Jing, Ying, Wei - A deeper look at Facial Acupuncture.
Facial acupuncture is usually sold as a cosmetic fix, a shortcut to smoother skin. That framing was the starting point of my own thesis research, built on years studying with practitioners including Dr Radha Thambirajah, Dr Vivian Tam, Dr Michelle Gilles, Dr MaryWakefield and Dr Bin Bing in Chengdu. Each works differently. What they share is a refusal to treat the face as separate from the body underneath it.
What it is
Constitutional Facial Acupuncture is built on Dr Mary Wakefield's system, rooted inTraditional Chinese Medicine and the practice that has become the backbone of my own classical work.
It treats the signs of ageing on the face as a surface expression of a deeper constitutional imbalance, not a problem to be corrected at the skin. Its guiding principle is simple: authentic beauty reflects internal harmony and the free flow of qi, and that cannot be reached by working on the surface alone.
True restoration begins beneath the surface. When we support the body's internal balance, the benefits can extend beyond the skin to how we feel, function and carry ourselves.
The Three Levels
The work moves through three levels at once, each read and treated in the same session.
Jing - The Eight Extraordinary Meridians.
This is where genetic predisposition and deepconstitutional patterns live.
Ying - The Twelve Regular Meridians.
This regulates organ function, nutritive qi, and overallvitality.
Wei - The Twelve Tendinomuscular Meridians.
This releases muscular tension, treats the body'ssurface, and works directly on the facial motor points.
Addressing all three at once is what makes it a root-and-branch approach, working theface and the body's wider health in the same sitting rather than one at the expense of theother.
Jing, Ying and Wei represent three distinct layers of treatment: our constitutional foundations, the systems that sustain vitality, and the muscular structures that shape expression.
The Session
Every session begins with a TCM diagnosis, including pulse and tongue assessment, to identify underlying imbalances. Body acupuncture comes first, followed by a cleanse with Shemana Cleansing Oil and Facial Serum. Gua sha prepares the tissue before targeted needling along wrinkles, facial motor points, Ashi points and acupuncture meridians.
Once the needles are removed, a herbal mask tailored to the individual's constitution and skin condition is applied. The 90-minute session continues with body acupuncture to strengthen the Jing or Ying level, often incorporating abdominal acupuncture, before finishing with Shemana Facial Mist and Golden Age Beauty Balm.
This extended treatment allows for deeper constitutional work, gua sha and a customised herbal mask. The one-hour Beauty Acupuncture session follows the same principles in a shorter format, designed for ongoing maintenance.
Constitutional change rarely happens in a single session. Consistent treatment allows us to observe patterns, respond to the body's changing needs and work towards results that extend beyond the immediate cosmetic effect.The body is given time to soften, release and integrate — so you leave not simply worked on, but shifted.
FAQ
Isn't facial acupuncture just a cosmetic treatment?
Not as I practise it. Constitutional Facial Acupuncture prioritises non-invasive, integrativesolutions over a purely cosmetic fix. The principle underneath it is that beauty reflectsinternal harmony, so the treatment works at the level of the whole body, not just the skinyou can see.
What should I expect to feel, and how soon will I see a change?
Wrinkles and melasma need ongoing care, usually ten to twelve sessions. Even so, mostpeople feel more awake and alive in their skin after the very first treatment. I often see areturn of sparkle in the eyes as someone reconnects to themselves, and that depends onthe depth of the work and their own willingness to meet what's there. Hormonally drivenskin conditions respond best alongside herbal supplements, over at least three months ofongoing treatment.
Should I start with Beauty Acupuncture or go straight to the Constitutional session?
If you want a maintenance session that supports general wellbeing alongside your skin,start with Beauty Acupuncture. If you're looking for real change, a deeper inquiry into theroot cause, and the readiness to work with it, the Constitutional Deluxe session is built forthat.
Dr. Lihyan Teh
Trained in Taoist Chinese Medicine, Lihyan takes a holistic approach to health, addressing the physical, emotional and energetic factors that influence wellbeing.
With advanced studies in esoteric acupuncture, Five Element Theory, I-Ching and the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, she focuses on identifying underlying imbalances, supporting emotional wellbeing and restoring balance throughout the body.
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