A woman receiving facial acupuncture treatment to reduce sinus pressure.

Why Medical Facial Acupuncture Is Not the Same as Cosmetic Acupuncture

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Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine that has become increasingly popular over the last few years. From relieving stress to clearing sinuses, patients turn to acupuncturists to feel better — a route that is not usually considered in conventional medicine but has been used for thousands of years!

However, acupuncture that works with acupuncture points in the face is not the same as cosmetic acupuncture or Botox. While both have their pros and cons, medical facial acupuncture reaps benefits that are beyond the surface level.

Let’s cover everything you need to know about this holistic approach to whole-body healing.

How Does Acupuncture Work?

Traditional acupuncture was developed in China around 3000 years ago. The practice involves inserting acupuncture needles into acupuncture points that are located at meridians, where qi – or energy – flows through the body.

Inserting acupuncture needles into these spots stimulates the central nervous system, which releases hormones and improves blood circulation throughout the body. It improves your overall health by regulating blood flow, increasing body temperature, encouraging lymphatic drainage, and removing toxins from the body.

Why Do People See an Acupuncturist?

Acupuncture treatment can help with several chronic conditions, such as migraines, osteoarthritis, and poor mental health. Some people incorporate acupuncture as part of their treatment plan for depression and anxiety. The most common reason people visit an acupuncturist is to treat pain.

A traditional acupuncture session that treats these conditions is very different from cosmetic acupuncture treatments.

What Is Cosmetic Acupuncture?

Cosmetic acupuncture treatment is aimed at improving your appearance and skin health — some people even call it a natural alternative to Botox.

Cosmetic acupuncture can encourage elastin production, improve skin elasticity, build facial muscle tone, increase the production of collagen, reduce the appearance of fine lines or signs of aging, and calm breakouts.

While this type of facial acupuncture treatment can reduce puffiness and the need for fillers, it does not provide the same health benefits as medical acupuncture.

Benefits of Medical Facial Acupuncture

While cosmetic acupuncture can provide facial rejuvenation, it does not treat any conditions or see any health benefits. Traditional acupuncture, however, does.

By stimulating the acupuncture points located on the face, facial acupuncture can improve energy imbalances and provide relief from several conditions. At Meridian, our certified acupuncturists focus on facial acupuncture that improves our patient’s overall health and wellness.

Conditions Treated By Medical Facial Acupuncture

      • Bells Palsy
      • Sinus Issues
      • Trigeminal Neuralgia
      • Cataracts
      • TMJ
      • Tinnitus
      • Vertigo
      • Tension Headaches
      • Jaw Tension

Are There Any Side Effects to Facial Acupuncture?

Like all medical procedures, there are potential side effects to receiving acupuncture treatment, but they are minimal and rare. The most common side effect is slight bruising or swelling around the insertion sites, as well as itching or minor bleeding.

If you have a blood clotting disorder or take blood thinners, discuss these side effects with your doctor before receiving treatment, as they increase your chances of bruising. You may also need to avoid certain medications when receiving acupuncture or make your acupuncturist aware of medications that may cause a need to adapt treatment.

Minor pain around the insertion site can occur while undergoing acupuncture treatment, but typically, discomfort is minimal. When practiced by a reliable, licensed acupuncturist, treatment is incredibly safe and painless.

What to Do After Your Acupuncture Session

While acupuncture is not an invasive procedure, there are still some things you should do after your acupuncture session to prolong its effects.

Skip Your Skincare Routine

While we all know the benefits of proper skincare, skip it for a day or two after your facial acupuncture session. While they are not noticeable within your skin texture (and you probably don’t even feel them), there are still tiny puncture sites on your skin that can be irritated by any type of lotion or cleanser.

Drink Water

Acupuncture treatment helps your body release toxins; drinking water helps this process along. Drink water before and after your acupuncture session to get the most out of it.

Get Up

You should avoid exercise and strenuous activities after acupuncture, but you shouldn’t lay around on the couch all day either. Keeping your body stagnant can tighten your muscles and prevent the energy from flowing in your body the way it needs to, so get up and walk around (just don’t do too much).

Schedule Your Next Appointment

Regular acupuncture sessions are the best way to continue feeling the great benefits. When you work with the same acupuncturist, they know your conditions and the type of treatment you need. Make sure to schedule your next appointment when you’re done!

Better Health Leads to a Better Tomorrow

Whether you’re interested in full-body treatment or facial acupuncture, the benefits are undeniable – and relatively fast!

Ready to get started? Meridian HealthCare has fully licensed, caring acupuncturists who can provide all types of relief with medical facial acupuncture. Reach out today to start feeling better tomorrow.