
Functional Cosmetic Acupuncture



Naturally, renew and refine your complexion, minimize or eliminate lines and sagging,
treat skin and neuromuscular facial conditions, prevent new signs of age from settling in.
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The Chinese Medicine and Functional Medicine approach to cosmetic concerns and skin conditions are different from conventional cosmetic or dermatological treatments in that we give you a stress relieving, body-mind-spirit experience vs. just a topical treatment, and take a holistic view towards your treatment plan. Many skin conditions, including cosmetic concerns, improve or resolve by enhancing the body’s ability to heal and regenerate while building resilience. The entire person is considered while working on specific issues, that may include not just the skin, but other concerns that are showing on the skin such as stress, digestive concerns, dysbiosis, metabolic syndrome, pain, hormonal issues, and many others. The skin is an important inter-related part of your entire system, and responds to internal, external, mental and emotional factors. Therefore, whether you wish to slow or reverse the signs of aging, or deal with a particular skin issue, we are working together to identify and treat the root of the problem.
Services and Number of Treatments
Ideal frequency of treatment depends on age, health, existing skin condition and individual goals. A personalized recommendation will be made after your initial consultation. Those over age 40, smokers, drinkers, and those with digestive or hydration issues, active skin problems, or who are exposed to excess pollution generally need more frequent treatment than others. Frequency of treatment can be increased or decreased as needed to enhance and maintain results. Aging is ongoing. these treatments help improve the health and functions of the skin, reduce current signs of aging skin, and with ongoing use, help reduce the progression of the look of aging while keeping your skin healthy and vibrant.
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Rates - Subject to Change Without Notice
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10 Minute Pre-Screening Q&A Discovery Call - Free
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Initial Consultation & 1st Treatment - $285
Cosmetic Acupuncture - $175 individual treatment, 10-Series $1,650 ($165/treatment).
Series = 1 treatment weekly for 10 weeks. After initial Series, appts may be every other week if desired. Must be used within 4 months. Series rate not available for treatments spaced out more than every 2 weeks.
An initial series of 10-20 weekly treatments is recommended in order to jump start results, treat skin conditions and help maximally smooth, lift and tone. This allows the results of each treatment to build upon the effects of the prior treatment. There is no down-time with this approach. Results may be apparent right away, with more change usually becoming most noticeable after the 5th to 7th treatment, when increased collagen and elastin have been produced. After the initial series, 1 treatment every 2-3 weeks will help maintain and reinforce prior results. If you just want to refresh the complexion and enjoy a face-body-mind stress-relieving treatment, you may want to enjoy cosmetic acupuncture once per month while scheduling regular functional health visits to continue working on underlying health issues.
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Microneedling - $250 individual treatment, 4-Series $960 ($240/treatment) 6-Series $1,410 ($235/treatment).
Series = 1 treatment monthly for 4 or 6 months respectively. Series must be used within 6 months. Can be used monthly in between Cosmetic Acupuncture Treatments.
1 treatment per month for 4 to 6 months produces results that can last for up to 5 years. Cosmetic Acupuncture can be used in between and after the 4-6 sessions for maintenance. This treatment may produce skin redness and sun sensitivity for 24-48 hours afterwards. An after-care kit is provided at your first treatment to soothe the skin and enhance results. Body acupuncture is also used during each treatment to address overall health and appearance.
Combination Series - 10 Cosmetic Acupuncture Treatments + 4 Microneedling Treatments + Derma Roller for at-home care to enhance results $2,600 (Saves $1195 off individual treatment rates. Saves additional $55 off series rates) Must be used within 6 months.
Celluma LED Photonic Stimulation Light Therapy $50 stand-alone treatment, $35 when added to Cosmetic Acupuncture Treatment (Not recomended same day as Microneedling treatment).
Celluma LED light produces no UV or other harmful rays, and can be used 3x per week for skin rejuvenation. It can also be used for wound healing, acne and pain depending on the setting. There is no down-time associated with LED light treatment. You may come in for a 30 minute LED stand-alone treatment, purchase your own Celluma (I am an affiliate), or add it on to your Cosmetic Acupuncture or any acupuncture treatment to enhance results. The add-on is a popular choice.
What Are The Effects?
Over time, chronic skin issues have the potential to improve or resolve, signs of aging are reduced or reversed, further signs of aging are slowed and prevented from settling in while overall health improves. With maintenance treatments, your skin continues to improve, and you can appear not to age as fast as those who do not receive treatment. Regular treatment can have significant health benefits. These are comprehensive health and beauty treatments offering superior value compared to the cost of most professional facials.
What is the "Functional" Approach to Skin Care?
The functional approach goes further than symptomatic treatment to identify unhealthy patterns which may have led to the current skin problem, or may create problems in the future. This model addresses modifiable changes to lifestyle which are contributors to health, feeling well, and possible prevention of future illness or disease. Treatments are adjusted as your condition changes, or as needed, in order to keep your care strategy specific to you. Treatments target your chief skin concerns and current symptoms while strengthening your body's natural defenses. I will utilize physical treatments such as cosmetic acupuncture, body acupuncture (anchors the Qi and helps treat internal imbalances,), effective natural healthy skin products and topical treatments, as well as body-work to help you look and feel your best. We also have the opportunity to work together to make helpful modifications to diet, nutritional deficiencies and lifestyle issues which are the main contributors to health and wellness, including skin health and appearance, that we have control over.
About Viveka Rucker, D.A.C.M., L.Ac., Dipl. O.M., A.C.N.
I look forward to helping you with a natural approach to your health and beauty. As a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese medicine, and certified clinical nutritionist who has specialized in cosmetic acupuncture and dermatology since the beginning of my practice in 2003, I am able to address your skin concerns with functional nutrition, functional medicine health coaching, licensed herbal medicine, cosmetic acupuncture, microneedling, Celluma LED, gua sha, facial cupping, and other modalities, as well as provide healthy topical products and devices for at-home care. The two-for-one benefit of cosmetic acupuncture's effect to improve both health and beautiful skin makes it unique among cosmetic and dermatology treatments. It is my privilege to bring my knowledge, experience and care to your concerns.
First Office Visit and Consultation Information
During your initial consultation, I hear your story and gather the information needed to evaluate and assess your needs. You can schedule this consultation separately, or we can schedule enough time so that following your consultation, you will receive your first cosmetic acupuncture treatment so that you can get started on the road to looking and feeling better, and experience how I work. We know that one treatment will not resolve the issue but begins the process. From there, we develop a treatment plan specific to your needs and goals, and a schedule for your first series of treatments.
Results! See Before & After Photos Below
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What Is Cosmetic Acupuncture?
Hair thin, sterilized needles placed shallowly in the face and elsewhere in the body at specific acupuncture points stimulate the dermis layer, promoting healthier skin cell function, improved circulation, and increased collagen and elastin production. Acupuncture improves organ function and immunity, promoting beauty and vitality from the inside out, and providing an overall effect that goes beyond facial surface treatments. Over time signs of aging are reduced or reversed, further signs of aging are slowed and prevented from settling in, while overall health improves. With maintenance treatments, your skin continues to improve and you can appear not to age as fast as those who do not receive treatment. Regular treatment can have significant health benefits.
What To Expect:
Needle insertion sensation is brief and minimal. Any discomfort during treatment is unlikely, though you may feel a lot of energy in the face due to its rejuvenating action. Acupuncture is cumulative. An initial series of twice-weekly or weekly treatments allows each treatment to build upon the effects of the prior treatment. More than a week in between treatments at this time will not allow the treatment results to hold for more than a few days. Some results may be apparent right away, with more change usually becoming most noticeable after the 5th-7th treatment when increased collagen and elastin has been produced and distributed across the skin matrix. Improvements accumulate as your series continues.
Recommended Frequency of Treatment:
An initial series of 10 - 20 twice weekly or weekly treatments is recommended to jump start results.
* 1-2 sessions per week for 10-20 weeks to maximally smooth, lift, and tone.
* 1 treatment every 2 -3 weeks to maintain and reinforce prior results
*1 treatment per month to refresh the complexion and prior results.
The ideal frequency of treatment depends on age, health, existing skin condition and individual goals. A personalized recommendation will be made after your initial consultation. Those over age 40, smokers, drinkers, and those with digestive and/or hydration issues, active skin problems or exposed to excess pollution generally need more frequent treatment than others. The frequency of treatment can be increased or decreased as needed to enhance and maintain results.
Recommended for best results
Age 20 - 35 - This is the best time to prevent signs of aging and maintain results.
Age 35-50 - At this stage we treat & minimize signs of aging, prevent new signs of aging, and maintain results
Age 50 and up - At this stage we treat & minimize signs of aging, prevent deepening of lines and sagging, and maintain results.
Bells Palsy, Ptosis - It is best to always begin treatment at the first signs.
Trigeminal Neuralgia - Start now to treat & improve while preventing flare-ups.
Acne, Rosacea, Eczema, Psoriasis, skin conditions - Start now to treat both topically and internally for improvement and potential full resolution with continued treatment depending on stage of condition, overall health and commitment to care.
Healthy, Non-Toxic Skin Care:
From my years as a practising herbalist, I have selected Jadience, and Aculift Skin Care as the primary skincare lines to use in conjunction with my cosmetic treatments. Jadience uses properly formulated fresh Chinese herbal extracts to increase absorbability and treat the skin. They are combined with jade powder, which conducts far-infrared rays that penetrate the surface to enhance skin healing. Jade is known for its healing and beautifying properties. Jadience uses all-natural ingredients to enhance the beauty and healthy skin and receives high marks from the Environmental Working Group's "Skin Deep" rating system for cosmetic and skincare product safety. I also use some Derma E, Standard Process, Medi-Herb, First Base, Herbal TCM, AcuLift, Designs For Health, Gaia Pro, and other healthy, natural product lines, choosing what will produce the best results for each individual.
Getting Started:
(Initial consultation required for all new patients prior to acupuncture treatment - $285 including Cosmetic Acupuncture treatment with hot towels and premium natural skin care products finishing up with neck, hand and foot massage. Subsequent treatments $175, with optional Celluma LED photobiomodulating light treatment add-on for wrinkles, acne, wounds, pain or bruising - $35. Topicals during the treatment, neck hand and foot massage is included. At home topicals are available for purchase. A 10 min. phone consult for Q & A is free.
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Cosmetic Acupuncture Renewal - $175 Series of 10 = $1,650 saves $100
(series must be used within 5 months) 120 minutes - includes exfoliating scrub followed by acupuncture facial treatment in our private room setting, all-natural toner, serum, eye and facial moisturizers, facial acupressure plus deeply relaxing neck, shoulder, arm, hand, leg & foot massage.
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* Rates subject to change without notice
*Products & Add-ons sold separately
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Add Ons & Options:
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Add 30 minutes of Celluma LED Light Therapy to any acupuncture treatment for additional $35. A 30 min. stand-alone
treatment is $50. A Celluma LED device may also be available for at home rental between treatments. The Celluma Pro and
iPro are used for wrinkles, wounds, bruising, acne, injuries, aches and pains. I am happy to advise you about purchasing one of their many devices for at-home use and can provide you with the option to receive a free case on the Pro and iPro ($50 value).
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Skin enhancing personalized nutrition promotes your beauty and vitality from the inside out.
Find out what factors are affecting your skin and what nutrients your skin needs more of to enhance beauty and health. While there are general nutritional protocols to support skin health, we can also go deeper with a personalized assessment involving functional lab testing that allows us to address your unique health profile and underlying reasons for skin issues.
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* Products sold separately.
Healthy Skin, Healthy You, Healthy Beauty
Before & After Photos​
(All before & after photos were taken by Viveka at the Center under existing treatment room lights.
No photo has been retouched, enhanced or specially lighted.)

​​Before Series

​​Before Series

​​After Series

​​After Series
Reduction of forehead lines & dark circles

​​Before Series

​​After Series
Improved complexion & reduction of rosacea

​​Before Series

​​After Series
Softening of deeper upper lip lines

​​Before Series

​​After Series
Lessening of deeper lines, subtle lift
Viveka giving a facial acupuncture treatment to celebrity photographer,
Alan Weissman

Tip: A series of 10-20 treatments before your next birthday, reunion, wedding, shower, presentation or event, can help you look your best for all those photos!
Dr. Viveka S. Rucker, D.A.C.M., L.Ac., Dipl. O.M., A.C.N.,
Viveka Rucker is a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, state of California and nationally licensed acupuncturist, herbalist, and applied clinical nutritionist. As a Natural Functional Health Practitioner, she utilizes Chinese medicine plus functional nutrition blood lab review, and diet & lifestyle guidance to provide truly holistic health care.
Since beginning her practice in 2003, Cosemetic Acupuncture has been a specialty and a passion. Viveka has trained extensively in several styles and modalities of cosmetic acupuncture & eastern medicine facial treatments including Mei Zen, Constitutional Facial Acupuncture Renewal, Facial Microcurrent, Microneedling, LED Photobiomoduation Light Therapy, Facial Acupressure, and others. She specializes in skin health & renewal, dermatology, and the treatment of neuro-muscular facial conditions such as Bells Palsy, ptosis and trigeminal neuralgia.