Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture
Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture
The search for beauty can be traced back for thousands of years within different cultures. In China, cosmetic treatments were known as “Mei Rong” and were first mentioned around 2,200 years ago. Many Chinese Dynasties used herbs and acupuncture to preserve the beauty and youth of court concubines within the emperor’s palace. This includes the Qin (220-206 BC), Song (990-1279 AD) and Ming (1368-1644 AD) Dynasties.
One of the most respected Chinese physicians, Li Shi Zhen (1518-1593 AD) wrote the Materia Medica which addressed specific treatment for eyes, nose, lips and hair as well as issues of complexion and wrinkles. It is thought that the use of additional beauty techniques such as jade rollers originated in this era.
The last few decades have seen an increased interest in acupuncture in the West and Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture (FRA) has been developed based on ancient Chinese ideas, utilizing needles, massage/tuina, guasha and dermal rollers to improve the structure and appearance of skin and facial muscles.
Results are achieved by encouraging better blood, oxygen and Qi circulation within the face. Nourishing the face with an improved flow of oxygenated, nutrient-rich blood improves skin tone and enlivens the skin. Puffiness, swelling and discolouration can be reduced as the movement of fluids and lymph is improved. If facial muscles do not have a constant supply of nutrient and oxygen-rich blood, over time they can wither like leaves on a plant.
A similar process is activated when using facial guasha which improves micro-circulation to surface tissues 4-fold, whilst creating enough mild trauma to the skin to activate a healing response and subsequent collagen production. In addition to tuina and guasha, the FRA practitioner works on wrinkles and fine lines with special needles. These also cause minor injury to the skin which the body endeavours to repair by producing collagen and wound-healing substances to fill out facial lines and creases.
As we age, the structure of bone changes and combined with a loss of elasticity and collagen, can add to the appearance of fine lines and sagging skin. This may also be exacerbated by sun damage, stress, smoking, poor sleep, poor hydration and an inadequate diet. As a degree-level qualified and licensed acupuncturist, the FRA practitioner may also treat the person at a systemic level to address deeper issues that are reflected in the face and advise on helpful lifestyle habits.
The key pillars of holistic wellness are strong immunity, stress management, anti-inflammation and rejuvenation. Along with an improvement in appearance, FRA is a relaxing and rejuvenating treatment. Based on the location of acupuncture channels, other parts of the body can be treated via FRA. Many of the yang channels often implicated in musculoskeletal pain in the body terminate or begin in the face, so although the practitioner may only work on the face, issues within the rest of the body can be addressed. Nasal congestion, headaches, tense jaws, allergies and skin issues can also be treated by FRA.
The Huang Di Nei Jing text (estimated to be written 400BC-200AD) describes the correspondence between articulations of the body and the cosmos, with the head corresponding to “heaven” and the lower portions of the body to the earth. Addressing the face and head in treatment was considered extremely important in opening the portals to the spirit and potentially allowing a person free and unobstructed access to the evolution of their consciousness, with the opposite implying obstruction of the senses to be a limiting factor in one’s evolution. The spirit of the person was believed to manifest in the radiance of their face.
FRA treatment is subtle and focuses on long-term improvement of the skin’s appearance. Depending on the needs of the individual, treatment is recommended once or twice a week for 5 weeks with subsequent maintenance treatments fortnightly or monthly. As the condition of the skin improves treatments can become less frequent.
In summary, the effects associated with FRA are
Even skin tone and a glowing complexion
Less puffiness and inflammation
Reduction of dark bags and hypo or hyper skin pigmentation
Softening of lines, creases and wrinkles
Elevating effect on sagging skin such as jowls, neck and chin areas
Increased blood circulation
Reduction of facial congestion and obstruction to the sensory organs
The benefit regarding other systemic health issues as acupuncture channels in the face can address all areas and systems of the body.
FRA is a holistic and excellent alternative to Botox where facial muscles are paralyzed with Botulinum toxin. Botox has become increasingly popular with 60% of users between ages 45 and 54, and 20% of users between 30 and 39. Studies have shown that Botox can lead to bone density loss due to paralyzed muscles preventing healthy force on the bone, which can cause excessive bone reabsorption overtaking bone formation.
From a Chinese medicine perspective, Botox introduces pathogenic Cold into the face which leads to Obstruction to the flow of fluids (including blood) and Qi, depriving certain areas of the face of nutrients, whilst adding to stagnation and congestion. Ironically these factors can cause a person to look much older than they are, should they stop the Botox treatment. In contrast, FRA treatment is designed to improve appearance and function naturally over time. Whilst FRA practitioners may not be able to produce the extreme and often unnatural look that Botox can achieve, it is safe, and effective and supports a person in growing older with grace and embracing beauty within the ageing process.
If you'd like to learn more about FRA and book a treatment, get in touch with our acupuncturist here https://centreforintegralhealth.com/services/acupuncture/
About the Centre
The Centre for Integral Health was started in 2013 by director Ben Calder after studying Integral theory since 2011 and over 10 years of professional practice of kinesiology and Bowen fascia Release Technique, coupled with the desire to explore the application of the Integral Model in relation to health.
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