www.dryanilu.com www.justusskincare.com www.DesertHealthNews.com November/December 2026 Health & Beauty The Valley's Leading Resource for Health and Wellness 20 www.cellrejuvenationspa.com Organic Facials and Purification Wraps for Full Body Rejuvenation Stephanie Gray, LMT, LE Aesthetician • Massage Therapist • Spinal Flow Practitioner 760.556.5781 44-419 Town Center Way, Ste. 134 • Palm Desert cellrejuvenationspa.com Plant-active ingredients that deliver transformative results Customized sessions may include: Green Envee Enzyme Peel Collagen Boosting Facial Craniosacral Therapy Reflexology Looking for more natural aesthetics? • Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture Increases collagen production and local blood flow to diminish fine lines • PDO Threads Dissolvable threads are meticulously placed to provide a subtle lift, define facial contours, and create a sustained collagen-building stimulus for lasting results. • Facial Cupping & Gua Sha Manual techniques used to revitalize skin, enhance lymphatic drainage, improve circulation and ease facial tension for a radiant appearance. 760.674.7178 41750 Rancho Las Palmas Drive, Suite P1 Rancho Mirage We restore a youthful, radiant complexion by triggering the body’s innate healing and regenerative capabilities, offering a natural alternative to synthetic fillers. Bio-Integrative Facial Rejuvenation YANI LU, MD, PHD MEDICAL DIRECTOR Facial rejuvenation can involve more than lifting and tightening. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the face is viewed in relation to the health of the whole person. This perspective guides my approach: combining modern knowledge of facial anatomy with the traditional practice of acupuncture-point stimulation to support a refreshed, natural appearance. This east-meets-west approach works well with PDO threads, which continue to grow in popularity as materials and techniques improve.1 PDO refers to the absorbable material polydioxanone, not a single treatment. The threads themselves, and how they are used, can differ widely. Some use barbed threads that grip and reposition sagging tissue to pull the face into a lifted position. Others use smooth threads that gradually dissolve after placement. These threads have no barbs and are not used to pull the face, instead, the treatment focuses on gradual improvements in skin quality and mild laxity, while preserving the face’s natural contours and expression. Modern materials meet traditional practice. In TCM, facial vitality is closely connected with the harmonious movement of qi and blood. Smooth threads placed at select facial acupuncture points stimulate a local tissue response that can encourage collagen formation, aiming to improve skin texture and firmness over time. This acupuncture-point approach adds a traditional Chinese medical perspective to treatment planning. It applies an established therapeutic tradition in a modern way. The material is contemporary; the emphasis on individualized care and the relationship between local treatment and overall well-being comes from Chinese medicine. An option after weight loss. Facial changes after significant weight loss, including weight loss from medications such as Ozempic or Wegovy, have drawn renewed attention to this approach. Some people feel healthier yet notice that their face looks less full, more lined or more tired. Often called “Ozempic face,” these changes can involve both loss of facial volume and looser skin. Smooth-thread treatment may be an option for skin quality and mild laxity. It doesn't replace lost fat, but it can be part of an individualized plan for patients seeking gradual improvement. Whether it’s used alone or alongside other treatments depends on the person’s facial structure and goals. A personalized path to rejuvenation. Another option is the acupuncture facial, which uses fine needles removed during the visit, while thread embedding leaves absorbable material beneath the skin. Depending on a patient’s preferences and needs, acupuncture may serve as a starting point or a complementary treatment. Thread placement is considered minimally invasive, although temporary bruising, swelling and tenderness can occur. Aftercare is minimal, and patients can generally resume their regular skincare routine the following day. Noticeable improvements typically begin to appear within 4–8 weeks. Treatment frequency depends on skin condition, individual response and each patient’s goals. Bringing Eastern and Western perspectives together offers a thoughtful way to approach facial aging with attention to skin quality, individual needs, and the person behind the face. The goal is to help patients look refreshed while remaining comfortably themselves. Dr. Lu is an integrative doctor and medical director of East West Medicine in Rancho Mirage. She can be reached at (760) 674.7178. For more information, visit www.dryanilu.com. References: 1) Raheleh Sarbaziha, David J. Goldberg.Threads in Aesthetic Medicine: A Review. Dermatological Reviews. 22 July 2025 East Meets West for Facial Rejuvenation By Yani Lu, MD, PhD Are you experiencing aging, thinning skin that easily cuts or bruises and takes longer to heal? Do you have blood stains or dark spots that seem to appear out of nowhere? Then, you remember bumping your arm on the doorframe or hitting your leg while getting out of the car. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. As we age, skin naturally becomes thinner. We lose some of the fat and collagen beneath the dermal layer that once cushioned and protected tiny blood vessels. Capillaries also become more fragile, so even a gentle bump can leave evidence. What can you do? Yes, there are remedies — and nutrition can play an important role. Key nutrients that support aging skin Vitamin C is essential for building collagen, which gives skin and small blood vessels structural strength. Vitamin K supports normal blood clotting. When you get a small cut or bump, vitamin K helps the clotting process that stops bleeding. Vitamin B12 and folate support healthy red blood cell production. B12 deficiency becomes more common with age because the body may absorb it less efficiently. Bioflavonoids, including rutin and hesperidin, are natural plant compounds found in fruits and vegetables. Often paired with vitamin C, they can help support collagen production and healthy blood vessels. Iron supports healthy oxygen delivery, particularly when an iron deficiency is present, while zinc plays an important role in tissue repair, cell growth and wound healing. And then there’s collagen. Collagen peptides are hydrolyzed, meaning the large collagen protein has been broken into smaller fragments called peptides. Whole collagen is a very large protein, so hydrolysis uses water, enzymes or heat to break it into smaller pieces. Hydrolyzed collagen comes from animal sources, including connective tissues, hides, bones and fish scales. You may also see it labeled as collagen hydrolysate or collagen peptides. Maintaining a balanced and nutritious diet provides the body with many of the nutrients it needs to support skin health from within. Whole foods are a great place to start. Citrus fruits, berries and red and yellow bell peppers provide vitamin C and other plant nutrients. Dark leafy greens such as spinach and kale provide vitamins and minerals, while eggs provide protein and other nutrients the body uses as building blocks. Protein-rich foods provide amino acids, which are especially important because the body uses them to build proteins, including collagen and keratin, that help form skin structure. But none of us are perfect, and supplementing with quality minerals and vitamins is an important step in supporting your body as well. Healthy aging skin is not about one quick fix. Consistently nourishing the body with protein, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and whole foods can help give skin the nutritional support it needs to remain resilient as we age. Candice Nicole is a health advocate and founder of HUmineral plant-nutrient mineral supplements. She can be reached at info@HUmineral.com or (818) 400.7657. www.humineral.com. Supporting Aging Skin Naturally By Candice Nicole
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