People in the western countries have been using anti-aging methods for centuries. But ancient Chinese medicine could probably be considered to be the golden standard. Acupuncture has proven itself through several thousands of years to treat a wide variety of illnesses for millions of people. Even from as early as BC during the Tzun Dynasty acupuncture rejuvenation was used for the empress and other high-ranking members of society.
Wrinkles, liver spots, crows' feet: what happens to our skin as we age?
It promises a more youthful appearance with no downtime, no anesthesia, no harmful chemicals or toxins injected and no going under the knife. The human face is made up many muscles and nerves. Each particular muscle plays an important roll in how our facial expressions look, and how we look when relaxed. Acupuncture helps pinpoint particular trouble areas and allows various minerals and other nutrients to circulate and supply tissues. Acupuncture was first mentioned and recorded in documents dating a few hundred years BC. Earlier instead of needles, sharpened stones and long sharp bones were used around BC for acupuncture treatment.
Skin is the body's largest organ. When healthy, its layers work hard to protect us. But when it's compromised, the skin's ability to work as an effective barrier is impaired. We have therefore found the best ways to improve skin health to support it in maintaining its protective role.
Michelle Rodrigues does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. This article is part of our series about skin: why we have it, what it does and what can go wrong. Read other articles in the series here. The main factors that contribute to how old we look include the shape of our face, the number of lines or wrinkles, and the luminosity of our skin.