What is Cosmetic Acupuncture? What are the benefits? and is there any evidence? Let's take a look at a little known part of Acupuncture that can benefit Women if your face is feeling, tired, dull and with dry skin - a common complaint of motherhood.
After having children, the day to day routines can leave you strapped for a little "Me-time" and self-care. Motherhood - its takes it's toll on the best of us. I know for myself there were things that changed about my body since having a child. I got a bit more squishy around the edges, I had dark rings under my eyes (thankyou sleep deprivation!) and my skin has been dry ever since.
I've written a lot about Fertility Acupuncture and building up your reserves in preparation for Pregnancy, Acupuncture during Pregnancy, but what about beyond all that? How can the wisdom of Chinese Medicine help the tired, run down mum on the go all the time?
Cosmetic Acupuncture is beginning to get awareness internationally and is a way women can help their skin, their confidence and manage self-care after having children that is chemical-free.
What is Cosmetic Acupuncture?
Cosmetic Acupuncture or Facial Acupuncture is using fine Acupuncture needles to stimulate collagen production and elastin repair.
It can be a great way to help yourself take some time out for yourself, give your face and skin some TLC without doing anything chemical or drastic. The same fundamental principles apply in Cosmetic Acupunture as in regular acupuncture - directing blood flow, releasing tight muscles and clearing stagnation or toxicity, simply using Acupuncture needles.
This isn't a new thing either! Although you might only be learning about this for the first time now, there has been Facial Acupuncture treatments documented back as long as 5,000 years in Chinese Medical Classic texts. The usual meridians Acupuncturists use for Body Acupuncture also traverse the face - such as the Stomach Meridian, Bladder Meridian and lots of extra points. But Cosmetic Acupuncture doesn't limit itself to known Acupoints, with Cosmetic Acupuncture being targeted to fine lines, wrinkles, crepiness and loss of tone in the face.
Is there any Evidence to suggest it works?
Cosmetic Acupuncture is gaining more and more interest, but there is not a lot of scientific literature about it, just calls for more clinical trials. Of the ones completed, there are several studies in Korea: Effect of Facial Cosmetic Acupuncture on Facial Elasticity
And Japan: Cosmetic Acupuncture to enhance facial skin appearance: A Preliminary Study which reported improvement in the water and oil content of participant's skin.
What is Chinese Medicine's view on Cosmetic Acupuncture?
Traditional Chinese Medicine has a long history of documenting Facial Acupuncture for youth and beauty purposes. They explain it as bringing Qi and blood to the face - sounds great for tired and dull skin! But also treat the body wholistically - so tired and dull skin would be addressed with matching Body Acupoints to strengthen Qi & Blood.
Dry Facial Skin would indicate a Yin Deficiency and although drinking and hydrating properly would help, Body Acupoints to Nourish Yin would be applied.
These underlying diagnoses are being made by your Acupuncturist when they look at your bigger picture, but some signs show up in the face as well.
Things Facial Acupuncture can assist:
- Dry skin
- Dull skin
- Dark circles under the eyes
- Puffiness around the eyes
- Fine lines & Wrinkles
- Deeper Frown lines or Crows Feet
- Sagging and drooping
- Facial tension, tight jaw
- Pigmentation or discolouration
- Acne
- Scarring
If I want to try it, How many treatments will I need?
1-4 sessions can help shallow wrinkles or fine lines from dehydration of the skin.
3-4 sessions once per week will produce a positive result for dryness and dullness of the skin.
8-10 sessions 1-2 times per week for issues relating to collagen depletion - sagging, drooping, loss of facial tone. Changes are usually felt at the 4-5 week mark or after 6-8 sessions, because Collagen takes a little longer to stimulate and build up.
Once a course of treatment has been completed, Maintenance treatments are a good idea these can be 1 month apart.
Results gained can be seen for 2 years after from initial course of treatment, when maintenance is applied and a new course of treatment can be done again after the 2 years is up.
If you want to try Cosmetic Acupuncture because your skin is feeling tired, dull or dry, you can ask your Registered Acupuncturist if they do perform it. Or, for Cosmetic Acupuncture treatments on Sydney's Northern Beaches, email me at info@springfertility.com.au or book online here and click Cosmetic Acupuncture Initial.
