Cosmetic Acupuncture
I often have a good giggle about the number of delivery men/women I have shocked answering the door with a face full of needles. It seems to happen right on point, as soon as I take an hour or two out for my facial regime and get a good lot of needles in, the door bell will ring and I’ll have no choice but to answer and try to explain that it’s all perfectly ok, I’m a trained acupuncturist and then I watch as they back away after gingerly handing over my parcel…. I’d love to be able to read their minds at that point!
So why do I do this to myself and for paying clients?!
* It feels great!
Although this is a facial treatment it also enhances and relaxes different ‘patterns’ in the whole body. For example, there’s a fantastic point used called Yin Tang, and its right between the eyebrows, is great at relaxing that muscle we use when we frown and therefore great at smoothing out ‘eleven lines’ that a lot of people are concerned with. But this point also one of the main points to ‘calm the mind’, it’s also a great point for any sinus issues, congestion and headaches.
So when you receive a treatment you often come out in a lovely relaxed state having experienced a holistic balancing treatment.
* It reduces fine lines and deeper wrinkles
By causing a micro-trauma to the skin (in a gentle way) the body produces collagen as part of its own natural healing mechanism. This extra collagen then plumps up any fine lines / wrinkles and with a session of treatments you can often see them much less defined and sometimes, depending on the depth, even disappear.
* Lifts and tones muscles
Acupuncture needles are inserted into specific points that help relax tight muscles and strengthen elongated muscles. This restores the natural function of the muscles and results in a more lifted and toned appearance.
* Helps with complexion, skin tone and texture
Cosmetic acupuncture stimulates greater blood flow to the face, improving the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the area. This helps correct colour and texture imbalances to improve complexion. It’s also a great way to flush out toxins and build up of stagnation, which can cause our complexions to dampen down and become clogged and dull.
* Reduction in puffy under-eye bags
Puffiness under the eyes can have many causes, such as lack of sleep, allergies, fluid retention and hormone changes. All of these can be addressed during a cosmetic acupuncture treatment and with consistent care, both symptoms and puffiness will subside.
* Better skin hydration
This comes down to the body being prompted to produce extra fresh blood flow to the area that’s just been needled. Within this fresh blood, nutrients, fluid and oxygen are flushed to the area leaving you with a dewy, fresh complexion.
* Increases circulation and vitality
As cosmetic acupuncture improves overall health in addition to appearance, treatments improve circulation throughout the entire body creating a more efficient delivery of oxygen and nutrients. This results in a greater state of health and vitality and one of the reasons you get such a ‘good feel factor’ as a big bonus.
I always follow up my cosmetic acupuncture sessions with a jade stone massage, which promotes blood flow and lymphatic drainage and also has a lovely cooling effect. Alongside that I use Neal’s Yard Wild Rose beauty balm, which is packed with antioxidant-rich, organic, intensely nourishing essential oils and it is just smells divine!
There is no ‘down-time’ for this treatment as it is in fact quite a gentle treatment, however with the nature of the treatment sometimes you can experience a little bruising in one or two of the points, but not very often. The needles used are specifically for facial treatments and are a lot smaller and thinner than needles used for body treatments.
I hope I have taken the fear out of the thought of having a face full of needles, ha! But maybe I should get some sort of waning sign made up for any visitors I may have land over my next sessions ;)
