Cosmetic Acupuncture, Anyone?
Long before Western Medicine came, there was this Chinese practice where fine hair-like needles are inserted through the skin at specific points in the body to cure diseases or relieve pain. This practice which we all know as Acupuncture has since lived and been carried on for centuries benefitting patients from all over the world to this day.
Acupuncture, however, took a new turn recently when a growing number of patients became infatuated with it not for conditions like depression, addiction, back pain, arthritis, among others, but for another reason. Apparently, it is now being employed to achieve a more beautiful skin and youthful look through what is now known as Cosmetic Acupuncture.
Cosmetic Acupuncture, as recognized by the Western world, started more than 30 years ago when a doctor in China accidentally discovered it through his patient who is being treated for migraine. He noticed that the part of the face where the needles were inserted to treat migraine appeared smoother and the fine wrinkles diminished. Thus, acupuncture has since started to attract renewed interests from both doctors, patients, and even from those who have been previously skeptical about it if only for its potential to enhance beauty and preserving the youthful look.
Traditional acupuncture works by using ultra-thin needles in stimulating targeted healing and regulating the body’s natural functions with the main principle about primary meridians (channels in the body). This technique encourages the free flow of blood and Qi (the universal life energy) throughout the body that creates healing and balance within the mind, body, and soul.
By doing so, this technique of acupuncture is believed to stimulate the production of elastin and collagen fibers, improve circulation, and relax muscles thereby enhancing beauty and preserving the youthful look on the skin. This has been in practice throughout Asia for centuries but has only recently been recognized by the Western world as a method for skin restoration and facial rejuvenation—a practice that is now known as Cosmetic Acupuncture.
While there are now an array of state-of-the-art aesthetic and therapeutic skin care devices and treatment protocols, people who are looking for a natural, alternative way to reduce the signs of aging and improve their inner vitality for a more relaxed, healthy appearance to their face can opt for Cosmetic Acupuncture. This procedure can also go far beyond the aesthetic repair as it also targets underlying health issues that may be contributing to a deficient facial appearance.
During the procedure, the needles are placed into problem areas on the face and neck, such as wrinkles, acne scarring, and folds. In effect, it promotes the nutrient-rich blood flow, muscle activity and toning stimulation, as well as collagen growth. This is the simple underlying factor that contribute to a more youthful and healthy-looking appearance. The trained doctor doing the Cosmetic Acupuncture employs different techniques depending on the intended outcome.
Just like using the modern machines for skin enhancement, Cosmetic Acupuncture will also yield best results after a prescribed number of sessions done on specific intervals. Generally, each session lasts for about 45 minutes and takes at least five to ten sessions to see better results. Although patients can often notice an overall brightness to the skin after the first treatment, completing the prescribed series is still the best practice.
Aside from enhancing beauty, many patients of Cosmetic Acupuncture also experience the underlying benefits of the traditional acupuncture after each session such as overall relaxation, better sleep, and improved bowel movement, among others.
A brighter and healthier looking complexion aside, Cosmetic Acupuncture moreover slows down the ageing process and retards the formation of fine lines. This is why even younger people or those in their late twenties or early thirties can incorporate this procedure into their skin care routine to delay the onset of signs of aging. As a rule, it is always ideal to be stimulating the collagen while it is naturally starting to decline at these ages.
Thus, after all the long-drawn battle against wrinkles, fine lines, sagging skin, undesirable skin color and textures, that we have been being toughly waging for generations, it looks like the centuries-old acupuncture will be staying for long to lead a good fight.
The Department of Dermatology at St. Luke’s Medical Center addresses concerns on the skin like pigmentation, wrinkles, sagging, and other signs of ageing. It offers a comprehensive array of services with state-of-the-art aesthetic and therapeutic skin care devices and treatment protocols for adult and pediatric patients of all skin types. It is a centralized diagnostic and therapeutic facility staffed by board-certified Dermatology consultants with excellent qualifications and credentials of training in world-renowned dermatological institutions, aside from academic accredited training programs of the Philippine Dermatological Society. For more information, please call the St. Luke’s Department of Dermatology at 7230101 ext. 5208 in Quezon City or 789-7700 ext. 2083 or 2084 in Global City, Taguig.
Dr. Genevieve Tan-Torres is a Dermatologist and Certified Medical Acupuncturist. She is an active consultant at the Department of Dermatology of St. Luke’s Medical Center – Global City. She earned her Doctor of Medicine degree at the UERMMMC and her Dermatology residency at the Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center. She completed specialized training in Acupuncture at the Guang An Men Hospital China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences in Beijing, China and Laser Acupuncture Center in Singapore. She is a Fellow of the Philippine Dermatological Society, an Associate Member of the International Society of Dermatology and a Certified Medical Acupuncturist from the Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC) of the Department of Health.