Constitutional Facial Acupuncture is a safe, painless and effective treatment for renewing the face as well as the whole body. Fine lines may be entirely erased, deeper lines reduced and bags around neck and eyes firmed.

Fine needles are placed at a variety of acupuncture points on the face, neck and around the eyes to stimulate the body’s natural energies, or Qi. Since muscle groups are addressed as well the acupuncture points, the face lifts itself, via the acupuncture points, through the muscles’ toning and tightening action. The needles also stimulate blood circulation, which improves facial color.

FACIAL RENEWAL

Acupuncture and Herbs

Is Facial Acupuncture for Everyone?

It would probably be more instructive to list the few contraindications for facial acupuncture, because, for the vast majority of prospective clients, it is a safe and beneficial treatment, not only for prevention of wrinkles, but also the reversal of the customary signs of aging.

Contraindications:

1. Severe high blood pressure (it is OK when the blood pressure is under control and the patient is seeing a medical doctor)

2. Severe migraines (if the patient is having a severe migraine only once every 3 months or so, they can receive facial acupuncture treatments)

3. Be aware that it takes a patient 3 weeks to recover from laser resurfacing on the face. Do not needle during that time; wait a week after microdermabrasion.

Do not perform during:

    ▪ pregnancy;

    ▪ colds or flu;

    ▪ acute herpes outbreak; or

    ▪ acute allergic reactions

In the latter 3 instances, once the condition has passed, the patient may receive a facial acupuncture treatment.

BENEFITS TO THE CONSTITUTION

▪Improves acne (caused by hormonal imbalance)

▪Helps menopause, perimenopause, PMS and other GYN issues

▪Helps sinus congestion and headache

▪Improves hyper- and hypothyroidism

▪Reduces symptoms of toothache, TMJ, trigeminal neuralgia, and Bell’s palsy

▪Helps headaches (except severe migraine)

▪Treats diarrhea and constipation (most digestive issues)

▪Helps to eliminate edema and puffiness

▪Benefits eyes, ears and brain

▪Can help insomnia and dizziness

▪Helps depression and aids self-esteem

BENEFITS TO THE FACE

▪Improves collagen production and muscle tone

▪Helps reduce bags and sagging tendencies

▪Helps eliminate fine lines and diminish larger wrinkles

▪Helps reduce double chin and lift drooping eyelids

▪Improves metabolism

▪Tightens pores and brightens eyes

▪Increases local blood and lymph circulation

▪Improves facial color

▪Reduces stress and promotes total health and well-being

The Use of Chinese Herbs

The Constitutional Facial Acupuncture™ treatment protocol incorporates Chinese herbal masks, poultices and moisturizers. Jade rollers, which enhance blood circulation, remove fine lines and age spots, and prevent premature aging, are used to massage moisturizer into the skin. The ancient empresses of China used jade as a precious stone to be worn, not only around their necks, but also to attract yin and nourishment into their skin. The stone served a double purpose of promoting beauty and for magical protection.

The Treatment Sequence

Our treatment begins with a thorough evaluation using Chinese medicine’s holistic diagnostic methods. Understanding the internal dynamics of the body is just as important as understanding the condition of the face. Following this evaluation a discussion of the primary areas of treatment is done. Next, a specialized herbal mask is applied to the face while a treatment aimed at balancing the body from the inside is done. Treatment of the face is then performed with emphasis on areas of primary concern. After an adequate period of rest the needles are removed and an astringent herbal toner is applied to the face. This is followed by a delicate massage of an herbal facial cream. Finally jade rollers are used on the skin to conclude the treatment.

FACIAL RENEWAL

Herbal

Therapy

Our treatment begins with an herbal cleaning of the skin. We use Ooh-la-Laver, a combination of organic oats, organic rose flowers, organic lavender flowers, organic almonds, and French white clay to gently exfoliate and cleanse the skin.  Offering a natural version of a microdermabrasion treatment, it gently sloughs off dead skin, improves the appearance of lines and wrinkles, and prevents the cross-linking of collagen elastin fibers.

Next an herbal mask is applied to the face. A diagnosis determines which mask is most appropriate for you. The Nutritif is used for dry and dehydrated skin in cases of deficiency. This is a nourishing tea based upon the Chinese “4 decoction soup,” Si Wu Tang. This warm poultice brings blood, circulation and Qi to the face, while hydrating, tonifying and plumping up the cellular membrane of the skin. Ingredients

Dang Gui Wei (Angelica Sinensis; tails)

Shu Di Huang (Radix Rehmannia Glutinosae)

Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Lactiflorae)

Chuan Xiong (Radix Ligusticum wallichii)

Tao Ren (Semen Persicae)

Long Yan Rou (Arillus Euphhoriae Longan)

Huang Qi (Radix Astragali), etc.

For those with skin irritations we use Thé Calme, a tea to quiet redness, dampness, heat and fire toxins found in acne, rosacea, eczema, hyperpigmentation and related skin conditions. Thè Calme works with Thè Nutritif in addressing combination skin. Ingredients:

Zhi Zi (Fructus Gardeniae Jasminoidis)

Mu Dan Pi (Cortex Moutan Radicis, Paeonia suffruticosa)

Ku Shen (Radix Sophorae Flavescentis)

Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis)

Huang Bai (Cortex Phellodendri amurense)

Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri, Bupleurum scorzoneraefolium), etc.

While the herbal mask rests upon the skin we administer the constitutional acupuncture treatment. When finished with this whole body balance the herbal mask is removed. Facial acupuncture is then administered on the primary areas of concern. Patients are then allowed to rest alone quietly.

Following the removal of needles we apply the Masque Renewal. This tea becomes a toning mask when mixed with egg white and our Oil Essentiel Vert. The cool frothed egg white allows the herbs to penetrate the skin, while toning, astringing and stimulating the flow of fresh blood into the facial tissue. Ingredients:

Masque Renewal
Mu Li (Concha Ostreae gigas);
Sang Ji Sheng (Ramus Loranthi seu Visci);
Hua Shi;
Ren Shen (Radix Ginseng), etc.

Oil Essentiel Vert

A combination of organic essential oils to hydrate and calm the skin, encourage lymph flow, and stimulate collagen/elastin production via their properties of cellular regeneration. Ingredients:
organic lavender, geranium and Bulgarian rose essential oils organic apricot kernel and grapeseed, vitamins A and E, etc.

Finally, Crème Vital, a lush, non-greasy cream is massaged into the skin often with a drop of the Oil Essentiel Vert . Since this cream is easily absorbed and has little scent, it is recommended for both men and women. Ingredients:

liposome-bound Vitamin C, high-quality pearl powder and antioxidants to nurture, feed and soothe the skin, as well as lighten age spots; MSM, aloe vera extract, pearl powder, tea tree, sweet almond, coconut, carrot and rose hip seed oils, usnea, citrus seed extract, hypericum, etc. 

The Chinese herbal teas are of the highest standard, comply with the International GMP (good manufacturing practices), and also undergo further testing by the FDA and the USDA, to safeguard against potential toxicity from heavy metals and pesticide residues.

Short and Long-Term Effects of Facial Acupuncture

After the first treatment, one usually observes an increased glow to the complexion, the result of increased Qi and blood flow to the face. The person’s face appears more “open”, there is a clarity in the eyes (“clear Shen”), and the patient appears to be more rested; wrinkles start to lessen and the skin appears more toned.

A significant difference in their appearance can be ascertained following the 5th to 7th treatments; even more marked changes in wrinkles, skin tone, etc. The impression of relaxation and calm is more pronounced; they appear as if they have returned from vacation. Lifting of the jowls, neck and the eyes has begun and is usually noticeable. With continuing treatment, constitutional issues like digestive complaints have been ameliorated or subsided.

By the end of a series, the patient should look and feel 5-15 years younger. These results may vary slightly, depending upon how well the patient has taken care of themselves during the process, and afterward. At this stage, booster treatments provide ongoing support within a normal process of aging.

How Long is the Treatment?

Constitutional Facial Acupuncture™ involves the patient in an organic process, in which a series of treatments is necessary to achieve maximal effect. After an initial session, the practitioner evaluates the patient’s response, and then can determine the number of follow-up visits that will be required:

After this evaluation, and taking into consideration other variables such as stress, diet, lifestyle, genetic inheritance, proper digestion and elimination, sleep, emotional balance, and age, the following durations of treatment are customarily recommended:

▪ Usually 12-15 treatments;

▪ 20 treatments for smokers or people whose skin tends to sag, i.e., who manifest jowls, “turkey wattles,” droopy eyes, etc.

It should be noted that age is not as crucial as might be estimated; an older patient with a healthy lifestyle may in fact have a better prognosis than a younger person who is prone to dissipate themselves.

Treatment Timeline:

▪ 2 times a week (if possible), for 60 to 75 minutes; or

▪ 1 treatment per week, 90 minutes

Maintenance Treatments:

Within the normal parameters of aging, the completion of a series of treatments should be effective. To ensure the persistence of the results, ongoing maintenance treatments are recommended:

1. Every 2 weeks for 2 months following the completion of a treatment series, then once a month for an indefinite amount of time;

2. 2.Of course, the patient can also embark upon a subsequent series after a week’s respite.
   

Robert Angotti’s certification in facial renewal and these materials have been provided by the Chi-Akra Center for Constitutional Facial Acupuncture Renewal of New York City.