Acupuncture for Beauty

Dr. Boonlert Chantrapas, a General and Vice President of the Association of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine of Thailand, is a leader in bringing the science of acupuncture to be used in beauty treatment.

No matter how many times I emphasize it, it never stops being true: there is no guarantee that treating skin problems with any of the available methods - whether it be applying creams, taking vitamins, getting treatments or even using lasers - will lead to a definite solution to the problem. These methods may provide relief, but the real cause of skin problems such as acne, blemishes, freckles, dark spots, premature aging, and many others, lies within the body's internal systems or its circulatory system of blood.

In addition to chronic skin problems like acne, blemishes, freckles, dark spots, and premature aging, body shape is another issue that girls grapple with - from cellulite to excess fat to undesirable proportions. Wouldn't it be great if we had a way to address, prevent and solve the problem? Enter Acupuncture - an ancient alternative science in beauty care that has been around for over five thousand years. Let's revitalize our skin from the inside and out with Acupuncture!

We went to investigate the answer to skin issues with Gen. Dr. Boonlert Chantrapas, a neurological surgeon. He is affiliated with Vibhavadi Hospital and has studied further in neurological acupuncture, brain and spinal cord. He has also trained in acupuncture for beauty and holds the position of Vice President of the Association of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine of Thailand, which is a guarantee of expertise in this field. He is well-known as a specialist in acupuncture and one of the top experts in Thailand. So, why was this renowned neurosurgeon interested in the science of acupuncture? You can find the answers in this column.

Getting to know the doctor better

I graduated from Siriraj Medical School and went on to specialize in neurosurgery at a mental hospital. I was originally a 9th generation military prep student due to a shortage of military medics during the communist period. After graduation, I served as a civil servant at Phramongkutklao Hospital, eventually becoming its Director for 3 years and Chief Medical Officer. My first period of work was in the field of neurosurgery, focusing on the brain and spinal cord. Afterwards, I went to the University of Minnesota to study laparoscopic surgery for one year, then returned to serve as the Director of the Accident Division for 6 years before becoming an administrator at Phramongkutklao Hospital.

“I offer acupuncture treatments at Vibhavadi Hospital and Phramongkutklao Hospital on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, and also provide part-time services from Monday to Friday.”

Explore the Benefits of Acupuncture in the 3 Southern Border Provinces

During his tenure as Chief Medical Officer, the Royal Thai Army worked on projects in the three southern border provinces. To this end, they developed a mobile hospital kit to enable doctors, dentists, staff and nurses to travel and treat patients in the area. During this one-month period, they went out for medical treatment fifteen times, which was a very risky endeavor. It was at this time that the Royal Thai Army realized their military doctors should be trained in acupuncture; thus, they collaborated with the Ministry of Public Health to enroll some of the doctors in their courses. Furthermore, they reached out to the Chinese Medical University in Shanghai and the Chinese Medical University in Tianjin to learn the practice of acupuncture. As a result, there are now many medical professionals who are trained in this practice scattered throughout Thailand.

As an elderly doctor, I rarely have a business mindset. I believe that every patient we treat should be treated as if they were family, and thus we must provide the best care possible. If we don't have specialized knowledge about a particular condition, we refer the patient to the experts. If we treat them with the intention of helping them to recover, they will be sure to come back.

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“As an experienced physician, I rarely make decisions rashly. I live by the principle that every patient I treat should be considered like family, and should always be given the best care possible. If I am not well versed in a particular ailment, I will refer them to a specialist who is. If I treat them with the intention of helping them to get better, they will be sure to come back.”

Does acupuncture have the ability to heal skin?

Many doctors, including those in China, agree that acupuncture can be an effective treatment for skin and beauty issues. This is especially true for women, who may experience changes in hormonal levels which can cause acne, blemishes, and other symptoms. Acupuncture points or meridians can be used to balance hormones and adjust the flow of energy or blood. This can result in wrinkles, eyelids, acne, and blemishes appearing lessened, which is seen as a positive outcome.

Rejuvenate Skin with Acupuncture: An Inside-Out Approach

Often the problem with women's faces is related to hormonal levels, blood, wind, emotions, and stress. For example, some people take birth control pills, or work very exhausted until their bodies deteriorate, which can cause various skin conditions such as acne, blemishes, and wrinkles. When we understand the cause, we can adjust our hormone levels to balance the body. In Chinese medicine, there is one advantage: various points or breaths that correspond to each organ. If there is an excess or what is called "congestion", it must be reduced to a balanced level, or in the middle, or if there is a lack, it must be stimulated to help strengthen the body. Acupuncture can help to fill and completely increase the missing part. If our body is balanced in terms of blood, minerals, and hormones, then the skin will be healthy and our bodies will not get sick.

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We will strive to help patients who are suffering from various diseases achieve better mental health and greater happiness. We urge them to avoid wasting time and money on ineffective self-treatment, and instead make the most of the available resources.

Acupuncture as a Treatment for Skin Conditions

Many skin problems, such as acne, blemishes, and wrinkles, can be treated with electrical stimulation in conjunction with acupuncture. This method works by penetrating the needle at a certain degree and depth, and using the formula of soil, water, and sky depending on the expertise of the practitioner. Patients typically receive treatment for 10 sessions, either daily or 2-3 times a week. If the patient's condition improves, the treatment can be stopped, but if there is no improvement it may be necessary to take a break for a week to allow the meridian points to recover. The effectiveness of the treatment ultimately depends on the patient's behavior and response. In some cases, the condition may not be completely cured due to environmental or hormonal factors. Ultimately, there is no disease that can be completely cured, except for death.

“At this point in time, many medical facilities have acupuncture doctors, depending on the policies of each. I believe that acupuncture treatment can be highly beneficial for Thailand, as it has fewer side effects than drug use, and is more cost-effective for the economy.”

Dermatologist Gives Positive Review

I'm lucky to know a dermatologist who once was my patient. He has done many laser treatments and knows the advantages of acupuncture for treating the skin around the face. It creates a new cycle, like a tree that needs food to survive. If we stimulate certain points, it will improve the blood supply and bring nutrients while also removing waste. This is the science of acupuncture, which can be used to treat various diseases by working on the body's meridians. He sent a person who was unwell to us, and we were able to help them with acupuncture. This allowed the body to create new cells, which replaced the old, damaged ones, and the dark spots disappeared.

Lose Weight with Acupuncture

“Many patients come to discuss the issue of reducing overproportioned body parts, such as the upper arms, thighs, or abdomen. Acupuncture is effective in this regard, as it helps to tighten and function the body. Electrical stimulation is used as part of acupuncture, which helps to breakdown fat, firm up muscles and adjust the surplus. Initially, manual stimulation was used, but with the advancement of technology, electrical stimulators are used instead.”

“There are no downsides to acupuncture. The amount of weight a person will lose is not certain and depends on their eating habits. We recommend that patients maintain or gain weight by having a light dinner after they receive acupuncture. Additionally, some people may experience anorexia when using magnetic beads in the ear or with a paste using the beads, which they can squeeze when they become hungry.”

China’s high awareness!

“Acupuncture has been used in China for more than five thousand years, but now it is being done in a more practical way. Previously, traditional Chinese medicine and modern medicine were kept separate, but now many hospitals offer them together as an Integrated Hospital. Patients may be sent to either the traditional Chinese treatment plan or the current one depending on their condition, and if the Chinese plan is not available, they will be sent to the current plan. With modern advances in diagnosis such as computer systems, MRI, ultrasound, and various special examinations, the treatment process in China has become much more applied. Today, modern scientific tools are used to determine the best treatment for each disease, which can include medication, physical therapy, and acupuncture. Additionally, China has an annual meeting to adjust the treatment plans. In Thailand, modern medicine acupuncture is used in combination with regular treatment. The Thai Acupuncture Medical Association coordinates with China (Shanghai University) and Hua Chiew University in order to facilitate continuous medical exchanges and meetings between the two countries.”

“Currently, this area of science has been well-received both in Europe and globally. Universities in the United States and Australia are offering courses on it. Additionally, doctors from abroad are looking to study acupuncture in China. In Europe, the use of drugs or chemicals is not favored, and acupuncture is preferred as an alternative. People in Thailand also prefer this type of treatment due to its ability to reduce complications from drug use.”

Doctor's working principles

“As an experienced doctor, I take the principle of treating every patient as if they were family seriously. If I am not well-versed in a particular disease, I will refer the patient to an expert who is. When treating a patient, I strive to get to the root of the problem so that they can be given the best possible treatment. I also strive to build trust and treat patients with respect and ethics, as this has been proven to be an important factor in providing satisfaction and reliability. Furthermore, I have seen great results in combining acupuncture with traditional medicines. Patients who receive both together have a better quality of life than those who only receive traditional medication.”

Acupuncture is like an applied science. Each person can have a different approach, and I often teach students that it's like cooking. For example, when making a curry, who makes it delicious or not depends entirely on the method. The same can be said for acupuncture, so the results may not be the same. Personally, I like to do two things at once: treatment plus health maintenance. That is, when the patient is healed, they will also be refreshed. As an added bonus, I had the privilege of serving as a physician to Her Majesty the Queen for neurosurgical treatment, which I consider to be a great honor.

New science on acupuncture around the eyes to be released soon

Recently, a patient suffering from glaucoma was about to undergo surgery, but instead decided to try acupuncture. After having acupuncture for a while, the patient's condition gradually improved and the intraocular pressure dropped from 80 to 30. Now, I am researching whether acupuncture can be used to permanently treat glaucoma, a very serious disease, at the China Medical University in Liaoning Province. The university has studied hundreds of thousands of patients, focusing on abnormalities in the retinal veins. The points used to simulate the organs around the eyes is called Acupuncture around the eyes and is the latest innovation in acupuncture treatment. I have learned this technique from a teacher in Thailand, and we have gone to study this field more seriously.

Message to medical students

“Treating patients requires a holistic approach due to the fact that everyone's genes react differently to different methods. By combining the best of modern and traditional Chinese medicine, the patient can receive the most beneficial treatment possible without wasting their money on ineffective self-treatment. Acupuncture treatment should be used in the correct way, with various methods suggested for appropriate treatment, and the patient must be informed of the various factors that can affect the outcome. Through this, we can ensure that patients receive the best care and have improved mental health.”

Doctor Profile

General Dr. Boonlert Chantrapas

Education

- Military Academy (Class 9)

- Mahidol University Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Medicine

- Residency Medical Course Neurosurgery Diploma of Neurosurgery

- Colonel Class Course, Medical Corps Class 16

- The main course of the Royal Thai Army School of the Royal Thai Army, batch 61

- Specialist Course in Neurosurgery Diploma in Neurosurgery University of Minnesota, USA

- Family Medicine Program Approved Family Medicine Card

- National Defense Course for the Joint Public-Private Sector (NDC), Class 4414

- Acupuncture Course for Military Doctors, Class 17

- additional training neurological acupuncture brain and spinal cord

- additional training beauty acupuncture

- additional training Acupuncture treatment around the eyes

Status

- Neurosurgeon, Vibhavadi Hospital

- Brain and spinal surgeon

- Chinese acupuncture expert

- Vice President of the Association of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine of Thailand