Lift Without Risk: The Acupuncture Facial
If the idea of enduring scalpels and hospital wards in search of eternal youth makes you queasy, Eastern medicine thankfully provides a much more palatable alternative.
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Amanda Becker
 Using traditional medicine for cosmetic enhancement is not a new trend. Most cosmetic procedures were originally developed in hopes of improving scars, skin conditions, and disorders resulting from birth defects, injury, or disease. Like most surgical procedures, these are often quite invasive techniques requiring significant recovery time. So if this idea of enduring scalpels and hospital wards in search of eternal youth makes you queasy, Eastern medicine thankfully provides a much more palatable alternative.
The acupuncture facial, or acupuncture face-lift, uses ancient Chinese medicine to treat skin from the inside out. Acupuncture’s fundamental concept is the notion of balance. For example: night balances day, and light balances dark. Acupuncturists similarly apply this principle, also depicted through the terms “ying” and “yang”, to the body. During acupuncture therapy, practitioners seek to treat a number of medical problems through balancing the body and restoring the normal flow of energy, or “Qi”.
Acupuncture facials adapt this concept of traditional Chinese medicine to reach an aesthetic goal. During an acupuncture facial treatment, small needles are used to stimulate circulation, boost collagen production and plump fine facial wrinkles. The resulting “lift” is why the procedure is often considered an alternative to the traditional face-lift and not simply a replacement for spa facials.
Enthusiasts of the procedure tout the immediacy of visible improvement in their appearance. “After the first treatment, I noticed a difference in the contour of my cheeks, and an lift in my eyes,” raves longtime client Marise Hamm. “Through successive treatments we have tweaked the process, moving along the chin line and softening the mouth lines.”
Though an acupuncture neophyte -- and more than a bit daunted at the prospect of having multiple needles in my face – I was intrigued by the purported benefits. If the acupuncture facial is the latest and safest tool in the never-ending battle to stop the clock, why not give it a shot?
When I arrived for my scheduled facial, the acupuncturist, Fiamma Aaron, immediately put me at ease. At the beginning of the acupuncture facial treatment she administered a brief medical interview, similar to those given when visiting a doctor for the first time. She began by taking my medical history and then thoroughly discussed all of my medical concerns. We then discussed particular facial problems, such as breakouts, fine lines, and wrinkles.
To my surprise, the procedure was not only painless but surprisingly relaxing. Once inside the dimly lit examination room, outfitted with a comfortable table and soothing music, the procedure began with the placement of hair-thin needles into my arms and feet in order to balance my body. Gentle pressure was exerted to locate the tender spots used as these insertion points. She then briefly attended to my concerns previously discussed during the medical history intake, including circulation and digestive troubles. Only after the overall well-being of my body was addressed did she begin to treat my face and neck.
Initially Fiamma used her hands to manually “lift” my facial muscles, she then inserted miniscule needles into my scalp to hold the skin in place. Once the entire face was lifted, she concentrated on plumping up individual wrinkles by inserting fine, clear needles with tweezers. Throughout the duration of the procedure I was reassuringly made aware of the area and issue being treated, as well as what each insertion would feel like. Fiamma explained that depending on personal needs, once the facial wrinkles were plumped, the acupuncture needles could also be used to define the cheekbones and minimize jowls.
While I did not sense the slightest discomfort, I most importantly was able to return to work immediately following the facial. Not only was the recovery time of the traditional face-lift absent, but the blotchiness, redness and irritation normally associated with spa-facials were likewise nonexistent.
When selecting a practitioner for an acupuncture facial, keep in mind that only licensed acupuncturists should administer the procedure. “I would suggest that if you want an acupuncture facial, look for an acupuncturist that lists it as one of their specialties,” advised Fiamma.
To achieve optimal and lasting results, most patients are prescribed a course of 8-12 treatments. Individual sessions range anywhere from $100-250 per visit, sometimes less if you commit to a full series. Once the series is completed, maintenance appointments are recommended once or twice a year.
Benefits of these acu-facials are usually apparent long before the entire series is complete. “Even after one treatment there should be a noticeable difference. A lift in the jowls, eyelids and brow, more noticeable definition of the cheekbones, and less visible fine lines and wrinkles, are all common benefits of the first appointment,” Fiamma explained.
Acupuncture Services Provided By:
Fiamma Sita Aaron, M.S., L.Ac.
311 W. 43rd Street, Suite 1101
917-405-9663
$145 for an individual treatment
with package discounts available.
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