Published: Wednesday, 27th January, 2010 4:31pm

Facial rejuvenation therapy - the perfect antidote to the January skin blues

Sophia works on Deirdre's temples. Photo: Ann Hennessy.

The recent cold snap has a lot to answer for! Well, that's my story and I'm sticking to it in relation to my skin. The arctic weather meant hibernation was the only option for weeks on end, helping to extend my usual Christmas overindulgence well into January as the endless boxes of roses, chocolate kimberleys and selection boxes found a home in my belly and, not a jot of running done to compensate, for fear of returning with a series of broken bones.

When the thaw came the damage was there for all to see, no not the roads or burst pipes, much more important - my skin. Spots and bumps and eye bags were made worse by flaky, dry skin, a direct result of sitting propped beside a blazing fire and then on the odd occasion that I had to leave the house (mainly for work) being battered by freezing winds and sub-zero temperatures.

In need of something radical to get rid of the January skin blues, a bout of facial rejuvenation therapy was suggested by Manager of Chinese Acupuncture Care in Sean Costello Street Sophia Sun, a mix of acupuncture, facial massage and herbal compresses.

"It is excellent for clearing the points reducing wrinkles, under-eye bags, general anti-ageing and for a tired face. It really gets the cells working again and wakes them up," Sophia told me immediately identifying my sinus problems as she inserted about eight needles in to my face, a number of which were specifically to tackle my headaches and constant blocked up feeling. "Sinus is hard to clear with medicine but acupuncture gets right to the points and is very effective," said Sophia, who holds a Masters Degree in both Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine in her native China, having also studied Rehabilitation in the prestigious Louvain University in Belgium.

With the needles in and hardly a tingle as we chatted away, I was then left for a lovely 30 minutes of just relaxing and a bit of snooze time, something that came very easily even though I looked like a mini Hellraiser! As you know, acupuncture is based on balance and seeks to cure the illnesses rather than the symptoms by stimulating the body's own healing process by inserting extremely fine needles at the different points on the body surface.

After my little rest Sophia started the second phase of the treatment, by taking using what looked like two thick cigarettes or cigars of a sort, filled with moxibustin herbs that were actually lit and then blown out. Both were held at either side of my face for a few minutes to heat up the needles to "work on the points better", Sophia said reassuringly and, although it felt a little strange at first, within minutes it was rather nice and the smell of the herbs just added to the relaxing atmosphere.

Sufficiently chilled out at this stage, Sophia removed the needles and set about preparing a special blend of Chinese herbal oils specifically for my dry skin and spots before getting to work on a fabulous gentle facial massage, targeting all my pressure points for maximum effect, over a 40 minute period. I could really get used to this regular rejuvenation lark, I tell you!

Blends for other facial problems can also be made up where required, she told me, for things like under eye bags, wrinkles, laughter lines etc. So pleasant and charming throughout, Sophia answered all my questions with good humour and patience, making the experience a real pleasure before I had even seen or felt the results.

The final piece of the jigsaw was a wet herbal compress placed over my face for the final few minutes, the real cooling effect of which I enjoyed because it awakened me after a lovely, restful treatment, while also working on my skin. "Acupuncture with herbs is much more effective," Sophia enthused, adding that it's been practised for over 3,000 years, proof if it were needed of its success.

"Your face will really glow after this and you will feel more energised," the acupuncture and Chinese medicine expert had predicted beforehand and she wasn't wrong. Without a scrap of make up I left her premises looking like I had a monster twelve hour sleep, not a black under eye bag to be seen or blemish, and looking and feeling a lot better than I had a little over an hour earlier. An added bonus was the real a spring in my step and a clear head, something I rarely have with a blocked sinus after a hard week of it on a Friday. I was definitely ready to enjoy the weekend!

PS: Even a week later I noticed a burst of energy and my skin and sinus were looking and feeling better than they had been for a long time.

For further information or a free consultation call Sophia at Chinese Acupuncture Care, Sean Costello Street, Athlone 090 6470396.