Facial Acupuncture
Cosmetic acupuncture, also known as facial rejuvenation acupuncture or acupuncture facelift, is a non-surgical and non-invasive cosmetic treatment that uses tiny needles to stimulate specific points on the face and body to promote a healthy, glowing complexion, reduce wrinkles, and improve overall skin health. Cosmetic acupuncture works by stimulating the body's natural healing mechanisms to increase blood flow, stimulate collagen production, and promote overall skin health. The tiny needles used in cosmetic acupuncture are inserted into specific points on the face and body, which helps to increase circulation, reduce inflammation, and promote cellular regeneration. By activating these specific points, the body is able to naturally heal and repair itself, leading to a healthy and radiant complexion. Collagen is a protein that is naturally produced by the body and is responsible for giving skin its strength, elasticity, and firmness. As we age, collagen production decreases, leading to wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin. Cosmetic acupuncture works to increase collagen production in a few ways:
Microtrauma: The tiny needles used in acupuncture create micro-trauma to the skin, which stimulates the body's natural healing response. This healing response includes increased blood flow and the production of new collagen.
Acupoint stimulation: Specific acupuncture points on the face and body are chosen to stimulate the production of collagen. For example, One study published in the Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy in 2018 found that cosmetic acupuncture treatment, including needling ST36, significantly increased collagen density in the skin of participants.
Increased circulation: Acupuncture helps to increase blood flow to the face, which brings oxygen and nutrients to the skin cells. This increased circulation also helps to promote the production of collagen.
In addition to increasing collagen production, cosmetic acupuncture can also improve the texture and tone of the skin by promoting cellular regeneration, reducing inflammation, and stimulating the production of hyaluronic acid, another important component of healthy skin. Cosmetic Acupuncture treatments at Vancouver Wellness Studio: Waterfront Spa also include red-light therapy. Red light therapy is also a non-invasive and painless treatment that uses red and near-infrared light to penetrate the skin and promote healing, reduce inflammation, and improve skin health.
Is Cosmetic Acupuncture painful? Cosmetic acupuncture is generally not considered painful, although everyone's experience may vary. During a cosmetic acupuncture session, fine, hair-thin needles are inserted into specific points on the face and body. The needles used in cosmetic acupuncture are much smaller than the needles used in traditional acupuncture. Most people find the sensation of the needles to be very mild, and may feel a slight tingling or dull ache as the needles are inserted. Some people may also feel a slight pressure or warmth at the site of the needle. However, any discomfort is usually brief and subsides once the needles are in place.
It's important to note that the experience of cosmetic acupuncture may vary depending on individual sensitivity and the skill of the practitioner. If you are concerned about discomfort during the treatment, it may be helpful to discuss your concerns with a licensed acupuncturist beforehand. They may be able to adjust the treatment to make it more comfortable for you.
If you're looking for a natural and non-invasive way to improve your skin health, reduce wrinkles and fine lines, and promote overall wellness, then cosmetic acupuncture may be worth considering. However, it's important to note that results may vary depending on individual circumstances, and it's important to consult with a licensed acupuncturist before undergoing any new treatment.
Treatment includes:
Health assessment & East Asian Medical Pattern Diagnosis
Balancing body points
Hot towel facial cleanse
Facial acupuncture points
Facial cupping
Facial Gua Sha
Arm, hand and shoulder massage
Skincare product application
Redlight therapy for face
Beneficial for:
Reduced appearance of wrinkles and fine lines
Increased collagen production, which helps to improve skin elasticity
Reduced puffiness and dark circles under the eyes
Improved skin texture and tone
Reduced acne and other skin problems
Increased blood circulation to the face, which helps to nourish and rejuvenate the skin
Reduced stress and anxiety levels, which can contribute to skin problems
Meet Our Providers
DR. TAMEKA LIM, DACM, LAC
Tameka (pronounced Ta-MAY-ka) is a Pacific Northwest first-generation American whose family hails from all corners of the world. Her first memories of Chinese Medicine include watching her grandpa perform Qi Gong every morning outside in the garden at the Seattle home she grew up in, and the funny-smelling herbs that would cook all day long in the kitchen. Tameka is a very observant, conscientious, and detail-oriented person and believes true success comes from equal parts perseverance, consistency, and time, with a dash of sensibility. Her mixed heritage background is the foundation for her love of travel and culture and forms the principles of how she views health and wellness.
Tameka strongly believes in the importance of collaboration, honesty, integrity, trust, and respect in all of her personal and professional relationships. Tameka earned her Doctorate in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (DACM) from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine where she is currently on the faculty as a teaching assistant.
Tameka is a regular volunteer at Acupuncture Relief Project where she spends several months per year treating patients at a primary care clinic in rural Nepal. She has a passion for musculoskeletal disorders, autoimmune diseases, and stroke rehabilitation. Utilizing acupuncture, East Asian herbal medicine, and therapeutic massage, Tameka can help you sleep better, eat better, and feel more energized. Through thoughtful nutritional evaluations and practical application of East Asian Medicine, Tameka can help strengthen your immune system, relieve body pain, and even help you cultivate a more peaceful state of mind. Tameka’s solutions often help advise or support the care of other physicians making her a valuable member of your overall wellness team.
When Tameka is not helping her patients lead active, balanced, pain-free lives, she is out in the wilderness on her adventure motorcycle, traveling to faraway places, spending time with her partner and two dogs, or getting her hands dirty in her much-beloved garden.
Annie Ze-Ping Hsu, L.Ac.
Annie was born in Taipei and grew up in Texas with almost every summer spent back in Taiwan, learning and experiencing her ancestral culture and language. Even in America, she was constantly pulled back to the nourishing remedies of Chinese Medicine throughout her upbringing. With a nutrition degree from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Master in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, she has kept a constant connection with her alma mater, Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, serving as a Teaching Assistant for many foundational and advanced classes. During an immensely educational and influential internship at the Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center's Pain Management clinic, Annie realized a special interest in orthopedic and musculoskeletal acupuncture, and has been honing those skills with 600+ individual treatments since graduating. She has also expanded an interest in facial rejuvenation and cosmetic acupuncture, further developing those skills with a series of classes with Michelle Gellis, L.Ac., renowned Facial Acupuncturist.
Chinese Medicine came into Annie's life as a child who kept reaping benefits of a medicine she couldn't quite comprehend, but knew always worked. Annie's childhood on youth athletic teams had her constantly spraining her ankles, and her summers in Taipei City had her allergies persistently inflamed. When a couple needles did what ice and ibuprofen couldn't to help a hobbling athlete be able to comfortably walk out of the treatment room, and when some packets of bitter herbs made Annie's previously unbearable allergies almost non-existent, she knew this medicine was something special. As Annie has gone through her practice and education of Chinese Medicine, one of her favorite things is finding connections between the lessons her grandmother taught her growing up, and learning the reasoning behind her grandmother's mystic wisdom. Annie's passion for this medicine continues to grow with each visit she takes back home and each lesson she's able to learn, and further connects how she can translate and utilize those ancient practices back here in the States.
Annie's priority as a practitioner is to put her patients at ease while providing the most effective treatments possible. She prides herself in being a gentle but effective needler, and will happily work with you at whatever comfort level you are at with acupuncture, facial work, body work, and/or herbs, ensuring that you always get the right level of care. If a treatment calls for it, she loves utilizing many forms of cupping, electro-stimulation, vibrational therapy, guasha, and other forms of body work in conjunction with acupuncture.
When not practicing or studying Chinese Medicine, you can find Annie exploring as much as possible that the PNW has to offer - from mushroom foraging to snowboarding, mostly trying to spend as much time as possible outside with her husband and two dogs. She is fluent in English and Mandarin Chinese, and is trauma-informed. She is honored to serve the Vancouver community and to work with patients of all backgrounds.