Beauty Acupuncture

What is cosmetic acupuncture?

Cosmetic acupuncture is an acupuncture treatment that improves skin problems and brings out natural beauty. Unlike regular beauty treatments or skin care, cosmetic acupuncture involves inserting thin needles into specific pressure points on the face and body to improve blood circulation and stimulate skin turnover. As a result, you can expect a variety of skin-beautifying effects, including lifting, a slimmer face, and improved skin firmness and clarity.

The difference between cosmetic acupuncture and cosmetics

For example, even if you use a high-quality beauty serum, its ingredients will only penetrate to the stratum corneum on the surface of the skin. Because the skin has a “barrier function” that prevents foreign substances from entering the body, even if the ingredients penetrate deep inside, they will eventually be excreted from the body through the blood or lymph.

On the other hand, cosmetic acupuncture, even if inserted shallowly, reaches at least 5 mm deep into the skin. New skin cells are not produced on the surface of the skin, but in the basal layer and the deeper layers below it, called the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. Cosmetic acupuncture is the only method that can directly stimulate these deep layers, drawing out the skin’s natural regenerative powers and promoting metabolism.

The mechanism of cosmetic acupuncture

The structure of the skin

The skin is made up of three layers: the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue. The epidermis has a four-layer structure, from the outermost layer:
The stratum corneum,
The stratum granulosum,
The stratum spinosum,
The stratum basale.

The dermis is the layer beneath the epidermis, and is composed of collagen (collagen fibers), elastin (elastic fibers), hyaluronic acid, water, etc., and is closely related to the firmness, luster, and fine texture of the epidermis. The subcutaneous tissue is the part from the dermis to the fascia, and is made up of fat cells. Therefore, it also acts as a cushion against external stimuli, prevents a drop in body temperature, and has a heat-retaining function, such as generating heat.

What is turnover?

The basic physiological functions of the skin are protection (protection against external stimuli) and excretion. Cells born in the basal layer, the lowest layer of the epidermis, change shape as they are pushed up to the surface, becoming keratinocytes in an anucleated, dead state. These cells rise to the surface as they are pushed up by new cells, and eventually become dandruff and fall off naturally. The epidermis is constantly replaced, and if this turnover occurs normally, even if the epidermis is injured, it will form a scab, and beautiful skin will be created afterwards.

The standard for turnover is…

Skin turnover (metabolism) usually takes about 28 to 56 days, and slows down with age. Delayed turnover can cause problems such as dull skin and increased age spots.
Deep wounds are more likely to leave scars and reduce collagen, which maintains skin elasticity. Exposure to ultraviolet rays also reduces skin elasticity, so UV care is essential.
It is important to treat deep wounds as soon as possible, and normal turnover and maintaining a strong epidermis are necessary. Moisturizing and protecting the skin, as well as controlling the number of times you wash your face, are also important for maintaining healthy skin.

Slow turnover can cause keratin to accumulate, resulting in dullness and stiffness, and slow healing of scars. On the other hand, if it is too fast, the skin is pushed to the surface in an immature state and becomes more prone to dryness. The right turnover rate is the key to maintaining healthy skin.

To keep turnover normal…

It is necessary to thoroughly reexamine the basics of daily life.

Skin repair mechanism after cosmetic acupuncture

When the human body is injured, inflammation occurs, and then the body repairs itself by replacing the damaged tissue with new tissue.

When acupuncture is applied, damage is first caused to the dermis. Whether visible or invisible, minute bleeding occurs, and platelets form scabs to stop the bleeding.

After that, the number of white blood cells increases outside the blood vessels, and they ingest and kill invading bacteria and dead cells. After completing their job, the white blood cells self-destruct and are phagocytosed by macrophages (large phagocytes). After the dead cells have been removed, the chemical mediators involved in the inflammation are neutralized, the inflammation ends, and new cells are produced to repair the body through the action of cell growth factors.

As a result, cells are renewed, the skin becomes soft, wrinkles are reduced, and it is also effective in lifting the skin and relieving swelling.

*Cell growth factors are proteins that transmit information between cells and cause various cells to grow.
During the wound healing process, they control the migration and proliferation of various cells in the wound, the formation of extracellular matrix, angiogenesis, reconstruction, etc.
Cell growth factors include bFGF, PDGF, TGF-β, EGF, etc., and among these, bFGF in particular has been shown to play an important role in the wound healing process and is used clinically as a wound healing promoter.

Effects of cosmetic acupuncture

肌の再生

Cosmetic acupuncture promotes skin metabolism and helps skin regeneration. This helps skin look younger and healthier.

Reduction of wrinkles and fine lines

Cosmetic acupuncture stimulates the production of collagen and elastin. These compounds are important for maintaining skin elasticity, which results in a reduction of wrinkles and fine lines.

Improved skin firmness and elasticity

Cosmetic acupuncture improves blood flow and provides the skin with the nutrients it needs. This improves skin firmness and elasticity.

Autonomic Nervous System Adjustment

Cosmetic acupuncture works to balance the autonomic nervous system, which controls the body’s stress response. This reduces the impact of stress and anxiety on the skin and provides an overall feeling of relaxation.

Cosmetic acupuncture at Medical Japan

Each Medical Japan store provides services based on high-level medical evidence using cosmetic acupuncture + high-precision skin diagnostic device (Dermoprime). We have received many happy comments from patients who have received cosmetic acupuncture at our clinic, such as “I get fewer breakouts,” “My skin tone has improved,” “My makeup sticks better,” “My skin has become softer,” and “My swelling has gone down and my face is looking smaller.”

Cosmetic Acupuncture

By stimulating pressure points on the scalp, neck, etc., blood flow is increased not only to the needle points, but to the entire face. The needles used in the treatment are cosmetic needles from “Unico Co., Ltd.” The needles have a special coating, so they are less painful and more comfortable.

Nasolabial folds

Cheekbone line

Facial lines

Lower eyelid (lower eyelid)

Eyebrows, nose

Sternocleidomastoid muscle, neck

At Medical Japan, we take an approach based on medical evidence that is tailored to each individual’s condition. If you are suffering from skin problems, we encourage you to try our cosmetic acupuncture.
We have the equipment and technology to help you live a healthy and radiant daily life, and to seriously support your beauty, so please contact us.

High-Precision Skin Diagnostic Device (Dermo Prime)

Dermo Prime provides a comprehensive evaluation of moisture, oil, pores, acne, wrinkles, keratin, melanin, and more.

Acupuncture for Wrinkle Treatment

Acupuncture is applied along the wrinkles on the nasal bridge. The needles used are as thin as a strand of hair, so the pain is minimal.

The Cause of Wrinkles is Neutrophil Elastase

Inserting acupuncture needles can help reduce wrinkle depth by decreasing neutrophil elastase levels, which leads to wrinkle reduction.
Recently, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare approved the first cosmetic product that effectively reduces wrinkles. The key evidence behind this is neutrophil elastase, which is suppressed to improve wrinkles.

Cosmetic Acupuncture Intervention Cases

We explain the cosmetic acupuncture intervention methods performed at Medical Japan through video demonstrations. Treatments are customized based on individual concerns. Please check out the video!

Voices from happy patients

Hino City, Tokyo
Hasegawa Nami

“My face is now smaller and my skin is clearer.”

I came to Medical Japan because of shoulder stiffness caused by working on a computer. I had been having trouble sleeping at night because of my severe shoulder stiffness, but after a few sessions, I felt much better. At the same time, I was looking for cosmetic acupuncture and facial correction in Tachikawa, so I consulted with the doctor, and he gave me acupuncture and techniques for beauty in addition to improving my usual stiff shoulders. I was surprised by this. I had hated taking ID photos for many years, but it was clearly effective. The doctor is also an expert on bones and muscles, so he taught me about biting habits and eye exercises, and I was able to do self-maintenance. During work meetings, customers told me, “Your face looks slimmer,” and I thought cosmetic acupuncture and cosmetic correction were wonderful.

*Effects vary from person to person

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Does cosmetic acupuncture hurt?

  Some people may feel slight pain, but most do not experience significant discomfort. Our clinicians are skilled in minimizing pain, so you can visit with confidence.
• Are there any reactions after the treatment?

  Mild redness or swelling may appear immediately after the treatment, but these typically subside naturally within a few hours.
• How often should I receive treatment?

  For optimal results, it is recommended to receive treatment once every 1 to 2 weeks.

Related Information

《Introduction of Kitagawa-Style Cosmetic Acupuncture》

To deepen the evidence supporting Medical Japan’s cosmetic acupuncture, we attended a seminar by Dr. Takeshi Kitagawa, the developer of Kitagawa-style cosmetic acupuncture.

Features of Kitagawa-Style Cosmetic Acupuncture

• Utilizes the two-finger pushing acupuncture technique to target muscles and fascia, enhancing the lifting effect of acupuncture
• Micro-injuries to the subcutaneous tissue (including the dermis) caused by needle insertion promote skin turnover
• The platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) released from tissue damage stimulates collagen production

Kitagawa-style cosmetic acupuncture maximizes these benefits, providing effects that cannot be achieved elsewhere.

About Acupuncturist Takeshi Kitagawa>>

At Medical Japan, by incorporating authentic cosmetic acupuncture, we aim to not only address clients’ beauty concerns but also resolve underlying health issues. We will continue to refine our techniques to provide true cosmetic acupuncture.