Acupuncture and Wrinkles

In our quest for smoother, more youthful skin, people are turning to a variety of methods that claim to iron out your facial creases. They try firming lotions, laser treatments, and even surgical procedures like face lifts to make you look younger. Now, some people are turning to acupuncture to solve their wrinkle problems. However, there is not yet any scientific proof pointing to smoother skin as a result of acupuncture.

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese technique designed to keep you healthy by freeing you of pain. Typically, an acupuncturist takes small needles and inserts them into nerve centers in your body. According to Chinese tradition, this is supposed to help balance your “vital energy” so that it is properly spread throughout your body.

When treating facial wrinkles, acupuncturists stick the needles into the saggy areas themselves. Thus, if you have worry lines between your eyebrows, an acupuncturist will focus his or her needles in this area. Also, you can get needles placed in other areas of the body that are meant to help with the immune system or other issues.

While some people have reported the erasure of fine lines, firmer skin, and a more even skin tone, practitioners of Western medicine are still fairly skeptical. Theoretically, tiny injuries in your skin could stimulate collagen production, but it would take a large amount of needles and sessions to achieve this effect. Basically, most doctors agree that acupuncture may work for wrinkles because it eases tense muscles, but that is it. Of course, these wrinkles can quickly return in times of stress.

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The only proven ways to solve your wrinkle woes are with treatments like microdermabrasion, chemical peels, injections, and face lifts. For more information on these procedures and other established wrinkle-smoothing techniques, contact Austin cosmetic surgeon Dr. Apostolakis today at 512-329-8989.