- The process of skin aging and its prevention
The human skin is a large and complex organ. It provides protection for internal tissues and facilitates neurosensory, circulatory, and immunological functions at the body surface. Skin ages like other organs of the body. Signs of aging like wrinkles and spots are the result of accumulation of defects in cells and intracellular structures. Skin aging starts at surprisingly young age (as early 20s to 30s). Skin ages in both men and women through parallel internal and external processes, which both contribute to a progressive loss of skin integrity.
Internally reactive oxygen species (ROS), a byproduct of cellular metabolism, causes damage to critical cellular components like membranes, enzymes, and DNA in all the organs, including skin. In addition, the skin cells themselves biologically age as well. Proliferation rates consequently begin to drop in the epidermis, inducing a steady deterioration of skin structure and function.
In female, the estrogen levels play an important role in maintaining the skin integrity. Females in menopause transition with falling estrogen level experience earlier signs of skin aging.
Skin aging is also a result of external sources. For example ultraviolet light can cause cellular DNA damage. Environmental factors such as pollution or cigarette smoke also accelerate natural aging processes.
When skin ages, it may involve decreased epidermis thickness due to the decreased epidermal cell numbers, decreased cutaneous natural moisturizing factor due to changes in the amino acid composition, decreased collagen turnover due to a decrease in fibroblasts and their collagen synthesis, and decreased subcutaneous fat due to changes of fat distribution in body.
Many skin care experts recommend incorporating anti-aging products in skincare routine as early as 20s and 30s. The basics include a gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. It’s also important to make lifestyle changes, such as avoiding sun exposure, quitting smoking, eating a well-balanced diet, and staying hydrated.
Difference between Younger Skin and Older Skin
2. Acupuncture for Facial Rejuvenation
Prevention is usually the best way to keep good health, including skin health. However, at certain point of life people may need to consider other options such laser renewal treatments, Botox, and skin tightening and resurfacing procedures to slow down skin aging process and maintain healthy look of skin. In practice, some of those options may be costly or have some side effects. Facial rejuvenation acupuncture is becoming a popular option to many people.
Acupuncture, a part of traditional Chinese medicine, is recognized as a good treatment for many health problems such body pains, headaches, emotional problems. But one of its supplementary benefits might surprise you. It can be used for facial rejuvenation. Facial rejuvenation acupuncture naturally helps make the skin look younger, smoother, and all-around healthier. And unlike injection procedures, facial rejuvenation acupuncture addresses not only signs of aging, but also the skin’s overall health. It is mostly performed in facial area, together with needling in a few of body acupuncture points.
Here are some most commonly used facial points for facial rejuvenation acupuncture. Those points are very safe. Many of them are also used in regular acupuncture treatments for conditions such as headache, sinus problem and emotional problems.
3. How does Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture Work?
According to traditional Chinese medicine healthy skin comes from the balance and nourishment of yin, yang, qi and blood. Aged and unhealthy look skin may be a result of inappropriate flow or depletion of Qi, Blood, and Essence internally together with the damages due to external factors. Acupuncture has been shown to increase circulation of qi and blood throughout the body. Increased qi and blood flow can help us to maintain healthy skin and muscle tone by sending qi and blood to the skin and muscles of the face. The needles inserted into the facial points may affect collagen and elastin production which will help tone the skin. External and internal damages degrade and decrease the production of collagen and elastin. Acupuncture helps to stimulate the body’s natural processes of cell reproduction and growth. Needles are placed in the muscle motor points to regulate the facial muscles movement, thus make face look more sculpted and youthful. Facial rejuvenation acupuncture is a safe and natural process. It does not have negative side effects and does not need recovery time. It does not require drugs or injections. Its effect is often immediate in many people.
Please contact Dr. Xie (Dr. J) at (847) 630-8798 for details of this program.