In today’s culture, beauty is often associated with youth and thinness. In the ancient Chinese classics, however, beauty was thought to be much, much more. According to Confucius, the 6th to 5th century BC Chinese philosopher, beauty was more than a pretty face. Beauty equaled virtue, talent, intelligence, and a warrior spirit. The Nei Jing (an ancient Chinese text) states that a beautiful face is one that is “clear.” It says that in order to preserve a “clear “face and enhance longevity, the Three Treasures must be addressed: Jing (hereditary essence), Qi (energy), and Shen (spirit). The Jing is manifested in bone structure and constitution. The Qi drives the blood and fluids that feed the face. The Shen is the light that shines through someone’s eyes and the radiance that comes forth from the face.

Fortunately for us, some of these basic philosophical tenets are still used in Chinese medicine and acupuncture. Facial acupuncture is a new way that the 5000 year-old medical tradition of acupuncture now helps people in our modern times. It is a safe and effective way to rejuvenate the face and body. Facial acupuncture is not a facelift. Surgical facelifts can make dramatic changes in appearance and bone structure that acupuncture and herbs cannot. At the same time, the dramatic results of surgery also carry dramatic risks. Facial acupuncture, on the other hand, is a more gentle and natural way of bringing the body into balance and beauty. It works by bringing nutrients to the cells that stimulate collagen production and by lifting and toning facial muscles.

Photo credits: courtesy of Chi-Akra Center
Photo: Neale F. Albert/model: D Malone

One of the most effective and detailed techniques of facial acupuncture is Constitutional Facial Acupuncture RenewalTM, which was developed by Mary Elizabeth Wakefield, L. Ac. This is the technique that is practiced by many major rejuvenation venues around the world, including Canyon Ranch Spas located in Tucson, AZ and Lenox, MA.

With facial acupuncture some practitioners simply put needles in the wrinkles. Constitutional Facial Acupuncture RenewalTM is more than just placing needles in the face. The mind, body, and spirit are acknowledged in having much to do with the appearance of the face and so are not excluded from any treatment. The goal of the treatment is to bring the whole body back into balance. Wrinkles, sagging features, and pigmentation problems are all signs that the body is out of balance.

Practitioners of Constitutional Facial Acupuncture RenewalTM base their treatments on the ancient Chinese five-element theory, which allows them to understand patterns in terms of the five energetic archetypes - wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Let’s take wood as an example. Someone with a wood constitution can be honest, goal-oriented, on-time (has to be the first one there), creative, inquisitive, and impatient. The wood face is bony and well-defined with a strong chin and deep-set eyes. Most personalities and faces have a combination of two to three elements.

Before your constitutional facial acupuncture treatment starts, we discuss what your facial and health concerns are. The pulse and tongue are read. (Pulse and tongue diagnoses are techniques of traditional Chinese medicine.) Your elemental and constitutional make-up is then determined. With this information, your personal treatment plan is created.

A typical treatment is as follows: A Chinese herbal mask is applied to the face. Needles are inserted in select places on the arms, legs, hands, feet and torso. After the herbal mask is removed, needles are applied to the face (facial needles are super- thin). Some needles are used to tone and lift tired muscles, while others are used directly into small lines. Facial acupressure and essential oils may also be included with the treatment, along with pulsed light and micro-current stimulation. Typically, diet and lifestyle are also discussed.

After the first treatment, the complexion usually glows and one appears well-rested. Wrinkles may also appear less obvious. Usually 10-12 treatments are recommended. For smokers and those with very saggy skin, as many as 20 treatments may be necessary. It is essential that the first series of treatments be consecutive, once or twice per week. To maintain results, treatments are then needed once every two weeks for two months, and then once a month for maintenance.

Constitutional Facial Acupuncture RenewalTM is a unique and profound experience. It is a way to rejuvenate your face and keep your mind, body, and spirit balanced. Please call us for an appointment and begin your facial rejuvenation today.

Kimberly Brown is a licensed acupuncturist and naturopath. She is a certified practitioner of Constitutional Facial Acupuncture RenewalTM and is currently practicing in Greensboro, NC, at Tao Acupuncture & Naturopathy LLC. For more information or to make an appointment, you may contact her at 336-254-7669. More information and articles about Constitutional Facial Acupuncture RenewalTM can be obtained from visiting www.chiakra.com.