I Tried Facial Acupuncture for Anti-Aging

Let’s cut to the chase. This is a post about anti-aging.

I am 33 years old and I am beginning to get fine lines on my forehead. Honestly, I didn’t even notice or care very much about the texture of my face for a long period of time because I was too distracted with the chronic acne I had suffered for so long. But once I got a hold of the acne, I really started to pay more attention to my face texture. The concerns really came to a head (pun intended) when I realized after getting engaged that part of planning for your wedding apparently meant planning facials six months prior to your wedding date. Fun.

And let me be clear, I don’t want to judge folks who do seek out and use Botox or other more invasive treatments, but I just don’t think I’m quite there yet. I have plenty of friends that do it, even a friend that works in the industry who’s offered to get me Botox for free. I have nothing against any cosmetic procedure… heck I even had a nose job at 18 (a story for another time), I’m just not ready to step into Botox… mostly because I’ve heard that once you start, you really can’t stop.

So in seeking out ways to treat fine lines and go on the offense in terms of anti-aging, I did some research and found that facial acupuncture could potentially be an option. It was perfect timing – I already had found the best acupuncturist in Los Angeles about six months prior…so naturally I asked her if she would recommend facial acupuncture for me. She said it would be perfect for what I was looking for!

Let me explain why this ancient Chinese practice is becoming one of the most popular trends in anti-aging today.

Facial acupuncture is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practice that has been used for centuries. “[It] is effective in reducing fine lines and boosting collagen. It can help stimulate circulation and therefore create that dewy glow. Additionally, it can be used to slow signs of aging” says my rockstar Acupunturist Jessica De Leon, of La Luz Wellness.

It involves placing tiny needles into specific points on the face in order to stimulate collagen production, which helps reduce wrinkles and keep skin looking youthful. The needles are also said to improve circulation, helping to flush out toxins and bring nutrients to the skin cells. This can help improve overall skin tone and texture as well as reduce puffiness and dark circles around the eyes.

The popularity of facial acupuncture has exploded in recent years due to its effectiveness as an anti-aging treatment. Unlike botox or fillers that are apparently painful and require frequent touch-ups, facial acupuncture is a natural alternative with no known side effects or downtime. Sounds like a can of worms that you can close whenever you want to – nice.

For best results, I was recommended once a week visits, but now, I’ll get them approximately once a month when I have an event coming up, or even just a refresh. But I never feel like I have to go back in for a “touch up.”

It’s also relatively inexpensive compared to other treatments like Botox or laser resurfacing. I pay around $135 for a session (Botox can cost hundreds of dollars more). Plus, it’s less invasive than many other treatments so it can be done without anesthesia or any incisions being made on the face. I can walk in and out, same-day, feeling close to nothing.

If you’re looking for a natural, more holistic way to reduce wrinkles or fine lines, then I would highly recommend facial acupuncture! My opinion? Needles are needles, but pick your poison: do you want a needle in your face, or do you want a needle injecting bacteria into your face? (Yes, botox is literally a bacteria). I choose the former.

It’s important to remember that everyone will respond differently so results may vary from person to person depending on their individual needs – so finding a great acupuncturist is crucial. Additionally, results may take several weeks before they become noticeable so patience is key when trying this treatment! I started to see results after a handful of sessions, but after getting treatment for upwards of six months, I really did see a difference in my skin. My acne has all but disappeared, my skin was bouncy, and I was (literally) glowing after each session.

So if you’re looking for a more natural way to look younger then give facial acupuncture a try – you won’t regret it!