Non-Surgical Facial Rejuvenation with Acupuncture

Ancient Wisdom for Modern Good Looks

Get a brighter, sleeker you – without the drastic changes of plastic surgery and injections – in my San Francisco acupuncture clinic. There was a segment on the Dr. Oz show about this procedure.

Where did Facial Rejuvenation come from?

Facial Rejuvenation has a rich history in Chinese Medicine. Strategies for fighting aging and maintaining appearance through lifestyle, acupuncture and herbal treatment is an important mainstay of Traditional Chinese Medicine. By treating the body and the interplay of the organs, with particular attention to the meridians in the face, appearance can be optimized.

What changes can I expect?

• Superficial wrinkles are targeted and can  decrease in appearance, in some cases, even disappear
• Better circulation to the face means better color and better collagen production
• A more relaxed and brighter look
• Less puffiness and sagging

Herbal formulas can help to reinforce the acupuncture treatment to add to a healthier appearance.
I encourage the use of a derma roller which I can provide to patients undergoing the facial rejuvenation treatment series.

How long will it take?

Typically the patient will need about 8 to 10 visits and then periodic visits to maintain the effect. The facial rejuvenation acupuncture treatment takes about 10 minutes longer than a typical acupuncture treatment and costs a bit more.

How long will it last?

You can expect the treatment to last up to 18 months, but it’s better to come in for intermittent “booster treatments.

What you need to know about Dr. Sparrow before making an appointment

• Dr. Sparrow has been practicing acupuncture for 20 years and is Board Certified in Anesthesiology and Pediatrics.
• She has studied acupuncture and stress for years. She published a study on the stress response and its correlation with acupuncture’s effectiveness in the Journal of Medical Acupuncture.
• She has a keen interest in her patients, prevention, health matters and the research behind acupuncture’s effectiveness. You can follow her blog here.
• Please call (415) 775-0117 or click here to request a personal consultation.

During facial rejuvenation acupuncture treatment, a heightened focus is placed on the five organ systems in Chinese medicine. This is the strategy from a Chinese Medicine point of view.

The Lungs

The lung system, of course, is involved in respiration. But in Chinese Medicine, the Lung also controls the skin, with its external sense organ being the nose. (In Chinese medicine it makes perfect sense that people who have asthma, might also have rhinitis and eczema.) If the lung is not optimized, this will lead to dryness, wrinkles, and a withered-looking complexion, seen in the extreme with chronic smokers.

The Liver

The liver system plays a major role in the Qi low of all the other organ systems. It is key in the circulation of qi and blood and it can tend to become stagnant without proper exercise, breathing, diet, and control of the temper. The external sense organ of the liver is the eyes. If the liver is not optimized there will be wrinkles from the poor perfusion of the face, dark spots, and a dusky congested complexion. This can be noted in the extreme with chronic drinkers who can tend to have broken capillaries, red noses, and a congested look, especially in the eyes.

The Spleen

The spleen dominates the function of making the food eaten into energy and blood. The external sense organ is the mouth. When the spleen is not optimized, the skin will be undernourished with a loss of skin tone, sagging and looseness. There can be a look of puffiness with eye bags. One can even see brownish dark spots on the face.

The Kidneys

The kidney system regulates the fluid balance in the body, the external sense organ is the ear. (In Western Medicine, it has long been observed that deformities in a newborn’s outer ear can be associated with kidney abnormalities, also.) In Chinese Medicine, the kidneys are incredibly important besides their role in regulating water. Perhaps because of the proximity to the adrenal gland, the kidneys are seen as key in storing a substance called “essence” which is the basis of health, longevity, and reproduction. (Western Medicine now acknowledges the key role of stress, mediated by the adrenal gland, in health, mood, reproduction, and aging.)  When the kidneys are not optimized, one can see dark circles under the eyes, puffiness around the eyes. But if essence is diminished, one can see accelerated aging, loss of hair, and wrinkles.

The Heart

The heart rules the blood and blood vessels, but also the spirit, as noted above. If the spirit is altered, it can easily be reflected in the face. Many of the anti-wrinkle protocols will serve to calm the heart. The most common result of a heart function that is not optimized is low heart blood leading to poor perfusion and wrinkles. But if the heart blood is not strong, sleep can be affected and that can lead to accelerated facial aging.