated more quickly and fibroblasts are stimulated to produce collagen. Of course, the results are not as immediate as after a surgical lift, but they are gradual and occur over the weeks that the treatment is performed.
In conclusion, acupuncture can be a valid alternative to classical aesthetic medicine. It is a practically painless technique without side effects. And it is a completely natural method, which, in addition to the cosmetic benefits, is a technique aimed at improving the general state of mental and physical well-being.
Possible risks
The risk of acupuncture is low when performed by a licensed, certified acupuncture practitioner using sterile needles. Common side effects include soreness, minor bleeding or bruising at the site of needle insertion. The use of disposable needles is now the standard of practice, so the risk of infection is minimal. Not everyone is a good candidate for acupuncture therapy. Complications may occur if you meet the following conditions.
- Have a bleeding disorder. If you have a bleeding disorder or if you are taking blood thinners, there is an increased chance of bleeding or bruising from the needle.
- Have a pacemaker installed. Needle therapy that applies a mild electrical pulse to the needle may interfere with the operation of the pacemaker.
- Pregnant. Certain types of acupuncture therapy are thought to stimulate labor and may lead to premature delivery.
In any case, you should seek a professional practitioner.
