Preventative anti-ageing is a proactive approach to anti-ageing from the 20s or 30s onwards. More than targeting visible wrinkles, it aims to ‘future-proof’ youthful skin. With the use of skincare and professional treatments such as cosmetic acupuncture, skin needling
and botox to boost collagen, improve resilience and delay signs of ageing. It’s a favourite approach among our doctors and acupuncturists – and a growing number of our younger clients are seeing the benefits of early skin intervention. Intrigued? Read on to find out all the ins and outs of preventative anti-ageing with cosmetic acupuncture, including the best time to get started.
Anti-ageing versus preventative anti-ageing
You’ve probably heard of the rise of ‘preventative’ anti-wrinkle injections in recent years. This refers to practitioners injecting small doses of botox (dubbed ‘baby botox’) in relatively smooth-skinned 20- and 30-somethings. Why would they do this? Well, the (much-contested) argument goes that strategic use of injectables early on prevents the use of repeated expressions that result in wrinkles.
While we won’t weigh in on the effectiveness of preventative botox , we will say this–thinking ahead is always wise when it comes to your skin’s future. You can spend all your time and money trying to lift sagging jowls and erase deep wrinkles in your 50s and 60s. But
in 100% of cases, prevention is better than cure.
In other words? Even if you’re years away from developing crow’s feet, taking small, simple steps to care for your skin today will pay off in the long run. A solid skincare and SPF routine should always be your foundation. However, investing in professional treatments can also improve skin integrity and resilience – putting you in good stead for middle age and beyond. One of the least invasive – and most beneficial – of these youth-preserving skin treatments is cosmetic acupuncture. Read on to learn why it’s so valuable for future-proofing your skin.
Cosmetic acupuncture for preventative anti-ageing
100% natural, pain-free and with zero downtime, cosmetic or facial acupuncture can address a wide range of skin concerns. As well as targeting current signs of ageing, such as drooping skin, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and dullness, it can help us look younger, longer. How?
The first way it does this is by stimulating the production of collagen – a naturally occurring protein that gives our skin its structure. As we age, our natural stores of skin-plumping collagen deplete. Just picture your cheeks as a 10-year-old as opposed to now and you’ll get
the picture…
By creating a (100% pain-free) micro-trauma, facial acupuncture triggers the skin’s healing mechanisms and helps boost collagen production. This process is known as collagen induction therapy (CIT) – and it’s loved by beauty practitioners as it gives you a nice, juicy nest egg of collagen for a rainy day. When, inevitably, that rainy day comes in your 30s or 40s and collagen starts degrading rapidly, you’ll be glad you had as much as possible to begin with. Trust us.
Reducing inflammation with facial acupuncture
Another way facial acupuncture can help delay signs of ageing is by helping to reduce inflammation. More and more, studies are showing the inextricable link between chronic inflammation and diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Damaging DNA, it’s also a significant cause of premature skin ageing.
Triggered by the body’s immune response, skin inflammation not only leads to sensitivity and redness; it also damages our cells and accelerates the breakdown of collagen and elastin. These natural proteins keep the skin plump, firm and supple. And acupuncture can help preserve them by reducing unwanted inflammation.
What signs of ageing can facial acupuncture help delay?
When most of us think about ageing, we think wrinkles. But they’re not the only sign of passing time. Loss of volume, skin laxity and a rough, dull or uneven complexion can be just as telling. Thankfully, facial acupuncture addresses all these issues.
While each clinic will be different, at Cosmetic Acupuncture Melbourne we use a combination of needling techniques to:
– target the motor points (to lift and tone);
– stimulate collagen production with CIT (to firm and tighten); and
– boost blood circulation and oxygenation (for balanced, glowing, hydrated skin).
When can you start having cosmetic acupuncture?
It’s never too early to start thinking about preventative anti-ageing and we see plenty of forward-thinking 20-and-30-something patients in our clinic. “If I had to suggest an age, anywhere before 26 years is ideal, as that’s when your skin is ‘mature’ and starts breaking down collagen faster than it replenishes it,” says Dr Vivian Tam.
“However, preventative measures are also very effective during your 30s and sometimes even into your 40s.”
Didn’t start to worry about wrinkles until they were too hard to ignore? Don’t worry – facial rejuvenation acupuncture is also an effective anti-ageing technique in older individuals. “Our CIT and motor point needling techniques can also help firm, smooth and lift the skin in older individuals. Skin integrity is important at any age, and we regularly see people in their 50s and 60s. However, any anti-ageing results will typically take longer to achieve and be more subtle.”
For those in their 20s and 30s, Dr Tam recommends 2–3 facial acupuncture sessions a fortnight apart. From there, maintenance every 4–8 weeks will help keep skin smooth and plump.
If you’re starting in your 40s or 50s, the recommendation is 4–6 sessions, then once every 4–6 weeks for maintenance.
Where do I sign up?
So now you’re hopefully intrigued, what are the next steps? If you’re in Melbourne, we’d love to see you in the clinic. Check out our prices and packages and contact us if you have any additional questions.
If elsewhere, make sure you do your research to find a reputable facial acupuncture specialist who’ll get the best from your skin. Today and 10 years down the track.