Cosmetic Acupuncture
How does Cosmetic Acupuncture work?
The Skin Remodels/Regenerates itself through Micro wounds. Fibroblasts and keratinocytes make up the main cell type of the epidermis. Micro wounds created in the upper layers of the skin trigger fibroblast and keratinocytes to release growth factors. Cells “remodel” new collagen, elastin and other components of youthful skin.
- Deeper wounds are not necessary
- Drawing blood and pain don't mean treatment is better
- The epidermis and dermis communicate to trigger the healing process
- Safely trigger the regenerative response
I'm trained in two kinds of facial cosmetic acupuncture and can discuss the pros and cons to both styles and tailor your treatment to your individual face and concerns.
The above statements apply to Microneedling and Nanoneedling as well!
Facial Services
Gua Sha Glow
We start with a quick consultation about your goals for today and any skin concerns or allergies. Once you've settled in, I will use a Gua Sha tool and a facial sculpting oil to do a relaxing and cooling facial massage to smooth your skin, reduce inflammation or puffiness, and promote circulation. Afterwards, I'll apply a toner to your skin (followed by an optional add-on Celluma LED light therapy). Then, I will apply a soothing and luxurious hydrojelly mask of your choosing. After it has set up for approximately 10 minutes, it will remove the mask for your final reveal. This process should leave your skin feeling well hydrated and glowing, hence the term Gua Sha Glow!
AcuGlow
I like to start off with an intake to discuss your skin history, goals and any health concerns you also would like me to address. I take a holistic approach to skin health so some common concerns would be things such as digestion, anxiety, stress, inflammation or even body pain.
I will then do your body acupuncture, followed by placing your facial acupuncture needles. If you've selected the Celluma add-on, I will apply eye covers and place the Celluma over your face and select the appropriate setting (either Acne or Wrinkles). If you haven't selected the Celluma add-on you would simply rest with the needles retained for approximately 30 minutes.
After retaining the needles and Celluma if selected, I will remove all of the needles, apply a toner to your face and then perform a relaxing facial gua sha treatment to your face and neck. After that, I will apply the hydrojelly mask of your choosing from the menu and allow it to set for around 10 minutes. Once the mask has set, it is removed in one piece or close to that and your skin should feel well-hydrated and potentially tighter than it was before. You may notice an increase in circulation and a bit of a "glow" afterwards, hence the term "AcuGlow".
NanoGlow Facial
This luxurious treat is best described as a hybrid between microneedling and the AcuGlow facial. The session begins with discussing your goals briefly followed by relaxing body acupuncture then an exfoliating and rejuvenating nano needling treatment for your face and neck. This technique uses the microneedling pen however the tips use microscopic needles that you can hardly even feel. After nano needling, we proceed with (the celluma if selected followed by) a relaxing gua sha facial massage followed by your choice of hydrojelly mask. Unlike other cosmetic techniques, this facial is designed to be okay during pregnancy and breastfeeding provided you don't add the celluma. Always consult your physician if you're unsure.
Microneedling
We start off with an intake to discuss your skin history, goals and any health concerns you also would like me to address.
I will apply a numbing cream, then give you a relaxing body acupuncture treatment. Then I will cleanse your face again to remove the numbing cream. While the needles are retained, I will apply a High Molecular Hyaluronic Acid and Collagen Boosting Serum and perform the facial and neck microneedling and nanoneedling. After the microneedling, I will place a cooling cucumber mask over the areas I've needled and let it sit for a few minutes. I will remove the mask and then I will place some eye covers over your eyes and the place the Celluma LED Therapy Device over your face.
After allowing the Celluma to sit for approximately 30 minutes, I will remove all of the needles and apply a Phyto Stem Cell Serum.
You might consider treating yourself to a hydrojelly mask to top this off! The Intensive Aftercare Mask and the CBD Dope Masks would both be excellent choices to round out this skincare ritual.
Microneedling & Nano Needling
Also known as Collagen Induction Therapy is a minimally invasive facial rejuvenation treatment that stimulates the skin's natural healing process to remodel the skin. Through the creation of these microtraumas, the production of collagen and elastin are significantly enhanced while the absorption of products is increased up to 2000%. The overall effect is a more even skin tone that appears taut and glowing.
Noticeable results include: reduced appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improved hyperpigmentation and age spots, improved effects of sun damage, decreased pore size, improved skin texture and elasticity, decreased acne breakouts, diminished scars, and improved hair growth.
Most see benefits with 3 monthly treatments depending on desired results and condition of the skin- more treatments may be needed.
History of Microneedling:
The first microneedling device was introduced in 1905 by a German dermatologist, Ernst Kromayer. He used a small surgical drill to treat birthmarks, hyperpigmentation and scars. In 1995-a dermatologist, Dr. Desmond Fernandes, treated scars and wrinkles by using hypodermic needles. In 1996 a Canadian plastic surgeon, Dr. Andre Camirand, saw a drastic improvement in facial scars when he punctured the skin with tattoo needles.
Microneedling:
Uses thin needles, typically 12 micro tips, to create microchannels in the skin. The “wounds” created help stimulate the skin’s own healing process by producing more collagen and elastin. Cellular turnover is also enhanced and the end result is firm, smoother skin, more even skin tone, and the reduction of scars, pore size, wrinkles and stretch marks. The open channels allow for an increase of up to 2000% of products placed on the skin.
NanoNeedling:
Cartridge tips are thin and microscopic and don't cause discomfort. Nanoneedling increases cellular turnover and collagen production, and product absorption. This procedure is safe around eyes and lips.
Noticeable Results Include
4-5 Weeks Post-Treatment: Come in for your next Microneedling Appointment!
Considerations for Micro+Needling
Complementing Dermal Fillers:
- Wait 2 weeks post filler or botox
- Microneedling promotes better skin quality and the production of collagen - improves the look of filler
- Nanoneedling can support under eye treatments
- More volume, increased skin health (barrier), and improved texture.
Who should avoid or delay microneedling?
Those with:
- Pregnancy- nano needling is safe
- Active contagious diseases (i.e. Shingles, cold sore, etc…)
- Warts, open wounds, acne pustules
- Skin disease flare ups
- Patients on coagulant or blood thinning therapy
Contraindications for Microneedling:
- Cancer patients in active treatment and radiation of the skin within a year
- Keloidal fibroma (scar)
- Use of Accutane within the last three months
- Discoid Lupus
- Avoid going over microbladed brows
- Wait 2 weeks post filler or botox
Celluma LED Light Therapy
Celluma LED light therapy is a safe, clinically proven, FDA-cleared treatment of acne and age-related challenges including wrinkles, arthritic pain, muscle and joint pain, muscle spasm and poor blood circulation. CE certified for wound healing in the EU. As a large panel, it is designed for over the face, and can be easily contoured over or around any part of the body, including the spine, hips, shoulders, feet, knees, and more.
Phototherapy, or LED red light therapy, has been widely researched and is supported by thousands of peer-reviewed and published clinical research papers from prestigious institutions around the world. Other terms by which light therapy is referred to are photobiostimulation, photobiomodulation, photomedicine, LED light therapy, low-level light therapy (LLLT), red light therapy, cold and soft LASER therapy. All terms are correct, have the same meaning and are used to describe the delivery of light energy to treat a variety of medical and cosmetic conditions.
In the same way that plants use chlorophyll to convert sunlight into energy, high intensity light emitting diodes (LEDs) utilizing specific, proven wavelengths of light can trigger a natural biostimulatory effect in human tissue. Research has shown that light emitting diode (LED) or phototherapy can increase circulation, accelerate tissue repair, kill acne bacteria, decrease inflammation, improve acne prone skin, skin tone, texture and clarity, decrease under eye wrinkles as well as ease muscle and joint pain, stiffness, spasm, and pain associated with arthritis. The LED phototherapy source provides compromised cells with added energy so the cells performance is enhanced. For example, fibroblast cells will increase collagen and elastin production in connective tissue to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in our skin and increase the rate of wound healing.
Gua Sha
Gua Sha is a natural healing therapy in East Asian Medicine. “Gua” means to scrape and “Sha” refers to the change in color of the skin after the scraping. “Sha” also refers to trapped or stagnant blood within the tissues and is sometimes visible after treatment.
Gua Sha is done with a rounded edge tool that is traditionally made out of Jade. Other tools include a Chinese Soup spoon made out of ceramic, tools made out of Ox bone or even stainless steel. To begin gua sha therapy, oil is rubbed into the area of the skin that is going to be treated and the practitioner then uses one of the instruments mentioned above to perform short, quick strokes in a downward motion on the body. This allows Qi and blood to flow to the affected area while decreasing inflammation and softening the tissue. Gua Sha stimulates the immune response in the body. Bruising or broken blood vessels can indicate to the body that it is time to start the healing process. Bruising, petechiae, and redness all can occur with Gua Sha, but any markings from the Gua Sha typically dissipate in 2-4 days.
Common areas of the body that receive Gua Sha are the back, neck, arms and legs. Another area that is becoming more popular is the face for facial rejuvenation. Light strokes are applied to the face with gentle scraping along the lines/wrinkles in the face to promote Qi and blood flow to those areas in order to reduce the lines/wrinkles in the face along with inflammation. Bruising or petechiae are not common for this application of the technique.
Patients tend to feel immediate relief with Gua Sha especially for pain, stiffness and muscle aches.
Conditions that are treated with Gua Sha include the following:
- Pain Acute or Chronic that includes: knee, back, neck, shoulder, elbow, and more.
- TMJ
- Bronchitis/Upper Respiratory Illness/Common Cold
- Fever
- Migraines
- Aiding the Body's Natural Detoxification Processes
- Acne, Rosacea, Wrinkles on the Face
- Perimenopause
(1. https://www.pacificcollege.edu/news/press-releases/2015/05/05/science-gua-sha)
Contraindications to Gua Sha
- Injury to the skin such as sunburn, rashes, abrasions, bruising, ulceration, and lesions.
- Bleeding disorders such as leukemia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia.
- Blood thinning medication such as Coumadin.
- Trauma to the body including acute injuries of the muscle, tendons and any bone fractures.
- Infectious skin diseases.
- Areas that have malignant tumors or masses.
- Severe acute cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases.
- On the lower abdomen in women that are pregnant or menstruating.
(http://www.guashaspace.com/guashaknowledge/gua-shaindications-and-contraindications/)
Is Gua Sha Painful?
Gua Sha is an East Asian Therapy within the scope of a licensed Acupuncturist, who are formally trained to administer this type of therapy. It should not be painful when correctly administered for about 10 minutes to a particular area of the body or until the Sha surfaces with petechiae. It is important to note that other practitioners such as physical therapists and massage therapists are now offering this service to their patients, but any professional offering this treatment should have a Gua Sha certification or be a licensed Acupuncturist.
Cupping
Cupping therapy is an ancient Chinese Medicine therapy in which a cup is applied to the skin and the pressure in the cup is reduced (either by heat or suction) in order to draw and hold skin and superficial muscles inside the cup. Cupping therapy is one of the best deep-tissue therapies available and it is frequently used after acupuncture, blood letting, or plum blossom treatment.
What are the advantages of Cupping Therapy?
Cupping therapy can affect the body up to four inches into the tissues, causing the tissues to release toxins, activate the lymphatic system, clear colon blockages, activate and clear the veins, arteries and capillaries, activate the skin, clear stretch marks, and improve the appearance of varicose veins.
It can also loosen muscles, encourage blood flow, and sedate the nervous system (which makes it an excellent treatment for high blood pressure).
This treatment is also valuable for the lungs, and can clear congestion from a common cold or help to control a person’s asthma.
How does Cupping Therapy work?
Glass cups are generally used for cupping therapy, although bamboo cups are also used and for facial cupping, silicone cups are used. Cups are generally left in place for ten minutes although the time can range from five to fifteen minutes. The skin will redden due to the congestion of blood flow. Cupping is applied to certain acupuncture points as well as to parts of the body that have been affected by pain, where the pain is deeper than the tissues to be pulled. Cupping therapy has greater emphasis on the back acupuncture due to the ease with which it can be performed on the back. Cupping therapy is based on the meridian theory of the body.
On one hand, cupping therapy removes any stagnation in the body and opens the meridians so that qi can flow freely. On the other, it also helps to rejuvenate certain meridians and organs that are not functioning at their best. From a scientific standpoint, cupping is known to help activate the lymphatic system, promote blood circulation, and is good for deep tissue repair.
What can Cupping Therapy treat?
Cupping is generally recommended for the treatment of:
- Back and neck Pains
- Stiff muscles
- Paralysis
- Gastrointestinal disorders
- Lung diseases (especially chronic cough and asthma)
- Anxiety
- Fatigue
- Migraines
- Rheumatism
- Bell's Palsy
- Fine Lines and Wrinkles (Facial Cupping)
Hydrojelly Masks
A hydrojelly mask is a "jelly-like" mask that gives multiple benefits to your skin. These masks are made mainly with refined alginate. They contain much more alginate than regular rubber masks. That's why hydrojelly masks have textures like that of jelly, which provides extra total hydration and instant calm soothing effects all at once. Also, they create a completely silky soft, vacuum-like seal over the skin. This function is the most important! Under the vacuum seal, the mask pushes hydration and nourishing ingredients (from the mask and other previously applied skincare ingredients remaining on the skin) deep into the skin.
