Earlier in the week, I heard a news item about a cosmetic surgeon being sued by former patients because of a botched nose job, eye tuck and other cosmetic work. It turned out that the cosmetic surgeon was not even insured to work in the UK. We often hear about these cases of cosmetic procedures gone wrong.

What does this have to do with acupuncture? 

The ancient Chinese figured out pretty early on how to use acupuncture for cosmetic purposes. The practice of facial rejuvenation acupuncture dates back to the Song Dynasty in China (960 - 1270 AD), when cosmetic acupuncture was used by the empress and the imperial family. This type of acupuncture involves the use of micro needles on areas of the face where you want to reduce wrinkles or smoothen out fine lines, especially around the eyes, on the forehead, or in between the eyebrows. It works by increasing blood circulation to the face and activating collagen production.

Nowadays it’s a popular way of rejuvenating and revitalising the face. Celebrities like Jeniffer Anniston, Kim Kadarshian and Gwyneth Paltrow use this safe, non-surgical way of enhancing their appearance.

However, what I like about this practice is that it’s not just about the face. I also use acupuncture points on the body to address any underlying issues such as dark circles around the eyes, puffy skin, or rough skin. It is always about the person’s health above anything else.

​To be clear, this is not about erasing wrinkles. It’s for people who want to look fresher and healthier without the risks of surgery or Botox.

Ah, new year, new resolutions. Whether it's dry January or Veganuary, lots of us want to start the year right by starting a healthy habit or kicking old ones.

I like supporting patients who want to stop smoking, or indeed any addictive substance. I use points on the ears as well as on the body. Why the ears? In the mid-1970s an auricular (ear) acupuncture protocol was developed in New York to treat many common drug addictions. The protocol is now referred to as the NADA protocol (NADA stands for the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association), which involves the insertion of small, stainless steel and disposable acupuncture needles into five points on the outer surface of the ears.
 
When the auricular points are combined with acupuncture points on the body, the treatment aims to relax the patient, relieve anxiety, regulate the autonomic nervous system, and strengthen the lungs and immune system, among other things. There is even a point on the wrist that makes cigarettes taste bad. 

As with all these things, acupuncture is not the one magic bullet that replaces all the hard work. It is one tool at your disposal, along with having a strategy in place, getting a buddy to help you, or getting behavioural counselling.

Photo by Paweł Czerwiński on Unsplash