by: Doug Devlin




Plastic Acupuncture, abbreviated as (P.Ac) is not really a new development. Traditional Chinese Medicine has used it tools and talents for thousands of years for cosmetic purposes. In China’s ancient past, procedures which involved a cosmetic change were available only to the very wealthy, probably members to the imperial family. Commoners would not have had access to either the funds or experts.


The ancient method was born from the union of three Traditional Chinese Medicine specialties: TCM Surgery, TCM Cosmetology and TCM Dermatology. The modern applied technology was developed in a hospital environment in Beijing, China. It was discovered while Doctors were treating patients with acupuncture who had suffered facial paralysis. It became apparent that the placement of acupuncture needles on specific areas not only had a therapeutic effect for the patients, but also created cosmetic results as a side benefit. The results could only be described as powerful and dramatic.


The name was chosen to reflect the use of acupuncture in a cosmetic manner to bring about change. Plastic is from Latin plasticus; to mold and Greek plastikos; to form. “Plastic” refers to the technique employed rather than the composite of the instruments.


The method is not surgery. It is the use of stainless steel acupuncture needles to gently stimulate the body’s natural energy system (called Qi) to create change.


By far the most popular procedure is a facial lift. Probably 8 out 10 people want to know about facial lifts. But many other types of procedures are also possible.


Plastic Acupuncture treats the whole person. How a person feels about their life and about themselves is very important. The treatment philosophy is that life beauty makes the human body beautiful.


Acupuncture of any nature is completely safe when preformed by a trained professional. Plastic Acupuncture is a very specialized form of Traditional Chinese Medicine Cosmetology (TCMC) and must be preformed by a trained professional.


The technique should not be viewed as an alternative to cosmetic surgery. A person that is interested in immediate and permanent change should seek a consultation with a cosmetic surgeon. Plastic Acupuncture provides results over a number of treatments (often up to 12 sessions). There is no natural way to create an over night change.


Most people should begin to see a visible difference within 6 sessions. If change has not taken place by that time, it is unlikely that it will. They should feel some difference after only one session.


The first meeting with the Plastic Acupuncturist (P.Ac) is a consultation to determine if the procedure is right for them. The person completes a general health questionnaire and the treatment area is examined to determine suitability of the procedure. Issues such as realistic expectations, how the treatment is preformed and other health questions are discussed. A decision to have the procedure will not be accepted on the spot by the Plastic Acupuncturist. A person should take their time to think over the decision before making an appointment to start the procedure.


Along with the actual needle placement, a person is given specific Chinese herbal medicines to increase health and assist in the cosmetic change process. These medicines may also include creams that should be applied between sessions.


An entire session takes about one hour and thirty minutes. Only sterile one-time-use needles are used, along with established sterilization methods.

About The Author Doug Devlin is a Toronto, Ontario, Canada based Acupuncturist specializing in Plastic Acupuncture. He is a graduate of the Ontario College of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, Toronto; The China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing and completed his internship at Wangjing Hospital, Beijing. He is a member of the Canadian Society of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, The World Association of Chinese Medicine and The Barefoot Doctors, International Humanitarian Association. Doug Devlin can be contacted at: clinic@plasticacupuncture.com