Facial Acupuncture: What You Need to Know

Pros

• It’s not just a cosmetic treatment. Acupuncture has been proven to improve your overall wellness, so you may also experience less stress as well as better mood, sleep, and digestion. 
• It’s a natural alternative that stimulates your body’s own healing process. There are no synthetic fillers or toxins in these needles. 
• While the results build over time, some RealSelf members say that their skin looked brighter and plumper immediately after treatment.

Cons

• Results aren’t as dramatic as those you’d see from other skin rejuvenation procedures, like chemical peels or even microneedling.
• You’ll need multiple treatments over time to see results. Some RealSelf members have had as many as 12 treatments over five to six weeks. 
• A series of treatments can get expensive. Dr. Kris Reddy, a plastic surgeon in West Palm Beach, Florida, says that the out-of-pocket cost for one acupuncture treatment can run as high as $150.

Dr. Kris Reddy, a plastic surgeon in West Palm Beach, Florida, says that the out-of-pocket cost for one acupuncture treatment can run as high as $150, and you may need as many as 12 acupuncture treatment sessions to see any results.

If your health insurance plan includes acupuncture, cosmetic acupuncture may be covered, as long as it’s done by a registered traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioner. 

Any traditional Chinese herbs, tonics, or skin-care products recommended by your provider will cost extra.

Most people are good candidates for acupuncture. While you should talk with your provider, some acupuncturists won’t perform the procedure if you have pituitary, cardiovascular, and/or endocrine disorders. They also discourage acupuncture if you’re pregnant, currently ill, or having an acute herpes outbreak. 

If you have trouble sitting or lying still for 30 minutes, you may want to look into other procedures. 

Wait a week after a microdermabrasion treatment, two weeks after fillers or Botox, and at least three weeks after laser resurfacing before having facial acupuncture.

Many people swear by acupuncture, and facial acupuncture has the same loyal following, including to RealSelf members who say it’s “Worth It.” 

Research has been slim, but some studies have demonstrated benefits of facial acupuncture. A study published in 2013 showed that participants had an increase in skin elasticity after five treatments, while an abstract published in 2015 says, “treatment benefits include elimination of some wrinkles and decrease in length and depth of others; decrease of facial edema; decrease of acne; improvement of facial muscle tone; improved skin texture with tighter pores; and decrease of sagging around the eyes, cheeks, chin, and neck.” 

Because it helps get the blood flowing and decreases inflammation, it can be helpful for blemishes and congested skin. In a trial review published in 2013, doctors came to the conclusion that acupuncture-point stimulation can be an effective treatment for acne. They say that combined with moxibustion (traditional Chinese medicine therapy of burning dried mugwort on particular points on the body), it could be better than conventional pharmaceutical medication (antibiotics and topical creams) for reducing symptoms of acne without side effects. It’s also a possible solution for treating rosacea. 

Much like Botox, facial acupuncture can improve the tightness and pain from temporomandibular disease (TMD or sometimes referred to by the joint, TMJ). By stimulating the nerve, the signal to your brain relaxes the muscle so it stops reacting. Some acupuncturists say that facial acupuncture is even better than Botox because it triggers the body’s healing response.

The treatment can also be used in a variety of ways on the face and scalp, from helping calm facial tics or reversing facial paralysis.

Related: Does Face Yoga Work to Make You Look Younger?

After your acupuncturist goes through your medical history and determines what your specific skin conditions are, you’ll go into a treatment room and lie on a massage table, faceup.

Your acupuncturist will gently insert 40 to 70 thin needles into specific acupoints. These are typically painless and remain in the skin for 25 to 30 minutes. You’ll be left to relax in the room, with low lighting and soothing music. Many people meditate or close their eyes during this time.

When the session is over, the needles are removed gently and discarded. You won’t have any downtime, but many people report feeling light-headed, zen, or “acu-stoned.” This acupuncture high is due to the release of endorphins. Drink plenty of water, avoid caffeine and alcohol, and relax after your treatment.

Acupuncture is considered a safe, painless procedure that’s part of a healthy lifestyle. Seek out a licensed, professional acupuncturist who adheres to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s clean needle techniques: they must be sterile, clearly labeled, used only once, and available exclusively to qualified practitioners. 

You can research your provider further on RealSelf and the National Certification Commission Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) site.