How many treatments are necessary?
For FotoFacial, Skin Tightening, and Wrinkle Reduction, five treatments (spaced three to four weeks apart) are needed in order to ensure a sustained effect. After that, many clients like to come in once or twice a year for maintenance touch-ups. For treatment of larger veins and vascular lesions, approximately three treatments (spaced four to six weeks apart) are generally needed for a sustained effect, although this varies greatly, sometimes more, sometimes less, depending on the individual. Laser hair removal generally requires six treatments (spaced two to four weeks apart) to ensure a sustained effect. This is because hairs have different growth cycles and the laser only treats one of those cycles; repeat visits are therefore necessary in order to ensure that all hairs have been treated at the appropriate stage (see Is it permanent?).
The nature, severity and history of each individual’s complaint, as well as the individual himself or herself, determine the number of treatments necessary. From five to fifteen treatments are generally adequate for the majority of chronic complaints. Many acute conditions may only require a single treatment and some degenerative conditions may require scores of treatments. The primary focus of Chinese medicine is on correcting the underlying cause of illness and thus produce a lasting cure. Symptoms can often be relieved in a relatively small number of treatments; however, the curing of illness itself is a much longer process.
Because each patient’s health problems and response to treatment are unique, the number and frequency of treatments vary. Typically, the recommendation is one to two treatments per week for about six to eight weeks, although most patients respond favorably after only one treatment. It is then suggested to do a maintenance treatment once every four to six weeks to keep the qi flowing unimpeded. Most report a feeling of total relaxation and a release of stress after each treatment.
It usually recommended that a series of 10 treatments be given. Many patients will obtain the best results after 6 or 12 treatments, so it is best to consult with the acupuncturist about your particular case. The treatments preferably given twice or three times a week in the beginning and then spread out as the patient begins to improve.
