In a previous article, we discussed how facial acupuncture can help you age gracefully and comfortably without injections or surgery. Facial acupuncture works from the inside out to strengthen muscles and ligaments of the face and neck and improve skin health.
As effective as facial acupuncture can be as a standalone treatment, there are several therapies that we can add to the mix to improve results. Here are the therapies we most commonly combine with facial acupuncture at Natural Healthcare Center.
1) Gua Sha/Lymphatic Drainage
The lymphatic system doesn’t work well in terms of moving things on its own. It’s not like the cardiovascular system, which has the heart to pump blood.
Gua Sha uses stones to push lymph to areas with working lymph vessels that drain well. Faster drainage can help slim, tone, and sculpt the face, reduce puffiness and heaviness, and remove toxins from the skin.
This is a treatment that can deliver noticeable results after a single treatment with no bruising or downtime. For this reason, we’ve had patients request this treatment before going to a special event. Regular treatments, however, are more likely to produce lasting results.
2) Facial Cupping
Most people who are familiar with cupping picture red circles all over the patient. This happens because cups are left in the same place for a period of time.
With facial cupping, there are no red marks. Your acupuncturist continuously sides cups over the neck and face to release fascia, which can be very tight and cause muscles to stay in certain patterns, leading to the appearance of wrinkles.
Facial cupping releases muscle tension in the face, jaw, and neck. This can reduce wrinkles and puffiness under the eyes and relieve sinus pressure.
3) Microcurrent
This is the all-star treatment for patients in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. Microcurrent therapy uses a gentle electric current to stimulate and strengthen muscles that weaken with age to naturally lift and tone the musculature of the face and neck.
4) LED Light
LED light therapy is a treatment that uses different wavelengths of light based on your individual condition and goals.
Blue LED light penetrates to a level that can kill the bacteria that causes acne and calm redness from rosacea. It can also turn over skin cells more quickly, resulting in more collagen production and reduced fine lines and wrinkles.
Red light penetrates farther to address wrinkles at a deeper level and promote collagen production. Infrared light goes even deeper to relieve pain from TMJ, trigeminal neuralgia, headaches, sinus pressure, and other conditions of the face, neck, and head.
5) Clean Skincare Products
Every facial acupuncture treatment at Natural Healthcare Center includes a cleanse of the skin and the application of skincare products that are free of harsh chemicals and toxins.
These products have natural ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and vitamins A, C, D, and E, which can hydrate the skin, calm redness, prevent or treat skin damage, giving you softer, more supple skin.
The Facts About Aging
When you observe and analyze the aging process, you see that things typically look great when we’re children, teens, and young adults. In our 30s, we see things start to happen. Loss and shifting of fat make it look like gravity has taken over. When we get to our 50s and 60s, loss of bone is common, which changes the structure of the face.
At Natural Healthcare Center, we understand this process. We know how and why it’s happening.
That’s why we use facial acupuncture to make sure the muscles, ligaments, and skin tissue are working at their highest capacity. Facial acupuncture can also calm the nervous system to reduce stress and prevent it from showing up on your face. Of course, dietary and lifestyle changes can also enhance the results because we’re working from the inside out.
If you’d like to learn more about facial acupuncture as part of our integrative approach to care, contact us today to schedule a complimentary consultation.