Aesthetics acupuncture helps to balance the body by improving circulation and stimulating the body's ability to regulate its nervous and endocrine systems. This helps to make you feel younger and more yourself: improving energy, relieving pain, and calming stress and emotional strain. Through local and distal (body) treatments, it can directly improve blood flow, skin tone and muscle tone without any surgery or injections. You can expect to see a brighter complexion with more even tone, improvement in skin firmness, reduction in puffiness, and less fine lines.

 

According to Traditional Oriental Medicine (TOM), aging of the skin of the face is a process that leads to the formation of wrinkles and relaxation of the tissues.  This is caused by poor blood circulation and a decreased formation of collagen, elastin and other supporting molecules of the skin and its under-layers . This process is also accelerated by the psychological factor with emotional stress, a poor diet and too much exposure to the sun. As a result, insufficient blood supply to the face results in dry skin without brightness. 

 

In Traditional Oriental Medicine, skin rejuvenation can be achieved by different methods: 

• Constitutional (whole body) insertion of needles - body insertion of needles or Press Tacks

• Skin Rejuvenation Acupuncture (SRA) - local (face) insertion of fine needles 

• Acupuncture Face-lift - Local muscle needle stimulation

• Microneedling - Motorized Device (Pen or Stamper)

• Cupping, Gua Sha, Electroacupuncture (EStim), etc.  

 

Acupuncture performed for aesthetic purposes is increasingly widespread because in addition to offering satisfactory esthetic results, it is a technique that improves the state of mental and physical well-being of the whole organism. With this natural “anti-aging” technique the wrinkles are alleviated and the elasticity of the facial muscles is stimulated. The natural brightness of the skin improves and the eyelid bags and dark circles reduce.

 

Dr. Cruz is board certified in Constitutional Acupuncture (TCM), Facial Rejuvenation, Aesthetic Acupuncture Microneedling and has training in Chinese (TCM), Korean and Japanese acupuncture.  She will determine which (if not all) method is best suited for your needs.

 

Constitutional Acupuncture 

Constitutional acupuncture involves selecting acupuncture points according to a persons’ specific physical and physiological type and is used in many conditions.  Constitutional acupuncture works by restoring balance to the meridian channel system; draining stagnation and blockage in areas where too much Qi is accumulated, and boosting and tonifying areas of insufficient flow of the entire body. The goal is to have a smooth flow of qi and good reservoirs of blood, yin, and essence.  This is an internal treatment approach to help resolve deficiencies and excesses the body may have that are manifesting as saggy skin, wrinkles, dull facial complexion, dry and itchy skin, blotchy and redness, acne, etc.  Constitutional acupuncture can help with the treatment of : 

• Acne (caused by hormonal imbalances)

• Symptoms associated with menopause, perimenopause, PMS and other GYN conditions

• Sinus congestion and Headache

• Improve symptoms of hyper- and hypothyroidism

• TMJ, trigeminal neuralgia, and Bell’s palsy

• Headaches (except severe migraine)

• Diarrhea and constipation (other digestive issues)

• Edema and puffiness

• Benefits eyes, ears and brain

• Insomnia and dizziness

• Anxiety and Depression

• And so much more!!!

Constitutional acupuncture is included in all Aesthetic treatments.

 

Skin Rejuvenation Acupuncture (SRA)

SRA is a nonsurgical cosmetic procedure which includes the strategic insertion of fine needles into the face, head and neck to resolve imbalances skin generates as the result of aging and environmental toxins. 

Treatment course for Skin Rejuvenation Acupuncture  is dependent on a patient’s overall health, skin condition and age.  A typical treatment course of SRA is between 10-12 sessions, and usually a maximum of 3 treatment courses is recommended during one year. Each treatment course may focus on a distinct facial area, such as the neck, cheek and jowls, or forehead. Some patients will need more treatments than others. Sessions are administered 1-3 times with a maximum of 3 treatments per week with a 1-day hiatus between treatments. Following a complete treatment course, I recommend monthly maintenance visits. Treatments can be enhanced by combining Microneedling in addition to at-home self massage and suggested dietary guidelines, including herbal and supplemental remedies.

Dr. Cruz utilizes a combination of TCM, Korean and Japanese Cosmetic acupuncture therapies to achieve the best results for your skin condition.

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Korean aesthetics acupuncture focus on non-painful local insertion of acupuncture needles at different points along designated channels to attain tonification or sedation effects allows for the “manipulation” of tissues to give the face a “lift” and create a youthful plump (glow).  Tonification techniques are used in patients who have flabby skin that is not adherent to underlying muscle and overlies poor muscle tone. Sedation techniques are used in areas with tense muscles that can benefit from relaxation. Tonification methods can be used to promote blood circulation. Sedation methods can be used to reduce inflammation and acne.  Tonification and sedation can be further enhanced with the use of a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) device connected directly to the needle (electroacupuncture).

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Aesthetics Acupuncture Face-lift strategically places rows of short and very fine needles around areas of wrinkles, and the insertion of longer needles to weak muscles of the face to tonify sagging and wrinkle areas.

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Results

The effects of treatment can be expected to persist for up to 5 years. The best way to judge progress is with photographs. The following treatment results may be expected:

• Elimination of some wrinkles and a decrease in length and depth of other wrinkles.

• Decrease of facial edema.

• Increase of facial muscle tone.

• Livelier appearance of the eyes.

• Decrease of sagging around the eyes, cheeks, chin, and neck.

• Improved skin texture, including tighter pores.

• Decrease of acne.

 

Each procedure enhances the complexion, fills out fine lines and wrinkles, and gives the face an overall lifted appearance. When combined it has a magnifying effect not only on the external condition of the skin but the body’s overall health.  Each treatment includes a comprehensive holistic intake where Dr. Cruz reviews your medical history, medications/supplements you are currently taking, lifestyle (diet, exercise, social habits, etc) to better determine the course of your plan.  Other modalities may be added such as  the Celluma LED light therapy device, which is FDA approved to treat wrinkles, pain, inflammation and acne. Although visible after the first treatment, a long lasting effect is best achieved by a series of 10-12 treatments over 5-10 weeks.  

 

Frequency of treatments:

Scheduling is usually done in groups a few times a year.   Treatment frequency depends on your schedule and the condition of your skin.  We recommend 2 times per week of SRA for 5-6 weeks or once per week for 10-12 weeks.  Medical Microneedling is recommended once every 4-6 weeks for no more than 6 consecutive treatments.  

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Facial Rejuvenation is complementary to plastic surgery 

Facial rejuvenation with acupuncture is complementary to aesthetic plastic surgery as an adjunct or alternative to other procedures. Perioperative protocols for those who choose plastic surgery are being developed, since this treatment would most likely improve results as a component of aesthetic surgery similar to physical therapy for orthopedic surgery. In a sense, facial rejuvenation acupuncture is cosmetic therapy.

 

The goal of traditional Oriental medicine (TOM) in facial rejuvenation is to enhance facial muscle and skin tone to its optimum level without injections or surgery. TOM is a holistic approach that addresses the entire body when treating localized conditions or anatomy. In this model, as overall health and wellness are restored, the face is rejuvenated.

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Many factors such as diet, exercise, and stress have been shown to affect aging at the clinical and cellular level. According to TOM, the face is a reflection of the function of the internal organs.  Similarly, according to Western medicine, a person with healthy circulation, digestion, and sleeping patterns will not only feel healthier and younger but will also look healthier and younger. 

 

MICRONEEDLING: COLLAGEN INDUCTION THERAPY (CIT)

Microneedling or microchanneling is often referred to as “collagen induction therapy,” and is among the most effective, fast, and least invasive of all skin regeneration treatments as it triggers an increase in natural collagen production. Collagen is a protein that gives your skin strength and elasticity. As the years pass, your skin stops producing collagen in the quantities it did in your younger years, with lines, wrinkles, and loose, sagging skin appearing.  The controlled injuries created by the Microneedling device tells your skin to repair from within, boosting the natural production of collagen, elastin, and other skin-firming natural elements. In addition, because it produces micro channels in the skin, it allows the practitioner to deliver a nutrient enriched serum to enhance fibroblast formation and the continuous formation of collagen and elastin over a long period of time.  For this reason a series of 4 - 6 sessions timed 4-6 weeks apart with a post treatment maintenance of every 6 months is recommended.  The effects of Aesthetic acupuncture treatment can be expected to persist for up to 5 years. The best way to judge progress is with photographs. The following treatment results may be expected:

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• Elimination of some wrinkles and a decrease/elimination in length and depth of fine lines. 

• Effective treatment for scars and hyperpigmentation. 

• Decrease of facial edema. 

• Increase of facial muscle tone and firmness. 

• Livelier appearance of the eyes. 

• Decrease of sagging around the eyes, cheeks, chin, and neck.

• Improved skin texture, including tighter pores. 

• Decrease of acne. 

• Restored resilience and a natural glow. 

• Decreased stretch marks