Editor Ellie Smith reports back after trying this all-natural alternative to Botox.
Acupuncture is an ancient system of healing where fine needles are placed in specific acupuncture points on the body to restore balance by moving energy. It’s long been used to treat a variety of physical ailments and, unlike many other alternative or complementary therapies, has been embraced by Western medicine. It’s available on the NHS to treat migraines, cluster headaches, chronic pain and improve outcomes in fertility treatments.
In recent years, this ancient Chinese practice is also growing in popularity in the realm of aesthetics, offering an all-natural, non-toxic alternative to skin-smoothing treatments such as Botox – a ‘fauxtox’, if you like. It promises to smooth fine lines, restore dwindling collagen and elastin (the secret to plump, juicy, youthful-looking skin), enhance radiance and tackle spots, scarring and pigmentation.
Keen to try the treatment for myself, I met with London-based acupuncturist Laura Lewis (llacu. com) at Pricc in Notting Hill Gate. Laura trained at the College of Integrative Chinese Medicine in Reading, where she completed its prestigious four-year BSc degree in acupuncture. She practices an integrated style, combining traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with Five Element Constitutional Acupuncture, and is similarly integrative in her approach to aesthetics – blending non-invasive techniques from East and West. Her signature Anti-Ageing Facial combines acupuncture (or micro-needling) and ancient Chinese massage techniques, with red light therapy and high-tech (albeit organic and plant-based) serums, masks and creams.
The treatment began with a consultation to identify my primary skin concerns before a thorough cleanse and exfoliating rose quartz scrub to prep skin to fully absorb all the goodness that was to follow. First up, a bio-retinol gold mask packed with gentle, plant-based ingredients that mimic the youth-promoting properties of retinol. Laura shares that she has sensitive skin, making her the perfect guinea pig for any products she’ll later use on clients. There’s nothing here that will sting, scour or shed skin, only well-tolerated ingredients that gently coax skin into its healthiest, most radiant state.
With the mask working its magic, Laura turned her attention to my body, applying two needles in the top of my feet. She says she likes to start all her treatments this way, as these specific acupuncture points help to get energy moving and release blocks. Having never had any acupuncture before, I was a little apprehensive about any pain
