Microneedling and Cosmetic Acupuncture encompasses a group of gentle, non-surgical, holistic acupuncture treatments that are safe and effective for restoring youthfulness on the face and body. Fine lines may be eliminated, deeper wrinkles reduced in appearance, and bags around neck and eyes firmed. Patients can expect to look well-rested with a youthful glow, often compared to looking around 5 years younger after completing a prescribed course of treatment. Don’t be surprised to hear from friends and family, “You look great, what have you done differently?”

Click on the infographic below to help determine which options may work best for you. We recommend starting with a Free Cosmetic Consult so that our providers can determine the best course of therapy to meet your cosmetic goals.

Benefits

Benefits to the face may include:

• Improvement in collagen production and muscle tone
• Helps reduce bags and sagging tendencies
• Helps eliminate fine lines and diminish the appearance of deeper wrinkles
• Firms the skin around the eyes and on the neck
• Helps dark circles appear lighter
• Tightens pores and brightens eyes
• Increases local blood and lymph circulation
• Brightens complexion
• Bolsters hair growth in thinning areas

As with all acupuncture treatment, treating one part of the body does not happen in isolation. The meridian pathways connect all body systems, organs, and parts to one another through circuits of Qi, like traffic traveling on connecting highways. Thus, we can treat the whole body by way of acupuncture points on the face alone. This is sometimes referred to as “holographic” medicine – the whole (body) is represented on the part (face). As such, Cosmetic Acupuncture can benefit a host of conditions, in addition to restoring a youthful appearance on the face. Some such conditions include:

• Acne, by way of correcting hormonal imbalances
• Sinus congestion and headache
• Toothache, TMJ, trigeminal neuralgia, and Bell’s palsy
• Headaches (except severe migraine)
• Diarrhea, constipation, and other digestive issues
• Edema, water retention, puffiness
• Eye, ear, and brain disorders
• Insomnia, dizziness, and vertigo
• Depression by way of enhancing self-esteem
• Reduces stress and promotes total health and well-being

Services

We offer two different service types within the Cosmetic Acupuncture umbrella. These are Microneedling and Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture. Depending on your treatment goals, one or a combination of both may be best suited to achieve your desired results. Read more about the different options below, and be sure to contact us with your questions.

Microneedling

In ancient China, the Empress of the kingdom would often receive cosmetic acupuncture treatments that involved pricking the skin very shallowly hundreds of times to, in Chinese Medicine languaging, “Move Qi and Blood and Generate Flesh”. In Western terms, we can say this as promoting circulation and producing collagen and elastin in the skin. This technique can address skin concerns like fine lines and wrinkles, age spots, hyperpigmentation, acne and acne scarring, skin tone, and even hair loss!

Although based in ancient principles that have stood the test of time, technology has brought this technique into the modern day.  A motorized needle pen is moved slowly over the skin to create thousands of microchannels – microscopic punctures – that initiate the body’s natural healing cascade.  This natural response includes collagen and elastin production and the formation of new skin cells. High-quality topical serums are applied after the procedure, while the skin’s absorption rate is up to 3000% enhanced.

Because the skin’s healing response takes approximately 1 month, Microneedling procedures are spaced 1 month apart. This is a process that will take on average between 4-8 treatments to achieve the desired results.

Classic Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture

Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture refers to acupuncture that mainly utilizes points on the face and neck in order to address cosmetic concerns like signs of aging, acne, skin tone (hyperpigmentation, melasma, unevenness), sagging skin, and others. This service is best suited for lifting, firming, tightening, and smoothing deep wrinkles. This is a truly holistic treatment which will help to correct any issues both at the source (root) and the symptom (branch). This is Chinese Medicine at its best! A “Root and Branch” treatment offers a 360 degree strategy for addressing all of the contributors to a given issue. As such, body points may also be included if issues like poor sleep, high stress or anxiety, poor digestion, or others are present that may contribute to signs of aging and poor complexion.

Your provider will evaluate your unique condition and suggest a treatment plan that is right for you. When used alone, this service commonly takes 12-24 treatments to achieve the desired results.

Constitutional Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture

Constitutional Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture is an “upgraded” version of the Classic service described above. In Chinese Medicine, food is considered the “First Medicine”. With complexion and skin concerns, hydration levels and dietary habits can play an important role in healthy skin and a youthful appearance. This treatment type places an emphasis on lifestyle changes in these areas that can greatly impact cosmetic issues. Your provider will craft a customized nutrition plan for you based on your unique issues and treatment goals to help improve your skin condition based on Chinese Nutritional Therapy guidelines. This is highly individual and will be determined uniquely for you.

While both types of Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture should be relaxing and calming experiences, Constitutional Facial Rejuvenation kicks the pampering up a notch to include a facial jade roller meditation, topical ice rolling after needle insertion, and ends with a skin calming and soothing face mask.

Similarly to Classic Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture, your provider will evaluate your unique condition and suggest a treatment plan that is right for you.

 Contraindications

For the vast majority of patients, Cosmetic Acupuncture is a safe and beneficial treatment, not only for the prevention of fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging, but also the reversal of some of the customary signs of aging. However, there are some circumstances where Cosmetic Acupuncture is not recommended. If you are experiencing any of the following, please contact us before booking any cosmetic services so that we may evaluate your candidacy:

• Severe, uncontrolled high blood pressure (start with medical acupuncture first)
• Severe, frequent migraines (start with medical acupuncture first)
• Diabetes, HIV positive, AIDS, Cancer, or Hepatitis
• Within 3 weeks of laser resurfacing treatment of the face; or within one week of microdermabrasion treatment.
• Within 3 weeks of Botox treatment
• Pregnancy
• Patients with a cold, flu, or Covid-19 (OK once the condition has passed)
• During an acute herpes outbreak (OK once the condition has passed)
• During an acute allergic reaction (OK once the condition has passed)
• Current use of Accutane or any related acne medication

Additionally, patients who are currently suffering from twitching of the facial muscles should first start with medical acupuncture treatment before moving to Cosmetic Acupuncture.

Please feel free to contact our office if you have questions about your specific candidacy for any of our Cosmetic Acupuncture treatments.

Cost

Cosmetic Acupuncture treatments are not eligible for insurance reimbursement. The cost of any products or herbs the practitioner may recommend for home use is not included in treatment pricing.

Below you will find individual treatment pricing for our cosmetic offerings. Package pricing is offered at a significant discount to the individual treatment cost. Take a look at our package pricing, here.

Microneedling – Face & Neck – $350

Microneedling – C-Section Scar – $350

Microneedling – Other Scar treatment – Custom pricing

Microneedling Add-Ons (not available alone):

• Backs of Hands & Chest – $75
• Hairline & Eyebrows – $75
• Small bald spot(s) on scalp – $75

Classic Facial Rejuvenation – $125

Constitutional Facial Rejuvenation – $200

Scheduling 

Microneedling results in temporary reddening of the face and sometimes minor bleeding. Skin must be shielded from sunlight for the first 12 hours after the procedure. For most people, the redness disappears within 12-48 hours. Due to natural differences in how each person may respond to treatment, we recommend scheduling your microneedling treatments 1-2 weeks before any special occasion or occasion when your photograph may be taken.

Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture does not generally have downtime for most people. However, the face is particularly vascular and bruising, while uncommon, is possible. For this reason, we recommend scheduling your facial rejuvenation treatments at least one week before any special occasion or occasion when your photograph may be taken, just to be on the safe side. Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture does not require a consult (although you are welcome to book one if you have questions), and can be booked online or by calling our office at 410-697-1235.

If you would like to book your first Constitutional Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture treatment, please note that not all current openings are shown on our online booking site. If you don’t find what you need there, please add yourself to the waitlist or give us a call at 410-697-1235. Follow-ups for this treatment type can be easily booked online.