Who can get cosmetic facial acupuncture?

Anyone who is wanting a natural and minimal invasive skin care treatment that addresses fine lines, wrinkles, dullness, sagging, and so much more. It is a treatment as well as a preventative, so it is for anyone who loves to look after their skin and wants to add that extra step into their current skin care regime.

Is there any reason I can’t have cosmetic facial acupuncture?

Yes, some people are not suited for cosmetic facial acupuncture treatments.

I don’t recommend this treatment for those who are pregnant.

And if you suffer from any of the following, please get in contact with me to discuss if you can go ahead with the treatment:
- High blood pressure (medicated or not)
- Frequent migraines and headaches
- Bleeding or clotting disorder
- Epilepsy and seizures
- Diabetes
- Vertigo or frequent dizziness.

Does it hurt?

The needles I use are a high quality Japanese needles called Seirin. These needles have a diameter of 0.10 of a millimetre to 0.14 of a millimetre. What does that mean? They are fine, super super fine. They are also super smooth to insert. A small amount of pinching may occur at the site of insertion when the needle is inserted, however, once they are in, they cannot be felt and you will be surprised how relaxed you become.
The jade stone gua sha facial and facial cupping doesn’t hurt at all, everyone tells me that they love it and wishes it never ends!

What’s involved in a treatment?

A Chinese Medicine diagnosis is first done via an in-depth consultation, checking your tongue and pulse, and conducting a full skin analysis. Once you get up on the table I will insert very fine needles into acupuncture points on your body. Next comes the needling into your face which is quick and as pain free as I can make it. Once they are all in, I leave you in the room to rest and let the needles do their thing. After a minimum of 15 minutes, I comes back, take the needles out and start your facial cupping, followed by your jade stone gua sha facial and a facial mist and some jade rolling to finish the treatment. You will leave feeling super relaxed and glowy!

How many sessions do I need?

Love this question! I would also love it if acupuncture was a one and done, but it’s not! Just like regular acupuncture, cosmetic facial acupuncture is accumulative medicine, which means you need to do it frequently to start off to then be able to move into maintenance treatments without losing any of the work I have done. Starting off with weekly appointments is integral to get the ball rolling with your skin. After a while we can then reassess where you are at and then move you into fortnightly treatments, then monthly.

Using your natural skin cycle time according to your age is a great guide to work out how many sessions of cosmetic facial acupuncture you need weekly to start off. Your natural skin cycle is the time it takes the cells from the deepest layers of your epidermal skin layer to work their way up to the surface and then fall off. This slows down with age.

The average natural skin cycle for the age groups are:
20s and 30s - 25-45 days
40s and 50s - 45-60 days
60s and over - 60-90 days

So treatment wise you are looking at:
20s and 30s start with 4-5 weekly treatments⁠
40s and 50s start with 6-8 weekly treatments⁠
60s and over start with 9-12 weekly treatments⁠
Then move into maintenance.

This of course is just a guide. I would also take into consideration the quality of your skin in your initial appointment, your current skin care products and regime, what other treatments you get, diet, dehydration and other factors that can cause skin damage such as your history of sun exposure, smoking, consumption of alcohol, medications, and stress.

Is cosmetic facial acupuncture safe?

It sure is when it is practiced by a highly trained acupuncturist. The uni degree alone is 4 years, so I have had hours of supervised training on top of years of clinical practice. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can hold a low risk of adverse effects which you can read more about here. The needles I use are single-use, sterilised and disposable, and all tools are cleaned according to the Guidelines on infection prevention and control for acupuncture and related practices set by the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia (CMBA). Cosmetic facial acupuncture can also run the risk of bruising. My bruising guide can help you avoid bruising as well give the steps to take if a bruise occurs.

Can I get cosmetic facial acupuncture if I have injectables?

Absolutely, you just have to tell me you have them, where, what you get, and how often. Cosmetic facial acupuncture can either make your injectables last a little longer or help your body break them down quicker if you have changed your mind about them

What is facial cupping?

Facial cupping is a gentle and non-invasive treatment which is included in your cosmetic facial acupuncture treatment. Using small glass cups with light suction, I treat the neck and face for lymphatic drainage, reducing muscle tension, and helping to produce collagen. The cups leave no marks and it is very relaxing.

What is a jade stone gua sha facial?

Jade stone is used a lot in Chinese Medicine. With the jade stone gua sha tools, I massage the neck and face to increase circulation, cause micro-trauma to build collagen, cool the skin, relax the muscles, and get your skin looking plump. Jade is also deeply ingrained in Chinese culture as a symbol of purity, harmony, and immortality, and is often associated with wisdom, protection, and good fortune. This technique doesn’t leave any marks and will make you feel super relaxed. A great way to finish your cosmetic facial acupuncture treatment.

Can it help with acne?

Yes. If you are suffering from severe acne, book yourself into a Skin Conditions acupuncture session instead as I won’t be able to do the facial cupping or jade stone gua sha over sore, inflamed, broken skin. We can work together to help your skin heal, and once we get it looking clearer, we can then move to cosmetic facial acupuncture to work on scarring, fine lines, and dullness.

Can I get skin needling done as well?

You sure can! Not on the same day though. Do a 2-3 day gap between those treatments - but watch this space! I have some more training to do and some more equipment to buy and this is something I am wanting to offer in clinic! (As well as LED therapy!). Sign up to my mail list to keep up to date with new treatments as well as any offers!!