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Beauty Services

The first step to deciding what beauty treatments are best for you is to schedule an initial exam. This is when we will discuss specific areas you would like to address and the best course of care to reach your goals. Here are some general guidelines:

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MICRO-NEEDLING

This is the insertion of very fine short needles into the skin for the main purpose of skin rejuvenation. I recommend micro-needling primarily to boost the overall quality of the skin including addressing fine lines, wrinkles, enlarged pores, age spots, and scars. Its premise is simple – to create small wounds so the skin will respond with collagen production and elastin to heal these controlled injuries that were just created. That process in turn makes the skin tighter and smoother. (We do not recommend micro-needling for acne as a first step. For acne, we have a different protocol which requires a multi-dimensional approach including East Asian nutrition, internal Chinese herbs, and body acupuncture.)

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The key to micro-needling is the increased absorption of hyaluronic acid (HA), which we use in each session. This substance is found naturally in our skin, holds water, and helps keep it hydrated and plump. HA holds a 1000 times its weight in water to retain moisture in our skin and prevent that moisture from evaporating into the air, according to Dr. Lily Talakoub, a dermatologist at the McLean Dermatology and Skincare Center: "It gives the skin a younger, dewy appearance by improving its elasticity."

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What makes us different from other micro-needling done at medical spas, dermatology offices, and aesthetician spas? We use natural ingredients including external Chinese herbal serums and avoid harsh chemicals. Micro-needling increases serum absorption by up to 3000%. Therefore, we feel it is extremely important to avoid the use of harsh, potentially toxic chemicals with micro-needling. We also incorporate body acupuncture into our sessions to address the body's overall constitution. In our experience, results last longer when you address underlying conditions. Some of the serums we incorporate: 

  • Ping Guo (Swiss apple stem cells): Those of the famous Uttwiller Spatlauber trees of Switzerland are shown to activate the epidermal cells of the skin to start self-renewing at a rate similar to early youth. Our serum uses these potent extracts along with chemical free, natural fatty acids and rosehip seed oil high in antioxidants such as vitamins A and E. This serum is great for all skin types as it promotes the reproduction of facial cells under the epidermis.

  • Tian Men Dong (Formulated asparagus tuber): Our serum uses asparagus tubers cultivated exclusively in Navarra, Spain where the area has incredibly fertile soil. Harvested before sunrise to preserve its quality, these tubers are cultivated in a particularly labor intensive process. About 340 physiochemical analyses are conducted each season to ensure their superior quality. Tian Men Dong contains high quantities of saponins which are positive modulators of autophagy. This serum is particularly good for aging, thinner skin.

  • Zao Lei (Formulated algae from the coast of Spain): This serum acts on various stages of melanin deposition and production in the skin to improve luminosity and decrease visibility of hyperpigmented areas to balance out the skin tone. The serum modulates several steps in pigmentation. It regulates gene expression of melanogenic signaling proteins to reduce the formation and maturation of melanosomes, reduces tyrosinase levels and activity, and reduces melanin uptake by keratinocytes.   

  •  Xiang Gu (Lentinus Edodes Extract or Shiitake Mushroom extract): This serum contains a shiitake mushroom extract that thwarts collagen deterioration and improves the organization, quality, and structure of collagen, all of which are linked to a firmer and smoother complexion. We recommend this serum particularly for very dry, dehydrated skin.

  • Fu Ling (Poria Cocos): This serum is best for oily skin, prone to acne breakouts. Fu Ling is a celebrated fungus in traditional medicine of Asia, where it is used as an antioxidant and purifying and softening agent. The part used in Elastin FL+® is the sclerocia (mycelium), which is rich in triterpenes and polysacchrides (pachyman). 

  • Hai Zao (seaweed from the coast of Spain): This serum helps to clear bilirubin and fluid buildup around the eyes to get rid of eye bags, dark circles & puffiness. The extract lessens fluid extravasation and increases degradation of bilirubin. It also improves collagen and elastic synthesis and decreases formation of advanced glycation end products (AGE) for a younger and brighter look. Isolated from a naturally occurring marine microorganism isolated in Playa Paraiso, Tenerife Island, Spain, it is produced through biotechnology, so there is no extracting or harvesting from nature.

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AFTERCARE Post Session of Microneedling

* Expect to be red for 12 hours after treatment

* Avoid rigorous exercise as sweat will aggravate open pores

* Stay out of the sun the day after treatment. Use a mineral sunscreen for a week afterwards

* No makeup day of treatment

* Use the Chinese herbal serum with hyaluronic acid as needed and before bedtime

* You can return to your normal facial routine the next day, There will be a much higher absorption rate of your skincare products.

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COSMETIC FACIAL ACUPUNCTURE

This is the insertion of acupuncture needles into motor points of facial muscles as well as addressing the underlying constitution with body acupuncture. Activating the facial muscles helps lift sagging skin, firming up areas particularly the cheeks, jawline, and neck. We also increase the effectiveness of micro-needling by inserting individual needles into particular fine lines and wrinkles. Sessions include facial cupping and gua sha using argan oil with essential oils or serums listed above.

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CONTRAINDICATIONS:

  • Pregnant or actively trying to conceive

  • Taking prescription blood-thinning medications

  • Currently undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatments

  • Extreme keloidal tendency

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* Please wait 30 days before or after the following treatments to do micro-needling and/or cosmetic facial acupuncture: microdermabrasion, chemical peels, laser skin resurfacing, botox, dermal fillers 

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