Facial Acupuncture

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The No-Tox Solution to Looking and Feeling Amazing!

By Pier Derrickson, LAc.

The face is the only place on the body where the skin is attached to the muscles - this allows us the power of communication through small non-verbal cues. An upturned smile, raised eyebrows, and lifted cheeks, all broadcasting our feelings of joy to the world around us.

Every facial expression allows us to communicate our emotions and intentions, build empathy, and connect with each other.

As we age, our facial muscles naturally lose elasticity, and if we are tired or overtaxed, we can reflect these emotions on our faces. With gravity moving everything downward and forward in the aging process, we might wear expressions of being tired or frustrated, even though we aren’t feeling that way at all.

Botox injections are a popular quick-fix remedy for this disconnect between how we feel and how we look. Botox treatments use hollow form needles to inject Botulinum Toxin into the muscles of the face, blocking the nerve signals and preventing the muscles of the face from moving (frozen muscles reduce sagging and inhibit wrinkles).

But Botox has disadvantages:

• Botox has the potential side effect of an unnatural look. Some people experience a “frozen face” effect from Botox where one’s expressions seem stiff, flat, overly smooth or expressionless. There’s the possibility of an asymmetry in the face where eyebrows aren’t even or the mouth looks different on each side. Or you can experience a drooping or hooding of the eyelids because the relaxed forehead muscles can cause a heaviness pressing down on the delicate muscles around the eyes.

• Botox can cause muscle atrophy - weakening and shrinking of the muscles - because temporarily paralyzing the muscles can lead to reduced use, which can thin the muscles over time. This may be especially apparent in the masseter muscles of the jaw and cheek because those muscles are naturally thicker, but it can also affect the more delicate muscles around the mouth and eyes.

• Botox can affect how we read emotions. When we see other’s emotions, we mimic their expressions on our own faces, allowing us to share a connection. A recent study found that because Botox restricts our ability to mimic, our understanding of other people’s emotions may be inhibited, causing us to lose empathy.

• Botox is a neurotoxin that can travel to the Central Nervous System. Studies have shown that long-term use of neurotoxins can disrupt the brain’s function, possibly leading to behavioral changes, neurological diseases and other developmental deficits.

Facial Acupuncture is a natural alternative to Botox.

Acupuncture is an ancient Traditional Chinese Medicine practice based on the principle of energetic channels running through the body that carry one’s qi (chee or vital life force). By placing needles at specific points in the channels, acupuncture can help to eliminate stagnation and help the body gain balance, which is the key to health in Chinese Medicine.

Facial Acupuncture works by placing needles in the skin and muscles of the face, neck and scalp, helping to increase the circulation of qi and blood to the face and boost the production of collagen. Combining acupuncture on both the body and face is a holistic approach to beauty and wellness that helps one look and feel better - physically mentally and emotionally.

Facial Acupuncture positively affects the face, body, mind and spirit.

Facial Acupuncture increases collagen production in the skin. Placing fine needles into the dermis layer of the skin creates micro-injuries that trigger the body’s natural healing response, and stimulates the body to produce more collagen and elastin. Boosting collagen in the skin helps to improve the skin’s firmness, elasticity, and reduce the appearance of fine wrinkles.

Facial Acupuncture improves muscle tone of the face, helping to relax tension, reducing sagging and wrinkles for a more toned, youthful look. It can help firm jowls, lift eyebrows, and reduce the laxity of the neck by increasing the circulation of qi and blood to the muscles of the face.

Facial Acupuncture creates a brighter complexion. Working holistically by enhancing the circulation of qi and blood to the face, Facial Acupuncture delivers more oxygen and nutrients to the skin cells, resulting in a healthy, natural glow.

Facial Acupuncture is a relaxing treatment - using fine filament needles with a guide tube for fast insertion, the placement of the needles is often the only time the needles are felt during a treatment. Once the needles are in, the nervous system automatically relaxes and many people enjoy meditating, listening to music, or indulging in a twilight sleep.

Facial Acupuncture (and acupuncture in general) has a positive effect on the brain by stimulating the release of neurotransmitters, including endorphins, serotonin, dopamine and many others. These are natural chemicals in the brain that have pain-relieving, mood boosting and stress-reducing properties.

Acupuncture helps to balance the Autonomic Nervous System, which regulates the “fight and flight” stress mechanisms in our bodies. Studies have shown acupuncture restores balance in our nervous system, helping to reduce anxiety and stress and improve our overall emotional well-being. If we feel relaxed and happy, we present with calm, radiant expressions on our faces.

Facial Acupuncture at NoteToSelf Wellness.

Our Facial Acupuncture treatments are an East-meets-West approach to beauty, combining Traditional Chinese Medicine practices that have been around for thousands of years with modern technologies and clean beauty products.

Facial Acupuncture treatments include facial and scalp massage, facial cupping and gua sha, micro-current massage, red-light therapy and sound therapy - all of which help to lift the muscles of the face, increase the circulation of qi and blood to the face, increase the production of collagen to fill wrinkles, and encourage the movement of excess lymph from the face to give one a slimmer, more defined appearance.

The effects of Facial Acupuncture are subtle but powerful. You leave with your mood boosted, feeling and looking more radiant, buoyant and natural - you only better!

Recommended Facial Acupuncture Treatment Protocol.

Facial Acupuncture treatments work best with consistency, each treatment building on the last in order to achieve optimal wellness and beauty. Regular treatments help to build balance in the body, improve the skin of the face, and improve one’s expression and overall wellness. For optimal results we recommend Facial Acupuncture treatments once a month.

Can you get Facial Acupuncture if you have had Botox?

Yes! You can have Facial Acupuncture if you have had Botox, but it will reduce its effects.  By increasing the circulation of qi and blood to the face, Facial Acupuncture will clear Botox from the muscles at a faster rate than normal.  This is great news if you want to correct any asymmetries from your Botox treatment, or help restore your muscle tone to health.  In a nutshell, Facial Acupuncture is a great way to DETOX from BOTOX..