Colour puncture therapy
What is it? Colour puncture therapy is a holistic method of healing, a non-invasive form of reflexology and acupuncture using coloured light rather than touch and needles. It sounds deeply kooky but scientists have proved that light is the medium by which cells communicate.
Every colour is made up of different light frequencies that communicate energy information. As coloured light finds its way along the meridians or energy pathways deep within the body, communication between the cells is stimulated, healing is activated and the body becomes more balanced holistically. The treatment can help to reduce joint inflammation, depression, insomnia, impotence and frigidity. Unwanted facial lines can also come in for a zapping.
Who invented it? German acupuncturist and naturopath Peter Mandel created and perfected the technique after 25 years of research. Here, therapist Katherine Chu, who has more than 10 years' experience in esthetics, aromatherapy and micropigmentation permanent make-up, studied colour therapy for a year. She is one of the first people in Hong Kong qualified to perform the treatment.
What happens? Before the colour puncture treatment commences, the therapist asks for details about the client's medical history and about any skin-specific complaints. The face is then cleaned and toned, a mask and eye-pads are applied and once it is suitably clean the light show begins. The implements used look like thin, long torches with a light source at one end and the colours, of which there are six, vary according to your requirements. Red, considered a hot colour, is said to help poor circulation, chronic coughs and anaemia; cool violet promotes awareness and helps with disorders of the lymphatic system. The therapist uses a set pattern of colours on specific acupressure points in a certain sequence, depending on the health problem.
Does it hurt or burn? Not at all. You don't feel a thing. Where? The Beautiful Skin Centre, Pacific Place, Admiralty, tel: 2877 8911.
Value for money? At $900 an hour, the therapy is not cheap, and, like many of these facial treatments, results are best if you go regularily. How often varies from person to person, but the centre recommends an average of once or twice a week for two months. Colour puncture can also be performed on the rest of the body for $980 an hour.