Informed Consent for Facial Acupuncture

This is an informed consent document that has been prepared to help your acupuncturist inform you concerning facial acupuncture treatments, the risks involved, and possible alternatives.

Be advised: this is not a surgical procedure. It is important that you read this information carefully and completely. Initial each page indicating that you have read the page, and sign the consent for facial acupuncture treatments, as proposed by your acupuncturist.

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Introduction

An acupuncture facial treatment involves the insertion of acupuncture needles into fine lines and wrinkles on the face and neck to reduce the visible signs of aging. In Asian medicine, the meridians or pathways of Qi (energy) flow throughout the entire body from the soles of the feet to the face and head. Consequently, a facial acupuncture treatment addresses the entire body constitutionally, and is not merely “cosmetic.”

An acupuncture facial involves the patient in an organic, gradual process that is customized for each individual. It is no way analogous to, or a substitute for, a surgical “face lift.” A treatment session may confine itself solely to facial acupuncture, or it may be used in conjunction with other procedures.

Benefits

Facial acupuncture can increase facial tone, decrease puffiness around the eyes, as well as bring more firmness to sagging skin, enhance the radiance of the complexion, and flesh out sunken areas. Customarily, fine wrinkles disappear, and deeper ones be reduced. As this treatment is not merely confined to the face, it incorporates the entire body and constitutional issues of health.

Precautionary Conditions that Need to be Discussed Before Receiving Treatment

Problems with bleeding or bruising
Severe Migraine headaches
Parkinson’s disease
Recent Microdermabrasion
Cancer
AIDS
Recent laser treatments
Hepatitis
Vertigo
Hemophilia
Botox treatments
Dermal filler (Restylane, Juvederm, Radiesse, etc.)
Any skin diseases (poison ivy, eczema, hives)
Pregnancy
Herpes outbreak
Allergic reactions

Alternative Treatment

Improvement of sagging skin, wrinkles and fatty deposits may be attempted by other treatments or surgery such as a surgical facelift, chemical face peels, or liposuction. Risk and potential complications are associated with these alternative forms of treatment.

Risks of an Acupuncture Facial

Every procedure involves a certain amount of risk and it is important that you understand the risks involved with an acupuncture facial. An individual’s choice to undergo an acupuncture facial is based upon the comparison of the risk to potential benefit.

Although the majority of patients do not experience the following complications, you should discuss each of them with your acupuncturist to make sure you understand the risks, potential complications, and consequences of an acupuncture facial.

Bleeding: It is possible, though very unusual, you may have problems with bleeding during an acupuncture facial. Should post-acupuncture bleeding occur, it usually consists of a few drops. Accumulations of blood under the skin may cause a bruise, or hematoma, which will resolve itself.
Infection: Infection is very unusual after an acupuncture facial. Should an infection occur, additional treatment, including antibiotics, may be necessary.
Damage to Deeper Structures: Deeper structures such as blood vessels and muscles are rarely damaged during the course of a facial acupuncture treatment. If this does occur, the injury may be temporary or permanent.
Asymmetry: The human face is normally asymmetrical. Thus, there can be a variation from one side to the other in the results attained from a facial acupuncture treatment.
Bruising And Puffiness: There is a possibility of bruising (hematomas), puffiness, blood, tingling, itching, warmth, pain or other symptoms at the site of the needle.
Nerve Injury: Injuries to the motor or sensory nerves rarely result from facial acupuncture treatments. Nerve injuries may cause temporary or permanent loss of facial movements and feeling. Such injuries may improve over time. Injury to sensory nerves of the face, neck and ear regions may cause temporary, or more rarely, permanent numbness. Painful nerve scarring is very rare.
Needle Shock: Needle shock is a rare complication after an acupuncture facial.
Unsatisfactory Result: There is the possibility of a poor result from an acupuncture facial. You may be disappointed with the results.
Allergic Reactions: In rare cases, local allergies to topical preparations have been reported. Systemic reactions, which are more serious, may occur to herbs used during an acupuncture facial. Allergic reactions may require additional treatment.
Delayed Healing: Delayed wound healing, or wound disruption, is a rare complication experienced by patients in the aftermath of an acupuncture facial. There is a greater risk for smokers, who frequently have dry, sagging skin, which does not heal as readily as that of non-smokers.
Long Term Effects: Subsequent alterations in facial appearance may occur as the result of the normal process of aging, weight loss or gain, sun exposure, or other circumstances not related to an acupuncture facial. An acupuncture facial does not arrest the aging process or produce permanent tightening of the face and neck. Future facial acupuncture maintenance treatments, or other treatments, may be necessary to maintain the results of an acupuncture facial.

Additional Care Necessary

There are many variable conditions in addition to risk and potential complications that may influence the long term result from acupuncture facial treatments. Even though risks and complications occur infrequently, the risks cited are the ones that are particularly associated with an acupuncture facial treatment. Other complications and risks can occur but are even more uncommon. Should complications occur, other treatments may be necessary.

The practice of acupuncture is not an exact science. Although good results are expected, there is no guarantee or warranty, either expressed or implied, on the results that may be obtained.

What to Expect From Your Course of Treatments

A full course of Traditional Acupuncture Facial Rejuvenation consists of an initial consultation and 10 sessions. It is highly recommended that time between initial treatments not exceed seven days.

For your first appointment expect to be here for at approximately 1.5 hours. We do an initial consultation that takes approximately 15 - 30 minutes. If you are a new patient, we do an additional intake interview. Future treatments last between 60 - 75 minutes.

The treatments consist of a combination of needling, cupping, Gua Sha, and the use of a special revitalizing serum (also available for purchase). Maintenance treatments are recommended at once per month for 3 months, then every 6 to 12 weeks as desired.

Financial Responsibilities

The cost of an acupuncture facial involves several charges for the services provided. The total includes fees charged by your acupuncturist, the cost of acupuncture supplies, and topical preparations.

The initial consultation for current patients is ^$50; the consultation for new patients is ^$100 and it includes a thorough intake. The treatment protocol is 10 sessions at ^$150 each (plus the consultation fee), and is to be prepaid.

Insurance does not cover the costs of Facial Acupuncture or similar treatments.

Disclaimer

Informed-consent documents are used to communicate information about the proposed procedure along with disclosure of risks and alternative forms of treatment(s). The informed consent process attempts to define principles of risk disclosure that should generally meet the needs of most patients in most circumstances. However, informed consent documents should not be considered all-inclusive in defining other methods of care and risks encountered. Your acupuncturist may provide you with additional or different information which is based upon all the facts in your particular case and the present state of knowledge within the field of acupuncture. Informed consent documents are not intended to define or serve as the standard of acupuncture. Standards of acupuncture are determined on the basis of all of the facts involved in an individual case and are subject to change as scientific knowledge and technology advance and as practice patterns evolve.

It is important that you read the above information carefully and have all of your questions answered before signing the following consent.

Consent For Facial Acupuncture Procedure or Treatment

I hereby authorize Kym Kleiman, L.AC., and such assistants as may be selected, to perform an acupuncture facial. I have received and read the INFORMED CONSENT FOR FACIAL ACUPUNCTURE.
I recognize that during the course of the acupuncture facial, unforeseen conditions may necessitate different procedures than those above. I therefore authorize the above acupuncturist and assistants or designees to perform such other procedures that are in the exercise of his or her professional judgment necessary and desirable. The authority granted under this paragraph shall include all conditions that require treatment and are not known to my acupuncturist at the time the procedure is begun.
I acknowledge that no guarantee has been given by anyone as to the results that may be obtained.
It has been explained to me in a way that I understand:
1. the above treatment or exposure to be undertaken
2. there may be alternative procedures or methods of treatment
3. there are risks to the procedure or treatment proposed

I consent to the treatment or procedure, and the above listed items (1-4). I am satisfied with the explanation.

Patient Signature (or Person authorized to sign for patient)

Date

Practitioner

Date