Cosmetic Acupuncture Trades Knives for Needles

Before going for cosmetic surgery, you may want to try a gentler approach

Cosmetic surgery offers a quick way to look younger, but for those looking for firmer skin and a healthier glow, cosmetic acupuncture may be a safer way to go. BaLL LunLa/Shutterstock

A statistics report from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons states that in 2020, there were 15.6 million cosmetic procedures and 6.8 million reconstructive procedures performed in the United States. A report by Fortune Business Insights noted that the global cosmetic surgery market was worth $50.67 billion in 2018 and is projected to reach $66.96 billion by 2026.

An article from the Baylor College of Medicine explores the reasons behind the increase in plastic and cosmetic surgery and explains the difference between the two. “Cosmetic surgery is a specialty within plastic surgery that often focuses on appearance. Plastic surgery incorporates procedures that also restore form and function, such as breast reconstruction, burn surgery, and pediatric plastic surgery.”

Million of Procedures

In 2020 $16.7 billion was spent on cosmetic procedures in the United States. These were the most common procedures in three categories:

Top 5 Cosmetic Surgical Procedures

• Nose reshaping (352,555)
• Eyelid surgery (325,112)
• Facelift (234,374)
• Liposuction (211,067)
• Breast augmentation (193,073)

Top 5 Minimally Invasive Cosmetic Procedures

• Botulinum toxin type A: Botox, Dysport, Xeomin (4.4 million)
• Soft tissue filler (3.4 million)
• Chemical peel (931,473)
• Laser skin resurfacing (997,245)
• Intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment (827,409)

Top 5 Reconstructive Procedures

• Tumor removal (5.2 million)
• Laceration repair (386,710)
• Maxillofacial surgery (256,085)
• Scar revision (263,643)
• Hand surgery (206,928)

Cosmetic Acupuncture—a Natural Alternative

While plastic surgery can help many people who have a medical need or severe issues, there are ways the average person can look younger without a scalpel. If the thought of going under the knife makes you nervous, there’s a nonsurgical alternative called cosmetic acupuncture. It uses the body’s innate healing to achieve a more youthful appearance.

Cosmetic acupuncture is a specialty within acupuncture, and both are modalities used in Chinese medicine. To give you a little background, here is a brief description of acupuncture and Chinese medicine.

What Is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a technique that uses tiny sterile, disposable stainless steel needles inserted at specific points on the body (called acupuncture points) to correct various ailments and restore the body to homeostasis. The nature of the problem determines where the needles are applied on the body and the depth of insertion. Some theorize that there are as many as 2,000 acupuncture points on the human body.

Cosmetic acupuncture is a specialty that deals mainly with acupuncture points on the face. Acupuncture points are also performed on the rest of the body to eliminate any other health problems that may be present.

What Is Chinese Medicine?

Chinese medicine is an umbrella term that encompasses numerous modalities, including acupuncture and herbal medicine. One of the first records of acupuncture is found in the Huang Di Nei Jing (The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine) and is approximately 4,700 years old.

According to Chinese medical theory (as well as Eastern philosophy), a universal energy called qi (pronounced “chee”) is present in all living things and circulates along pathways in the body called meridians. The theory states that health is maintained as long as this energy flows freely along these pathways. However, if the energy or qi is blocked, the system is disrupted and pain and illness result.

Cosmetic Acupuncture

Cosmetic acupuncture is a nonsurgical treatment used to reduce the signs of aging. Very fine needles are inserted on the face and body, increasing local circulation and stimulating collagen and elastin, filling out lines, and giving firmness to the skin for a healthy glowing complexion. Cosmetic acupuncture is an all-natural procedure with minimal risk and without the danger of side effects such as scarring, infection, or a lengthy recovery time.

Current cosmetic surgery statistics seem to demonstrate a large global market for methods of improving one’s appearance. Cosmetic acupuncture offers a noninvasive option for those interested in enhancing their appearance with a more natural approach. While some people can have dramatic results with cosmetic acupuncture, they are usually more subtle than with surgical procedures, so being aware of the limitations of cosmetic acupuncture treatments is something to consider before taking the plunge.

There are many benefits to cosmetic acupuncture:

• Minimize fine lines
• Eliminate dark circles and puffy eyes
• Improve complexion by increasing local circulation
• Tighten skin
• Lighten scars
• Improve dark spots and skin blemishes
• Tighten pores
• Brighten eyes
• Improve the look of wrinkles
• Reduce frown lines
• Lift sagging skin and drooping eyelids

Even though cosmetic acupuncture treatments primarily treat the appearance of the face, a comprehensive intake process is still essential. This is because there are often other issues that will come up.

For example, someone may be coming in for cosmetic acupuncture treatments, but during the initial questioning, they explain that they’re having some digestive problems. Interestingly, the other issues often affect the facial features they’re unhappy about. The good news is that we can do the cosmetic treatment and work on the digestive issues simultaneously. Many internal problems can manifest in changes on the skin, so digging deeper is vital to figuring out what can be done to correct any underlying health concerns.

Asking questions, listening to the patient, and observing are important skills you should expect from each practitioner at every visit. If someone is coming for cosmetic acupuncture treatments, we would ask questions like what the patient doesn’t like about their face and why, and include questions about behaviors that affect the skin, like smoking, drinking alcohol, and how often they use sunscreen and wear makeup. These are all factors that can cause certain facial features, like dark circles under their eyes or broken vessels on their cheeks. Understanding these causative factors can help address and prevent undesired facial features.

Cosmetic Acupuncture Treatments

A variety of things can be incorporated into cosmetic acupuncture treatments, and each practitioner will have their own approach. Some examples are facial masks, essential oils, serums, different types of massage, and assorted manipulation tools to stimulate specific points. These can all be used to enhance the treatments’ overall effect.

The number and length of treatments depend on where you go but are generally done once a week for about ten weeks. After that, treatments go down to once a month for a few months and then on an “as needed” basis. Frequency can also depend on the individual, what they’re trying to achieve and how well they respond.

Patients may also have contraindications to cosmetic acupuncture:

• abnormal clotting
• blood thinners
• bruising easily
• pacemakers
• high blood pressure
• diabetes
• migraines

Although acupuncture needles are extremely thin (a few times thicker than a human hair) and inserted superficially, certain conditions have to be taken into consideration. The skin on the face is very delicate, so every precaution is taken to make sure the treatments are successful, and patients are as comfortable as possible. Most people find them very relaxing.

So, whether you are noticing changes in your skin, want to improve the way you look and feel, are looking for a natural alternative to surgery, or all of the above, cosmetic acupuncture might be something to consider. It’s a safe, inexpensive way to enhance the natural beauty already present in all of us.