Is Cosmetic Acupuncture Right For You?

Wanting the best for your skin is a feeling many people share. In an effort to achieve that, you may be constantly trying the latest skincare products or skin-enhancing procedures for healthy, glowing skin. Holistic skincare, in particular, has quickly become one of the most popular trends to try for the utmost skin health benefits. Holistic skincare often involves care beyond the physical outward appearance, as it falls into a health and wellness category. Because of this, many people who participate in holistic skincare do so because it involves taking care of the skin from the inside out.

Oftentimes, holistic wellness is inspired by ancient practices that have been thought to be helpful for centuries. For skin, some of today's holistic procedures are often derived from these practices. For example, acupuncture — which comes from Traditional Chinese Medicine — has inspired the latest in skin care procedures: cosmetic (facial) acupuncture. Because it takes a natural approach to several skin concerns, more people are starting to turn to the treatment.

Traditional acupuncture is the process of inserting very fine needles into different parts of the body. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners believe there are more than 2,000 acupuncture points in the body that connect to different pathways, creating an energy flow called Qi. The procedure is meant to boost the immune system, circulation, wound healing, and more. This occurs in response to needles touching specific nerve points on the body. Cosmetic acupuncture is believed to boost nutrients and oxygen in your skin cells by stimulating your lymphatic and circulatory systems, per Healthline.

As with traditional acupuncture on the body, using acupuncture needles on the face helps stimulate blood flow, which may increase collagen and elastin production. While it can't fully replace other procedures like Botox, cosmetic acupuncture might help relieve some tension in the muscles to relax your face. "All of this combined helps achieve a more youthful, glowing appearance," board-certified dermatologist Dr. Ramya Garlapati tells PopSugar.

Cosmetic acupuncture is thought to be a form of facial rejuvenation through a natural practice. "Beauty acupuncture noticeably regenerates the skin," Dr. John Tsagaris, a Traditional Chinese Medicine doctor, tells Harper's Bazaar. Dr. Tsagaris explains that facial acupuncture increases oxygenation levels in the skin, which then helps prevent puffiness in addition to boosting collagen and elastin. "It also improves microcirculation that helps with puffiness and discoloration issues," Dr. Tsagaris explains to the publication. Because of this, cosmetic acupuncture is ideal for addressing aging issues like Crow's feet, frown lines, smile lines, or lip lines. "Cosmetic acupuncture can significantly help with acne-prone skin by improving the detoxification skin process as well as improving the immunity of the skin against bacteria," Dr. Tsagaris tells Harper's Bazaar. Ultimately, facial acupuncture might require multiple treatments for longer-lasting results, but could be ideal if you're looking for something less invasive, holistic, and relaxing.

"It works internally to optimize your health while simultaneously enhancing the appearance of your skin," acupuncturist Amanda Beisel tells Healthline. However, Beisel recommends getting facial acupuncture only after a full body treatment to avoid energy congestion in the face. Depending on the route you take, you can expect the procedure to cost you anywhere from $45 to $2,000. Generally, many people consider it to be safer and more affordable than other anti-aging procedures or surgeries.