WHAT IS COSMETIC ACUPUNCTURE?

Cosmetic acupuncture, also known as facial acupuncture is a treatment designed to naturally make your skin look younger, smoother and brighter. It works by the same mechanisms as traditional acupuncture by increasing circulation and blood flow to where the needle is inserted. This helps to reverse the signs of aging, reduce wrinkle depth and length, brighten skin complexion and improve your skin’s overall health. People of all colour, age and skin types can benefit! And yes, it is covered by your insurance benefits if you have naturopathic coverage.

Remember that your best skin starts from the INSIDE out. During your initial appointment, you will be given dietary, neutraceutical, skincare product and lifestyle recommendations to optimize your appointments.

HOW DOES COSMETIC ACUPUNCTURE WORK?

When the tiny acupuncture needles puncture your skin, they stimulate up-regulation of your circulatory and lymphatic system, which work together to deliver oxygen and nutrients to your skin cells. This begins to nourish your skin from the inside-out in order to even out your complexion and promote your skin’s glow. The positive micro-traumas also help stimulate the production of collagen and stem cells, which helps improve elasticity, while minimizing fine lines and wrinkles.

WHAT TO EXPECT?

1. Show up with a clean face. Mineral-free moisturizer is ok have on to your appointment, but you should be make-up free. The entire session will take 1 hour.

2. Jade rolling to your neck and face. This prepares the tissue for the needling and opens up your lymphatic system to initiate circulation. It feels like a cool gentle massage for your face and neck muscles.

3. Tiny acupuncture needles are inserted throughout the body to balance your system before moving onto the facial portion of the treatment. Treating the body in addition to the face is important in order reduce the risk of headaches, but to also treat the underlying cause(s) of poor skin health. When you start with the body, you can experience a full flow of energy that helps support the facial acupuncture.

As the needles are inserted into the skin, they create micro wounds, known as positive micro-traumas. When your body senses these wounds, it goes into repair mode and deposits collagen and other nutrients to area. Where the needles go, the collagen goes too! Collagen deposition leads to elasticity, improved skin tone and a more youthful appearance.

4. While the needles are in, Celluma Low-LED Light Therapy will be placed over your face. Light energy is combined with the facial acupuncture to improve cellular health by accelerating the repair and replenishment of compromised tissue cells. This part of your session lasts for 30 minutes. To learn more about the benefits of this form of light therapy, visit: www.celluma.com .

5. After the light turns off, the needles will be carefully removed and then face oil is massaged into your face, followed by guasha (Japenese stone massage technique) to gently massage the muscles of the face and neck. You leave the treatment glowing, refreshed and relaxed. NO DOWN TIME needed post treatment!

HOW MANY TREATMENTS ARE REQUIRED?

Cosmetic acupuncture, unlike dermal fillers and botox is not a quick fix and requires commitment on your part. The focus is to create long-term changes in the health of the skin and body, not short-term quick fixes. The results take time but clients can expect better collagen stimulation, a brightened skin tone, reduced jaw tension, and a softer appearance overall on top of health benefits like reduced anxiety and tension.

We find that the majority of people see improvements after just five sessions of cosmetic acupuncture, but we recommend 10 treatments on a weekly basis to see optimum results. After the 10 weeks is up, you can discontinue the treatment, or for best results, follow up once every 6-8 weeks for continued maximal results.

Your general health, diet and skin care routine can greatly affect results and will be reviewed before and during cosmetic acupuncture treatments. This ensures that we maximize your results and improve your overall health in the process!

Should you wish to update your skincare routine, Dr. Chanderbhan, ND now carries the AlumierMD skincare line and can help guide you to products that will support your skin health during your sessions.