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Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture (FRA) also referred to as “The Acu-Face Lift” or “Cosmetic Acupuncture” has been used for thousands of years. Initially Chinese Emperors and their wives sought solutions to maintain their youthful appearance with the ultimate goal of eternal life. While, to our knowledge, no one attained eternal life via the use of Acupuncture, systems for Facial Rejuvenation were developed with great success.

 

The earliest recorded Cosmetic Acupuncture treatment point was listed by the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Master, Huangfu Mi (215-282 A.D.) in the “A-B Classic of Acupuncture and Moxa” Huangfu Mi noted the use of Quchi (LI11) to treat facial dryness. Since then Acupuncture has been applied to refresh and rejuvenate one’s appearance.

 

East Asian Medical Practitioners that choose to specialize in this type of care apply specific treatment plans, prescribe herbal remedies and natural skincare products as well as make lifestyle recommendations for patients looking to revive and refresh their face, brighten complexion, reduce and fill wrinkles, lift sagging skin and slow signs of aging.

 

Traditional Chinese Medicine’s approach differs from Western Medicine in many ways. A key difference is TCM’s dual focus treating both the “root (ben)” causes of aging for the individual, as well as the “branch (biao)” which are the visible, external signs of aging. Internal imbalances and deficiencies as well as external signs of aging are addressed simultaneously to maintain the results longer and give the patient an overall sense of well-being.

Modern research continues to support the use of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine to address the concerns of aging both externally and internally. Studies confirm FRA treatments significantly improve elasticity and collagen formation (1, 2) and alter the water and natural oil content in the skin (8). This brightens the complexion and restores and increases firmness while reducing wrinkles and sagging. FRA also decreases inflammation and increases circulation (4, 6, 7, 8) which improves resting facial muscle tone (3) thereby reducing wrinkles and fine lines while increasing color and the skin’s natural glow (5).

 

In addition, FRA is far less costly than chemical treatments, such as Botox, or more extreme approaches such as surgery. Many traditional cosmetic procedures also require extended recovery periods and have potentially permanent, dangerous and/or disturbing side effects. Acupuncture is safe, does not require any recovery period and has no risks of permanent, dangerous or disfiguring side effects other than possible temporary bruising.

 

Although 1000’s of years old, FRA is the newest, safest, most natural medicinal technique for facial skin rejuvenation now available in the United States. It creates a subtle rejuvenation during the treatment series returning one to a younger, refreshed version of oneself, safely and naturally, while improving one’s overall health and well-being. Whether reduced fine lines, improved glow or tightened skin is one’s goal, FRA offers treatments tailored to the individual’s goals and needs.

Jewel Sommerville, Doctor of Acupuncture, is the Founder of Holistic Health Rhode Island, Ltd., established in Rhode Island in 2002 @ 990 Main Street, East Greenwich; a center dedicated to treating the source of the problem to regain one’s health and well-being. www.holistichealthri.com; 401-398-2933.

 

 

 

References

1. Donoyama N, Kojima A, Suoh S, Ohkoshi N, Cosmetic acupuncture to enhance facial skin appearance: a preliminary study. Acupunct Med. 2012; 30(2):152–153.

2. Yun Y, Kim S, Kim M, Kim K, Park JS, Choi I. Effect of facial cosmetic acupuncture on facial elasticity: An open-label, single-arm pilot study. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013. 2013:1-5.

3. Liao J, Zhang L, Ke MG, Xu T. Effect of electroacupuncture intervention on expression of extracellular matrix collagen and metabolic enzymes. Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 2013; 38(6):441-6, 510.

4. Le Louarn C, Buthiau D, Buis J. Structural aging: the facial recurve concept. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2007; 31(3):213-8.

5. Lee KM, Lim SC, Kim JS, Lee BH. A clinical study on facial wrinkles treated with miso facial acupuncture—measured by the facial skin photographing system. J Korean Acu Moxibustion Soc. 2010. 27(1):101–107.

6. Park et al. Therapeutic effects of acupuncture through enhancement of functional angiogenesis and granulogenesis in rat wound healing. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012; 2012:1-4.

7. Kuo TC, Lin CW, Ho FM. The soreness and numbness effect of acupuncture on skin blood flow. Am J Chin Med. 2004. 32(1):117-29.

8. Barrett JB. Acupuncture and facial rejuvenation. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2005. 25(4):419–424.