Acupuncture

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Cosmetic acupuncture, also known as facial acupuncture, is an ancient beauty secret and is used by both men and women as a non-toxic way to minimize fine lines and wrinkles from the face. It reduces the signs of aging by renewing the glow of the skin and providing a youthful look to the face. Cosmetic acupuncture needles create stimulation to areas of facial tissue by increasing the circulation of blood flow to the wrinkles and thus producing more collagen production, resulting in less wrinkle formation. Cosmetic acupuncture is an ancient healing art that has been practiced in China for emperors and empresses as a beauty ritual for at least 5,000 thousand years. The treatment involves inserting tiny, hair-like needles into the face and others into the body in order to increase the blood circulation and collagen production within the skin. This allows the skin to be nourished, oxygenated and moisturized from the inside out. Additionally, the increased production of collagen tightens the skin. Hence, the treatment improves the complexion and elasticity of the skin.  During each treatment, medical acupuncture is used, meaning that body needles are placed to work on stress levels, pain, insomnia or anything else that is currently bothering the patient.   This helps immensely in the outcome of radiant skin as the body is all connected.  Cosmetic acupuncture is currently all the rage among Hollywood’s elite, and its popularity is understandable.  It promises a more youthful appearance with no downtime, no anesthesia, no harmful chemicals or toxins injected and no going under the knife.

What Results Are Seen With Cosmetic Acupuncture?
Cosmetic acupuncture treatments help the youth stay looking youthful and those with wrinkles to look many years younger. It minimizes fine lines and softens the deeper lines making them less noticeable. The treatment can also minimize dark circles and puffiness under the eyes, and aids in the tightening of the jowls, that tend to sag as we age. Most importantly, acupuncture provides overall rejuvenation, allowing the whole body to feel less stressed and more energized.

Wrinkles that are minimized include:

• Marionette Lines     -lines framing the mouth

• Glabellar Lines        -vertical wrinkles between the eyebrows(frown lines, “the 11”)

• Crow’s Feet              -wrinkles at the outer corner of the eyes

• Smile lines               -deep folds between the nose and the mouth(laugh lines, nasolabial folds)

• Forehead Lines        -horizontal wrinkles across the forehead

• Eyelid Lines

• Under eye lines

• Vertical lip lines       -small wrinkles around the mouth

• Chin lines

• Neck lines

To be more specific, other than the various areas of the face that have wrinkles, this treatment has many other beneficial results for rejuvenating the skin including:
 

• Renewing facial glow

• Oxygenating the skin

•  Regulating acne prone skin

•  Balancing oily/dry skin

•  Firming facial skin

•  Diminishing skin discoloration

•  Brightening dark circles under eyes

•  Tightening pores

•  Brightening sallow complexion

•  Tightening sagging eyelids

•  Temporarily plumping lips

How Many Treatments Do I Need?
A general course of 10 treatments is done per area of the face. Usually after a few treatments a patient notices some changes. Around the 7th or 8th treatment, the collagen starts to kick in and wrinkles start diminishing. After this, a maintenance of one treatment a month is done depending on the age of the patient.  We also offer a “Glow” treatment in which you come in for one or two sessions and your skin actually will glow.  This treatment is great before a wedding, red carpet event, or any major event in which you will be taking photos and be around a large audience.  
 

Who Benefits From Cosmetic Acupuncture?
Three groupings of  women and men between the ages of 20 to 70 benefit from these treatments:

1. Women and men in their 20’s and 30’s who are looking to prevent the early onset of wrinkles.
2. Women and men in their 40’s and 50’s who are looking to minimize the appearance of fine to medium lines and maintain a youthful glow to the skin.
3. Women and men in their 60’s and 70’s who are looking for an overall facial rejuvenation effect
that will soften the appearance of deep wrinkles, minimize the dull complexion and bring back the glow that has been lost over the years.

All three groups will gain a dewy and fresh appearance, delay the aging process and look and feel younger.

 

Does It Hurt?
No, it is nothing that you would expect.  The most popular question asked of this treatment is the assumption of discomfort because needles are used.   There is no need to worry since these needles are not anything like the ones you are used to seeing at the doctor’s office. They are so tiny and thin that it’s hard to even refer to them as needles.  They are about the width of a thread and feel like a horse hair or a thin bristle on a brush. Due to their size, they are barely felt by the patient. In fact, 41 acupuncture needles can easily fit into one needle used by a doctor. Of course, the skill of the acupuncturist is important. Romy Simone has refined her gentle technique by spending many years of training in the field.

Are There Any Side Effects?
No, there are no side effects.  This is so because cosmetic acupuncture  is natural and uses no fillers or harsh chemicals.  Actually, the patient is left feeling relaxed, fresh and feeling good with a strengthened immune system.  There is no downtime, no puffiness, no swelling, no drugs, no allergic skin reactions and no injections. In fact, directly after the treatment, the patient can do just about anything and there are no marks or redness upon leaving the office.  Other treatments used to reduce wrinkles, such as fillers, surgery, chemical peels and laser treatments usually always do have many side effects.  It is suggested to do your research when thinking about various skin treatments.  Our skin is extremely thin and delicate and we should be as gentle as possible with any treatment as well as products used on the skin.  You could end up causing faster aging by not doing your research and finding out what is in the best interest of your delicate skin.  As we get older, our skin begins to thin and side effects from harsh chemical fillers and lasers damage the skin much more quickly.

Can You Explain Why Medical Acupuncture Is Part Of The Treatment?
 To explain acupuncture in a nutshell, it is viewing every part of your body as a whole.  So when your face is getting needles, your body is as well to enhance the results.  By  placing needles into body points that will balance your hormones, stress, digestion, sleep and immune system, your skin will start to glow.  That means that treating the face is part of it and treating the rest of the body completes it.  When your entire body is in balance, so is your skin.  This idea differs when you go to most doctor’s visits in that one part of your body is being treated only and is looked at as separate to everything that is going awry inside of you.  

Is It Covered By My Health Insurance?
Yes, in most cases it is partially covered.  When you come in for a treatment,  your general health and any symptoms that are present is the primary treatment.  Many patients have allergies, headaches, TMJ, insomnia, digestive issues, stress, emotional issues, pain, menopause symptoms to name a few.  As these health concerns are addressed, so is the state of your skin.  The medical acupuncture portion of every treatment you get is covered by insurance.  Some insurance covers 80% of the treatment, while others cover about 20% depending on your plan.  A superbill is given to patients that request one to send in for partial reimbursements.  Keep in mind that full payment is due for each treatment and that a superbill is sent in by patients after treatments by their own accord.

Dr. Romy Simone

Dr. Romy Simone was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa.  She graduated with a Bachelor of Science with Honors in Psychology and a Minor in Business, as well as finishing her Pre-Medicine studies at The University of Florida.  Romy then attended graduate school at Emperor’s College and  received the four year Master of Science with Magna Cum Laude Honors in Traditional Chinese Medicine.  After graduating, she passed the California State Board exam to become a licensed acupuncturist and then passed the National Board exams, receiving a Diplomate of Acupuncture.  She is receiving her Doctorate in Integrative Medicine with a specialty in women’s health and reproductive medicine in which she will incorporate into each treatment to address many health concerns, hormonal changes and fertility issues that any woman may be experiencing.

While  completing her internship at UCLA, she was introduced to the concept of facial rejuvenation in a natural way.  Taking  her western background in science and incorporating the Chinese Medicine, Romy created her own technique for needling the face to benefit her patients.  Always having a keen eye for style and esthetics, she blends an eastern technique with a western flare.  Romy enjoys working specifically on the face because it demands the doctor to be artistic with a good eye, which creates extreme accuracy for precise results. She has been in this cosmetic specialty practice for 13 years.

Romy has been featured in the media for her success with cosmetic facial acupuncture.  Her most recent feature was on E! TV’s “Good Work” treating actors Ru Paul  and Jenni Pulos.  Access Hollywood did a feature on her and she also appeared on the TV show  “Secrets of the Hollywood Body”.  This led to a slew of other television and media coverage, still ongoing.  One of her passions being teaching, she has taught classes at both UCLA as well as acupuncture schools.  She was technical clinic supervisor in a well known clinic.

To book a session with Dr. Romy please Click Here and request an appointment