If your social media feeds are anything like mine, you may have noticed a surge in posts about cosmetic acupuncture. While it may sound like the latest ever-evolving trend in the beauty world, this treatment has deep roots in ancient Chinese medicine. But what exactly is cosmetic acupuncture, and why is it such a hot topic in today’s skincare world? Spoiler alert: it’s not just chasing the fountain of youth. There’s a lot more beneath the surface.
To find out more about this fusion of beauty and health, we Brooke TaylorBrooke is a former esthetician and international skin care educator. road Taylor Skin Care Salon in Austin is one of our favorite spots for holistic beauty treatments and curated wellness products. Taylor’s work is revolutionizing the way we think about skin care, moving away from quick fixes to a more holistic approach that nourishes the body and mind. Because it’s not about looking good (although that’s one benefit); beauty is about cultivating a sense of well-being that emanates from within.
Featured image from our interview with Laura Lee.
Brooke Taylor LAc, MAcOM
Brooke founded The Road in Austin, Texas to share her experience in holistic skincare, acupuncture, and Chinese medicine, and to nurture our own innate healing response. Having previously worked as an esthetician, global skincare educator, and brand manager, Brooke earned her Masters in Chinese medicine to heal others on a deeper level. She now combines cosmetic acupuncture with Chinese medicine, facial sculpting techniques, select skincare, and high-tech modalities to guide her clients to look and feel their best holistically.
What is cosmetic acupuncture?
Taylor emphasizes that the procedure goes beyond localized treatments: “We don’t treat the face as a microcosm, we consider how your overall health is affecting the condition and appearance of your face, and treat accordingly,” Taylor explains. This holistic approach is rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which recognises the interconnectedness of all body systems, meaning facial rejuvenation isn’t just about beauty, it’s about overall health.
“We start with acupuncture on the body, then strategically insert specialized tiny needles into the face,” she says. Taylor says these treatments are designed to address various skin concerns, such as fine lines, wrinkles, collagen production, acne and rosacea. Her expertise also includes advanced techniques like myofascial therapy, lymphatic drainage, gua sha and light therapy, all combined with carefully curated skin care. This comprehensive approach not only improves the appearance of your skin, but also aids in stress relief, hormone balance and wellness.
Short-term benefits of cosmetic acupuncture
“The short-term effect is a reset for the skin, body and mind,” says Taylor, explaining that the treatment can visibly restore a youthful facial posture. And the benefits don’t just extend to the deeper layers of the skin: many clients see a significant reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as a boost in skin nourishment and hydration.
This quick refreshment is part of what makes cosmetic acupuncture so appealing: the instant glow and feeling of refreshment is just the beginning, laying the foundation for long-term results with continued treatment.
Long-term benefits of cosmetic acupuncture
“In the long term, we build on these results to create more resilient, healthier skin and a healthier microbiome,” Taylor explains. With regular maintenance, clients often see a significant change and find that they aren’t exhibiting the same signs of aging as their peers.
Of course, consistency plays a key role in sustaining these results, as Taylor points out that those who commit to consistent treatments not only maintain younger, more vibrant skin, but also maintain their overall health. It’s this holistic approach that sets cosmetic acupuncture apart, offering a powerful combination of long-lasting beauty and health benefits.
Are injections helpful for facial maintenance? Can cosmetic acupuncture replace injections?
While cosmetic acupuncture may not completely replace procedures such as facelifts, it can play an important role in enhancing and maintaining skin health, and Taylor points out that as a more conservative approach becomes more prevalent in the beauty industry, many patients are seeking alternatives to fillers.
“Injectors say fillers don’t help with ‘lifting,’ so you’re better off looking at alternative therapies like face yoga, lymphatic massage, and gua sha,” advises Taylor. Cosmetic acupuncture not only addresses the physical aspects of aging, but also addresses underlying issues like stress and hormonal imbalances, offering a more comprehensive path to facial rejuvenation.
Additionally, Taylor suggests that cosmetic acupuncture can also extend the time between injections and reduce the need for injections altogether. While not a replacement for invasive interventions, the treatment offers a natural, health-focused way to achieve vibrant, youthful-looking skin.
“Most of my patients find that our treatment allows them to go longer between injections, firmer muscles, and healthier skin,” Taylor explains.
For those looking for a more holistic approach to skin care, cosmetic acupuncture offers an effective alternative to promote health while enhancing facial beauty.
What are some of the most common misconceptions you hear from clients about cosmetic acupuncture?
When it comes to cosmetic acupuncture, many might think it’s focused solely on the face, but as Taylor emphasizes, that couldn’t be further from the truth: “The face and skin are part of a system that’s connected from head to toe,” Taylor explains, meaning treatments often go beyond facial acupuncture to address underlying causes.
Every aspect of your body, from hip stiffness to stress levels, affects the health and appearance of your skin. Taylor’s approach is centered around the concept of “chi,” the flow of energy within the body. “For optimal health and skin, we look for the flow of energy. Stagnation of energy can lead to issues like pigmentation and redness,” she notes.
Taylor’s practice goes beyond acupuncture. If underlying issues like indigestion or extreme fatigue are affecting her patients’ skin, she works with a team of experts to address these issues at the root. This comprehensive care makes skin treatments more effective and longer-lasting. “With a full-face treatment, you’ll see results much quicker. [body]”Skin is healthy and vibrant,” advises Taylor, highlighting the importance of understanding how interconnected our bodies are and how a balanced treatment plan can lead to healthier, more vibrant skin.
What skin maintenance mistakes do you commonly see in your practice?
1. Small tweaks snowball into a series of fixes
One of the most common pitfalls Taylor sees in her cosmetic acupuncture practice is the tendency for small tweaks to snowball into a series of “fixes,” not always for the better.
“For example, injecting too much fat into the cheeks can lead to more wrinkles in the under-eye area, which may require Botox,” she explains.
Repeated revisions can result in unnatural looks and multiple interventions. In contrast, Taylor’s approach focuses on addressing the underlying problem rather than a temporary fix.
2. They use a lot of harsh ingredients that are not suitable for your skin.
Another mistake Taylor encounters frequently is the overuse of strong skincare ingredients, especially among younger clients: “Using too many strong actives or harsh ingredients that don’t suit your skin can cause irritation,” she warns, which can lead to redness, dehydration, and premature aging.
3. Not paying attention to the root causes
Finally, Taylor stresses the importance of correctly identifying the cause of your facial concerns: for example, a “double chin” may be caused by tight neck muscles or poor tongue position. “Wrinkles in the neck can often be fixed by addressing posture issues rather than resorting to invasive procedures,” advises Taylor.
What do people unconsciously see when they look at facial skin and structure?
While we may fixate on fine lines and wrinkles as signs of aging, others aren’t necessarily as sensitive to these details. “What people actually focus on is the clarity of the skin,” Taylor explains. This clarity communicates vitality and a sense of overall health, rather than a perfectly smooth surface. While social media may perpetuate the ideal of the perfect face, in reality, a vibrant, healthy complexion, characterized by the natural glow of well-groomed skin, communicates youthfulness more effectively.
To achieve this, you don’t need to erase every blemish or blemish. “The overall health of your skin and the radiant energy, or ‘shen,’ that shines through your eyes is key,” Taylor points out. Her insight illustrates this truth: beauty comes from nurturing skin health and embracing your natural radiance, rather than striving for unreachable perfection.
In general, how should you approach improving the appearance of your face?
Taylor advocates for a holistic approach based on the principles of acupuncture. “Acupuncture helps manage the principles of ‘adulthood’ like sleep, digestion, stress, emotions and hormones,” she explains. This doesn’t just target the surface, but addresses the underlying factors that impact skin health. By balancing these core aspects of daily life, acupuncture supports the skin’s natural rejuvenation process, reflecting a more vibrant, healthier appearance.
“It’s all about consistency,” Taylor emphasizes. This approach encourages steady, adaptive responses to life’s challenges rather than temporary fixes, ensuring that both your overall health and your skin remain optimal. Committing to this holistic strategy will not only improve your appearance, but it will also promote a more balanced, resilient state.
Source: Camille Styles – camillestyles.com
