Let's face it: All of us are growing older. As we age, our skin begins to lose its elasticity and begins to sag. We wake up one morning and, alas, a wrinkle or two appears. Skin ages all over the body, but much more so when there has been sun exposure. Changes brought on by sun damage, also known as photo aging, include dryness, sagging, skin growths such as "liver spots” and wrinkles. Factors that promote wrinkling include smoking, skin type, heredity and occupational and recreational sun exposure over the course of many years.

In order to prevent the signs of aging it is vitally important to apply a good sun block, SPF of 30 or more, on your face every day. You may think that just because you are not going to the beach or lying in the sun that you do not need a sun block, which is untrue. Every day your skin is exposed to sunlight, even from just walking to your car. It is the gradual and steady exposure to the sun that can be damaging over time. Applying a good moisturizer is also important in the prevention of wrinkles, as dry skin wrinkles more than moist or oily skin.

There is much abuzz these days about chemical fixes, such as Botox, Juvederm and Restylane, all of which are administered via injection by a medical doctor.

Botox injections are a purified protein produced by the clostridium botulinum bacterium that reduces the activity of the muscles that cause those frown lines between the brows to form over time. Botox “freezes” or blocks the signals in your muscles to move, hence, the area that is injected is frozen or immobile.

Juvederm is a gel made of hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance in your skin that helps to add volume and hydration. Juvederm is used to restore your skin's volume and smooth away facial wrinkles and folds in your ”smile lines” or "parentheses,” the creases that run from the bottom of your nose to the corners of your mouth. Juvederm's side effects are temporary injection-related reactions, including redness, pain, firmness, swelling and bumps.

Restylane is hyaluronic acid generated by the streptococcus species of bacteria that has been chemically stabilized.

So, you ask, ”Are there any non-chemical alternatives that would help minimize the appearance of wrinkles?” There are. Based upon the theories of Chinese medicine and acupuncture, Constitutional Facial Acupuncture is a safe, painless and effective treatment for renewing the face as well as the whole body. Fine lines may be entirely erased, deeper lines reduced and bags around the neck and eyes firmed. Fine needles are placed at a variety of acupuncture points on the face, neck and around the eyes to stimulate the body's natural energies or "Qi.” Since muscle groups are addressed as well as acupuncture points, the face lifts itself, via the acupuncture points, through the muscles' toning and tightening action. The needles also stimulate blood and circulation, which improves facial color. The treatment protocol incorporates Chinese herbal masks, poultices and moisturizers. Jade rollers, which enhance blood circulation, are known to remove fine lines and age spots, and prevent premature aging, are used to massage moisturizer into the skin.

After the first treatment, one usually observes an increased glow in the complexion, the result of increased Qi and blood flow to the face. The patient appears to be more rested; wrinkles start to lessen and the skin appears more toned. After the fifth to seventh treatments, more marked changes are seen. Lifting of the jowls, neck and the eyes has begun and is usually noticeable. With continuing treatment, constitutional issues like digestive complaints have been ameliorated or have subsided. By the end of a series, the patient should look and feel five to fifteen years younger.

Constitutional Facial Acupuncture is non-invasive, less costly than surgical procedures, and draws upon the ancient Chinese wisdom related to longevity, beauty and balance.

Rhonda Marr, L.Ac, is a New York state-licensed acupuncturist. She treats patients at The Center, 1 Hoffman Street, Auburn, and can be reached at 704-0319. Learn more at www.TheCenter4Wellness.com