Look Younger Naturally and Effortlessly with Acupuncture

It’s almost impossible to cheat ageing naturally. Plastic surgery and latest technology aside, it’s possible to slow down the process and age gracefully just like stunning actresses Gong Li and Shu Qi. Without the use of harsh chemicals and injections, there are a few natural ways on how to look younger. 

The human body secretes about 70 types of hormones and each play an important role in slowing down the ageing process. However, sometimes your body can slow down on hormone production. This is when you’ll need a doctor’s help, to obtain natural hormones as a supplement that your body lacks. 

Research has shown that these eight hormones – oestrogen, androgen, progesterone, melatonin, growth, thyroid, serotonin and cortisol make you look even younger and more energetic. 

The Eight Hormones and Their Functions 

When your body is unable to produce enough hormones, there is a chance that your body might malfunction, and accelerated ageing is one of its effects. Your doctor or physician can recommend hormone pills or even natural herbs to supplement what your body lacks.

These are the eight hormones and how they play a role in your body’s ability to look younger.

1. Oestrogen 

This primary female hormone has many roles in the body including being responsible for female puberty and sexual and reproductive health. Oestrogen also affects the body’s organ systems including the brain and musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems.

The ovaries, corpus luteum and placenta produce oestrogen, including the oestrone, oestradiol and oestriol hormones. Testosterone, a hormone that is also produced by the ovaries in small amounts, secretes a small amount of oestrogen too. 

Low oestrogen levels can cause irregular or absent periods, depression, fatigue, painful sex due to vaginal dryness and mood shifts. 

2. Androgen 

For men, this hormone stimulates and controls the development and maintenance of male characteristics. Female bodies also contain androgen. It works to lower cholesterol levels and is also an important hormone in preventing osteoporosis. If androgen hormone levels decline, it can decrease muscle mass and strength, an increase in cholesterol, a decrease in libido, and even depression. 

3. Progesterone 

This unique type of hormone is only present in female bodies. It functions to maintain the development of endometrium and melatonin, restrain T-cells to prevent the rejection of a foetus by a pregnant mother and reduce sensitivity towards oxytocin so that the process of pregnancy can go on smoothly. In addition, a woman’s body secretes large amounts of progesterone when they’re pregnant. 

4. Melatonin 

This hormone is secreted by the pineal gland and is most active between 11pm and 2am. Working to control the ageing biological clock, it’s why it’s important to be in deep sleep during this period for the melatonin to work most effectively. Start getting your beauty sleep in tonight! 

5. Growth hormone 

The name of this hormone speaks for itself. It is usually secreted between 11pm and 4am and works to promote human development. However, growth hormone levels decrease as one ages, so it is best if you sleep early nightly for it to perform optimally.

6. Thyroid hormone 

The thyroid hormone monitors your metabolism. If you lack this in your body, you might experience symptoms like depression and even weight gain, which will eventually cause you to age quicker.

7. Serotonin 

Derived from the melatonin hormone, the pineal gland produces serotonin. A lack of it can affect one’s emotions, sleeping quality and even appetite. Serotonin is also dubbed the “happy hormone”, and you know what they say, being happy keeps you looking young. 

8. Cortisol 

The adrenal glands secrete cortisol. It has several functions including managing your body’s use of nutrients, regulating blood pressure, increasing your glucose levels, controlling your sleeping and waking cycle and dealing with stress.

Too much of this hormone can lead to a condition called Cushing syndrome. Symptoms include rapid weight gain, high blood pressure, bone loss, easily bruised skin and diabetes. If your body doesn’t produce enough cortisol, you could have Addison’s disease. Symptoms like tiredness, a loss of appetite and weight, low blood pressure, muscle weakness and darkening of skin will show. 

Acupuncture for Younger Skin 

There are many benefits of acupuncture, including slowing down your body’s ageing process. As a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), body pains, headaches, or even nausea can be treated with acupuncture. However, acupuncturists can use it to minimise fine facial lines too. 

Facial acupuncture can be the safer alternative to plastic surgery, botox and fillers. 

This cosmetic treatment – an extension of traditional acupuncture – can naturally help make your skin look younger, smoother, and healthier inside and out. This is because acupuncture increases the circulation of qi (vital energy) and blood to your face by focusing on specific acupuncture points. 

Unlike injection procedures, facial acupuncture addresses the signs of ageing around your face and targets your skin’s overall health. Fret not, as the procedure is completely painless. As the needles puncture the skin, they create wounds within its threshold, which are called positive microtraumas. When your body senses these wounds, it goes into repair mode, stimulating the production of collagen. It can help with your skin’s elasticity, fine lines and wrinkles. 

Whether modern medicine, hormone pills or traditional acupuncture methods – there are a few ways to slow down the body’s ageing process. Most importantly, try to get sufficient sleep, stay hydrated, adopt a healthier lifestyle and you just might discover the key to how to look young naturally. 

This is an adaptation of an article, “8 Key Hormones To Ageless Look”, which first appeared on Eu Yan Sang’s website.