At Fertile Lifestyle Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine, we believe beauty is more effective when combined with ancient wisdom and modern science. That’s why I am excited to offer Micro-needling, Nano-needling, and Cosmetic Facial Acupuncture for all your facial rejuvenation needs to help you feel the best from the inside out.
Let’s learn more about these cosmetic and anti-aging treatments.
What is Cosmetic Acupuncture and How Does It Work?
Aging is inevitable, but you can proactively do a lot to halt the process by incorporating Cosmetic Acupuncture into your self-care routine. Cosmetic Acupuncture is a non-invasive and non-surgical method that helps minimize and even erase common signs of aging, such as wrinkles, sagging skin, and fine lines.
According to Chinese Medicine theory, your external beauty comes from within as it’s a sign of a healthy individual. When you look or feel unhealthy, it could simply signify that you require internal balancing to promote beauty from the inside out. Acupuncture helps improve your energy and blood circulation throughout your body, including your face.
Increased blood flow will tone muscles and maintain healthy, soft skin by directing moisture and nourishment to the facial muscles and skin. In addition, the needles inserted into your face affect elastin and collagen production contributing to renewing and toning your skin.
Elastin affects the skin’s elasticity, while collagen is responsible for the skin’s resilience and durability. Exposure to UV rays and aging are the core factors that minimize collagen and elastin production – this is where cosmetic acupuncture can help. The needles are placed into acupuncture points to help stimulate cell production and growth. Therefore, facial rejuvenation acupuncture will leave you with lifted and youthful skin.
What are the Benefits of Cosmetic Acupuncture?
Apart from increased blood flow and rejuvenated production of elastin and collagen, cosmetic Acupuncture has several other benefits, including:
- Increased circulation
- Reduced under-eye bags
- Toning and lifting facial muscles
- Reduction of deeper wrinkles
- Improved complexion
- Minimized fine lines
- Soft skin tone and texture
What is the Right Time for Cosmetic Acupuncture?
Cosmetic Acupuncture is a non-invasive facial treatment that’s suitable for most adults. Typically, the skin loses its elasticity at 35, and you can start as early as possible to prevent any further losses.
Are There Risks Involved with Cosmetic Acupuncture?
Unlike other invasive facials treatments, Cosmetic Acupuncture is a natural, chemical-free approach to reducing or eliminating aging signs. However, Cosmetic Acupuncture is not ideal for people with the following conditions.
- Severely high blood pressure
- Pregnant women
- Hemophiliacs
- Those with uncontrolled migraines
- It might not be suitable for those with Diabetes (please consult Shelly before your visit).
Recommended Post-Care Maintenance Tips
- You should adhere to any specific instructions given to you after your treatment.
- Avoid drinking alcohol after the procedure and for at least 24 hours.
- Avoid any strenuous exercises immediately after treatment
What is Nanoneedling, and how does it work?
Both the Nano and Micro-needling treatments use a pen-like device that oscillates a tip up and down to stimulate a skin reaction. They both induce cell turnover, serum-infusion and provoke the healing process in skin transformation. Nano-needling, on the other hand, works a little differently. It does use the same type of oscillating motion to treat the skin, but the cartridge encompasses 81 silicone tips. These microscopic hair-like cones separate the cells within the epidermis to allow active ingredients to be pushed into the skin. Nano-needling only affects the epidermis, threatening within the upper .15 mm of the skin. This serum infusion treatment benefits include pigmentation reduction, increased cell turnover, skin rejuvenation, and an immediate flow with no downtime. This treatment can be done weekly to exfoliate and drive serum into the skin to stimulate collagen production. This type of skin rejuvenation is suggested for those with thin or more mature fragile skin and those that bruise easily. It drives serums 2000% deeper into the skin, which topical applications can’t provide.
What is Micro-needling, and how does it work?
Micro-needling is the insertion of very short fine needles into the skin for rejuvenation. This can be done using a Micro-needling pen (most effective), roller, or dermastamp. There are many ways of doing this treatment, and at my clinic, I use the Mironeedling pen as it’s superior to older manual devices.
Micro-needling creates micro-channels in the skin. When those channels are completed, the skin’s repair response starts producing collagen, elastin, and new skin cells to heal the skin, making our skin tighter and smoother. Depending on the depth of the needle penetration, this can offer skin rejuvenation levels, from the simple enhancement of product absorption to the clinical treatment of scars and wrinkles.
Benefits of Micro-needling
Reduction of wrinkles and fine lines
Micro-needling is used to treat and improve skin conditions like:
- Acne scarring
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Loose skin
- Skin texture
- Pore size
- Brown spots
- Stretch marks
- Pigment issues
Enhanced absorption of skincare products
Micro-needling allows 3000% increased product absorption.
Helps in improving hyperpigmentation
The treatment is effective in reducing age spots and hyperpigmentation. If you have a brownish, blotchy complexion that can result from too much exposure to the sun, Micro-needling can reinvigorate your look. But to have effective results on pigmentation, needles should penetrate about 1.0mm to 1.5mm.
It can promote hair growth.
Micro-needling can be done on the Scalp to promote hair growth.
It can reduce the appearance of scars.
Besides eliminating wrinkles, Micro-needling can also reduce the appearance of scars. The skin gains an even texture and tone when the scars are lessened.
Risks and Side Effects
The Micro-needling process is considered safe and effective for individuals with good health. However, the patient might experience mild inflammation, redness, and swelling. These effects typically disappear after two or three days, and however, the sides effects might persist up to 14 days.
It’s also essential to work with a qualified practitioner using FDA-approved devices, which is crucial not to damage your skin, leading to severe side effects.
We only use single-use needle tips and some of the thinnest stainless steel needles on the market. Know that you are in good hands with a Micro-needling certified practitioner.
Just like cosmetic Acupuncture, you need a thorough checkup to evaluate your eligibility by your medical practitioner. If you’re under acne medication or pregnant, or with severe blood pressure, you won’t be suitable for this treatment.
Micro-needling Process
The process may start with a topical anesthesia to numb the targeted area (which is recommended for those with more sensitive skin.) Then the Micro-needling medical tool is applied over your skin several times. Finally, the short, tiny needles puncture the skin to create superficial wounds which stimulate production of collagen in the skin cells. It will also drive in the specialized serums that help elasticity, age spots, vitality, and a more youthful appearance.
The treatments are around 30 minutes long once per month, making them easy to complete on a lunch break, but red light therapy is a great 30 minute added therapy for anti-aging. So it is highly recommended to use them for each treatment.
The pain level can range from painless to painful but is quite tolerable. Most patients describe the pain as a mild tingling sensation.
Micro-needling Packages
Micro-needling treatments need to be done as part of a package to get the best results, as it works cumulatively. Based on research, this great news is that after completing a course of treatment, results last between 4-6 years without maintenance and even longer with maintenance care. Since Micro-needling is recommended only once per month, to get the best benefit, the rest of the month the package would include weekly nano-needling treatments or cosmetic acupuncture.
Links to: Face Lift & Wrinkle Package
Micro-needling Aftercare Tips
- Cleaning – Clean your face using a gentle cleanser for 72 hours after treatment. Ensure your hands are clean to prevent passing bacterial to the treated.
- Hydration is essential – Your skin might feel drier after the treatment, and it’s important to hydrate to restore your skin.
- Makeup – It’s recommended to avoid makeup for at least 24 hours after the procedure. If you can, 72 hours post-treatment will be ideal.
- Heal – Use serum antioxidants as it helps the skin heal by lessening irritation.
- Protect your skin – Make sunscreen a part of your skincare routine to prevent premature aging and sun damage.
- Vitamin and herbal Supplementation – is also recommended so that the skin is nourished both inside and out.
Working with a Reliable Professional
Cosmetic Acupuncture and Micro-needling procedures require a skillful touch and application. Although they’re non-invasive processes, working with reliable acupuncturists is highly advisable to avoid unnecessary pain and discomfort.
Shelly Tompkins L.Ac, CFMP offers skilled and experienced treatments with added professional advice and after-care tips based on your specific skin type and overall health. Book your appointment by calling our office today!
