​Chapped lips, dry, flaky skin, and an itchy scalp. Does it sound like something your skin is going through?

Even in San Francisco where winters tend to me milder, lower temperatures suck moisture from your skin leaving it extremely dry and flaky. Micro-needling can be a powerful skin treatment and just the moisture boost your skin needs. 

Below I'll review more about what this procedure is, why it is beneficial for the skin, and what precautions one needs to take before and after

Also known as Collagen Induction Therapy, it is a minimally invasive procedure which rejuvenates your skin from within. The microscopic pin-pricks initiate the repair process in the skin. This is the body’s natural response to any disturbance in the structure of the skin. There is increased blood flow to the areas treated. The activity of a protein called Collagen increases manifold. Collagen is responsible for the elasticity of the skin. It is the part that holds it firmly and prevents the loosening of skin.

​My sessions focus on nourishing and reviving skin:

• The skin is washed and cleansed
  
• 25 min Celluma Light therapy session to further treat the skin and prep collagen regrowth.
• An anesthetic gel may be applied on top of your skin to provide a numbing effect. Although this treatment is not painful, some people tend to have a low pain threshold. Even if you are one of those people, you don’t have to worry one bit. After the gel is applied,  the treatment is very comfortable. 
• While the numbing cream is taking effect, a full acupuncture treatment is done to encourage facial rejuvenation and get your body into a relaxed state. 
• The numbing is removed and the area is cleansed and disinfected.
• Micro-needling: A pen-like instrument to make microscopic pin-pricks on your facial skin. These pricks are so small that they are not visible to the naked eye. The pen is slowly moved over all the target areas.
  
• After the procedure is over, a stem cell serum and calming cream and mask is applied

The whole process takes nearly 90 minutes.

Tone and Texture - After 2 treatments 

There's definitely a winter theme here and that's prioritizing your body's needs. With that, lets Focusing on the power of the parasympathetic system and the importance of “rest and digest” especially when it comes to fertility.

It’s a cycle that is so easy to get caught up in. Being  constantly on the go, with entire days spent in a busy “fight or flight” mode (sympathetic) without any time for our bodies to really slow down and recharge.  When we spend our day rushing and stressing, our body’s natural instinct is to shut down on unnecessary organ functions (like the reproductive organs) and only focus on getting you away from that stressor. 

​There are plenty of things that can assist in switching from fight or flight (sympathetic) to feed and breed (parasympathetic). Meditation, yoga, and mindfulness to name a few. One of the most effective ways to mitigate stress, however, is acupuncture.  What makes those "Acu Naps" so powerful is it quickly and efficiently gets your body into a parasympathetic state. 

Whether you are trying to conceive, get a better night’s sleep, or just lower your stress levels, SF Integrative Medicine is here to help you take your health in hand and find some inner calm.

Winter is the season for recharging our batteries. In Chinese Medicine, these batteries are the organs Kidneys and Bladder, storing energy for the Spring and Summer to come. During treatments we are often checking your pulse to feel your how your kidneys and bladder, gauging how the “battery levels” are doing. 

In Chinese Medicine, the kidneys store vital life energy. They also influence reproduction, brain, bone health fluid secretions and the emotions like anxiety, fear and courage. When the kidneys are overworked we see symptoms such as anxiety, infertility, adrenal or chronic fatigue, low back pain, weak knees, urination issues and others.
Some examples of balanced Kidneys and Bladder is when you:

• Have will-power
• Can manage your stress levels
• Are fertile and have a healthy, balanced sex life
• Get quality, regular sleep
• Have healthy brain function
• Have a strong and stable back and knees

The main causes of Kidneys and Bladder imbalances are stress and overactivity. Other things that tax them are drugs, too much alcohol, poor food quality or eating habits, overwork, too much physical activity, and lack of sleep and relaxation.

With the colder weather and darker nights, winter is the best time to slow down and refrain from too much activity, sleep more, eat more and get to know yourself better to replenish and nourish that vital energy.