The abundance of over-Botoxed celebrities is just downright sad, isn't it? I think if I see one more photo of Nicole Kidman's frozen face desperately trying to smile, I may just curl up and weep. So anxious they are to cling to their fleeting youth that they'll even inject toxins into their body to get a few years back. Well thankfully, a natural alternative to Botox and plastic surgery is gaining ground and I'm seriously hoping poor Nicole gets wind of it before it's too late. Cosmetic acupuncture has been catching on slowly over the past decade and Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow and Cher are said to be big fans of the movement. Shali Rassouli, of the Cosmetic Acupuncture Clinic of Toronto, explains the benefits of this natural skin treatment.

What is cosmetic acupuncture?
It's one of the best alternative treatments to fine lines and wrinkles, saggy skin, droopey eyelids and acne on the
skin. It increases circulation locally to where you have the needles and makes the wrinkles pop up because with
circulation you get water in the area. It's almost like moisterizing your skin from the inside out. It's one of the healthiest things you can do for your skin texture. That's how it prevents acne. You get a nice glow.

How often do you have to get treatments?
10-12 sessions. Ideally 2-3 times a week. Once a month for maintenance. It will actually improve your skin, not
just maintain it. For those first 10 sessions, I'm training the body to send blood flow to the face to get rid of the blockages and then one a month it's just a reminder to the body not to forget about the face.

Who would benefit from it?
It's a good prevention technique for people who are younger. If you are just starting to notice lines, this is the best time to prevent them from getting worse. It also works for people who have deeper lines and wrinkes. I also treat people who have just had Botox injections to help maintain the effects. They need fewer injections of Botox with acupuncture.

At what age can people start getting it?
I don't really take anybody less than 25. My youngest client is 27 and my oldest is 68. I have to see a little bit of lines and wrinkles before I'll do anything.

How long has the process been around?
Acupuncture itself has been around for thousands of years. Cosmetic acupuncture has only been popular for the last 10 years. Now people are looking for alternatives to Botox. They don't want to inject toxins into their bodies. They are searching for alternatives and this is the best one to do.

Is acupuncture completely natural?
Yes. Your own body is getting rid of wrinkles rather than me injecting something into it. There are no side-effects
of the treatment. It's also internal. You also do some body points to balance. Internally you are boosting your immune system. Many people start to get comments about looking good but people don't know what's changed about them. They ask if they've changed their hair or gone on vacation. That's what they like about it.

Is it painful?
When I put needles on those acupuncture points to stimulate circulation, it's a very superficial insertion. It's not
painful at all. It's always a surprise when somebody comes in for the first time.

How expensive is it?
They charge more in the U.S. In New York or L.A. they sometimes charge about $300 a session. I charge $125 a session or 10 sessions for $995.

How do your patients maintain their skin after leaving?
Exfoliating. Since acupuncture works more from the inside out, then the top layer you can just exfoliate yourself.
Most of my clients don't use extensive creams or anything.They just use acupuncture and a simple moisterizer.

Do you use acupuncture?
I do it on myself. Now that I'm talking to you, I have it on my forehead!