A conversation with Dr. Kim Peirano about Cosmetic Facial Acupuncture
A conversation with Dr. Kim Peirano about Cosmetic Facial Acupuncture TTW: Hello Dr. Peirano, introduce yourself and tell us about your specialty Cosmetic Facial Acupuncture. KP: Yes, I’m Dr. Kim Peirano. I’m a doctor of acupuncture and Chinese medicine and I see patients here at Tao to Wellness in Berkeley, California and one of my specialties is cosmetic facial acupuncture. I wanted to give you some information around the treatment so it can help you understand how it works, who it’s right for, who it’s not right for and what to expect during a treatment. So, cosmetic facial acupuncture is often referred to as an acupuncture facelift. And while this term isn’t completely false because we do see a lot of lifting and rejuvenating during this process. If you’re looking for the results of a surgical facelift or other medical cosmetic procedures like Botox, filler or laser resurfacing, these types of things, then cosmetic acupuncture is probably going to fall short for you. Now, on the other hand, if you’re looking for a treatment that is going to help you feel like yourself again, help you reconnect with that inner spark that drives you and show that out into the world, bring that glow back, get a little bit of lift in your face, a little bit of softening of those wrinkles you have and also learn how to feel less reactive to them and to the process of aging. Then facial acupuncture is the perfect treatment for you! TTW: Got it, who else might benefit from this treatment? KP: It’s also a really great treatment for those of you who are younger and looking to kind of stave off the aging process. Maybe you’re thinking about getting preventative Botox, so coming to facial acupuncture is a really great first step before doing that preventative Botox because we get really great results with younger skin because of your skin’s natural inherent reserves of collagen, elastin, glycosaminoglycans, and all those things that help your skin stay really plump. TTW: So, what can you expect during a facial acupuncture treatment? KP: We’re actually going to do a whole regular acupuncture treatment. So we’re going to do a full intake just like you were here for regular acupuncture and go over any and all other complaints you might have. Maybe pain in your body, digestive issues, issues with sleep, hormone imbalances, emotions, stress, everything, because all of those pieces affect the way we actually look in the world. So part of what I love about facial acupuncture is that it’s addressing this piece of underlying factors that are affecting the way our face looks. You can kind of think about like the face you make when you stub your toe on a table is a pretty wrinkly and stressed looking face. So when we get ourselves out of pain, we get digestion moving again, we’re sleeping better, this is all going to show up on your skin and out in the world. So, a big piece of this treatment is the holistic healing that we do. Now, once we go your medical history and state of current health, we’re going to talk about your intentions for treatments, I’m actually going to give you a mirror and have you point out the things that you want to address because what I see is not what you see and it’s all about what you see. You’re going to help guide me as to what you want to focus on for this treatment. And then we’re going to just go over the process of the treatment and get you on the table. TTW: So you’re doing a full body acupuncture treatment and addressing the face as well? KP: We do full body acupuncture for this treatment and then a directed facial acupuncture treatment, which includes some kind of lift and pinning where we do some needles in the scalp, we do some needles in the face to lift wherever we need, lifting and then some smaller needles into specific wrinkles. What’s happening is the act of the needle in the skin triggers fibroblasts in the connective tissue. Now, fibroblasts are responsible for healing wounds. So when we needle the skin, that’s technically a wound and fibroblasts are going to be triggered to help heal it. How do they heal it? With collagen, elastin and glycosaminoglycans. All of these things that make your skin naturally look plump, firm and softened. So, we’re triggering that process and we’re also relaxing muscles that are over engaged. So, when we’re squinting like this, we’re engaging these muscles and we’re reengaging muscles that are losing tension, they’re losing mass. And this is why we get sagging in the skin. So when skin starts to sag, we’re losing mass and tension in our muscles, with acupuncture we are helping re-gauge and balancing the area. So we can do both at the same time, which is really cool. I call these the four pillars of holistic skincare. So, we’re addressing the muscles of the face. We are addressing fibroblasts. We’re triggering that collagen production. We’re addressing the whole person. And the fourth thing is that we’re doing no harm, Some treatments – if we do them too much or too aggressively or on the wrong type of skin, they’re going to cause damage to the dermal papola layer of the skin. This is the layer that kind of connects and transmutes nutrients through the epidermis and the dermis. And when it gets damaged, it buckles and this is how we get wrinkles. So if you do too many chemical peels, this is a risk that you might have. With acupuncture, it’s an incredibly safe treatment. The damage from the needling is very, very minimal. And so it doesn’t produce that damage to the derma papola dermal pele layer and it hits all of four of these pillars of holistic skin care. TTW: What does a person notice specifically and what does a
Ancient Wisdom, Modern Healing: Exploring the Science of Emotional Healing Through Acupuncture
Ancient Wisdom, Modern Healing: Exploring the Science of Emotional Healing Through Acupuncture By Dr. Kim Peirano, DACM, LAc, CHt In the clinic, the reverberations of global crises often find their way into the hearts and minds of our patients. From climate crises, a global pandemic to unrest in many parts of the world, the emotional and spiritual distress that many grapple with is a part of our daily existence. Although Acupuncturists are not therapists, the recurring theme of addressing emotional pain has become a primary focus in our approach to patient care. As a practitioner who additionally specializes in the interconnection of the mind, body and spirit I see cases from pain to stress management to just those wanting to hit bigger lifts in the gym, but one thread weaves through them all – there’s always an emotional component to our growth and healing. Emotional pain extends beyond the mind, impacting both our bodies and spirits. Chinese medicine uniquely addresses this triad—body, mind, spirit—recognizing that feelings are not confined to the mind but manifest physically as sensations. In our current world, inundated with perpetual wars, political unrest, economic instability, and personal ups and downs, the need for support during times of stress becomes crucial. This support may come from various sources—friends, family, therapists, and even acupuncture. Brainwaves Acupuncture, often seen as an unconventional method for emotional healing, proves its efficacy through various physiological mechanisms. One such mechanism involves altering brainwaves, shifting from the stress-inducing beta state to the relaxed alpha state. Acupuncture induces a meditative-like state, fostering relaxation without conscious effort (Cabıoğlu, M., 2016). Somatic Healing Acupuncture delves into the realm of somatic memory, unlocking and releasing emotions stored in the body. It serves as a catalyst for processing and shedding old pain, fostering clarity and strength. It’s this mechanism which I feel is especially helpful to aid in someone’s therapeutic recovery and healing, when used in conjunction with therapy it can be a powerful dynamic to address the mind and the body. Scientific studies emphasize acupuncture’s potential as a somatosensory-guided mind–body therapy, addressing both pain and psychological disorders simultaneously (Wang et al., 2007; Napadow et al., 2009). Feel Good Brain Chemicals Another physiological impact of acupuncture lies in the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. These “happy” brain chemicals contribute to relaxation and pain reduction (Kim, Seung-Nam et al. 2011). While not a replacement for certain medications, acupuncture can offer substantial benefits during times of stress, sadness, or change. Nervous System Regulation Acupuncture’s regulation of the autonomic nervous system proves pivotal in navigating the overwhelming stimuli of our modern world. By activating the parasympathetic nervous system and downregulating the sympathetic nervous system, acupuncture aids in the transition from a “fight or flight” response to a state of rest and relaxation. Self Awareness & Compassion A unique aspect of acupuncture lies in its ability to provide insight and awareness into emotional issues. By employing the perspectives of the five spirits and five elements, two concepts in Chinese medicine and Taoism, acupuncturists can guide individuals towards understanding the underlying emotions driving their reactions. This newfound awareness becomes a catalyst for positive change. Chinese Herbs Chinese herbal formulas, tailored to individual presentations, offer a holistic approach to emotional pain. However, self-prescription is discouraged, highlighting the importance of consulting with a qualified practitioner for personalized guidance. When Pain is Permanent Chronic conditions like pain, illness and even terminal diagnosis can also be candidates for improved quality of life with acupuncture treatment. One of the biggest ways we can continue to heal when we are faced with the inability to be cured – is to change our perspective. Physical pain is inextricably linked to emotional pain, whether we grieve the loss of being able to move and function like we used to, or are overwhelmed by the fear of future pain or increases in pain, it’s all connected. Acupuncture can help us foster a sense of awareness about our bodies and ourselves, and through this deepened inner connection we can begin to shift the old patterns, fears and find new meaning in situations or experiences we once deemed unacceptable. It’s worth noting, acupuncture is a safe treatment option with minimal side effects, making it accessible to individuals of all ages. Its compatibility with other therapeutic modalities, such as therapy and medication, positions acupuncture as a valuable supplement to comprehensive healing regimens. In the tumultuous times we currently navigate, healing work emerges as a sanctuary for reconnecting with our true selves. While it doesn’t eliminate global or personal problems, it provides a space to center ourselves amidst chaos. Embarking on this healing journey is a choice—one that offers the potential for inner peace and healthier coping mechanisms. In the face of uncertainty, taking that first step toward healing becomes a profound act of self-care and self-discovery. If you’d like to take a deeper dive into how acupuncture can help, feel free to reach out to Christina, and she’ll be happy to help! Or feel free to make an appointment with Dr. Kim Peirano.
