Cosmetic acupuncture, sometimes called an acupuncture facelift, is increasing in popularity. Celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Kim Kardashian have posted about their cosmetic acupuncture experiences on social media, giving it even more exposure.
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Cosmetic acupuncture, sometimes called an acupuncture facelift, is increasing in popularity. Celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Kim Kardashian have posted about their cosmetic acupuncture experiences on social media, giving it even more exposure.
Cosmetic acupuncture provides a gentle option to rejuvenate and refresh the facial appearance for patients who are looking for a more natural alternative to facelifts, injectables or even chemical peels.
But, what is cosmetic acupuncture? More importantly, does it actually work?
Skin Care Benefits
Cosmetic acupuncture can be used to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, lift sagging skin, change skin texture and help improve skin conditions such as cystic acne and rosacea. This is done by using acupuncture needles to stimulate collagen and elastin production in the face.
The microtrauma of the needle stimulates collagen production in small stages, allowing for the collagen to be absorbed into cells rather than collecting in one place on the surface of the tissue. The microtrauma also stimulates the body’s immune response, causing reduced inflammation and increasing the movement of fluids through the lymphatic system.
Specific acupuncture points, such as Large Intestine 4, located in the thenar webspace, are known to increase blood flow to the face and neck. Acupuncturists can pair massage techniques with stimulation of these critical points to further increase the movement of lymph fluid through the area. This technique results in tighter, smoother skin with fewer lines, reduced acne and rosacea, and brighter skin overall.
The Treatment Process
Cosmetic acupuncture’s whole-body approach differentiates the method from other facial rejuvenation procedures. As a result, the assessment method for acupuncturists differs from other medical practitioners.
An acupuncturist will ask their patients questions about their body systems and use data from the entire body to analyze symptoms. Once the assessment is complete, the acupuncturist diagnoses the patient using the Chinese medicine diagnostic paradigm. This diagnosis will inform where needles will be placed on the body.
This full-body assessment means that patients can get their cosmetic acupuncture procedure done and address full-body issues, such as those with their digestive system or other internal systems, in the same treatment.
Acupuncturists will start treatment by placing needles strategically into the face muscles and head to lift the skin. They will insert needles directly into lines, lift the skin under the chin to remove sagging and lift the eyelids. If necessary, needles can be used to address undereye bags or dark circles. For patients with acne, needles will be placed to promote blood flow into the affected area without needling directly into any acne cysts.
In cases of facial paralysis, electrical stimulation might also be used. The acupuncturist may incorporate gentle electrical stimulation on the needles to contract and strengthen facial muscles to restore symmetry.
The needles will usually stay in the face for 20 to 30 minutes. Once they are removed, the acupuncturist will provide massage and the use of hyaluronic acid to further the hydration retention and brighten the skin.
There are several different approaches an acupuncturist might use for their cosmetic acupuncture protocol. For instance, they might use a combination of standard cosmetic acupuncture treatments mixed with microneedling sessions. Most protocols involve 10 to 15 treatments, usually weekly. (Doing it more often might increase the risk of bruising or scarring.) Microneedling should be done four weeks apart, at a minimum, and should always include several days of serum use after treatment to prevent dry, flaking, itchy skin.
Client Considerations
Patients not familiar with the procedure may ask if cosmetic acupuncture is safe. Although it has a higher risk of bruising, acupuncture is one of the safest types of rejuvenation treatments overall when performed by well-trained, licensed clinicians.
Given the safety of using cosmetic acupuncture, there are still instances where a client should not receive the treatment. Patients who have recently had other cosmetic procedures such as Botox or fillers should avoid having acupuncture in those areas for four to six weeks after injection.
Additionally, acupuncturists should make sure patients with high blood pressure or migraine/severe headaches at the time of the appointment reschedule for a time when they are feeling better. Clients who have seizure disorders should also avoid cosmetic acupuncture.
So, it is safer than surgery, less traumatizing than a chemical peel and just as effective—what’s the catch? Well, for some patients, a three-month commitment to the process may be more time than they want to invest. However, you can remind them that cosmetic acupuncture is much less expensive than the average cost of a facelift, ranging from $85 to $500 per session.
You can also emphasize that the gradual changes brought about by cosmetic acupuncture do not yield the dramatic, overnight change of a facelift. To many, this more subtle approach is much more appealing.
If your patients are looking for a more natural, holistic alternative to reducing fine lines and achieving a healthy glow, cosmetic acupuncture is an approach they ought to explore.
Dr. Leng Tang-Ritchie, MSTOM, DAOM, is vice president of clinical and educational operations at Pacific College of Health and Science, San Diego. She taught for many years in the Herbology, Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine departments; directed the college clinics on and off site; and maintains a private practice in San Diego.
Dr. Valerie Razutis, DAOM, L.Ac., is director of clinical services at Pacific College of Health and Science. She is a licensed clinician in California who specializes in treating autoimmune conditions, and ethics and emergency medicine. Razutis is also a site visitor for the Accreditation Committee for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine.
