Microneedling: What is it and how does it relate to Chinese Medicine?
Microneedling has become very popular for cosmetic and aesthetic purposes in today’s society. Many beauticians or aestheticians can be found offering it his or her salon. But there are also many acupuncturists that are now offering microneedling as a treatment option, which peaks the curiosity: does microneedling relate back to Chinese medicine and should you be seeking out a qualified acupuncturist for microneedling?
What is microneedling?
Let’s first answer the question of what microneedling. Breaking it down, micro means small, so we are dealing with tiny needles. Microneedling uses an instrument that resembles a pen (and called a pen), with a cartridge of needles that is locked on to the pen. These cartridges contain anywhere from 9-64 needles, and are selected based on the needs of the patient and practitioner. For more precision and for more sensitive areas such as the face, a cartridge with 12-36 needles is preferable. Cartridges with a higher needle count are often used for larger areas of the body such as the legs.
The pen is important. Different pens come with different speeds that determine the speed at which the needles go up and down to penetrate the skin. Pens also can designate the depth of the needles form 0 up to 2.0 mm, which allows for different areas of the body to be treated.
How does microneedling work? What does it treat?
Microneedling can also be referred to as collagen therapy. With the use of multiple micro-needles, tiny punctures are made in the skin or “mico-traumas”, which trigger the immune system causing an inflammatory response in order to produce collagen and promote healing to the area. These collagen fibers then work to thicken the skin, filling in any wrinkles or lines, giving that smooth radiant glow. Because of this mechanism, microneedling is also good for diminishing the appearance of scars and blemishes. And by bringing blood to the surface, removing stagnation and promoting circulation, it can be used to promote hair growth and help alopecia (ladies, this means eyebrows! Goodbye eyebrow pencil!).
Is microneedling a part of Chinese medicine?
The simple answer is yes. The skin is an organ in Chinese medicine that acupuncturists have been treating for centuries. In a recent article in Acupuncture Today, it refers to mei rong, which translates to “making oneself beautiful”, a practice that been done for centuries throughout Asia (1). Though the tools are different, the concept is similar to techniques used in acupuncture such as circling the dragon, such as circling a scar to promote healing by bringing blood and qi to the area. Similarly, during cosmetic acupuncture treatments, fine needles or intradermal needles are used to thread wrinkles, a technique commonly used in acupuncture, bringing blood and qi to the area and removing stagnation.
In Chinese medicine, the skin is a reflection of what is going on internally. As acupuncturists, doing a full intake and examining the issues on the skins surface, we can determine what imbalances are going on internally and use not only points on the face, but body points to address the underlying condition, thus making treatments last longer.
Where to go from here?
With so many types of pens and cartridges available today, it is important when you decide to go for microneedling, that you select a practitioner who is fully trained and qualified to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the treatment. Your practitioner should inform you how to prepare for your appointment, what to expect during the appointment, and how to take care of the skin after treatment.
There is added benefit in seeking out a trained and qualified acupuncturist for microneedling. Not only will treatments be preformed with high quality pens, needles, and serums, but an acupuncturists will be able to address the body as a whole, not just what is seen on the face. This, ultimately, corrects internal imbalances as well external, not only making you look better, but also making you feel better.
Peaks and Points Acupuncture are qualified acupuncturists trained to preform microneedling safely and effectively with AcuLift products; top industry standard products.
Reference
Gellis, M. Is Microneedling a Part of Chinese Medicine? Acup. Today, August 2022.