The Science-Backed Benefits of Anti-Aging Facial Acupuncture 

Cosmetic acupuncture has been around for centuries, an ancient secret for awakening skin’s natural vitality. In recent days it has been gaining momentum in the beauty world for its anti-aging benefits. Non-invasive with few to no adverse effects or downtime, facial acupuncture has stars and influencers singing the praises of #NoTox. But while some #skinfluencer trends are more hype than help, science actually backs this one.

Read on to learn more about acupuncture facial rejuvenation and its benefits to skin and overall health!

What Is Facial Acupuncture?

FUN FACT

Cosmetic facial acupuncture has a well-established history. The concept of facial acupuncture rejuvenation has been practiced for centuries to achieve systemic health and delay the visible signs of aging by maintaining a youthful, radiant appearance. Its use dates back to the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC), when it was performed on Empresses and Emperors’ concubines to preserve beauty, slow signs of aging, and enhance natural radiance.

The Benefits of Cosmetic Facial Acupuncture

How Cosmetic Acupuncture Facials Can Reduce Signs of Aging and Support Better Skin

Acupuncture facial rejuvenation can reduce the signs of aging for healthier, younger-looking skin, help with a range of skin conditions, and even improve overall health and wellbeing– all without the side-effects of injectables and surgeries. Here are a few science-backed benefits of cosmetic acupuncture:

Improves Facial Elasticity and Tone

Sagging skin and loss of muscle tone are major culprits of facial aging. One of the benefits people notice with cosmetic acupuncture treatments is visibly lifted and firmed skin, and studies show that it can strengthen skin tone and elasticity, improve texture, tighten pores, and reduce sagging. 

A pilot study by Younghee Yun et al. concluded that facial cosmetic acupuncture was a safe method for improving facial elasticity and muscle tone.

Another study found that just 20 minutes of facial acupuncture helped relax facial muscles by up to 60%, with subsequent sessions resulting in a brighter, tighter complexion. 

Science supports cosmetic acupuncture treatments’ ability to visibly lift and firm the face. Facial acupuncture activates the body’s repair systems to strengthen tone and elasticity. The result? A naturally radiant lift.

Reduces Wrinkles

Nothing adds years to your face quite like wrinkles. More than that, fine lines and folds can make you feel self-conscious. And with options like injectables posing so many risks, it’s no wonder that many have turned to facial acupuncture to help them age a little more gracefully. Studies have shown that cosmetic acupuncture can soften and even eliminate facial wrinkles, diminishing their depth and appearance without the side-effects. 

In this trial, facial and body acupuncture was shown to be a safe and effective treatment for reducing frown lines.

In another study, facial rejuvenation acupuncture was found to improve nasolabial folds and eye wrinkles. 

Another culprit of crepey skin is the dryness that comes with age. This study found that cosmetic acupuncture increased the water and oil content of facial skin, enhancing its appearance. 

Acupuncture facial rejuvenation can help minimize the depth and visibility of fine lines and wrinkles for plumper skin and a younger-looking you!

Supports Skin Conditions

Facial acupuncture can be beneficial for more than anti-aging. For those with skin conditions, acupuncture can reduce flare-ups and symptoms like pain and itching if not resolve issues completely. 

Studies have shown that acupuncture can safely improve a range of skin conditions, such as:

• Acne
• Allergies
• Dermatitis
• Eczema
• Psoriasis
• Malasma
• Herpes zoster
• Urticaria
• Chloasma
• Hyperhidrosis

Acupuncture can provide drug-free relief for those suffering from skin conditions, greatly improving quality of life. 

Improves Wellbeing

Facial acupuncture rejuvenation is more than a cosmetic treatment. It is a holistic approach to health and beauty that not only improves appearance, but can also have beneficial effects on overall health and wellbeing. Along with improvements in their external appearance, our clients have reported many other health benefits including:

• Improved energy
• Improved sleep quality
• Reduced anxiety
• Better digestion
• Fewer hot flashes
• Improved mood
• Better ability to handle stress
• More confidence 
• An overall greater sense of wellbeing

Takeaway

While its benefits have been experienced for centuries, science continues to prove the efficacy and safety of facial rejuvenation acupuncture today. 

Cosmetic facial acupuncture offers more than just a surface-level glow-up. This whole-body modality works from the inside-out to enhance your skin’s health and youthfulness while supporting wellbeing, restoring balance and radiance.

And unlike injectables, this holistic treatment goes beyond addressing surface-level signs of aging and can have a lasting impact on the long-term health of the skin.

Ready to experience the transformative power of cosmetic facial acupuncture for yourself? Book your session with a trained Vienna Mei Ren cosmetic acupuncturist and discover your natural radiance. 

The takeaway? Science supports facial acupuncture’s ability to unlock a more radiant, youthful complexion, and a happier, healthier YOU!

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Eileen Fauster of Essential Balance is a Registered Acupuncturist and Registered Holistic Nutritionist who specializes in skin care. Eileen helps clients by using the Vienna Mei Ren non-surgical acupuncture facelift, which combines the best acupuncture needles and techniques with a beautifying skin rejuvenation regime.

* Resources:

BARRETT, J. (2005). Acupuncture and facial rejuvenation. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 25(4), 419–424. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asj.2005.05.001 

Canadian College of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. (2024, June 6). How does facial acupuncture work? https://ccatcm.ca/how-does-facial-acupuncture-work-ccatcm/ 

Cho, J. H., Lee, H. J., Chung, K. J., Park, B. C., Chang, M. S., & Park, S. K. (2015). Effects of jae-seng acupuncture treatment on the improvement of nasolabial folds and eye wrinkles. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/273909 

Donoyama, N., Kojima, A., Suoh, S., & Ohkoshi, N. (2012). Cosmetic acupuncture to enhance facial skin appearance: A preliminary study. Acupuncture in Medicine, 30(2), 152–153. https://doi.org/10.1136/acupmed-2012-010156 

Goldstein, S. (2015, November). The modern application of ancient Mei Rong. Acupuncture Today. https://acupuncturetoday.com/article/33110-the-modern-application-of-ancient-mei-rong 

Haghir, H., Yazdanpanah, M. J., Farahmand, S. K., Khadem‐Rezaiyan, M., & Azizi, H. (2025). Is acupuncture effective in diminishing frown lines? evidence from a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 24(4). https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.70144 

Ma, C., & Sivamani, R. K. (2015). Acupuncture as a treatment modality in dermatology: A systematic review. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 21(9), 520–529. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2014.0274 

Soekanto, A., Tania, P. O., Rianti, E. D., & Hardiyono, H. (2024). Effectiveness of facial acupressure and acupuncture on Musculus facei. Jurnal Ilmiah Kedokteran Wijaya Kusuma, 13(1), 38. https://doi.org/10.30742/jikw.v13i1.3401 

van den Berg-Wolf, M., & Burgoon, T. (2017). Acupuncture and cutaneous medicine: Is it effective? Medical Acupuncture, 29(5), 269–275. https://doi.org/10.1089/acu.2017.1227 

Wyganowska, M. L., & Ciesielski, P. (2024). Facial acupuncture as a way to restore external and internal well-being. Journal of Face Aesthetics, 7(1), 45–55. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/382429130_Facial_acupuncture_as_a_way_to_restore_external_and_internal_well-being 

Yun, Y., Kim, S., Kim, M., Kim, K., Park, J.-S., & Choi, I. (2013). Effect of facial cosmetic acupuncture on facial elasticity: An open-label, single-arm pilot study. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, (Special Issue: History and Current Status of Evidence-Based Korean Medicine), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/424313