Get to the Point

By: Katharine Griffiths
Created on 12th January 2010

Facial rejuvenation with acupuncture is a way to delay the ageing process in both men and women without the need for surgery and its associated risks and downtime. Katharine Griffiths gets on the couch

Working in the aesthetics industry has left me constantly scanning my face for the signs of ageing. I recently turned 35 and with two young children and a busy job I have definitely noticed my skin ageing faster in the last few years. In particular, more marked lines on my forehead and between my nose and mouth and a general feeling of my skin looking tired.

Before embarking on aesthetic treatments such as dermal fillers and anti-wrinkle injections, I was looking for a treatment that would rejuvenate the skin without putting anything foreign in my body. This was when I stumbled on cosmetic acupuncture.

As Karen Wade of AcuKare explains: "Cosmetic acupuncture works by ensuring the body's energy flows in harmony thereby brigtening the complexion, tightening the skin and making the client look and feel better. The acupuncture also promotes collagen production and blood flow and tones up facial muscles all of which gives a subtle rejuvenation."

After a consultation with Karen where I described my problems, she explained fully what can be achieved with cosmetic acupuncture. Then she took my pulse and did a tongue diagnosis. This was not like a normal pulse taking - in Chinese medicine they believe that each organ has a different pulse.

My pulse and tongue diagnosis (white with teeth marking on the sides) meant that I had a spleen and stomach deficiency resulting in dull skin and a general feeling of not being in tip top health, tired and worn out. Definitely how I was feeling!

The acupuncture needles stimulate specific areas, clearing blockages from channels which improves tone and texture. It can also have the added bonus of sharpening eyesight and hearing.
Karen started by putting acupuncture needles into points in the legs, the arms, the hands, then in the top of head.

The needles in the body work on specific organs - the spleen and stomach in particular - ensuring complete health. Combined with the cosmetic acupuncture, this gives an overall feeling of health and wellbeing. Two of the needles in the hand and arm actually trigger pain points which helps to combat any discomfort felt when Karen moved on to the face.

Nervous of needles?
I am not needle-phobic but I am probably as nervous of needles as the next person. However, when the needles are put into the acupuncture points, you barely feel a thing. Karen then inserted tiny 3mm intradermal needles along the lines on my forehead, in the naso-labial lines and along my chin - these were more painful but totally bearable, like a little scratch.

The whole process took about an hour and by the end I had 37 acupuncture needles and over 40 intradermal needles in place. Then I was left for 15 minutes to relax.

The results
Although you don't see the effects for three or four sessions, I had the first session on the Friday and on the following Monday I was asked for ID when I bought food and drink for the work Christmas party which made my year!

While that was just a lucky fluke I have definitely seen the results of the course of cosmetic acupuncture. Even though we are in the middle of a busy festive season with lots of work to finish off before the Christmas break and lots of entertaining I feel that my skin is looking much better with smaller pores, much less marked naso-labial lines and generally a tauter, sharper look to my cheeks and jaw line. I would definitely return for a top up if I start feeling dissatisfied with what I see in the mirror.
CS&AM