It is a fact that more and more studies in the Western medical world confirm the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating many diseases and disorders. In recent years, however, there has been a growing focus on its action in healthy individuals aimed at improving their external appearance. Weight loss, local fat reduction, improvement in the appearance of cellulite and the skin in general, the elimination or reduction of wrinkles, as well as lifting of facial tissues, are goals of aesthetic or cosmetic acupuncture.

This is a natural method that can significantly improve the appearance of the skin and provide long-lasting results since acupuncture’s effects do not only target superficial layers but also deeper tissues, such as muscles.

By placing special needles in specific areas, local blood circulation is increased, and cells responsible for collagen production (fibroblasts) are stimulated, resulting in improved quality and quantity of collagen and elastin fibers, which are key components of connective tissue. The needles also reach the muscular tissue, regulating both vascular and muscular tone, as well as producing other important factors related to the regenerative capacity of skin cells.

Medical studies confirm that aesthetic acupuncture prevents and delays skin aging by regulating vascular tone and the neuro-endocrine-immune system. Specifically, the results of aesthetic acupuncture include:

• Improvement in skin quality
• Elimination of fine lines
• Reduction of wrinkles
• Increase in muscle tone
• Increase in elasticity of the facial muscles and the neck area, resulting in improvement of the double chin
• Facial lifting and tightening
• Reduction of dark circles and puffiness around the eyes
• Reduction of age spots (liver spots)
• Tightening of skin pores
• Improvement of acne

Aesthetic acupuncture is considered a safe and relatively simple procedure without side effects, as long as it is performed by a medically trained professional.

Special disposable needles – particularly fine – are used, placed with a specific technique so that they are not uncomfortable. These needles are placed on various areas of the body and later on the face.

The total treatment duration is approximately 1 hour.

It is essential to take a thorough medical history, as many pathological conditions are accompanied by dermatological manifestations. Also, since the main potential complication of aesthetic acupuncture – which is minimized by the experience of the trained doctor – is bruising, the doctor needs to know if the individual is taking anticoagulant medication or has blood clotting disorders. With the specific information gathered, the doctor can select different points for each person depending on their needs, thus tailoring the treatment protocol.

The number of sessions depends on the case but is typically around 10-15 sessions, with the first few weeks having a frequency of twice a week, followed by once a week. It is important to have supplementary maintenance sessions 1-2 times a month to support the regeneration of new epithelial cells. However, the number and frequency of sessions depend on factors such as age, skin quality, gender, hormonal profile, and even daily habits and lifestyle.

The results of aesthetic acupuncture are visible from the first few weeks and are long-lasting since they don’t only affect the superficial layers of the skin. Other factors such as age, diet, smoking, sleep quality, etc., also play an important role. Most studies indicate that the effectiveness is greater when the treatments begin at ages between 30-45 years, as this helps delay the aging process.

It would be correct to say that aesthetic or cosmetic acupuncture does not replace invasive plastic surgery when correction of serious conditions is needed. However, it is a good, alternative, and complementary treatment in conjunction with other techniques, providing a natural approach to managing the normal aging of the skin.