Cosmetic Facial Acupuncture 

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Contraindications for Facial Cosmetic Acupuncture 

High blood pressure, problems with bruising or bleeding, severe migraines (at least 1-3 episodes per week), pregnancy, active skin lesions 

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What is facial cupping?

Similar to traditional body cupping, facial cupping focuses on lymphatic drainage and bringing more Blood and Qi circulation to the skin and muscles. In stimulating circulation in facial cells, we stimulate those responsible for collagen production, which can brighten the skin and minimize the appearance of scars, fine lines and wrinkles! Facial cupping also can tone the chin, jawline and neck by decreasing puffiness. Unlike traditional body cupping, facial cupping  does not leave any marks on the face. They are smaller and made of glass with a hand pump attached. The cups themselves are not stationary like some traditional body cups. We use oils to glide the cups along the face to promote the lymphatic drainage and plump fine lines and wrinkles. You often will notice an immediate increase in tone and lift. Some rosiness and glow occur post cupping but no marks or bruising.

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Contraindications for facial cupping:

Open sores on face or any kind of skin infection, conjunctivitis, pregnancy, immediately after chemical or surgical treatments on the face (please wait 8-10 weeks), immediately after chemotherapy or radiation, unless recommended by a doctor, and people prone to blood clots.

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What is facial Gua Sha? 

Gua sha is a facial treatment that involves scraping a flat jade or rose quartz stone over the skin in upward strokes to relax stiff muscles and promote tissue drainage. It is used much less aggressively over facial curvatures to bring new blood to the surface and promote lymphatic drainage. Gua sha relaxes tension in facial muscles which can cause lines. It's a kind of exercise for the face. With regular use, gua sha can tone skin and promote increased skin elasticity. Its linked to clearer skin, fewer wrinkles and more sculpted appearance.

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Contraindications for facial Gua Sha:

Skin irritations (eczema, psoriasis, herpes), growths on the skin, bone injuries, blood vessel ailments, pregnancy, immediately after chemical or surgical treatments on the face (please wait 8-10 weeks),and immediately after chemotherapy or radiation unless recommended by a doctor.

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Microcurrent Facials

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What is microcurrent?

Microcurrent is the comfortable and painless application of sub sensory electric currents to the face, which mirrors the body’s own natural electrical current. 

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Contraindications for facial microcurrent:

Pacemaker or other implanted electronic devices, epilepsy, pregnancy, cancer, thrombosis, phlebitis, metal plates or pins in the application area​

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What are the benefits?

Microcurrent has been shown to stimulate ATP which in turn aides in collagen and elastin production. The three major cellular-level benefits are:

1) Improvement of skin tone, texture, hydration and plumpness which you will see right away, usually in the first treatment. 

2) Lift, which some people see in the first treatment but usually within 3-5 treatments

3) Release of wrinkles and muscles that are stuck in expression lines, which generally ease in 10-12 treatments. 

The treatment also relaxes the parasympathetic nervous system, which releases anxiety, hypertension and stress.

 

Does it hurt?

No, in fact, most people fall asleep during the process. The microcurrent ranges on a 1-10 scale of potency. When you are beginning your treatments we start lower and slowly increase for recurring visits. 

 

How quickly will I see benefits?

It depends on a lot of factors including your skin tone, texture, hydration of the skin, if you exercise and your age. Where people tend to see quicker results is in lifting, which usually is seen in 1-4 visits. The slower results occur with the release of wrinkles, specifically with repetitive facial expressions, since this involves allowing the facial muscles to go back to their natural resting state.

 

Can I try microcurrent facial treatment even if I regularly receive Botox? 

Yes, but you must wait 2 weeks after your Botox treatment, since you don’t want to increase circulation around the application area immediately after Botox. However, you can schedule a Botox appointment after a microcurrent facial appointment at any point. Patients who regularly get microcurrent facials are actually able to lessen the frequency of Botox treatments.

 

Can I do a microcurrent facial if I’m pregnant?

Unfortunately not, we recommend to wait until after birth to proceed with treatments.

 

How often should I come in for my facial rejuvenation services?

We recommend coming in at least once a week for an initial series of 12 visits. Many of our patients even come in even twice a week. Microcurrent and facial acupuncture work best in a cumulative manner (kind of like exercise) as you are retraining the muscles in your face and building on previous treatments. After an initial series, we recommend coming in every 4-6 weeks for maintenance.  If you come in monthly for microcurrent, results can last for 3-4 years.

 

What if I can only come in once a month?

All of our facial options are luxurious, effective and relaxing treatments that you can schedule in any frequency you would like, but you will be able to optimize the benefits if you come in more frequently, and ideally weekly, during your initial series. 

 

Can I treat a specific area of pain in the body during the acupuncture portion of my facial?

The distal (or body) points used during the facials are aimed at balancing your constitution and support facial rejuvenation. Your practitioner may be able to include points to address a small concern in the body, but if you are experiencing severe pain, we recommend booking a full Chinese Medicine visit. 

 

Can I do the Natura Classic Microcurrent Facial or the Natura Express and Glow treatment without the acupuncture?

Our practitioners are trained in the most gentle needling techniques, and many patients who are worried about needles often say they don’t even feel them during their treatment.  We feel that the acupuncture points are an important, synergistic part of the treatment that support facial rejuvenation. Of course, if you don’t want to receive acupuncture, we can do the treatment without it, though the price will be the same.

 

What distal/body acupuncture points do you use during the facial treatments?

We use points that support face rejuvenation by moving underlying stagnation throughout the body. 

 

I'm already a patient at Nature Health & Wellness, but have never had a facial here, do I need to do an initial visit for a facial rejuvenation treatment?

No, if you have already had an intake for any of our other services (excluding Auriculo or our A La Carte treatments) you can book a “return” facial rejuvenation treatment. Our practitioners may add 15 minutes to a 90 minute visit to talk through some of your specific skin care needs and goals.