How many cosmetic facial treatments can you think of that promote feelings of general well-being and have the ability to address certain medical issues in the body, all while making you gorgeous at the same time? If you choose a facial rejuvenation procedure performed by your practitioner of acupuncture and Oriental medicine, chances are you won't feel better just because you look better, but also because you would have received a holistic treatment for your mind and body. Not only that, cosmetic acupuncture is non-invasive, requires no anesthesia or other drugs and, in many cases, is less expensive than other facial rejuvenation procedures.
Facial rejuvenation is safe and helpful for the following conditions:
- Fine lines and moderate wrinkles
- Dark circles and bags under the eyes
- Puffiness or facial edema
- Droopy eyelids
- Certain acne and other dermatological conditions
- Uneven skin tone and discolorations
- Loose jowls
- Lack of sparkle in the eyes
- Double chin
When we age, our skin loses elasticity and moisture as collagen production slows down. Collagen is the protein responsible for keeping our skin supple and firm. When we are young, this protein regenerates quickly, but that is not the case as time goes on. Cosmetic acupuncture treatments will help stimulate the production of collagen and increase blood flow to help combat wrinkles and other issues related to the face. However, this beauty treatment is more than skin deep, and its effects can be felt on the physical and emotional levels as well.
According to the theory of acupuncture and Oriental medicine, the technique known as facial diagnosis can reveal certain health conditions of the patient, through careful observation of the face. For example, long, defined wrinkles between the eyebrows--the skin folds created from making an angry face--indicates there might be a liver imbalance. The internal organs are associated with a particular emotion, and the liver is connected with anger. Treatment would then include directly working on the skin, while at the same time addressing the underlying medical causes.
In this case, fine needles are gently inserted into the superficial layers of the wrinkle and other key areas of the face. Additional acupuncture needles may be administered on the body to support liver health and help soothe angry feelings. Healthy emotional responses and behavior are supported when the energy of the liver is flowing freely. A balanced emotional state naturally leads to less tension and thereby more relaxed facial expressions. In this way, the internal and external conditions are treated at the same time, as they are different expressions of the same imbalance.
Whether you notice certain changes you'd like to tweak when you look in the mirror, suffer from a dermatological condition or would just like to invigorate your smile and add a little sparkle to your eye, consider making an appointment with your practitioner of acupuncture and Oriental medicine to learn more. In the meantime, start making funny faces, literally, as it's a great exercise to help strengthen facial muscle tone. So go ahead, when no one is looking, make the most extreme faces you can think of, including sticking your tongue out. This will actually provide refreshing and invigorating stretches and contractions for your face muscles, which they might not otherwise get.
Find an Acupuncturist near you to learn how acupuncture and Oriental medicine can help you!
About the Author: Vanessa Vogel Batt, L.Ac., MSTOM, studied at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, and practiced acupuncture and Oriental medicine in New York for several years. Vanessa enjoys traveling the world, and has published articles on acupuncture and Oriental medicine and related health topics for websites and publications in both the U.S. and abroad.
