A one-size-fits-all treatment for youthful Face Acupuncture has been practiced for thousands of years. It is used in traditional Chinese medicine to relieve bodily pains, headaches, and nausea. However, its additional benefits may surprise you, especially if you elect to have your acupuncturist work on your smile lines.
Enter Facial Acupuncture, Which Is Said to Be a Safe Alternative to Surgery Or Botox.
This cosmetic procedure is a variation on traditional Face Acupuncture. It's supposed to help the skin look younger, smoother, and overall healthier. In addition, unlike injectable techniques, facial acupuncture targets not just indications of aging but also the overall health of the skin.
Can Face Acupuncture Be Safe?
For thousands of years, people have employed Face Acupuncture. The World Health Organization has recognized its effectiveness and published practice guidelines. Acupuncturists in the United States are licensed by their state's department of health. Checking for licenses is an excellent place to start when seeking trustworthy and well-trained practitioners.
Face Acupuncture's Scientific BasisThe acupuncturist will proceed to the facial section of the therapy after a standard full-body Face Acupuncture treatment. "If you only used a large number of needles in the face and not the entire body, this would result in energy congestion in the face," she explains. "A client may feel dullness, headache, or discomfort." When you begin with the body, you can experience a full flow of energy that aids in the support of the face.
The acupuncturist will place 40 to 70 small, painless needles into the patient's face. As the needles puncture the skin, they cause wounds within the skin's threshold, which are known as positive microtraumas. When your body detects these wounds, it enters mending mode. This is the same concept that microneedling employs to achieve youthful, anti-aging results, only acupuncture is a little less powerful, averaging about 50 punctures. Microneedling involves pricking hundreds of times with a rolling device.
These punctures activate your lymphatic and circulatory systems, which work together to supply nutrition and oxygen to your skin cells, feeding the skin from within. This helps to level out your complexion and promote the radiance of your skin. Positive microtraumas also boost collagen synthesis. This improves suppleness and reduces fine lines and wrinkles.
What Can We Expect from Face Acupuncture in The Long Run?
According to Makuang, the most noticeable effect is a bright complexion. "It's as if the skin has been jolted awake from a long, deep sleep," she explains. "All the fresh blood and oxygen flood the face, really bringing it back to life."
However, unlike Botox or dermal fillers, facial Face Acupuncture is not a quick fix. "I like to manage my clients' expectations," Makuang says. "The goal is to make long-term changes in the skin's and body's health, not short-term fixes." She means improved collagen stimulation, brightened skin tone, less jaw strain, and a softer overall appearance, in addition to health benefits such as reduced anxiety and tension.
According to one study, The majority of people reported benefits after just five sessions of facial acupuncture, according to Trusted Source, but Makuang suggests 10 treatments once or twice a week for best results. After that, you might enter what she refers to as a "maintenance stage," in which you have therapy every four to eight weeks.
"It's a great treatment for those who are really busy and on the go," she explains. "It gives the body time to rest and recover."
If you are unable to commit to that level of time or money to maintain treatments, feeding your skin with a well-balanced diet and a well-formulated skin care regimen is another strategy to help maintain your results thereafter.
Are you unable to get facial acupuncture? Try this: "Provide the body with nourishing whole foods and superfoods every day while avoiding sugar, alcohol, and refined foods," advises Makuang. "And give the skin a lot of nutrients and hydration to keep it healthy and functioning at its best."
There is always the possibility of adverse effects with any successful surgery.
Bruising is the most prevalent side effect of facial acupuncture, or any acupuncture, for that matter.
"This happens about 20% of the time, but it's still a possibility," Makuang says, adding that bruising should recover by the end of the week. To avoid bruising and achieve the best outcomes, the person receiving treatment should be in good health in order to maximize healing capacities. As a result, people with bleeding disorders or uncontrolled type 2 diabetes should avoid this medication. If you do have bruising, Makuang tells you that it usually recovers rapidly.
So, How Well Does It Work?
Although research appears promising, as this study in The Journal of Acupuncture points out, there hasn't been enough done to clearly determine facial acupuncture's health and skin care benefits. However, if you're already seeking acupuncture for other aches, pains, or requirements (such as allergies or headaches), it might not hurt to request a facial as an add-on to your session.