Cosmetic Acupuncture: What to Expect
By: Sara Mastrangelo
You have likely heard of acupuncture, but have you ever heard of facial rejuvenation or cosmetic acupuncture? Although it’s still emerging in the natural beauty world, cosmetic acupuncture is gaining a lot of popularity lately as women look for natural treatments to maintain youthful looking skin.
But what exactly is it, how does it work and what benefits can you expect?
As a Registered Acupuncturist (R.Ac) with an additional certification in cosmetic & facial acupuncture, I am here to answer all of your questions!
Here are some of the most common questions that new clients ask me:
What is cosmetic acupuncture and how does it work?
Cosmetic acupuncture is derived from Traditional Chinese Medicine beauty and is growing popularity around the world. It’s 100% natural, injection free and is often done at minimal discomfort. It works by causing micro-trauma with the insertion of hair-thin needles which encourages the natural production of collagen and newer, stronger elastin fibers.
This results in increased elasticity, firmness, reduced fine lines, brighter complexion and smoother texture.
How does it differ from Botox?
Unlike botox which just treats local concerns of wrinkles, cosmetic acupuncture has the ability to positively impact your health as a whole. This is because Traditional Chinese Medicine treats the body as an energetic system and many skin related issues stem from inner imbalances. This can be due to poor digestion, poor circulation to the face or inflammation. Using a combination of points located on the face and body, the root cause is able to be addressed rather than just masking superficial symptoms!
If you’re interested in reading more about cosmetic acupuncture versus botox, click here to read my full blog.
What’s included in the treatment?
Intake
Each treatment consists of a comprehensive intake to learn more about your skincare goals, lifestyle and other factors that could affect the appearance of your skin such as diet, water consumption and sleep.
Cosmetic Acupuncture
From there, acupuncture points on the face + body are selected based on your personal goals and condition. The needles are retained for about 15 minutes while you relax in a heated treatment bed.
Gua Sha + Facial Cupping
The last part of your treatment consists of using gua sha to help promote lymphatic drainage and facial cupping to increase circulation- this is usually everyone’s favourite part! It’s very relaxing and soothing.
You will then be provided with personalized advice on what foods you can add to your diet and lifestyle tips to help you achieve your goals.
Organic and Vegan Skincare
Throughout your treatment, we will use a variety of all natural skincare with the best ingredients to improve skin quality.
Does it hurt?
Cosmetic Acupuncture is often done at minimal discomfort. At most you may feel a light pinch (similar to a mosquito bite) but it will subside after a few seconds.
Are the needles used more than once?
All needles are 100% sterile and single-use. They are safely discarded immediately after being removed, and a new set is used every treatment.
What results should I expect?
After your first treatment, you will immediately notice a brighter complexion, smoother skin, decreased puffiness and a more defined look. Fine lines will also look less visible.
How often should I get it done?
To really maximize the longterm effects of cosmetic acupuncture, I recommend at least one weekly treatment for three weeks. After three treatments, we will reassess your skincare goals and see how often we should continue treatment. Since cosmetic acupuncture influences the long-term health of skin, you won’t need many treatments once you reach your desired results.
Are there any side effects?
There aren’t many side effects other than possible bruising at the needle site but it rarely happens. This is why it’s important to avoid booking your treatment close to an important date or event- just in case! You may also feel a bit sleepy after your treatment because acupuncture can activate the parasympathetic nervous system which will make you feel very relaxed.
Is it covered by my insurance benefits?
If your healthcare benefits cover getting acupuncture by a Registered Acupuncturist (R.Ac), then cosmetic acupuncture falls under receiving an acupuncture treatment!
Conclusion
Cosmetic acupuncture is an amazing low-risk beauty treatment that can positively impact your skin to provide a brighter complexion and a more youthful glow. If you would like to learn more, feel free to book a complimentary phone consultation with me and I will be happy to answer any additional questions that you may have.
Original blog can be found here.