How Cosmetic Acupuncture Facials Have Improved My Skin

Cosmetic acupuncture. What’s it all about, and can your skin really benefit from having needles stuck in it? I decided to find out.

April was all about Mindful Beauty at bellabox, so I volunteered to test out Cosmetic Acupuncture at The Acupuncture Company in Melbourne. Based on the traditional Chinese acupuncture techniques, this holistic treatment sounded like the perfect fit for our wellness theme.

Cosmetic Acupuncture can be used on all kinds of skin conditions and concerns such as acne, fine lines and wrinkles, facial colour, tone and scarring. It improves muscle tone and elasticity, stimulates collagen production, increases the circulation of the blood to help moisturise the skin and above all reduces stress and helps you to relax.

I met with Tory from The Acupuncture Company and we had a very thorough discussion about my health, body and skin before my first session. This would continue to be a part of each session, and it meant that she was better able to judge the areas that needed to be worked on. In particular I wanted to target pimples, but she also noted that digestion was an issue for me which might be the cause of my lifelong skin problems.

The acupuncture needles are placed into certain spots to treat different areas. As well as the face, the needles can also be positioned across the body to target any underlying issues.  After the needles are inserted you are left to lie down and relax for twenty minutes or so. This was total chill out time for me, and I really enjoyed it. The needles are then removed and you are left feeling incredibly relaxed and dreamlike.

These are the questions everyone asked when I revealed I had been getting acupuncture in my face:

Does it hurt? Yes it does a tiny bit when the needles first go into your skin. It’s like a pinprick and sometimes there is a dull ache. The feeling very quickly subsides and you stop being aware of the needles.

Does it leave holes in your skin? No. The needles are incredibly fine. In fact apart from some redness straight after the treatment there are no signs of trauma to the skin.

Can the needles fall out?  No, they’re not going anywhere. Even if you move they won’t just fall out.

Will it make me bleed? There may sometimes be a spot or two of blood after the needles are removed, but it heals up really quickly. You won’t really be aware of it.

Celebrities Kim Kardashian, Rachael Finch, Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow all swear by the results they achieve from Cosmetic Acupuncture.

No review is complete without a before and after. The before photos were taken the day of my first session, and the after photos were taken two days after my fourth session. There were about three weeks in between these shots. 4 sessions is really the minimum you need before you start seeing results.

The most visible change is in my pimple situation. The chronic pimples that often spring up on my forehead have completely settled down, and I’ve had no new break outs. My skin feels and looks much softer and smoother. The smile lines around my mouth have completely disappeared, and the fine lines on my forehead are almost invisible. My skin is much more supple, and definitely not as dry as it can often be in the colder months.

But it’s not just my skin where I’ve had results. Acupuncture is all about balancing the body, and I have definitely noticed some changes. My digestion has improved drastically, which has had a huge effect on the rest of my body. To complement my acupuncture I have been taking some herbal pills that help to detox the body, and I felt that this really improved not just my skin but my overall wellbeing. In general I feel relaxed, refreshed and I have more energy.  I’ve cut down on coffee, and often make it through the day on just my natural energy reserves and no caffeine. I am sleeping better, and I can’t stop raving to everyone about how much I love acupuncture.

Who is it good for? People who feel they have tried absolutely everything when it comes to their skin. This is way less invasive than many other treatments. If you have some kind of chronic issue that you have struggled with over the years you may find acupuncture will help. Sinus issues, anxiety, trouble sleeping, digestion – you’d be surprised how many things acupuncture can help to treat. It is also a great technique for general relaxation.

Who should avoid it? If you have a fear of injections or needles then this is not the treatment for you.

The Acupuncture Company

4/770 Hampton St, Brighton, Melbourne

(03) 9530 5536

@theacupuncturecompany

http://www.theacupuncturecompany.com.au

*Header image source: @TheAcupunctureCompany