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Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture

Individualized acupuncture care at Rooted

If you’re interested in supporting your skin health or addressing visible signs of facial aging, facial rejuvenation acupuncture may be worth exploring.

At Rooted, facial rejuvenation acupuncture is offered as a complementary approach to skin health and facial appearance, with treatment tailored to your skin, health history, and goals.

What Can Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture Help With?

Research has examined facial rejuvenation acupuncture — also known as cosmetic acupuncture — across a range of visible signs of facial aging, including:

  • Facial wrinkles and fine lines
  • Frown lines (glabellar lines/11 lines)
  • Nasolabial folds and marionette lines
  • Skin laxity and elasticity
  • Pigmentary changes
  • Skin inflammation and redness
  • Local circulation

What Does the Research Tell Us?

The evidence for facial rejuvenation acupuncture is growing and results are promising. A systematic review in the Journal of Cosmetic Medicine found improvement in at least one cosmetic outcome across all seven studies reviewed, with 216 participants. A related review in the journal Cosmetics found that facial acupuncture (as well as facial exercises) shows potential to improve skin laxity, wrinkle length, muscle thickness, and pigmentary changes — with patients frequently reporting visible improvement and very few side effects.¹,⁸

A pilot study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found a statistically significant improvement in facial elasticity after just five sessions of cosmetic acupuncture over three weeks, measured using objective skin mapping technology.²

For nasolabial folds — the lines that run from the nose to the corners of the mouth — multiple studies have shown meaningful improvement following acupuncture treatment. This includes a 2015 study of 107 participants, a 2024 retrospective study, and a 2025 clinical study, all reporting positive outcomes for fold depth and overall facial appearance.³–⁵

Acupuncture has well-documented anti-inflammatory effects that are particularly relevant for skin health. Research shows it can reduce pro-inflammatory signals while supporting the skin’s natural repair processes, balancing the relationship between pro- and anti-inflammatory responses in the body.⁹ This has been studied in skin-specific contexts including acne, where research has examined acupuncture’s potential to support the resolution of inflammatory lesions, reduce redness, and improve local circulation at the skin level.¹⁰ A systematic review and meta-analysis has also found that acupuncture may reduce itch intensity and improve clinical severity scores in people with atopic eczema and dermatitis, with some analyses suggesting it may perform comparably to conventional medicine.11

Acupuncture also supports local circulation through its effects on the nervous system, which may contribute to the refreshed, healthier appearance many patients notice following treatment.⁶

A clinical trial currently underway is specifically investigating the effects of combined face and body acupuncture on frown lines, reflecting the growing interest in this area from the research community.⁷

The research supports what many of our patients experience firsthand — real improvements in skin appearance, achieved without injectables or downtime. Results vary between individuals, and we work with each patient to set realistic goals and tailor treatment to their specific concerns.

What Treatment May Look Like

Your first appointment begins with a thorough conversation — your skin concerns, health history, lifestyle, and what you’re hoping to achieve. This helps us understand the full picture before any treatment begins.

From there, your naturopathic doctor will walk you through what to expect, tailor a treatment plan to your specific goals, and answer any questions you have about the process, realistic outcomes, and whether this approach is right for you.

Treatment involves a combination of acupuncture points on the face and body, selected based on your individual plan. Each session typically feels relaxing, and your plan is reviewed and adjusted over time based on how you respond.

How Many Treatments Will I Need?

Studies have used different treatment frequencies and durations, commonly ranging from 5 to 12 sessions.²,⁸ At Rooted, we generally recommend starting with a series of 10 weekly sessions, based on the treatment approach used in our clinical training.

Your naturopathic doctor will discuss an appropriate treatment schedule with you based on your circumstances and goals.

For more detailed information, check out our blog post on What to Expect

Is Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture Safe?

Facial acupuncture has a well-established safety profile. When performed by a qualified practitioner, serious complications are rare. The most commonly reported reactions are minor and temporary — such as slight bruising or tenderness at needle sites — and typically resolve quickly.¹²

Before treatment begins, your naturopathic doctor will review your health history and discuss any individual considerations, so you can feel confident the approach is right for you. Treatment is provided in accordance with the College of Naturopaths of Ontario’s professional standards for acupuncture.¹³

Curious Whether Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture Is Right for You?

A Free 15-Minute Meet-the-Doctor session is a simple way to get started.

Meet with Dr. Sarah Kiss to talk about what you’re hoping to address, learn more about the treatment, and ask questions about whether facial rejuvenation acupuncture may be a good fit for you.

Book a Free Meet the Doctor Session

Frequently Asked Questions

If you use Botox, fillers, or other cosmetic treatments, let your naturopathic doctor know at your appointment. We’ll review your current treatments and determine whether facial acupuncture is appropriate and how it can best fit into your care.

Facial rejuvenation acupuncture and cosmetic procedures such as injectables are different approaches, with different mechanisms, evidence, risks, and expected outcomes. They don’t have to be viewed as competing options. If you’re considering different approaches, we can help you understand where acupuncture may fit within your broader approach to skin health and facial appearance.

Most patients find facial rejuvenation acupuncture comfortable. The needles used are very fine — much thinner than those used for medical injections — and many patients describe the sensation as minimal. Some points may produce a mild sensation of pressure or warmth, which is generally well tolerated. If you have any concerns about discomfort, your naturopathic doctor will walk you through what to expect before treatment begins.

Some patients notice changes in skin quality, tone, or texture within the first few sessions. More visible improvements in areas like fine lines, folds, and elasticity typically develop progressively over a course of treatment. At Rooted, we recommend starting with a series of 10 weekly sessions, and results are generally assessed at the end of the series. Maintenance sessions can help sustain results over time. As with any treatment, individual responses vary, and your naturopathic doctor will discuss realistic expectations based on your specific concerns and goals.

Coverage varies by extended health plan and provider. Some plans cover acupuncture provided by a naturopathic doctor, while others may not. We recommend checking your individual benefits plan before booking if coverage is important to you.

References

  1. Smith MA, Ferris T, Nahar VK, Sharma M. Non-traditional and non-invasive approaches in facial rejuvenation: a brief review. Cosmetics. 2020;7(1):10. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics7010010
  2. Yun Y, Kim S, Kim M, Kim K, Park JS, Choi I. Effect of facial cosmetic acupuncture on facial elasticity: an open-label, single-arm pilot study. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2013;2013:424313. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/424313
  3. Cheng H, Xie L, Wang T, Shi B. Effectiveness of acupuncture therapy on improvement of nasolabial folds and marionette lines: a retrospective study. Health Sci Rep. 2024;7:e70014. https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.70014
  4. Nurmawati V, Nareswari I, Jusuf AA. Manual acupuncture for improvement of nasolabial fold: a quasi-experimental research. Medical Acupuncture. 2025;37(3):252-259. https://doi.org/10.1089/acu.2023.0125
  5. Cho JH, Lee HJ, Chung KJ, Park BC, Chang MS, Park SK. Effects of Jae-Seng acupuncture treatment on the improvement of nasolabial folds and eye wrinkles. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015;2015:273909. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/273909
  6. He T, Zheng Y, Yan J, et al. Skin-brain axis: neural pathways in acupuncture treatment. Chin Med. 2025;20:163. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13020-025-01213-y
  7. Haghir H, Yazdanpanah MJ, Khadem-Rezaiyan M, Bidouei F, Azizi H. Effects of face and body acupuncture on glabellar frown lines in women aged 30–59: a study protocol for a double-arm randomized waitlist-controlled trial. J Acupunct Meridian Stud. 2024;17(6):221-228. https://doi.org/10.51507/j.jams.2024.17.6.221
  8. Shin B, Lim K. Acupuncture for cosmetic use: a systematic review of prospective studies. J Cosmet Med. 2018;2:76-84. https://doi.org/10.25056/JCM.2018.2.2.76
  9. Li N, Guo Y, Gong Y, Zhang Y, Fan W, Yao K, Chen Z, Dou B, Lin X, Chen B, Chen Z, Xu Z, Lyu Z. The anti-inflammatory actions and mechanisms of acupuncture from acupoint to target organs via neuro-immune regulation. J Inflamm Res. 2021;14:7191-7224. https://doi.org/10.2147/JIR.S341581
  10. Huang H, Liu Y, Wu S, Zhao D, Zheng H, Zhu M. Current state of research on acupuncture for acne: a scoping review. Front Physiol. 2025;16:1661850. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2025.1661850
  11. Jiao R, Yang Z, Wang Y, Zhou J, Zeng Y, Liu Z. The effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for patients with atopic eczema: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Acupunct Med. 2020 Feb;38(1):3-14. doi: 10.1177/0964528419871058. Epub 2019 Sep 9. PMID: 31495184; PMCID: PMC7041622.
  12. Bäumler P, Zhang W, Stübinger T, Irnich D. Acupuncture-related adverse events: systematic review and meta-analyses of prospective clinical studies. BMJ Open. 2021;11(9):e045961. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-045961
  13. College of Naturopaths of Ontario. Standard of Practice: Acupuncture. Current standard. [https://www.cno.org/en/practice-at-cno/practice-standards-guidelines/acupuncture/]