Category Archives: Acupuncture
Acupuncture for Skin Care in the News
Cosmetic Acupuncture, Facial Acupuncture, Facial Enhancement Acupuncture, Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture, Acupuncture Facelift, AcuFacial – these are some of the terms being used to describe when an acupuncturist uses needles to benefit the skin – and recently, all these types of acupuncture for skin care are getting a lot of coverage in the news.
Most recently, Good Morning America did a segment on AcuFacial, a new treatment from Shellie Goldstein, a New York area acupuncturist.
Goldstein says,
“We are taking your face to the gym, we’re exercising it. We have muscles in our body, we have muscles in our face, there is no other procedure that actually exercises the muscles and improves circulation in your skin.”
“The biggest thing has been my skin looks so clear and I rarely wear any makeup on my face, I have a nice glow to my face, my eyes don’t look tired or puffy,” she said. “I’ve noticed a lot of tightening especially in the jawline area, lift around the eyes … people look at me and say something is different but they don’t really know what and it’s all from the AcuFacial.” – Alyson Halter, AcuFacial patient
So, how is what we do here at In-Symmetry, The Acupuncture Facial, different?
Other types of acupuncture for skin care are performed only by an acupuncturist – who is generally not a licensed esthetician and is not using professional skin care products.
The Acupuncture Facial is different because it is performed by two different practitioners who are experts in their field.
Rachael Webb, LAc, FEA and Elizabeth Markham, LE have developed what may be the most effective anti-aging treatment around. Together they both focus on enhancing the health of your skin – one from the inside, the other from the outside. By balancing the body’s systems internally, and using professional skin care products externally, the patient feels beautiful inside and out.
“As within, so without.”
Through this collaboration, each practitioner is allowed to excel in her particular area of focus. Rachael does the acupuncture. Elizabeth does the facial. Together they are producing remarkable results, and patients are loving it.
Read more about the details of the treatment here.
Call In-Symmetry today to schedule your Acupuncture Facial – before we fill up!
415-875-9020
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Laugh Lines in Chinese Face Reading
Recently, I’ve been reading several books on the ancient art of Chinese Face Reading, and I’m loving what I’m learning! People watching has taken on a whole new meaning, as I’m usually trying to test out some of the new things I’ve been learning about different aspects of the face.
One of the most interesting things I’ve learned is about the lines that form on either side of your mouth when you smile. These are the lines I most frequently get asked if the Acupuncture Facial can help. The answer is yes, but you may want to get the whole story before you decide that these lines are something you want to reduce on your face…
In Chinese Face Reading, these lines are called “Fa Lin Lines.”
In her book, The Wisdom of Your Face, Jean Haner writes,
In Chinese, fa lin is literally translated as “orders of law.” Living according to your own inner “laws” is a Metal imperative*, a strong need to live an authentic and meaningful life. But for those of any Element, fa lin lines will appear when you’re following your purpose. They show your true inner authority is emerging, and are a positive marking.
Isn’t that exciting!? Following my purpose is one of my main life goals!
I’ve done a little investigating into the matter on my own. Two women in my life have asked me if I could do something about their “laugh lines.” Both of these women are powerful entrepreneurs, and have very strong personalities. They also each have an amazing sense of style that is a part of their personal brand. There is no doubt in my mind that each of these ladies is definitely following her purpose.
In my own face, I’ve noticed that since I’ve begun my Acupuncture practice, focusing on building my business, and collaborating with Elizabeth to develop new Chinese Medicine-based beauty treatments, the lines on either side of my mouth are beginning to deepen. It is especially noticeable on the left side.
Now, what does this mean?
In Chinese Face Reading, the left side of your face is the personal side, the side that represents who you think of when you consider yourself. The right side of your face is the more public side, who you present yourself as to the world.
In this case, the deeper fa lin line on my left side, means that I am slowly coming into my own, and I am aware of it more on the inside than I am showing to the rest of the world.
Good thing I have my face to remind me, every time I look in the mirror…
Time to own it!!
Look around you. Look in the mirror. Who do you know who has more pronounced laugh lines or fa lin lines on either side of their mouth? Is this person an example of someone who is doin’ their thing, makin’ the donuts, or workin’ it?
Report your findings in the comments below! We can all learn from sharing our experiences.
xo
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*Metal here refers to the 5 Elements in Chinese Medicine (Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, and Wood). People’s personalities and physical characteristics can provide us with clues as to what Element they are, according to Chinese Medicine.
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The Acupuncture Facial
What is The Acupuncture Facial?
It’s the newest collaborative beauty treatment from Rachael L. Webb, LAc and Elizabeth Markham LE. Together we work at In-Symmetry Wellness Spa where we help professional women feel beautiful inside & out by integrating ancient and modern skin care.
Our goal is to use the ancient art of acupuncture to harmonize the body’s systems on an internal level, rectifying the psyche and the emotions, so that true beauty – that integral part of who we know we are on the inside – can shine forth from within.
This goal is achieved by our exclusive Acupuncture Facial.
This two-part treatment, includes a 90-minute Acupuncture Session to address imbalances in the body’s systems, along with focused micro-needling of the face to target fine lines, age spots, acne, acne scars, and other skin care concerns.
The acupuncture needles inserted into the face are very, very thin – like a cat’s whisker, or a strand of hair. They activate and tone the facial muscles under the skin, and help facilitate the flow of blood and nutrients to the areas of focus. This increased blood flow can also stimulate the fibroblasts in the area. Fibroblasts are one of the cells found in connective tissue that produce collagen and elastin. Collagen gives your skin strength, and elastin enables the skin to stretch and bounce back to it’s original shape.
Micro-needling uses teeny tiny intra-dermal needles. These needles are so small that I cannot hold them in my hand, and must use tweezers to insert them! This type of needling creates precise micro-channels in the upper most layer of the skin, further stimulating the production of collagen and elastin in the specific areas you want to focus on.
After your acupuncture session, you’ll go into Elizabeth’s room for a 1-hour Customized Facial using Phyt’s Organic Skin Care line.
| The PHYT’S skin care line has been manufactured in the south of France for over 35 years. From its inception the philosophy behind the line was to create a skin care that was totally natural. A product line that is manufactured with 100% natural origin ingredients. |
Since the micro-needleing has opened the micro-channels in the specific areas you want to focus on, these organic skin care products can penetrate the skin deeply and more effectively, yielding better results faster!
You may remember when I talked about the ladies of Rodan + Fields using Chinese Medicine in their modern skin care practice when I wrote about them here. This is the same technology as their AMP MD Roller that also creates micro-channels in the skin.
The difference is that in our Acupuncture Facial treatment, the needling is focused on the specific areas you want to address, and when Elizabeth selects the appropriate professional skin care products for you, they only target those specific areas – leading to better results faster.
Acupuncture Photoshoot with Rebecca Wilkowski
Last week I had the most amazing pleasure of working with photographer, Rebecca Wilkowski of San Francisco. Rebecca is such a talented photographer. She played an active role in styling the shoot, with valuable suggestions for each of the different modalities I was performing. The pictures came out SO GOOD! I’m getting busy proofing them right now, but here’s a tiny sneak peak of some of her work, and her awesome blog post about the experience!
From Rebecca’s Blog:
“Have you ever seen a woman who had amazing skin? You know, skin with no blemishes, wrinkles or other imperfections. Skin that’s clear, soft, and radiant?
When you see these women, do you sigh, and WISH you could have that skin, too? I sure do.
Well, wish no more. I recently had the pleasure of photographing licensed acupuncturist, Rachael Webb, of Integrating Beauty in San Francisco.”
Rachael L. Webb, L.Ac.
“Rachael practices general and preventative medicine, with a special focus in skin care & women’s health. By incorporating acupuncture and Chinese medicine into modern beauty & skin care treatments, the root cause of the issue can be addressed, helping to return the skin to its natural vitality.
According to Rachael, many skin issues are hormone related, and Chinese medicine is very effective in regulating the female cycle and bringing the endocrine system back into balance. Rachael also addresses pain management, digestive disorders, allergies, insomnia, hormonal balance, fertility, stress management, emotional well-being, and immune support.
Rachael incorporates a handful of techniques into her pampering treatments. Not only were they fun to photograph, but honestly left me wishing that I was the one getting the treatment. Some techniques she uses include: the rolling of the skin with a Jade Roller to help increase blood and lymph flow, the application of hair-thin acupuncture needles to both the face and body, a technique called cupping which acts to stimulate blood flow and clear toxins, and the customization of your own unique essential oil blend.
If Rachael’s own skin is any indicator of her passion and skill, RUN don’t walk to her to make an appointment. Your face will thank you!
Integrating Beauty
Rachael Webb, LAc
650D Florida St
(between 19th St & 18th St)
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 307-3869
www.IntegratingBeauty.com”
Thanks Rebecca!!
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Integrating Beauty 