Channel the power of traditional Chinese medicine to unlock amazing facial acupuncture benefits for your skin.

Photo by Antoni Shkraba
Facial acupuncture has been gaining popularity in recent years, especially with those looking for non-surgical procedures. This relaxing treatment offers a range of anti-ageing benefits that extend to your overall health and well-being.
If you are interested in taking a more natural approach to anti-ageing and improving the health of the skin, discover all the facial acupuncture benefits that await you.
What Is Facial Acupuncture?
A full-body acupuncture treatment has been a part of traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years and is most commonly used to treat chronic pain such as back and neck issues.
Facial acupuncture, also known as cosmetic acupuncture, is a non-surgical treatment where 20-50 fine needles are inserted in specific acupuncture points in the face, neck and hairline. This process is thought to boost energy flow, known in Chinese medicine as Qi. For anti-ageing benefits, the needles are inserted into lines and wrinkles, around the eye area, and forehead.
The tiny needles cause positive microtrauma to the skin, which boosts blood circulation, and as the skin starts to heal, it stimulates the production of collagen and elastin to improve the appearance of the skin. The concept is similar to microneedling, another cosmetic treatment involving needles, but acupuncture is done in a more non-invasive way.
Facial acupuncture has created a buzz in the beauty world, and is perfect for people seeking a natural option with added health benefits. Facial acupuncturist Elizabeth Trattner told InStyle, “Facial acupuncture aims to balance the body’s energy, or Qi, which can positively affect various health issues such as digestive problems, hormonal imbalances, and sleep disorders, enhance beauty, and promote wellness.”
10 Facial Acupuncture Benefits You Need To Know
Facial acupuncture delivers a range of benefits to the skin, and this treatment requires no downtime, so once done, you can get on with the rest of your day. Facial acupuncture is not a quick fix and requires a series of initial sessions, but the long-term benefits of facial acupuncture are worth it.
10 Facial Acupuncture Benefits
- Reduces the Appearance of Wrinkles and Fine Lines
- Brightens the Complexion
- Minimises Pores
- Improves Acne
- Decreases Swelling and Puffiness
- Improves Facial Muscle Tone
- Improves Skin Texture
- Reduces Jaw Tension
- Reduces Skin Sagging
- A Natural Alternative to Invasive Procedures and Cosmetic Surgery
What To Expect During Facial Acupuncture

Facial acupuncture takes a holistic approach, meaning it focuses on the person’s overall wellness by identifying the root cause of any issues. Before your treatment, the acupuncturist will review your medical history and any health problems and discuss a treatment plan.
You will lie down on your back, where your skin will be cleansed to remove any makeup or dirt. Tiny acupuncture needles will be gently inserted into points along your face, neck and hairline and left in place for 20-30 minutes. Needles may be placed in other acupuncture points across other parts of the body depending on your practitioner. This is recommended by acupuncturist Amanda Biesel, who says, “If you were just going to put a large number of needles in the face and not the full body, this would result in energy congestion in the face.”
If the thought of needles is off-putting, don’t worry; they are very skinny needles, and you will only feel a slight scratching sensation. Many people find this treatment very relaxing and choose to sleep or meditate during it.
Once the needles are removed from the skin, your acupuncturist will perform a gentle facial massage and may use a Gua Sha, another staple of traditional Chinese medicine for lymphatic drainage.
Facial Acupuncture vs Botox
Both treatments tackle anti-ageing, but in simple terms, Botox freezes your face, whereas facial acupuncture relaxes your face and muscles.
If you are looking for a quick fix, Botox will deliver faster results and lasts 3-4 months, requiring follow-up treatments. A course of treatments is needed to get results from facial acupuncture, and to achieve long-term changes, a series of 10-12 sessions is recommended. Once these sessions have finished, a facial acupuncture session once a month or every six weeks is advised.
Botox results are more noticeable but also temporary and need topping up every few months. Facial acupuncture requires more sessions, but the results last longer as the body naturally produces new collagen and elastin.
In a nutshell, it all comes down to personal preference and individual needs, as both treatments offer effective results but on different timelines. If the idea of injecting a foreign substance into your face is not appealing, then the natural alternative of facial acupuncture could be a more suitable option.
What Are The Side Effects Of Facial Acupuncture?
There is minimum risk associated with this treatment, although potential side effects could include some slight bruising due to the insertion of needles. Facial acupuncture is not recommended for anyone who suffers from a blood clotting disorder or is taking blood thinners. If you have had Botox recently, you will need to wait until a certain amount of time surpasses, and that’s why having a consultation with a licensed acupuncturist is essential to check if you are a suitable candidate.
Regular skin treatments are highly beneficial, and facial acupuncture takes a holistic approach that has been delivering long-term results for thousands of years. Due to a demand for natural and toxin-free procedures, facial acupuncture is gaining popularity, so why not give it a try the next time your skin needs some TLC?
Disclaimer: All the content published on www.thestylecadet.com is solely for information purposes. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consider seeking the advice of your doctor, qualified healthcare provider or dermatologist. The information, suggestions, or remedies mentioned in this article are provided without warranty of any kind, whether expressed or implied.