What is Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture?
Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture is a non surgical, virtually painless method of reducing signs of the ageing process. Sometimes referred to as Cosmetic Acupuncture or Facial Revitalisation Acupuncture, Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture is much more than a cosmetic process. It works at a much deeper level stimulating your body’s natural processes to help the whole body look and feel younger, naturally.
For thousands of years acupuncture has been used in the Far East to help treat a wide variety of health issues. Acupuncture works by inserting very fine sterile stainless steel needles into specific points on the body (acupoints) to stimulate the flow of qi (energy) along meridians (channels) which run throughout the body. Many of the body’s meridians either start or end on the face or have internal branches that go to the face. That’s why our state of health is naturally reflected in our face. So if we are tired it shows as dark areas or bags under our eyes. If we have internal heat we may look flushed in the face.
Beauty emanates from the inside. To help restore our natural beauty it is necessary to work at a deeper level and rejuvenate the whole body. As with body acupuncture, Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture treatments are tailored to meet your individual needs and constitution. Clients frequently report significant improvements in their energy levels and other symptoms (such as hot flushes or insomnia) as well as seeing visible improvements in their faces.
Effects of Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture
The use of acupuncture to slow the visible effects of ageing is first documented from the Song Dynasty in China (960-1279 AD). It is believed that cosmetic acupuncture was originally reserved for use by the Empress and imperial concubines. More recently (!), a research study of 300 individuals treated with cosmetic acupuncture in China reported in the International Journal of Clinical Acupuncture (1996) showed that 90% had marked effects with one course of treatment. Effects included improvements in skin texture and colouring, increased skin elasticity, reduction of wrinkles and, overall rejuvenation not limited to the face.
Other results observed in clinical practice include reduction in eyebags, reduced puffiness of the face, facial colouring balanced (whether too red or too pale), droopy eyelids lifted, reduction in double chins and jowls, improved facial muscle tone and reduction in pore size.
Contraindications
Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture (FRA) is a profound treatment and is contraindicated in people with pituitary disorders, heart or bleeding disorders, high blood pressure, diabetes, liver problems, those especially prone to bruising, suffering from migraines, HIV or AIDS. FRA is not advised during pregnancy, for those with facial lymphoedema, during any acute illness, allergic reaction or serious chronic illness. Great caution should be exercised with patients who have undergone facial surgery or other allopathic cosmetic procedures of who have had botulinium toxin injections in the last 6 months.
Patient Suitability
Almost everybody could benefit from Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture provided they do not have any contraindications (above). FRA is suitable for men and women. The more distressed or aged you look, the better the results. The most dramatic improvements in facial appearance are experienced by those in their forties, fifties and sixties. Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Aniston and Angelina Jolie are all reported advocates of the benefits of Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture.
Treatments
First of all I will take a full medical history and discuss your wishes and expectations in order to determine your suitability for Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture. If you have not had acupuncture previously, I may recommend that you come for a body acupuncture treatment before starting facial acupuncture to see how you respond. Everyone responds differently. FRA treatments typically last 90-120 minutes depending on the individual.
Usually a course of 12 treatments is recommended, once or twice weekly with at least one day off between treatments. For optimum results its best to schedule treatments closer together initially. A typical treatment plan would be twice weekly for 3 weeks then weekly for the next 6 weeks. The aesthetic effects are usually visible after the first session. Acupuncture benefits are cumulative and the facial enhancements tend to become more visible midway through the treatment series.
I do not use electro-acupuncture in my Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture treatments. Traditional classical acupuncture protocols practiced with good technique provides deep powerful effects working in natural harmony with the body.
Treatments include use of constitutional body and ear (auricular) points as well as facial points.
There is a small risk of bruising with FRA, so if you want to look your best for an important occasion, it is recommended to complete your Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture treatments 2-3 weeks before your Big Day.
