Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese medicine practice, involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body to address health issues caused by blocked or disturbed energy flow (qi). While acupuncture offers benefits like pain management, stress relief, and overall well-being, it's essential to understand its potential side effects and risks, especially when applied to the face. Facial acupuncture, also known as cosmetic acupuncture or facial rejuvenation, is a popular technique aimed at improving skin appearance and reducing signs of aging.
What is Facial Acupuncture?
Facial acupuncture is a noninvasive treatment involving the insertion of tiny needles into specific points on the face, neck, and hairline. Traditional Chinese medicine views health holistically, believing that imbalances in the flow of qi contribute to health problems and accelerated skin aging. By restoring the flow of energy in the face, facial acupuncture aims to rejuvenate the skin, combat signs of aging, and improve overall skin health.
How it Works
Facial acupuncture, or micro-needling, punctures the skin with thin needles, creating microtraumas. These microtraumas trigger the body’s healing response, increasing blood and lymph flow to the injured site, which boosts the delivery of oxygen and nutrients. This process also stimulates the release of chemicals that reduce swelling and fibroblast cells, which are responsible for producing collagen and elastin.
Collagen strengthens and firms the skin, boosting its elasticity and hydration, while elastin restores the skin’s texture, appearance, and wound-healing capabilities. As a person ages, the reduction in these elastic components leads to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Potential Benefits of Facial Acupuncture
Facial acupuncture offers several potential benefits, including:
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- Reduced Fine Lines and Wrinkles: Stimulates collagen production, minimizing fine lines and wrinkles over time.
- Improved Skin Tone and Natural Glow: Enhances blood flow, improving oxygenation and nutrient delivery to the skin, resulting in a brighter, more even tone.
- Reduced Puffiness: Improved lymphatic drainage reduces puffiness and swelling.
- Lifts Droopy Eyelids: Practitioners claim that acupuncture can lift droopy eyelids.
- Brightens Complexion: Increased blood flow can brighten the complexion.
- Minimizes Pores: Some anecdotal benefits include minimizing pores.
- Reduces Jaw Tension: Can help in reducing jaw tension.
- Improves Skin Texture: Improves the texture of the skin with increased collagen production.
- Lessens Skin Sagging: Tightening sagging skin can be achieved through increased collagen.
A 2020 review found that facial exercises and facial acupuncture could improve age-related wrinkle length, skin laxity, muscle thickness, and pigmentary changes. Another review in 2018 indicated that facial acupuncture effectively improves wrinkles, facial blood circulation, facial size-reduction, skin condition, and skin elasticity. Additionally, a 2021 review showed that acupuncture could improve other skin-related conditions like atopic dermatitis, itch, and hives.
Risks and Side Effects
While acupuncture is generally considered safe when performed by a qualified professional using sterile needles, some risks and side effects are associated with it.
Common Side Effects
The side effects associated with acupuncture are generally mild and negligible. Common side effects include:
- Soreness: Soreness is a common side effect at the needle insertion sites.
- Slight Bruising: Slight bruising may occur, especially in individuals taking blood-thinning drugs or with severe blood disorders.
- Bleeding: Slight bleeding may also occur at the needle sites.
- Redness: Temporary redness or skin irritation may occur due to increased blood flow and needle placement.
- Slight Discomfort: Some people may experience slight discomfort during the session.
- Skin Sensitivity: Increased skin sensitivity might occur post-treatment.
These side effects typically subside over a few days.
Rare but Serious Risks
Although rare, more serious risks can occur, especially if acupuncture is not performed correctly:
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- Infection: Although rare, improper needle sterilization could lead to infection. A 2021 case report showed that a person with undiagnosed diabetes who was not a licensed acupuncturist developed abscesses after self-administering acupuncture.
- Pneumothorax: One of the risks of acupuncture is the accidental insertion of a needle into the space between the lungs and the chest wall, which can lead to pneumothorax or collapsed lung.
- Blood Vessel and Nerve Injury: It is also possible to experience blood vessel and nerve injury.
- Organ Injuries: Although extremely rare, organ injuries can occur if needles are inserted too deeply.
- Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries: These are very rare but potentially devastating complications.
- Facial Sclerosing Lipogranulomatosis: A 2015 case report detailed extensive facial sclerosing lipogranulomatosis - hardened nodules and plaques - that appeared 5 years after the facial acupuncture treatment, which the researchers believed was due to a reaction to the needle’s silicone coating.
Contraindications
Acupuncture is not recommended for everyone. People with the following conditions should avoid acupuncture or consult with a healthcare provider before undergoing treatment:
- Pacemaker: Acupuncture is not recommended for people who have a pacemaker due to potential interference from electrical impulses used in some forms of acupuncture.
- Bleeding Disorders: People with bleeding disorders or who are taking blood-thinning medication should also avoid acupuncture due to the risk of bruising and bleeding.
- Pregnancy: People who are pregnant should ask a healthcare provider before having acupuncture.
- Cosmetic Implants: People who have cosmetic implants such as breast implants should also consult a healthcare provider before undergoing acupuncture.
- Uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetes: Individuals with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes shouldn’t seek this treatment because they may not have maximum healing capabilities.
Safety Measures and Precautions
To minimize risks and ensure a safe experience, consider the following:
- Licensed Practitioner: It is crucial to choose a licensed and qualified acupuncturist. Search the National Board of Acupuncturists for a licensed practitioner. Checking for licenses is a good place to start looking for reliable and properly trained practitioners.
- Sterile Needles: Ensure the practitioner uses clean, sterilized, single-use, disposable needles.
- Consultation: The session should begin with a thorough consultation where the cosmetic acupuncturist assesses your skin and overall health.
- Proper Training: The practitioner should have expert training in prescreening, needling, palpation, and visual skills, as well as in-depth knowledge of facial anatomy.
- Avoid Certain Areas: The eye area, lips, and especially the neck are commonly avoided due to concerns of bruising or injury. Treating these areas requires knowledge of anatomy and quality needles.
- Prescreening: Prescreening for contraindications is crucial to avoid complications such as migraines, dizziness, and stroke.
What to Expect During a Facial Acupuncture Session
A typical facial acupuncture session involves the following steps:
- Consultation and Assessment: The session begins with a consultation where the cosmetic acupuncturist assesses your skin and overall health.
- Needle Insertion: After a regular full-body acupuncture treatment, the acupuncturist will move on to the facial portion of the treatment. On the face, the acupuncturist will insert 40 to 70 tiny and painless needles. The needles are inserted to various depths at strategic points on your body. Acupuncture points are situated in all areas of the body, and sometimes the appropriate points are far removed from the area of your pain.
- Needle Manipulation: The acupuncturist may gently twist the needles for added effect.
- Session Duration: An acupuncture session can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and usually involves about 20 minutes with the needles in.
- Needle Removal: In most cases, the needles remain in place for 10 to 15 minutes while you lie still and relax.
- Post-Treatment: After the treatment, some people may feel relaxed, while others may feel energetic.
A common treatment plan for a single complaint would typically involve one or two treatments a week. The number of treatments will depend on the condition being treated and its severity. Noticeable results often require multiple treatments. On average, 5-10 sessions are recommended for long-lasting effects.
Aftercare
Generally, individuals do not need to follow strict aftercare following facial acupuncture. They may resume their routine activities. However, the following precautions are advisable:
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- Hydration: Ideally, a person should stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, which helps the body release toxins.
- Avoid Other Needle Injection Procedures: Avoid other needle injection procedures such as Botox and fillers during the course of acupuncture sessions.
- Skip Skincare: While we all know the benefits of proper skincare, skip it for a day or two after your facial acupuncture session.
- Avoid Strenuous Activities: You should avoid exercise and strenuous activities after acupuncture, but you shouldn’t lay around on the couch all day either.
Acupuncture Face Lift vs. Botox
Acupuncture for anti-aging is a holistic treatment that addresses not just the skin but the entire body’s energy balance, contributing to long-term health. With no risk of chemicals or toxins, acupuncture is a safer, minimally invasive option. It avoids the frozen look that Botox can sometimes create, leaving the face looking more youthful and natural.
Acupuncture has been around for centuries. A part of traditional Chinese medicine, it may help treat body pains, headaches, or even nausea. But it’s supplementary benefits might surprise you - especially if you decide to let your acupuncturist have a go at your smile lines. Enter: Facial acupuncture, the reportedly safer alternative to surgery or Botox. This cosmetic treatment is an extension of traditional acupuncture. It’s said to naturally help make the skin look younger, smoother, and all-around healthier. And unlike injection procedures, facial acupuncture addresses not only signs of aging, but also the skin’s overall health. The risks associated with facial acupuncture are relatively mild compared to the potential adverse effects of Botox.
While Botox works on dynamic wrinkles or those caused by facial expressions, acupuncture can target fine lines and wrinkles due to sun damage and aging. While Botox may provide quicker, more dramatic results, acupuncture offers gradual, more sustainable improvements in skin tone, elasticity, and overall health without relying on chemicals or toxins.
Cost of Facial Acupuncture
The average cost of a facial treatment can range wildly from $25 to $1,500, according to RealSelf.com. Of course, this depends on your location, studio, and whether you get a facial plus full-body treatment or only a facial. Facial acupuncture isn’t just a safer option, but also more affordable than surgery - which can cost north of $2,000. Depending on which studio or spa you go to, facial acupuncture is about the same if not more than dermal fillers, too. One dermal filler treatment can range between $450 to $600.
Research and Evidence
Research into the effectiveness of facial acupuncture is ongoing. A study implemented at Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong from August through September 2011 showed promising results as a therapy for facial elasticity. However, further large-scale trials with a controlled design and objective measurements are needed.