Acupuncture facial rejuvenation is a natural method of anti-ageing therapy. Along with Traditional Chinese Medicine, practiced over 2000 years ago, it is now being used as a natural alternative to ‘Botox.’
Throughout history women from all cultures have valued beauty highly as an asset for both aesthetic pleasure and as a means of survival. Chinese women used traditional Chinese medicine as a tool for improving facial beauty and preventing the ageing process. Famous texts written during the Han, Shui, Jin, Tang and Song dynasties itemised numerous herbal remedies and acupuncture techniques for facial therapy. These women also understood beauty was only achievable through good health and from adequate amounts of qi, (pronounced Chee) or life force. Theories of yin, yang, qi and the Tao were integrated into everyday life to enhance health and longevity through the practice of tai chi, qi gong, dietary therapy, herbal therapy, daoism, and acupuncture.
Today acupuncture is used as an anti-ageing therapy and is used as an effective and natural alternative to ‘Botox’. Health spas and beauty salons are now hiring acupuncturists to provide acupuncture facial rejuvenation for clientele. As the trend of the natural therapy industry increases, so does a demand for more natural based beauty products and procedures. Acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine is an appealing alternative for cosmetic surgery or chemical procedures.
Acupuncture is a modality within traditional Chinese medicine. It involves the insertion of fine sterile needles into specific points on the body along the 12 main meridians (channels). The meridians support the flow of qi and connect and interact with the organs of the body. The smooth and abundant flow of qi dictates the health of the body, sometimes the flow can become stagnant or rebellious causing pain and illness. All of the meridians of the body either start or end at the head and acupuncture treatment keeps the meridian flow clear, which directly affects the appearance of the face.
The theory of acupuncture treatment for facial beauty is that the face reflects the health of the body. When the internal structures of your body are healthy it shows through your face with a clear complexion, bright eyes, and toned skin. If your body is weak or unhealthy in an area the face will show with pigmentation, premature ageing, and dull and discoloured eyes. Acupuncture facial therapy aims at restoring any underlying health imbalances while focusing on reducing the signs of ageing through acupuncture techniques, herbal medicine, and dietary therapy.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Organ Theory
According to traditional Chinese medicine, the organs of the body have different roles to play to ensure facial beauty. In Western medical science we think of organ function in terms of chemical function and physiological interaction, in Chinese medicine the organs are defined according to their energetic role.
The Heart in traditional Chinese medicine theory is said to manifest in the face, it also houses the spirit (known as Shen). The spirit is closely connected with the expression of emotions; joy, anxiety, and stress all have an impact on the appearance of the face. If you experience stress everyday it will show through your face with a tensed expression and a lack of sparkle in the eyes. A healthy heart spirit and emotions will manifest in the face, in our eyes, and through our smiles. Many points located on the face benefit the spirit, also known as “calming the Shen,” these points are also useful for sleep disturbances and emotional instability.
The lungs have a connection with the health of the skin. A healthy lung function results in a strong skin structure and immune system while the liver plays a role in maintaining the correct flow of blood and qi and promotes a clear skin tone to prevent pigmentation. The spleen nourishes the skin through its function in digestion and firms muscle tone, while the kidneys regulate fluid metabolism and ultimately govern the ageing process of the skin and body.
The face tells more to an acupuncturist than you may at first think. The face is used as a diagnostic tool along with the tongue and pulse to confirm signs of energetic organ imbalance. The person’s health and lifestyle habits are evaluated by assessing the colours, textures, lines of the face and the eyes. For example, black circles under the eyes, pale puffy skin, and urinary dysfunction, tendency to feel cold, and lower back pain may indicate a kidney-yang deficiency. A case of bloodshot eyes, yellow coated tongue, premenstrual tension, and a reddish complexion may indicate a liver-heat syndrome.
The practitioner also assesses the muscular structure of the face. Facial mapping indicates the strength and weaknesses of certain facial muscles and depending on which muscles need toning and which need relaxing, helps create an appearance of symmetry for the face. Techniques such as gua sha (gentle scraping technique), massage, and jade rollers are often implemented to aid this process.
Qi, Blood, and Body Fluids
The state of the qi, blood, and vital substances give vital clues as to what imbalance is creating premature ageing of the face. These basic substances are transformed into bodily essence through the organ meridian system and then distributed to our skin, muscles, organs, and joints. Abundant and free flowing qi is needed to maintain a healthy functioning body. A healthy qi supply radiates in a healthy face with a bright complexion. If the qi is deficient or stagnant, the face looks withered and the person will feel fatigued.
The complexion of the face is closely linked with the quality and quantity of your blood. If blood is deficient it will fail to nourish the skin, hair, eyes, and spirit. Anaemia is a Western translation of the traditional Chinese medicine disharmony blood deficiency and is often associated with a pale and withered complexion and a lack of energy.
Body fluids have a yin aspect and are needed to nourish and lubricate the skin and promote a healthy moisture level in the skin. If there are deficient body fluids, the skin will wrinkle and feel dry. Often a heat pattern disharmony will “consume body fluids” leaving the skin dehydrated. If this heat is left to persist within the body, it will dry the skin leaving it prone to premature ageing and dryness.
Benefits of Acupuncture Facial Therapy
Benefits of acupuncture facial therapy are to assist in improving the quality of the complexion, skin’s moisture levels, and muscle tone. It also encourages lymphatic drainage and collagen production of the skin and helps to reduce fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness, muscle sagging, red eyes and black circles. Acupuncture facial therapy stimulates the blood and qi circulation throughout the meridians on the face. The blood flow increases, plumping the skin surface and assists in softening any lines or wrinkles. The outcome of acupuncture facial therapy is not instantaneous like cosmetic or surgical procedures. The desired outcome is a natural look of health and a softening of imperfections. With regular treatments the appearance of the face will improve and look healthy, attractive, and relaxed.
What to expect
The process involves a detailed traditional Chinese medicine examination to determine the diagnosis. The practitioner asks a series of questions on topics such as energy levels and nutrition to emotional tendencies and eliminatory functions. Next the face, tongue, and pulses are examined to conclude a traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis. Signs and symptoms such as feelings of heat or cold and reactions to weather conditions often have no relevance in Western medicine but are important for the acupuncturist to confirm the ‘pattern’ of disharmony.
Points on the face and body are then chosen according to the diagnosis and the finest sterile disposable needles are inserted comfortably into the points. The needles are left in place for 15 to 30 minutes while the client relaxes. Points that are beneficial to the face often have benefits relating to the emotions and support relaxation. This further emphasises the importance of a balanced state of emotions in regards to beauty, and health.
Many acupuncturists recommend 10 to12 weekly treatments for the best results. Once a full session is completed, the client can choose how often and when they need another treatment. Beneficial times for Acupuncture facial therapy are once a season and before a major event such as a wedding or a holiday.
Dietary Therapy and Facial Beauty
Good health is essential for good looks and nutrition plays a vital role in the quality of your skin, hair, and eyes. Healthy and nutritious food is needed to be eaten consistently to supplement the skin, blood, and organ systems. Dietary therapy (also known as food therapy) is often included in the treatment plan and the recommendation of specific foods in the diet to treat the underlying imbalance. Dietary therapy uses the energetic value of foods as part of the treatment process. All foods are said to effects certain organs and meridians through their energetic nature. According to traditional Chinese medicine foods are categorised into their thermal nature, taste, meridian propensity, and associated element.
Foods are classified into hot, warm, cold, and cool categories and are also known as the ‘Four Natures.’ If a person has a qi deficiency and is experiencing symptoms of cold or yang deficiency, the Chinese medicine practitioner will recommend heating or warming foods to treat the disharmony. Food is also organised into the “Five Tastes,” sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and pungent. According to traditional Chinese medicine, the foods with a sweet flavour such as pears, apricots, and figs have a ‘tonifying’ and nourishing action. Sour foods such as lemons, tomatoes, and vinegar have an astringent quality and are prescribed when “leakage of fluids” such as excessive sweating is a problem. Salty foods such as fish, soy sauce, and seaweed have a softening effect and aim to dissolve bodily masses. Bitter foods such as bamboo shoots, bitter greens, and almonds remove heat from the body. Pungent foods such as ginger, onion, and garlic act to disperse qi throughout the body.
Different foods affect the meridian channels and the internal organs. Sweet foods improve the qi production and the digestive abilities of the stomach and spleen channels. Sour foods affect the gallbladder and liver channels. Salty foods are related to the kidney and bladder function and pungent foods work on the lungs and large intestine channels.
Foods for Skin Health
Fresh vegetables, eaten as salads, help ‘cool’ down pink-toned skin. Vegetables have a high amount of qi present due to their freshness and if eaten daily will brighten up the complexion. Include a fresh salad daily to experience the benefits of a clearer complexion.
Nuts, seeds and oils have a moistening or lubricating effect on the skin and will act as an internal ‘moisturiser’ if eaten daily. Enjoy a handful of nuts and seeds, or add good quality cold-pressed oils in your salad to improve the oil quantity and quality of your skin. Egg, tofu, and all fish are high in protein and good for building blood. Eaten regularly they improve the strength and condition of your skin.
Green and white teas have a cooling effect and are said to brighten the eyes, open the meridians, and light up the spirit. These teas also have the antioxidants catechin and theophylline which are beneficial for preventing free radical damage. Preventing free radical damage can prevent premature ageing.
Brown rice is said to increase qi energy and strengthen the spleen and stomach which have a tonifying effect on the blood and skin. It also contains more vitamins and minerals than white rice and is high in insoluble fibre.
A person who is healthy physically, mentally, and emotionally is regarded as attractive because they are fulfilled with every aspect of their life. I’m sure everyone has seen this type of person who glows with health and happiness from the deepest fundamental level. They immediately attract the attention of others because people enjoy being around their positive energy. Beauty is more than pleasing aesthetics and facial symmetry. Beauty is the confidence, acceptance, and vibrant life force present within us and which surrounds us in the form of nature.
Many people, women and men have explored methods of cosmetic intervention only to find after the procedure and the initial “high” they are still not satisfied with their looks. People want a natural way to improve their looks and one that is still very effective. Chinese medicine offers a healthy alternative and understands you cannot separate beauty from health just like you cannot separate the earth and the sky or the yin and the yang. Chinese medicine recognises the person as a whole being who is multifaceted with many avenues of possibility. Using Chinese medicine and acupuncture to receive a high quality health service is a logical way for achieving beauty. It allows you the freedom to avoid surgical or chemical procedures while still accomplishing your goals.
Oct 13th, 2008 at 7:08 am
I have recently become aware of a practitioner in my area who performs acupuncture for facial rejuvenation. I’m not interested in cosmetic ’surgery’ or injections, but I’m still keen to know of anti-ageing measures to complement good eating practices; therefore, I was intrigued to know more. Thank you for this article. Looks like I should give it a go!