Skin Deep – A face lift without surgery

Pick up any mainstream fashion magazine, and you couldn’t be blamed for thinking that the only way to look younger is to subject yourself to a dramatic course of action involving doctors, release forms and thousands of dollars. But some new twists on ancient methods are gaining popularity and promise results without pain, downtime, or a second mortgage.

Facial rejuvenation acupuncture is based on the ancient principles of acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. While the techniques have long been used to treat a wide array of health concerns, the facial application is a relatively new development, mainly due to the recent refinements in needles. Much like a regular acupuncture treatment, a consultation is first performed to locate imbalances in the body. Internal issues can show up on the face, manifesting in wrinkles, blemishes or dullness.

Spruce Body Lab offers both Indian face lift
massage and facial rejuvenation acupuncture
(Photo by Johann Wall)

Rebekah McPhee, an acupuncturist in Oak Bay, says that the placement of the needles stimulates the end points of the body’s meridians, and increases the flow of blood and Qi (energy). This in turn stimulates natural collagen production. The entire treatment takes about 90 minutes and is both relaxing and invigorating. Her clients’ results have been impressive, particularly in the eye and neck areas. McPhee notes that menopausal women are especially helped by the treatments, which address not only the outward signs of aging, but also overall physical and emotional symptoms. “It’s like a spa treatment with results that last,” she says.

Both McPhee and Mahsa Amhadi, acupuncturist at Vancouver’s Spruce Body Lab, recommend a course of treatments to see lasting results. “The skin needs some time each session to repair itself, for cellular regeneration and collagen production,” says Amhadi. This is usually about 10 to 12 sessions with the occasional follow-up visit.

If acupuncture isn’t your cup of tea, facial massage might be the answer.

Shaughn Jenson practices a variety of Ayurvedic treatments, including Indian face lift massage, at the Salt Springs Spa Resort. Using principles of Ayurvedic medicine and doshas, the massage is customized to treat the individual’s health needs. Similar to acupuncture, Ayurvedic massage targets vital points of energy in the body called dharma points. Jenson encourages clients to perform the massage at home with specific treatment products that are made on-site with organic herbs, oils and flowers.

Kathryn Sawers, Skin Therapist at Spruce Body Lab in Vancouver, performs Indian face lift massage using a specific series of movements to relax the skin, as well as the underlying muscles and fascia. “When you make repeated expressions, the muscles and tissues of the face start to bind together—massage helps to unwind that, bringing fresh blood and circulation,” says Sawers. She recommends the massage for anyone seeking a younger, softened look, as well as those who suffer from chronic headaches, eyestrain, or general tension.

With the additional benefits of improving one’s overall health, an average cost of $80 to $140 per treatment (with savings for booking multiple sessions), and the sheer pleasure of the treatments themselves, it looks like it doesn’t have to hurt to be beautiful after all.