Cosmetic Acupuncture

The basic premise behind cosmetic acupuncture – also known as aesthetic acupuncture, Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture or Facial Revitalisation Acupuncture [1] – is that the insertion of fine acupuncture needles into points on the face stimulate the circulation of qi (vital energy), blood and lymph in the local area.

This improves skin quality, colouring, elasticity, moisture content, muscle tone, and collagen production and vitalises the appearance generally. “Cosmetic acupuncture is not about beauty but about health.” [2]

The effects can be quite noticeable even among clients who have come not for cosmetic purposes but for other conditions which require facial needling, such as sinusitis, orbital headaches, or Bell’s palsy.

Dominic Harbinson (Director of Concorde House Clinic) trained in Cosmetic Acupuncture with Radha Thambirajah MD (China), a graduate of the Shanghai Medical College who has been in practice since the 1970.

The benefits of Facial Revitalisation Acupuncture include:

  • Fine wrinkles may be eliminated completely;
  • Even deep wrinkles can be considerably reduced;
  • Double chins and ‘turkey necks’ can be lifted and minimised;
  • Generalised puffiness and bags under the eyes can be alleviated.

It is important to highlight that these effects can be achieved: 

  • for a fraction of the price and
  • without the risk of disfigurement or toxic side effects associated with some cosmetic procedures such as botox and surgery. (There is, of course, a slight risk of bruising, but this is usually mild and occurs only rarely.)

The more out of balance, emotionally distressed or aged a person looks, the increased likeliness for more dramatic results.” [3]

All cosmetic acupuncture sessions are accompanied by treatment and lifestyle advice (plus herbal supplements where these will clearly be beneficial) which aim to benefit the whole person, rebalancing and supporting overall health so that the ageing process is slowed and the causes of disharmony (which may be digestive, hormonal, mental-emotional, circulatory etc.) addressed.

Fees: £75 per session (1.5 hours)

For the first 6 treatments the payment scheme is as follows: 1) an initial payment of £200 is made at the first session, followed by 2) a payment of £50 made at each of the next 5 sessions.

A course of treatment typically consists of 10 sessions, with treatments given twice a week for the first 3 weeks followed by 4 sessions at weekly intervals.

Contraindications: Cosmetic acupuncture is contraindicated in some cases. For obvious reasons, it is not an appropriate treatment for haemophiliacs or those who are extraordinarily prone to bruising. It is contraindicated for people with high blood pressure or diabetes even if these conditions are controlled through medication. It should also be avoided by pregnant women, migraine sufferers and those with HIV/AIDS.  

References

[1] This is the term preferred by the British Acupuncture Council to comply with the guidelines of the Advertising Standards Agency. In the US and elsewhere, the term Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture is more commonly used. Conveniently, they share the same acronym (FRA).

[2] Thambirajah, R. (2009) Cosmetic Acupuncture: A Traditional Chinese Medicine Approach to Cosmetic and Dermatological Problems Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, Edinburgh.

[3] Doran, V (2007) “An Introduction to Facial Revitalisation Acupuncture” in European Journal of Oriental Medicine Vol. 5 No. 5

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