Natural facial rejuvenation techniques have been around for more than 3000 years, having evolved in China as part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The earliest records are from the Western Zhou period, which dates from 1121 to 770 BCE. Acupuncture was incorporated into facial treatments during the Shui dynasty between 581 and 618 AD to enhance the fabled beauty of many of the empresses and royal women of China.

In fact TCM facial rejuvenation is an extensive specialty branch within TCM, requiring specialised knowledge. Anti-ageing treatments involve TCM diagnosis, acupuncture, acupressure massage, Chinese herbal medicine and topical application of Traditional Chinese Medicine creams. One of the best aspects of facial rejuvenation treatments is that your overall health will improve as well as your appearance.

Cosmetic TCM

Cosmetic TCM uses TCM diagnosis and emphasises the use of the tongue and pulse. These diagnostic tools can help determine what is causing your skin imperfections or poor complexion. Skin problems are actually a result of an imbalance in your internal organs. In other words, they are physical signs that you are experiencing a health issue. Facial diagnosis is an ancient Chinese practice used to determine what your future may hold and what health weaknesses you might experience. Your face also reveals what is wrong with your internal organs very clearly to an experienced TCM cosmetic practitioner.

So how does a session of cosmetic acupuncture work? When you first visit a cosmetic acupuncturist, you will be asked a series of questions about your general health and about the areas that are troubling you such as any wrinkles, sagging skin, discolouration, scars, acne, birthmarks, moles, freckles and so on. The practitioner will then take your pulse and look at your tongue before examining your face in some detail. Try to wear as little make-up as possible as this can hinder the diagnosis.

In Chinese facial diagnosis, different areas of the face represent different organs in the body. A marked increase in wrinkles, discolouration or other symptoms in a particular area indicates a dysfunction in that particular organ. Your complexion and colour can also provide insights into your internal health.

What your face reveals

Many lines running across the forehead would indicate problems with your spleen or small intestine and therefore your digestion and absorption of food.

Deep creases running from the lower corner of your nose to the corner of your mouth are caused by dysfunction of the gall bladder, which is often a result of long-term anger and resentment.

Moles and freckles also indicate which organs may be affected; the larger and darker the moles/freckles, the more serious or long-term the condition may be. Some moles, however, are considered to be auspicious. For example, the mole on Mao Zedong’s chin was considered an excellent sign that he would rise to a position of great power and wealth.

Once the practitioner has completed all these diagnostic techniques, he combines them to make a diagnosis. This diagnosis is based on TCM practices and will be a pattern of imbalance in the whole body rather than a “disease” as in Western medical diagnosis. During the treatment, the practitioner will be correcting this imbalance while treating the symptoms that are appearing on your face. By treating your whole body in this way, the cause of the problem is being addressed as well as the symptoms. This helps ensure that the symptoms do not recur and has the other obvious benefit that you feel better and have more energy.