Facial acupuncture is growing in popularity. An Atlanta expert explains the process.

Despite the fact that neurotoxins like Botox and Dysport make up a $13 billion market, there’s been a rise in curiosity around alternative ways to treat fine lines and wrinkles. That includes Chinese medicine treatments. Wendy Choi, an acupuncturist, herbalist, and licensed esthetician who owns White Rose Acupuncture and also works at Buckhead Acupuncture, says that facial acupuncture can be an effective way to rejuvenate the face.

In the treatment, 20 to 60 short and thin acupuncture needles are applied to the face at acupuncture points and to muscle layers. “We stimulate the Meridian lines, which are all over the face, and muscle layers to bring blood flow back to the face,” explains Choi. She says that targeting key areas, like the orbital area and jaw line, can help contour the face and stimulate collagen, as well as improve overall circulation, reduce fluid retention, and balance energy.

Where Choi sees the biggest difference is combining the deep body work of facial acupuncture with surface-level acu microneedling. (She chooses not to use radiofrequency microneedling in her practice as she says it goes too deep and can be damaging to the skin.) Microneedling, or the use of a device with 12 to 36 tiny needles that penetrate the skin vertically, helps trigger the body’s healing response to help turn over skin cells and ultimately promote collagen growth and elastin production, both of which contribute to a reduction in wrinkles and an improved skin texture.

“Acu microneedling is good for tightening the whole face and working on fine lines and dark spots,” says Choi. Choi recommends four facial acupuncture sessions ($170 each) every other week, preferably paired with acu microneedling ($250 each) if a patient can handle a microneedling pen. After the series of four each, Choi says that maintenance clients come about every three to four months.

While not intentional, Choi has said that many of her patients comment on how facial acupuncture has helped them in other areas. “They have more energy, have less TMJ pain, sleep better, have less stress, and say that their allergies are better,” she says.

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