For those looking to preserve or recapture their youthful appearance but aren’t ready for injections or surgery, cosmetic acupuncture might be the perfect alternative, one that brings results not only to the face but also throughout the entire body. According to Oriental medicine, the strengths and weaknesses of various internal organs are reflected in the face. For that reason, acupuncture can do double duty by addressing health issues as well as beauty concerns. “You cannot have a good face without a healthy body,” affirms Larisa Turin, OMD, acupuncturist, herbalist and owner of Chicago Acupuncture. “Any issues in the body will manifest on the face. You can’t have constipation, poor digestion or poor blood circulation and have good facial color. Everything is connected. We have to treat the whole body to see results in the face.” While the primary goal of cosmetic acupuncture may be reducing fine lines, relaxing muscles that cause deeper lines, reducing dark circles and bags under the eyes, and firming the skin, treating other health issues can help support the benefits of facial rejuvenation. By addressing organ function, stress, insomnia and other issues, acupuncture can increase a patient’s overall wellbeing, which ultimately results in healthy skin tone and color, higher energy levels, and a more youthful appearance. Cosmetic acupuncture is not a facelift; rather, it’s a course of treatments designed to bring about gradual improvement of skin condition and tone. “If a patient has sagging skin, acupuncture cannot pull it back,” Larisa says. “But cosmetic surgery cannot change the quality of the skin. If you have pale, dry skin, it will be the same. I can improve the blood circulation to bring more life to the skin.” A typical protocol calls for twice-a week treatments for approximately five weeks, but patients often notice immediate changes after the first treatment. And unlike more invasive procedures, the risk/reward ratio is low. “With acupuncture, the worst case scenario is you will have some bruises,” Larisa says. “But you’ll have a quicker recovery time and fewer complications. And, unlike Botox, you can still make expressions.”

ACUPUNCTURE FOR LIFE

Unlike Western medicine, which treats conditions only after they’ve manifested, Oriental medicine takes a proactive approach to cosmetic and general health concerns. “Oriental medicine deals with small issues when they’re just starting,” says Larisa. “It’s much easier to do it then because it hasn’t dug deep roots into the body – it’s much easier to get rid of. That’s why it’s important to start when you see early signs and symptoms.” Clinically tested, scientifically proven, and gaining increasing acceptance by more and more Western medicine practitioners, acupuncture is offers a natural, effective way for maturing women to approach the inevitable. And thanks to its capacity to treat more than one issue at a time, not only can acupuncture achieve the goal of a healthy pregnancy or a younger look, it can also enhance a patient’s overall health and well-being.