Acupuncture – Facial Rejuvenation

The best known acupuncture in the West is that from traditional Chinese Medicine, which had been used as the primary medicine in China for centuries before modern medicine. Practitioners have been quick to realise enhancing the flow of Qi (vital energy) and blood to the face should result in:

• hydration and better skin cell fullness
• better supply of nutrients and oxygen
• reduced appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• reduced appearance of blemishes
• a more youthful appearance

The procedure uses tiny fine needles and obviously must be carried out by a fully trained and specialised practitioner using good hygienic practices. To find an acupuncturist in the UK try the British Acupuncture Council at www.acupuncture.org – then check if the practitioner has had specilaist training in ‘cosmetic acupuncture’ or ‘facial rejuvination acupuncture’.

Facial Massage

Different styles of facial massage have also been practiced for centuries to reduce the formation of wrinkles and give a healthy look to the skin. There are many different styles to choose from, including Holistic (popularly dubbed ‘Swedish’) massage, Ayurvedic massage from India, Thai massage or Shiatsu massage from Japan. Enthusiasts state it can:

Soften skin

Stimulate blood circulation to the face

Remove dead skin

Tighten muscles

Give a healthy glow.

If you can’t afford a professional, good old You Tube has a plethora of videos showing you how to do it yourself – here’s one we liked (although of course, they pretty much all have annoying music):

Natural skin care products

Many products claim to use natural ingredients, capitalising on concerns over prolonged use of chemicals on the skin. However, for some products, this is simply a marketing exercise. They may contain a natural plant extract, for example, but have introduced that to a blend of many other ‘regular’ chemicals to act as preservatives, stabilisers, colourings and perfumes. The ‘natural’ substance in question may also not be organically produced, meaning it has been cultivated using further chemicals. So check for chemicals and organic and away you go.

Finding truly natural products means reading the labels carefully and often accepting a bigger price tag. Another option is to create your own creams and potions – many natural therapists offer classes in making your own cosmetics. One benefit could possibly be avoiding exposure to chemicals creating a ‘chemical backlog’ in the body, the long term effects of which are still not fully studied by science.

Sun sense

Time and time again, skin care experts advise caution around the sun. The damaging effects of UV are well documented. Use of sun creams with properly evaluated factor numbers is essential along with covering up in harsh sunlight (including a sun hat to screen the face).

Julia Smith

Photo Credits

http://www.sxc.hu/profile/beer acupuncture model http://www.sxc.hu/profile/Ayla87 spa scene http://www.sxc.hu/profile/srbichara aloe vera plant