What is Cosmetic Acupuncture? What are the benefits? and is there any evidence? Let's take a look at a lesser known part of Acupuncture that is gaining popularity amongst women.
Motherhood and the effects on your skin
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 women who feel tired and 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!
Its not just about the face, it looks at the body holistically - so pale complexion and dull skin would be addressed with matching body acupuncture points to strengthen Qi & Blood, and build energy levels up.
Dry Skin would indicate a Yin Deficiency and although drinking water and hydrating properly would help, body acupuncture points to Nourish Yin would be applied.
An experienced and fully qualified Acupuncturist will make these clinical assessments for you. Some signs show up easily in the face as well.
Things Facial Acupuncture may assist:
- Dry skin
- Dull skin
- Dark circles under the eyes
- Puffiness around the eyes
- Fine lines & minor wrinkles
- Deeper frown lines or crows feet
- Sagging and drooping
- Facial tension, tight jaw
- Pigmentation or discolouration
- Acne
- Scarring
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 between 4-8 sessions, because collagen takes a little longer to stimulate and build up.
Afterwards, a maintenance treatments are a good idea these can be 1 month apart.
Results can be seen for weeks or months after your initial course of treatment, when ongoing maintenance is applied. A new course of treatment can be done again after 12 months if you begin to see changes again.
To sum it up, if you want to try Cosmetic Acupuncture you can ask your Registered Acupuncturist whether they're trained in Facial techniques.
In Sydney's Northern Beaches, you can reach out here via the contact page to ask questions or make an appointment.
If you're based in Melbourne, I highly recommend Cosmetic Acupuncture Melbourne.
Further reading on Cosmetic Acupuncture:
