Facial Acupuncture

ARLINGTON , Va. (WUSA) -- Marlene Schmidt is not unlike many women. She sees signs of aging she'd like to reverse.

Schmidt says, "I'd love to focus on the eye area and just lift that up and brighten that up a bit more, just make me look a bit more awake. These creases are a little bit deeper than I want them at this point in time!"

Schmidt's search for the least invasive path to cosmetic improvement brought her to Kathe Ana, a certified acupuncturist at Heavenly Bodies Clinic.

Ana says that with each prick of a tiny needed on delicate facial skin, cosmetic acupuncture aims to tighten and lift without having to cut or uses chemicals.

Ana explains, "We work with skin quality, skin tone, lifting, shaping different areas of the skin."

Unlike traditional body acupuncture, cosmetic acupuncture is performed with tiny Korean hand and face needles. Acupuncturists target specific points on the face that are said to open up the flow of energy or what's called "Qi" (pronounced Chee).

"Some of the acupuncture points tend to be where more of the blood flows. I am going to put needles there because I know I am going to draw the energy of the face up."

Dermatologists speculate that the treatments can also make a difference by easing muscle tension in the face, which contributes to frown lines and wrinkles.

Schmidt says she has a clear understanding of what cosmetic acupuncture can and cannot do.

"You cannot reverse... we're just working with what I have and improving it. It's not going to alter bone structure, it's not going to induce any chemicals into the body."

The standard protocol of treatments is 10, performed twice a week.

Written By: Lauren Vance, 9 NEWS NOW & wusa9.com