COSMETIC ACUPUNCTURE

The development of facial rejuvenation techniques is a centuries- old process documented in ancient and traditional texts, which has drawn upon the cumulative experience and wisdom of the great Chinese practitioners. They developed innovative modalities utilizing herbs, acupuncture and dietary adjustments, to find new ways to promote health, longevity and beauty.

 According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) the entire meridian - organ system converges in the face. Proper functioning of the body’s meridian system directly affects facial beauty and the ageing process. When the internal system is balanced and abundant in Qi and blood, the essence becomes sufficient to be distributed anywhere in the body. When the internal system is at diseased stage, it will reflect poorly in the face. For example if the spleen is deficient with damp accumulation, the face will prove to be puffy with the appearance of baggy eyes. On the other hand, when the yang is excessive, especially in younger people, acne condition will be prevalent.

Facial acupuncture is a full constitutional treatment that views the face as an extension of the meridians of the body, which flow from the soles of the feet to the crown of the head. This meridian system performs the following functions:

• Promotes free flow of Qi and blood and opens the channel (meridian ) system
• Regulates Yin and Yang
• Regulates excess and deficiency

It is a genuinely holistic approach, in which the entire body is treated to address the imbalances manifesting on the face. It will create a younger looking you on the outside and a sense of deep relaxation and well being from within.

Currently in the USA, Japan, Hong Kong and Sweden, the use of cosmetic acupuncture is attracting a great deal of media attention.
Today, many leading Hollywood stars are using cosmetic acupuncture to keep their youthful appearance.

Now YOU can discover cosmetic acupuncture as a way to regain your health, vitality and youthfulness.

How does it work?

Constitutional Facial Acupuncture Renewal ™ is a non-invasive, chemical free and cost – effective way to reduce wrinkles, firm the skin and erase signs of ageing. The 90 minute treatment begins with in depth consultation and diagnosis according to the principles of Chinese Medicine.

An organic oatmeal and goat’s milk scrub is used to cleanse the skin. Selected Chinese herbal formula is chosen according to skin type and is applied in the form of a poultice, covered with a warming gel mask, to infuse the herbs into the skin, before cooling jade rollers lightly massage the face and neck contours.

 Next, thin superb quality Japanese needles are applied to acupuncture points on the body, to create balance and vitality of the patient’s constitutional (DNA) energy. Needles are also applied to strategically selected areas of the face, neck and head. Sedative and tonifying needle techniques allow adjustment of the facial muscle tonus, to a more youthful appearance.  The tiny needle creates a beneficial microtrauma, which in turn, increases the production of collagen and elastine. Collagen is the ground substance of the connective tissue that forms the supporting mesh which keeps our skin firm and supple. Increased local blood supply to the treated areas of the face, ensures healthy cellular metabolism. It strengthens and tightens the facial tissue, giving a smoother, velvety appearance and firmer jaw line.

The needles are in place for 20-30 minutes to stimulate the body’s natural healing energies. During that time patients can experience a sense of deep relaxation and well being from within. After the needles are removed, a natural age defining Chinese herbal mask containing ginseng root, mulberry, pearl powder etc is applied to the face and décolleté, follow by specialized massage to enhance circulation. The jade rollers work their magic over the entire face and décolleté again with luxurious cream and special essential oils blended to nourish the skin by attracting the yin energy, making the face feel luminous, smooth and glowing. The energy balancing massage on the back with a special silver instrument, which looks like a lollipop, finishes the pampering session.

Joanna teaches her patients a specialized form of exercise and massage to do at home and suggests natural, chemical free skin care product to enhance the desired result of the treatment.

What can be expected from a Constitutional Facial Acupuncture Renewal ™

Some benefits that have been reported:

Facial

• Fine lines may be entirely erased and deeper wrinkles reduced
• Improves the tone and texture of the skin to reduce or eliminate sagging
• Helps reduce double chin and lift drooping eyelids
• Minimizes puffiness and bags around the eyes
• Tightens pores and brightens eyes
• Increases local blood flow and lymph circulation
• Moisturizes the skin from within
• Improves facial colour and provides more radiance and glow to the skin
• Reduces or eliminates acne, blemishes and age spots
• Increases the collagen and elastin production that fills out and contours the face
• Reduces stress and promotes health and well-being.
• Aids self-esteem
• May erase as much as 10 to15 years from the face
• Effects can last for years, with regularly scheduled maintenance treatments

Constitutional

• Reduces hormonal imbalance: acne, PMS, menopause, and other gynecological issues
• Helps sinus congestion and headaches
• Improves hypo and hyperthyroidism
• Reduces symptoms of toothache, Bell’s palsy, TMJ, and trigeminal neuralgia.
• Increases metabolism that assists in healthy weight loss
• Relieves back and neck pain
• Relieves digestive discomfort and constipation
• Lifts depression and anxiety
• Increases mental clarity and feelings of inner calm
• Increases energy levels and lifts fatigue
• Reduces water retention and puffiness
• Benefits eyes, ears and improves memory
• Retards hair graying and hair loss 
• Decreases severity of insomnia and dizziness

Proof in the mirror

A selection of shots BEFORE and AFTER Facial Acupuncture:

Before	After
FROM LOOKING TIRED TO RADIANT

This woman’s skin firmness shows great improvement here. The contours of her face have changed significantly, her face has been lifted and deep lines diminished. She has a better jaw line definition and she seems to glow from within.

Why choose Facial Acupuncture over other procedures?

Constitutional Facial Acupuncture Renewal ™ is not a replacement for surgical face-lift, but for those who fear surgery this may be a better option, as it is a more subtle rejuvenation that progressively can take years off your face safely and naturally. Treatment with cosmetic acupuncture is much less expensive and has the added benefit of improving your overall health.

 The surgical face lift can make the face look years younger, yet without a healthy glow it cannot be considered young and beautiful, as it lacks the vitality that can only be obtained from inside out.

The surgical procedures usually include an extended period of healing and recovery from swelling and severe bruising. The usual recovery time is about 6 months after a surgical face lift and 3 weeks after microdermabrasion. Not many people are aware that post surgical scar tissue contributes to many health problems, because it creates blockages in the flow of Qi and blood in the meridians.

 There is no trauma from cosmetic acupuncture treatments; some bruising occasionally can occur, but every possible precaution is taken to avoid this.

Cosmetic acupuncture treatments are covered by most Private Health Funds.

How soon can I expect to see results?

As mentioned before, the Constitutional Facial Acupuncture Renewal ™ is not a substitute for cosmetic surgery and won’t produce the same dramatic results. The beneficial changes are the result of an organic process, and require time to appear. A course of treatments is necessary to achieve maximum effect. A person's daily exposure to toxins and other elements also contributes to the ultimate duration of the series of treatments. Age is not crucial in evaluating the result. Often older patients with a healthy lifestyle may have a better prognosis than younger people, who tend to sabotage their health. After the first treatment, Joanna evaluates the patient’s response, and then she can determine the number of follow –up treatments.

After this evaluation and taking into consideration other variable factors, such as diet,  stress, smoking, and other life style habits, genetic predispositions,  digestion and elimination issues, emotional imbalance, sleeping pattern, and age, the following treatment frequency could be suggested:

Duration of treatments:

• Usually  10-12 treatments
• 25 treatments or more for smokers or people whose skin tends to sagging - who manifest droopy eyelids, jowls, or “turkey neck”.

Treatment timeline:

• 1 treatment per week, 90 minutes
• Facial Acupuncture can be given singly as a top-up for a special occasion.
• If you complete twelve follow-up weekly treatments, your will receive a complementary Deluxe Facial as a bonus.

Booster treatment:

• Every 2 weeks for 2 months following completion of  treatments, then once a month
• Patients also can commence a subsequent course of treatments after a week.

These treatments are also beneficial to people in their late 20s and 30s as a preventative measure.  After an initial treatment, patients usually observe an enhanced skin firmness and glow of the complexion, with sparkle and clarity in the eyes and a more rested appearance. A more noticable difference can be seen after the seventh visit.

 Addressing the underlying conditions of health problems is an added benefit of this holistic treatment; it also helps with other physical ailments by addressing the imbalances that result in digestive problems, menstrual disorders or menopausal symptoms, etc.These holistic treatments will create a younger looking you on the outside, and a sense of deep relaxation and well being from within.

Healthy ageing is a matter of choice. Optimal functioning of the body depends on the physical, mental, emotional, and lifestyle choices we make. The environmental acidic toxins such as heavy metals can contribute to premature ageing. Joanna offers a complementary pH check-up.

The quick urine test for Ionic Heavy Metals can help to identify these toxins. 
(Please refer to Joanna's Health & Beauty News Autumn/Winter 2008 Edition)

Joanna also offers a homeopathic remedy that neutralizes the Ionic Heavy Metals and she provides the life style guidelines to keep your body alkalized. The Chinese herbal formulations help keep your skin supple and hydrated, so beauty can truly shine from within.

 The strength of Joanna’s treatments is gained from the unique combination of Traditional Chinese Medicine and aesthetic therapy. To enhance the result from facial acupuncture, the gentle pulsating cupping massage of Dermosonic lymphatic drainage can effectively remove accumulated toxins from the face and neck and bring up a more clear and firm complexion. Joanna’s Holistic Facials and Dermatherapy treatments also complements Constitutional Facial Acupuncture Renewal ™, to maintain the achieved results for longer.

Who can provide Cosmetic Acupuncture?

For best results, a practitioner who has been trained by an expert in the field should be chosen. Not all acupuncturists have specialized training in Cosmetic Acupuncture.

Joanna holds a degree in Health Science (Acupuncture) and annually updates her accreditation certificates from Australian Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner Accreditation Board. She is also certified in cosmetic acupuncture. Her training by Dr J.B. Landale MD (MA) was based on Hong Kong’s Official Chinese Cosmetic Acupuncture Course with the addition of material gleaned from his twenty years of clinical experience. Joanna also upgraded her qualifications in Constitutional Facial Acupuncture Renewal ™ taught by internationally recognized author and educator of facial acupuncture, Mary Elizabeth Wakefield from Chi-akra Center of New York City. Please visit her website www.chiakra.com to read more about changing the face of ageing.