What is Facial Acupuncture? Acupuncture facials are a natural alternative that works to maintain a youthful appearance of the face and neck. Specifically, acupuncture promotes blood circulation, eliminates sagging lines and wrinkles, and delivers skin rejuvenation and relaxation. At its simplest level, cosmetic acupuncture is the insertion of fine acupuncture needles into the superficial tissues of the face to reduce signs of aging. An acupuncturist from the Hale Clinic in London explains the facial reaction, “Traumatizing the skin by inserting tiny needles will also encourage the production of healing collagen, the protein which the body uses to keep the skin youthful and elastic.” The patient she treated, Frances Childs, is a 44 year-old journalist for the Daily Mail received exceptional results despite her skeptical attitude. She reports “After three sessions, I can see a definite improvement. My skin is rosier and clearer, my cheeks plumper. The lines around my mouth are less visible, and my forehead unfurrowed. I look healthier, with a much better complexion than someone whose staple diet consists of doughnuts and coffee deserves.” Delving deeper into this process, we learn that by inserting needles at pressure points, energy and endorphins are released, which stimulates the benefits listed above. This then results in the production of collagen and elastin, then “plumping up” the skin and producing the desired outcome. How does it compare to other treatments? While treatments such as Botox and chemical peels are more well-known because of the instant gratification they provide, acupuncture facials seem to be winning as the newest craze in anti-aging. They offer a less invasive alternative to chemical and surgical options. Therefore, improvements by acupuncture will be more subtle and continue to increase over time, rather than being a one-time “fix” that will eventually fade. In addition to the drastic measures of other treatments, they are typically rather pricey. Botox and Restylane cost on average between $500-2,000 and a deep chemical peel can cost several thousand. While cosmetic acupuncture is just that…cosmetic, acupuncture as a practice is used to improve the body as a whole. Because a person’s face is affected selectively by their internal organs, improvements in their face will reflect strengthening of their organs. In addition to the added benefits of acupuncture, it also has no risks and the side effect is that you look and feel better. When should I use it? While facial acupuncture is an asset to every age group, it works differently for each person. It might be optimal for individuals in their 30s to apply cosmetic acupuncture in effort to slow the aging process and thinning of collagen. But people in their 40s and 50s are certainly aided by acupuncture to reverse the effects of aging. For instance, 53 year-old composer and solo pianist, Jane Becker tried Restlyane and Botox but noticed it fell short just 3 months after application. After switching to the recommended dose of facial acupuncture, she reports, “I can really see a difference in my face. It looks younger, smoother, brighter and uplifted.” Furthermore, acupuncture is a process that takes time and should be used regularly. The American Cosmetic Acupuncture Association recommends 10 initial treatment sessions for 5 weeks followed by a monthly maintenance visit. While lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise contribute to acupuncture effectiveness, noticeable results are typically achieved after 6-8 sessions. Whether a woman in her early 30s who has spotted her first wrinkle and is searching for a holistic remedy or one in her 50s who has tried nearly every treatment under the sun, acupuncture has proven to benefit just about anyone. Acupuncture is daunting procedure for some individuals. Here’s a video to ease your worries: http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/acupuncture-facelift Call Today For An Appointment: (561) 459-0528