Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a full medical system that not only treats but prevents a variety of different diseases. I offer treatments for general wellbeing, digestive issues, skin problems, allergies, menstrual concerns, stress, mood/emotional issues and more.

In the “book” section, you’ll be able to see the whole treatment menu and respective prices.

Cosmetic facial acupuncture stems from Acupuncture and therefore TCM, although in the UK, anyone can attend a Cosmetic Acupuncture course without having undergone a degree-level course. My advice is to always check credentials and training as well as always ask questions if you have them. If you’re interested in seeking acupuncture not just for cosmetic, it is always recommended that you seek a practitioner with a wider scope of practice ie fully TCM trained practitioner/acupuncturist.

The reason this treatment differs from other facial rejuvenation methods, is because TCM sees the individual as a whole and treats each person according to their constitution. Everything is taken into consideration, body and mind.

The various acupuncture points can help to boost the immune system, increase circulation, reduce inflammation and regulate hormones to name a few. Acupuncture has also been shown to act on the nervous system.

Take stress for instances. Have you seen how easy it is for someone to frown where they’re stressed? They normally show lines between their eyebrows - the famous “elevens”. Over time, repeated movements can contribute to the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Plus, we all know how stress plays a role in our health. All of these factors can have a tremendous effect on how we feel and consequently age. The body and the mind have this symbiotic relationship - when we feel good, we look good.

This is where acupuncture enters. From your emotional wellbeing to issues with your sleep, stress or digestion, cosmetic acupuncture addresses beauty from the inside out while working locally on the face to maximise the outcomes.

In case you want to know more about acupuncture and what the research says about it, please check the Evidence Based Acupuncture website.

This is always discussed beforehand. I will listen to your concerns and recommend a tailored treatment plan according to the kind of outcome/skin care goals you’re looking to achieve.

The main question would be, what are you hoping to achieve?

Some patients are just looking for a preventative treatment to maintain their skin as opposed to address specific concerns as mentioned above, and choose to come once a month.

However, 6 to 12 sessions are recommended when addressing specific concerns (ie wrinkles, pigmentation, scars). Weekly sessions are ideal -think of it like face gym - so that we’re gradually and consistently building those collagen levels on the skin.

No matter what, remember that acupuncture is not a one-fits-all-immediate-fix-treatment. Consistency (be it weekly, every other week, monthly etc.) allows the body time to address existing internal imbalances, that can affect the way our skin behaves and ages. This provides long lasting results to the skin. This is why a treatment plan is crucial, even if we’re spreading out the treatment sessions.

I offer a free 15m consultation where you can find out if this is the right treatment for you.

Depends on age, present conditions and other lifestyle factors - remember your skin is an organ and it will respond differently for each person. Most people notice a natural glow due to a circulation boost, moisturised skin and improvement on overall skin tone after their first session. Skin often feels plumper, smoother and tighter. Over time there will be improvements with fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, acne, acne scarring, dry or dull skin, dark circles and puffy eyes, redness, skin sagging, rosacea, eczema and so much more.

To sum it up, it can:

• Reduce or eliminate the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Lift and tone sagging muscles and skin
• Reduce puffiness and bloating around the face eyes, throat and body.
• Improve complexion giving a fresher glow due to increased blood flow to the tissues
• Improve skin discolouration (including sun-damage pigmentation)
• Improve skin conditions and acne scarring

Chinese medicine addresses inflammatory skin disorders such as acne, eczema, or rosacea for instance in a very unique way. Our goal is to decrease inflammation, promote healing and understand which systems and organs are out of balance, look into the root causes so we can restore homeostasis within the body.

Cosmetic acupuncture is considered safe and gentle with no downtime required as opposed to other facial rejuvenation methods. During Summer months, is best to avoid direct prolonged sun exposure and a good sunscreen should always be used. On your initial consultation I’ll give you a detailed treatment recommendation factsheet.

Although super rare, mild bruising can appear in certain areas of the face. The specialised intradermal needles I use help to minimise the risk. This will fade by itself and can easily be covered with make up but you if you have a big event coming up I’d suggest we book you in a few days prior to it just in case.

However, the following side-effects are possible:

• Calmer mind and a sense of general relaxation and well-being
• Better digestion with less bloating
• More energy and quality sleep

Ah! I totally got you for a second. This is actually accurate and desirable - addressing the body as a whole and working on the different body systems is key.

Yes, in fact, there are cases where cosmetic acupuncture is contra-indicated. Ladies who are pregnant or trying to conceive should wait until after pregnancy. Those with diabetes might bruise more easily. For those with clotting disorders, pacemaker and HIV and other endocrine or cardio-vascular conditions, cosmetic acupuncture it is not advised.

This will be discussed prior to any treatments.

I offer a free 10 minute phone consultation we’re we can go over any contraindications and make sure that you’re a suitable candidate for this treatment prior to booking.

If you’ve recently had any cosmetic procedures done, we can discussed this over the phone. This includes surgical or non-surgical procedures, thread liftings, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, facials etc.

For fillers/ Botox for example, I generally recommend to wait between 6 to 8 weeks before booking a treatment.

Microneedling is commonly referred to as a dermaroller treatment and is also known as Collagen Induction Therapy (CIT). This is a treatment that is ideal for existing patients and as a part of a treatment plan. It’s unique as it is supported by tailored acupuncture points - ear, body and/or facial points - for a truly holistic approach and specialised skincare.

I believe in slow, natural nurture for long-lasting beauty. There is a lot of misinformation online, dermarollers are commonly re-used in some practices (not good!), and some patients are left with bright red skin or even long-lasting damage… when there’s no reason (or research behind it) to over-traumatise the skin this way. My point is, sometimes “less is more”.

The reason why prefer not offering this to new patients is because I believe that assessing your health and response to treatments ensures that gradual bespoke ‘step-ups’ with the number of needles/zones of treatment chosen do not create stress for you and your body - remember, stress is not a friend of the healing process!

So after having experienced cosmetic acupuncture as a stand-alone therapy, both you and your skin will be much more prepared for a microneedling session and the results will be uniquely supported with peptide-infused masks and/or serums to promote the healing and growth of new collagen in the skin.

No. I use high quality single use disposable needles. Same goes for dermarollers in clinic - they’re only used once and disposed afterwards.

If you’re having cosmetic acupuncture, a bare face before treatment is ideal. But if you can’t it’s not a problem - just avoid excessive makeup. The first step before is to cleanse and tone so I’ve got you covered! If you sense that a cold sore is coming (ie. tingling sensation) let me know so we can avoid too much needling but support your immune system at the same time.

For all other treatments:

Body acupuncture points used can include the arms, hands, legs, back or tummy so I also recommend wearing loose clothing whenever possible. Even if you’re just having a mini treatment, you will still be more comfortable throughout your session! :)

Try to avoid alcohol the night before treatment as this can help to reduce the chances of any bruising occurring from the acupuncture.

Having a light meal/snack an hour or so before treatment is also desirable - please no empty stomach!

Just relax, tune in with your body and ask yourself: do I need to take it easy today? Go to sleep earlier? Am I feeling energised and creative? Or am I feeling like staying in and read a book?

The body is wise, and whilst it might not seem like it, is busy during your acupuncture session. You might feel very relaxed, “spacey” or super energised - and they’re all normal. These days, I see the first often, after a first session, and there is a reason behind this. Acupuncture disengages the sympathetic mode of fight and flight, to parasympathetic mode, of rest and digest. People who are always on the go, overworked or don’t get enough rest, might become aware of how tired they actually!

For any cosmetic acupuncture and microneedling patients you should read the following:

• Use tepid water to cleanse the face for the first 24-48h after treatment and always pat dry the skin, gently, without rubbing with clean hands.

• Your skin will be “open” so let it breathe! Avoid conventional make-up products, especially during the first 12-24 hours following treatment. Some mineral-based make-up products are ok, ie Jane Iredale. It is recommended you also use a clean/brand-new brush.

• Opt for skincare with an airless pump and avoid pots as bacteria can grow in old products, risking infection, especially with freshly treated skin. Avoid any kind of strong ingredients/ skincare such as acids. You may use your own cosmetic products after treatment but please check if they contain parabens, petro-chemical products and phthalates as these can be more readily absorbed into the skin and even cause long-term harm. Opt for products that are free of such ingredients.

• I recommend using a large-spectrum sunscreen product daily with a SPF of 30, the duration of the treatment course. Avoid spending prolonged time in the sun for the first week as might be more prone to sun damage than usual. And even after that, sun protection is always crucial.

• Microneedling is considered to be a very low risk. But it is important to follow recommendations. My approach to this procedure is very gentle, but the skin can be pink or red in appearance prior to your treatment and for a few hours. Warm, tight and itchy are also possible. This should normally resolve in 24 - 72 hours. To reduce any discomfort, you can apply organic aloe vera gel, always testing a small area first. Other recommendations include Acuregen rebalancing gel or Puriskin (Green or Pink). Hyaluronic acid can also be used and it can help stimulate collagen production after your treatment.

• Swimming pools, saunas, and intense workouts or situations where you might sweat heavily, are not recommended within the first 48-72hours.

• For scalp micronnedling - there might be specific products recommended as well after a session.

  Aftercare:

  - The Cebelia Soothing Lotion for Scalp can be used once daily or as often as necessary until complete recovery (usually 48-72 hours).

  - A hat, a scarf or sunscreen with SPF 30+ *(*ie. CLINICCARE Sun Shield Cream SPF 30) should be applied daily for at least 1 week to protect the scalp from UV damage.

  Optional: The Cebelia Anti-Hair Loss Lotion or Amalian Hair Booster can be used 48 hours post microneedling, every evening to optimise results. The CLINICCARE Energizing Hair Shampoo and Conditioner can be used twice a week to help stimulate hair growth.

  Immediate Aftercare:

  Avoid touching the scalp: the scalp is susceptible after microneedling, and the microchannels created by the needles are vulnerable to infection. Avoid touching your scalp for at least 24 hours.

  Keep the scalp Clean: maintain cleanliness to prevent infection. Avoid harsh chemicals or styling products for 24-48 hours after treatment. Use a mild shampoo if necessary after 48 hours.

  Clean / moisturize regularly: keep your scalp hydrated by using a light, non-clogging moisturizer to prevent dryness during the healing process - ie. Cebelia Soothing Lotion.

  Activities to Avoid: excessive sun exposure: ultraviolet rays can damage the scalp and interfere with healing. Wear a hat and apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when going outdoors.

Avoid using exfoliating products for at least 2 weeks after microneedling - ie. AHA/BHA, retinol, benzoyl peroxide clay masks, and peel-off masks as well as any other professional facial treatments until the skin is fully healed.

Light Emitting Diode (LED) phototherapy is the application of light energy to tissue to obtain therapeutic benefits, where the energy is used to improve cellular performance. Based on NASA research, this non-invasive therapy is known for its healing and anti-inflammatory properties and has a variety of applications across many medical fields. It delivers blue, red and near-infrared light energy simultaneously and each wavelength is absorbed by different molecules that act as a signalling mechanism for different cellular processes.

It pairs beautiful with cosmetic acupuncture as it aims to re-programme the skins ability to adapt to the ageing and improves the skin’s barrier safely while treating a wide variety of conditions as research has shown. It increases circulation, accelerates tissue repair, promotes collagen and elastin, decreases wrinkles, decreases inflammation, improves skin tone and wrinkles, texture and clarity, eases muscle and joint pain, stiffness, spasm and arthritis and kills acne bacteria, and much more.

Specific wavelengths of light energy, when properly absorbed, up-regulates compromised cells. The light (photons) energy is absorbed by photo-acceptors in the mitochondria and used to create adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The ATP produced then stimulates various metabolic processes which can result in the repair and regeneration of cell and tissue components. In an article, “Therapeutic Light” - by Chukuku S. Enwemeka, PT, PhD, FACSM, he wrote “other reported mechanisms of light-induced beneficial effects include modulation of prostaglandin levels, alteration of somatosensory evoked potential and nerve conduction velocity, and hyperaemia of treated tissues. The resultant clinical benefits include pain relief in conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis, tendonitis, ankle sprain, and temporomandibular joint dysfunction, shoulder and neck pain, arthritis, and post-herpetic neuralgia, as well as tissue repair in cases of diabetic ulcer, venous ulcer, mouth ulcer, fractures, tendon rupture, ligamentous, tear, torn cartilage, and nerve injury.”

Online gift cards are available to purchase here. They are processed automatically and you can expect an email confirmation to arrive in your inbox within 1 hour after payment. Gift cards are valid for 6 months from the purchase date and cannot be refunded or exchanged. For information about the cancellation policy, please refer to the question above.

If you’re buying a gift card for someone else, you’ll still be receiving a confirmation email and the other person will receive the gift card in their email.

If you are having trouble locating your email, please remember to check your spam folder. If you have any further issues with this, please feel free to contact me directly and I’ll be happy to help.

All online bookings require a full pre-payment. There’s a 48 hour cancellation policy in place. All late cancellations (within 48h) will incur a non-refundable cancellation fee of 50£. To avoid cancellation charges, a minimum of 48 hours’ notice must be given confirming that you wish to cancel your booking, either by email, call or text message. Missed appointments will incur a full payment.

Bookings cancelled with 48 hours’ notice or more can be moved, subject to availability. Alternatively, a full refund will be given.

Treatments and treatment packages are not redeemable for cash and must be used within 6 months from the purchase date. Treatment packages are nonrefundable.