Microneedling and Acupuncture, a Different Approach
- Jennifer
- Feb 6, 2022
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 8, 2022
Microneedling is one of the new hottest topics nowadays for stay young and beautiful. But is this really new? Or just some old fashion coming back?
In fact, this is one of the oldest Chinese methods for beauty dated from 100 BC. To be more specific, it was first proven use of acupuncture, from the “Bible of Chinese Medicine” called Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine. Acupuncture and so-called microneedling were formed. It was believed that by treating areas on the face with needles, it could heal the body, cure blemishes which were a sing of internal organ illnesses and stay young and live forever.
The purpose of acupuncture is to open channels and move the blocked Qi (vital energy or life force, like a vehicle of your cells on a highway). Acupuncturists use needles to unblocked the Qi and improve the body’s functions, so your body will naturally improve and heal itself
and microneedling is doing what is supposed to do.
The first recorded was by Ernst Kromayer, a noted German dermatologist, he experimented with dental burrs alike for scars, birthmarks and hyperpigmentation. A French scientist and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Alexis Carrell, experimented on aging and soon became a hub for dermatological pioneers after immigrated to New York, and was published as a new technology by this two proteges in 1995, which is what we know today. Soon after that, a Canadian plastic surgeon discovered that doing camouflaged tattoos with skin-colored ink on patients, their scar was reduced too.
Since 1995, more researches were done on this procedure and now it is successfully in treating fine lines and wrinkles, mild skin laxity, large pores, scars, acne scars, stretch marks, smooth out the skin and treat pigment issues and brown spots. Professionals who can perform microneedling in the US are: medical doctors, acupuncturists and nurses. However, under the supervision, medical students and estheticians can assist the procedure too.
What is microneedling for the new movement? It is also known as Collagen Induction Therapy, a minimally invasive treatment that is designed to rejuvenate the skin by using a device with fine needles to create tiny puncture on epidermis and triggers the body to create new collagen and elastin. The principle is very similar to what Traditional Chinese Medicine / TCM and Acupuncture's believed. Depending on the depth of the needle penetration, this procedure can help skin rejuvenation levels with the correct product absorption to the treatment.
Protein keratin is produced by keratinocyte, 90% of cells in the epidermis and fibroblasts are cells in the dermis. Fibroblasts are the key collagens for younger looking skin. Keratinocytes not only help thicken the epidermis but also communicate with the fibroblasts which helps and guarantee collagen production. Using microneedling, a controlled injury, it leads the treatment to access the dermis and fibroblasts to the keratinocytes in the epidermis and allowed the skins own repair system to start producing collagen and elastin, leads to tighter and smoother skin.
Techniques are using during each treatment is depending on the area and the needs. Standard Crosshatch is a traditional basic maneuver. The crosshatch can be performed anywhere microneedling is indicated. Circling or Stirring is mostly at cheeks, Scrubbing or called Erasing is best for small flat area such as chin. One technique should work with extra caution is Tracing, for sensitive or detailed area such as under the eyes. Sparrow Pecking is great to address deeper concerns such as scars, wrinkles and age spots. However, if the concerns are too deep, acupuncture will be the better choice instead.
From TCM perspective, microneedling also follows the principals of venting heat (inflamed or unhealthy warmth), stimulating superficial facial points (most known as acupoints) and directing the flow of Qi. This procedure is better at treating wrinkles, age spots, scars, skin tone, and acne. On the other hand, acupuncture is especially great at lifting, firming, tightening. Best area to treat are sagging neck, cheeks and eye lids. Regarding the result, microneedling usually seen days after the treatment and acupuncture takes on average between 12-24 treatments to see results. A simple way to put it, Microneedling is good for acute, superficial surface such as epidermis layer type of symptoms and acupuncture is great for addressing the source rather than just the branch or symptom such as aging in your general constitution, usually combine with herbal supplement to maximum the results.
Based on 2,000 years of Chinese medical principals of moving qi, blood and engendering flesh and in biomedical terms, for increasing keratinocytes and stem cell for more collagen and elastin, acupuncturists are best to perform and combine both of these treatments and bring out the most benefit for our patients. An ideal suggested treatment with both would be 1-3 acupuncture treatment weekly with 1 microneedling monthly plus red infrared light.
Microneedling is safe and all skin type friendly with caution. There is a reason why this oldest beauty arises in the modern society. Even though “front” is everything but love yourself and don’t forget what caused those issues from inside. Treatment the “root” and “front” will help your beauty last longer.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
References
AcuMicro workshop lecture for Acupuncturist’s CEUs, by Josh Nerenberg LA,c “Microneedling for Acupuncturiests, A TCM approach”.
Comments