It has become quite commonplace to have facial aesthetic treatments that involve the use of needles, be it Botox, fillers, or micro-needling. Cosmetic acupuncture is less well known than these other treatments, but its proponents swear by the effects it can have on their facial skin, as well as how they feel.
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years as a way of rebalancing the body. Tiny needles are inserted into specific points in the body to encourage the flow of the body's energy Within Western medicine, acupuncture is thought to work because it creates very small amounts of trauma. This micro-trauma triggers the body to release chemicals to heal the area, and these can have profound effects on healing and on our wellbeing.
What is cosmetic acupuncture?
Cosmetic acupuncture uses these same principles but to improve facial aesthetics. In cosmetic acupuncture, around 50 - 80 needles are inserted into the face at specific points. It is often completed as part of a whole-body acupuncture treatment to ensure that the Qi does not become blocked, but it can also be done in isolation.
The micro-trauma that is induced in the face triggers the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the area and increases the production of collagen within the skin. This is similar to the way that micro-needling works, but cosmetic acupuncture uses fewer needles that go deeper, meaning that the effects can be less superficial. By stimulating the lower layers of the skin, the effects can be longer-lasting and more striking. And, unlike botox or fillers, it doesn't mask skin issues but instead improves the actual health of the skin.
Cosmetic acupuncture can have a range of positive effects, especially in the area of age reversal. One study found that it could:
decrease the length and depth of some wrinkles and completely eliminate others
reduce facial swelling
improve facial muscle tone
improve skin texture
reduce the size of pores
reduce facial sagging
decrease acne
The wrinkles that cosmetic acupuncture can target include crow's feet, frown lines, smile lines, and lip lines. It can also improve the volume of the lips. And, more generally, it helps to improve the complexion and brightness of the skin.
Cosmetic acupuncture is safe to use alongside other facial aesthetic techniques and it usually takes around 5 - 10 sessions to start to see improvements. It is rare to experience side effects from cosmetic acupuncture, although some people do see some bruising. And it is a procedure that can help to improve wellness alongside its cosmetic effects so many people leave their sessions feeling rejuvenated on the inside, as well as the outside.
Cosmetic acupuncture is a facial aesthetic technique grounded in traditional Chinese medicine, but that can have profound effects on the skin and especially anti-aging effects. Many people see it as a natural alternative to other methods such as Botox and fillers because it stimulates the natural healing processes within the body, rather than introducing artificial chemicals into the skin.