A man with acupuncture needles in his face

Your First Facial Acupuncture Appointment

Welcome to Clarkston Acupuncture Clinic

Thank you for choosing Clarkston Acupuncture Clinic for your healthcare needs. I am delighted to be entrusted with your health and well-being. This webpage aims to prepare you with essential information for your first visit to the clinic.

During Your First Appointment

Upon your arrival, you will be greeted by Dr. Eoghan Colgan. The first appointment will typically last between 80-105 minutes and will include:

A review of your medical history
A discussion of your skincare issues and concerns and the creation of a treatment plan
Your first treatment
Follow-up plans and expectations

What to Expect During the Treatment

Position: You'll lie on a padded cosmetic table
Needle Insertion: Eoghan will insert thin, sterile needles in 3 stages:
In your hands/wrists and lower legs/feet - these points will help to relax you and work on improving your inner 'chi', contributing to well-being and skin quality.
Approximately 20 needles are inserted into the facial muscles, tightening them and stimulating skin and muscle rejuvenation.
Small intra-dermal needles are then inserted into fine lines and creases of your choosing, stimulating collagen production and enriching the skin quality/texture.
Sensation: Most people feel minimal or no pain during needle insertion. Once the needles are in place, you may feel tingling, warmth, or heaviness. These sensations are generally considered a sign that the treatment is working.
Needle Retention: The needles are left in place for approx. 20 minutes. During this time, you can relax and enjoy the calming music.
Needle Removal: Eoghan will remove the needles after the set time, usually without any discomfort.
Facial Massage - immediately after needle removal, Eoghan will use a high-quality hyaluronic acid and B5 serum, which will be massaged into the skin using a Gua Sha stone and jade roller. This step further enhances the pressure points, encourages the serum into the puncture points, and helps improve lymphatic drainage and reduce puffiness.
Immediate Effects: Depending on how you respond to the treatment, you may feel relaxed or energised. You will likely feel a tightening of the skin, which will improve with repeated treatments.
Care Instructions: Eoghan will provide specific instructions, including no make-up and avoiding touching your face, for 12 hours.
Follow-Up: You will experience improvements in your skin after one visit, but the most significant effect will come with repeated treatments. Eoghan will discuss a treatment plan tailored to your needs.

Potential Side Effects

Acupuncture is a very safe procedure. Serious side effects are extremely rare. Some commoner side effects include:

Minor Bleeding or Bruising: At the needle insertion sites. Eoghan will take every care possible to avoid this, but it does occur in approximately 1 in 10 treatments.
Pain or Soreness: Mild discomfort during or after the needle insertion. Occasionally, this discomfort can last for a few hours and, in rare circumstances, 1 or 2 days.
Dizziness or Fainting: Especially for individuals who are sensitive or prone to fainting.

After Treatment

Immediate aftercare instructions and future appointment plans will be discussed before the end of your session. For more details, visit our Aftercare Instructions Page.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

For any additional questions you may have, please visit our FAQ page. For specific inquiries, you can reach us at info@clarkstonacupunctureclinic.com.