Cosmetic Acupuncture 

What is Cosmetic Acupuncture?
Cosmetic Acupuncture is a painless, non-surgical method of reducing the signs of the aging process. Though Cosmetic, or Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture can sometimes be referred to as an Acupuncture Facelift, it is more than just a cosmetic procedure. It is a rejuvenation and revitalization process designed to help the whole body look and feel younger. 

The Cosmetic Acupuncture treatment is based on the principles of Oriental Medicine and involves the insertion of hair-thin needles into particular areas of the face, ears, neck, hands, trunk, and legs along channels or meridians of energy called Qi.  Specific points are chosen to manipulate the movement of energy in the body according to the individual's needs. Thousands of years ago the Chinese discovered that many meridians either begin or end on the face while some have internal branches that go to the face. Thus, practitioners of Cosmetic Acupuncture, Facial Rejuvenation and Mei Zen Acupuncture know how to specifically effect the face while simultaneously treating the underlying factors that contribute to the aging process.

Cosmetic Acupuncture may erase as many as five to fifteen years from the face, with results apparent after just a few treatments. Fine lines may be entirely eliminated and deeper wrinkles diminished. Bags under the eyes can be reduced, jowls firmed, puffiness eliminated, droopy eyelids lifted and double chins minimized. Other likely results include: moisturizing of the skin with increased local circulation of blood and lymph to the face; increased collagen production, muscle tone, and dermal contraction; tightening of the pores; brightening of the eyes; improving of hormonal balance to help acne; reduction of stress evident in the face – bringing out the innate Beauty and Radiance of an individual. 

How Does Cosmetic Acupuncture Work?
Aside from the TCM perspectives on Cosmetic Acupuncture, there is a firm scientific process that contributes to the efficacy of the procedure, involving the stimulation of fibroblast cells to produce collage, elastin and other products which enhance the appearance of the skin.

​Read more about the how and why HERE.

Acupuncture Today Magazine
Read Kim's published article - The Importance of the Shen in Cosmetic Acupuncture in the May 2018 issue of Acupuncture Today! 

Read the article and full issue HERE!

Before & After Photos

Picture
​Before & After One Cosmetic Acupuncture Treatment Notice the furrow wrinkle (between the eyebrows) is flattened and smoothed out tremendously after only one session.
Picture
Before & After One Cosmetic Acupuncture Treatment Notice the improvement and lightening of the puffy and dark under eye circles.
Picture
Before & After 4 Treatments for Bell's Palsy One of the only effective treatments from Bell's Palsy is acupuncture, with the combination of traditional Bell's Palsy treatment methods and Facial Rejuvenation techniques extraordinary results are achieved.

Course of Treatment
The recommended course of treatment (for the longest lasting and most dramatic effect) consists of an initial 10 weekly treatments.  You can expect an initial visit with a detailed intake and following treatment, treatments last roughly 90 minutes.  You will notice an effect after the first treatment and the weekly treatments help to solidify this effect and enhance it over the treatment period (in the case you do not, it may be an indication that Cosmetic Acupuncture may not be a suitable treatment for you, and we can discuss this in detail if it is the case.)  The effects become most noticeable and lasting on or about the seventh session. Each person responds differently, depending on his or her condition and lifestyle prior to treatment. 

Following the initial course of treatment, maintenance sessions can prolong the results for three to five years.  We like to think of Cosmetic Acupuncture in the same way we think of hair maintenance or nail care - to keep the results and slow the visible effects of aging, it's very important to keep to a regular schedule of treatment.  Cosmetic Acupuncture is one of the very few, non-invasive and effective methods to take control of the visible effects of aging, and routine treatment is essential to the life of the results. 

What does the Treatment include?
Every Cosmetic Acupuncture treatment begins like any regular acupuncture session.  On your first session Kim will go through a detailed intake of your health history and any medical problems you may be experiencing currently, then she will go over the cosmetic treatment and address your target areas and expectations.

Each Cosmetic Acupuncture treatment includes:
-Full body acupuncture to treat any underlying or concurrent health issues or tendencies
-Facial & Scalp acupuncture targeted to the areas you specify or your general constitution
-30 Minute Celluma LED Light Therapy
-Mini Micro-Current Session

How Does Cosmetic Acupuncture Work?
Cosmetic acupuncture works on a multitude of levels, addressing the WHOLE body and person is the #1 priority as this contributes to eliminating the core causes of the appearance of premature aging. In addition needling helps to stimulate fibroblast cells to produce collagen, elastin and glycosaminoglycans which are responsible for idea features in the face - like plumpness and firmness. Cosmetic acupuncture is minimally invasive and this helps us preserve the dermal papillae layer of the skin - meaning it's a great treatment for long term that won't damage the skin structure.  And lastly - the treatment addresses muscles of the face and scalp which are losing tone and mass, and also helps relax muscles that may be over-engaged. 

Check out this video for more information!

Micro-Current Therapy
Microcurrent is a pleasant and refreshing way to help the body naturally fight and 
decrease the effects of aging on the face.  This treatment uses a microcurrent unit to stimulate the muscles of the face to help relax tight muscles, firm muscles that have lost their tone, improve skin tone and circulation and reduce or eliminate puffiness and fine lines.  There is no risk of bruising and no recovery time after the treatment.  An absolutely great alternative to other medical youth enhancing 
treatments like Botox, Collagen or Restalyne injections!

Kim specializes in Cosmetic Acupuncture and offers this Micro-current “Quick Tone” as a standard component to all Cosmetic Acupuncture 
treatments.  This makes for an even more effective and longer lasting treatment and is not a service combination you will find from most other Cosmetic 
Acupuncturists.

For those wary of needles Kim is offering Micro-current Only Cosmetic 
Treatments.  A standard series of Micro-current Facial Rejuvenation consists of 12 weekly treatments (with the first 4 preferably twice a week).  Kim is also offering a “Quick Tone” 25 minute treatment to supplement any regular acupuncture treatment.  

Clients are also encouraged to come in for a Micro-current Facial Rejuvenation 
treatment as a preparation for any big event or occasion!  With no bruising or recovery time it makes a great addition to any beauty regimen!

Celluma LED Therapy
In addition to Acupuncture and Micro-Current, Kim's Cosmetic Acupuncture treatments also include a 30 minute Celluma LED Light Therapy Facial.  LED Light therapy can be attuned to address wrinkles or acne and has had profound effects in research studies around the world.  LED light therapy effects the skin on a cellular level - increasing ATP production and fighting bacteria which causes some kinds of acne.  The results over continuous sessions are noticeable and long lasting.  In conjunction with Cosmetic Acupuncture it makes Kim's treatments one-of-a-kind and unparalleled in the industry. 

Celluma LED facials can be added on to any regular acupuncture treatment for an additional $45 or patients can opt for a Celluma treatment on it's own for $60.

We are also a distributor of the Celluma LED panels, if you would like to purchase your own for home use please contact us for pricing!

Dermal Needling

Picture
Results one week after Dermal Needling Session.
Dermal needling is a cornerstone technique that Acupuncturists have been using for thousands of years.  Dermal needling has been used for a variety of ailments by stimulating the cutaneous levels of the meridians of the body - it can help improve diseases and conditions of the body and also is very effective to rejuvenate the skin and hair follicles.  Also known as Microneedling, Skin Needling and Collagen Induction or Fusion Therapy, Dermal Needling is a safe, effective way to improve the tone, texture and pigmentation of the skin, it can also be used to address fine lines, scar tissue and stretch marks.  Downtime is minimal with this procedure, and sue to the non-ablative method, preserves skins natural essence instead of degrading it as many more aggressive medical procedures can do.

The most common technique is the Derma Roller which you can purchase and use at home in a lighter way to help the skin absorb your serums and moisturizer, plus the needling of the skin stimulates the immune response which means - collagen heads to the 'rescue' and as a by-product will give the skin a more plump appearance.  We offer microneedling using a rotary machine with specific microneedling needle tips, and when needed will use other needle configurations to address scarring

How we offer dermal-needling for skin rejuvenation:

At Lion's Heart we believe that the best way to help someone look better is to also help them FEEL better, and the best route to do this that we offer is with Cosmetic Acupuncture.  Cosmetic Acupuncture is less invasive than dermal needling and is a Whole Body treatment, that not only addresses and corrects aging skin, but also corrects the underlying causes of the laxed appearance.  

We think it's most effective to use within a series of Cosmetic Acupuncture sessions.  Interchanging 1-3 dermal needling sessions within a 10 session series of Cosmetic Acupuncture helps BOTH treatments produce better results.

Microneedling for stretch mark, scar and acne scarring reduction:

The one place microneedling truly shines is in the reduction of the appearance of scars and stretch marks.  We offer treatments for scars and stretch marks without acupuncture.  Results are not often seen in a stand alone session and results will increased over time as the skin cycle continues to heal.  2-5 sessions done 5-8 weeks apart is an average of what to expect for maximum results.

Contraindications
Cosmetic Acupuncture is contraindicated for some pituitary disorders, heart disorders, diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, individuals who have a pacemaker or who have a problem with bleeding or bruising, or who currently suffer from migraine headaches.  If any of these contraindications are a current issue for you please contact us to discuss further, as in certain cases Cosmetic Acupuncture can be used as a treatment for these cases.

Cosmetic Acupuncture should not be done during pregnancy, during a bout with a cold or flu, during an allergic attack or during an acute herpes outbreak or within 3 weeks of Botox, Restylane or Collagen injections.

Ready to get Started?
​More questions?
If you have more questions about Cosmetic Acupuncture please call us at 415-366-6708 for a brief phone consultation.  We do not offer in-person consultations for Cosmetic Acupuncture as we feel most questions and concerns can be addressed with a phone call, and due to the internal and unique nature of each individual it is hard to determine and predict results by look alone.  The best way to see if Cosmetic Acupuncture is right for you is to come in for an initial treatment, you will know after one visit if you will see results and if you enjoy the treatment.

Ready to book? Click below!