WHAT IS ACUPUNCTURE FACIAL REJUVENATION?
Sometimes referred to as an “Acupuncture Facelift” or “Cosmetic Acupuncture,” Acupuncture Facial Rejuvenation works to reduce the signs of aging through a series of acupuncture treatments that involves the insertion of very fine, sterile acupuncture needles into the face, head, neck and body. The needles rarely hurt, and side effects (such as mild bruising) are rare. Much more than a “facelift,” Acupuncture Facial Rejuvenation is based on the principles of Chinese Medicine and is a revitalization and rejuvenation process that helps the whole body look and feel younger.
Importantly, Dr. Graham chooses specific points to needle on the face and body and other aspects of treatment designed to match the particular needs and aging manifestations of the individual patient. For example, a different set of points will be used for a person with drying skin (deficient fluids) versus a person that has excess puffiness (fluid retention). Each patient is evaluated and treated as a unique person, the basis of any holistic medicine.
WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF ACUPUNCTURE FACIAL REJUVENATION?
Acupuncture Facial Rejuvenation may erase as many as 5 to 10 years from the face while bringing out the innate beauty of the individual. See the About Acupuncture Facial Rejuvenation page for a detailed list of possible effects for you.
WHAT IS THE COURSE OF TREATMENT?
Acupuncture Facial Rejuvenation (Luminous Beauty) is generally completed in a course of 12 treatments administered one to three times per week for the greatest effect (with at least a day between treatments). Results may be seen early on in the series, but it is around the seventh or eighth treatment that results will become more dramatic and lasting. The initial treatment involves a full health survey and will take about 2 hours. Subsequent treatments in the series will take about 1.5 hours each.
IS IT JUST THE NEEDLES?
The primary modality of our Acupuncture Facial Rejuvenation is the Luminous Beauty acupuncture protocol. However, you may be recommended herbal or nutritional supplementation as part of the course of treatment. For example, most patients are requested to take a grapeseed extract formulation, a powerful antioxidant, to help reduce the risk of bruising. We also may provide dietary advice or other recommendations in accordance with the theories of Chinese medicine.
HOW LONG WILL THE EFFECTS LAST?
After the initial course of treatments, the results will last for years with regularly scheduled maintenance visits (the interval is most often monthly, but depends on various factors). You might view your maintenance visits as a “protection of the investment” in yourself and your well-being that you make with a series of Acupuncture Facial Rejuvenation treatments. Factors such as age and lifestyle (diet, sun exposure, smoking, etc.) after the treatment series will have a great effect on maintaining the results. In rare instances, a patient may need more than 15-20 treatments in the initial course for noticeable and lasting results.
WHY SHOULD I CHOOSE DR. GRAHAM FOR MY FACIAL ACUPUNCTURE?
Importantly, not all acupuncturists have specific training in cosmetic acupuncture, although they may market themselves as having the skill. Dr. Graham is certified in the Luminous Beauty Protocol of Acupuncture Facial Rejuvenation. This protocol was developed by Virginia Doran, MS, MAC, LMT, a recognized expert who has been refining her methods teaching facial acupuncture to licensed acupuncturists for over 11 years. Ms. Doran’s Luminous Beauty protocol is very particular, requiring the use of strict safety methods and the time-tested use of a particular brand of very thin, high quality and relatively expensive silicone coated needles of different sizes to provide different effects. Dr. Graham remains true to the proven Luminous Beauty methodology and is referred patients by Ms. Doran, who has appeared on several TV networks demonstrating Luminous Beauty Acupuncture Facial Rejuvenation (CBS News, UPN News, Fox Good Day New York, and the Maury Povich Show). Ms. Doran’s work has also been featured in Newsweek, Shape, Latina, and other magazines. For more information about Dr. Graham, see the About Dr. Graham page of this website.
I HAVE SOME HEALTH ISSUES. CAN I STILL RECEIVE ACUPUNCTURE FACIAL REJUVENATION?
There are some health conditions that must first be resolved in order to receive treatment and to maintain the greatest results. These conditions include heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, pregnancy, and certain other serious or chronic medical conditions. Dr. Graham will discuss these with you upon consultation to ensure that Acupuncture Facial Rejuvenation is safe for you.
Please note that Dr. Graham works to balance your entire health as you receive Acupuncture Facial Rejuvenation treatments, so some health conditions related to other parts of the body may sometimes be treated during your Acupuncture Facial Rejuvenation series. Very often, patients derive resolution or relief of their pre-existing conditions.
WHEN IS A GOOD TIME TO DO IT?
If you are an adult concerned about your aging process and wish to do what you can to reverse it and slow it down, then you will benefit from Acupuncture Facial Rejuvenation. It stands to reason that the younger you are when you begin these treatments, the slower the aging process will be, but we do not recommend it for those under 25 years of age.
If you have had recent botox injections, we will not be able to treat you until six months after your last injection. Similarly, if you have had recent laser cosmetic procedures, which thin the skin, we will not be able to treat for at least three weeks after your last laser treatment.
Make sure you begin your series of treatments at a time of year when you will be able to make an appointment at least once per week. The frequency of the treatments is important in order to achieve optimum results.
WHY SHOULD I CHOOSE ACUPUNCTURE FACIAL REJUVENATION OVER BOTOX, SURGERY OR OTHER COSMETIC PROCEDURES?
- Acupuncture Facial Rejuvenation is natural, with no foreign substances, virtually no pain and very few risks. While it cannot change the shape of your nose or chin like plastic surgery, it has no risk of disfigurement or adverse effects from toxic injections (such as ptosis, or drooping eyelids). There is no surgical recovery time and no disfiguring swelling or discoloration. Some people become “immune” to the effects of botox so that it no longer works for them. This will never happen with acupuncture – you will always see some results. Your skin will not become thinner as it can with laser and other treatments. And no one will know why you look so good; there is no “frozen face” as with botox. Your beauty is yours – your natural face, with all its expressions.
- Acupuncture Facial Rejuvenation is less expensive than other cosmetic procedures.
- Acupuncture Facial Rejuvenation addresses you as a unique and whole person. Unlike other cosmetic procedures, your treatment course is designed for your own constitution and health issues, and can simultaneously improve overall health and well being.
- It simply makes sense that treating a body’s underlying condition leading to the signs of aging is preferable to a mere masking of these signs, which does nothing to stem the tide of further decline and dysfunction within the body.
DOES IT WORK?
Yes. Many people have witnessed the results of these treatments, and they are being reported in the media and studied in formal trials. A 1996 report in the International Journal of Clinical Acupuncture reported that among 300 cases treated with facial acupuncture, 90% had marked effects with one course of treatment, including skin becoming more delicate and fair, improved facial muscle elasticity, leveling of wrinkles, ruddier complexion, and overall rejuvenation of the patient – not just of the face.
From a western scientific paradigm, it is firmly established that increased blood flow increases metabolic activity and results in more ideal physiological functioning, faster tissue building and healing and a body that looks and feels better. Acupuncture Facial Rejuvenation causes tiny “micro traumas” in the skin, drawing the body’s attention to these tiny wounds and bringing extra blood and nutrients to repair the microscopic damage, stimulating collagen matrix growth and resulting in a healthier and younger appearance.
However, Acupuncture Facial Rejuvenation treatment theory is not based on the western paradigm, but rather on acupuncture, a basic tool of Chinese Medicine. Chinese Medicine is a holistic and effective medical and health paradigm that has been used continuously, successfully and safely by literally billions of people (¼ of humanity) since the early days of recorded history (some sources say 5000 years). The effectiveness of acupuncture is based on its manipulation of energy in the body for healing, balance and health maintenance. (See About Acupuncture and TCM). We know that acupuncture techniques were used as early as the Sung Dynasty (960AD-1270AD) to maintain the health and beauty of the Chinese Imperial Court. Ancient masters of Chinese Medicine understood that health as well as beauty comes from the inside.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Acupuncture Facial Rejuvenation is less expensive than botox or plastic surgery, without the associated risks. During your personal consultation, we will provide you with more information and pricing. To encourage you to recieve the benefits of a full treatment series, a discount package is available for the entire series of 12 treatments.
HOW CAN I START ERASING YEARS FROM MY FACE?
Contact Dr. Graham now to arrange for a consultation to determine if Acupuncture Facial Rejuvenation is right for you.
“Getting Botox is a bit like going to the hairdresser. You go and get it done, and it will probably look good for a while. But it is expensive and you have to keep going back, and people can usually tell you have had “work done.” Botox results are not your own natural beauty and do not reflect your natural expressiveness. There are significant risks (including reported deaths), and no one really knows the long term effects that paralyzing the facial muscles with toxins will have on the facial muscles or overall health. Acupuncture Facial Rejuvenation is all natural, looks natural, and the effects last a long time. Your overall health and well being can improve, too.”
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LOOK AND FEEL GREAT!
TREAT YOURSELF TO
ACUPUNCTURE FACIAL REJUVENATION
Contact us to schedule a consultation.
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