Cosmetic Acupuncture in Carlton North, Melbourne

Tiny Needles. Very Relaxing. A Rather Lovely Way to Give Your Face Some Attention.

Maybe you’re noticing fine lines that weren’t there before.

Perhaps your skin feels dull, tired or less springy.

Maybe you’re carrying approximately seventeen years of accumulated life experience directly between your eyebrows.

Or perhaps you’re simply curious about cosmetic treatments but don’t particularly want injectables, fillers or anything that dramatically changes the way your face moves.

Cosmetic Acupuncture is a gentle, minimally invasive treatment that uses very fine acupuncture needles across the face and body.

Drawing on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine and contemporary facial acupuncture techniques, treatment may focus on the appearance and feel of the skin, facial tension and your broader wellbeing.

And there is a rather excellent side benefit.

You get to lie down.

Book Now!

Not sure whether Cosmetic Acupuncture is right for you? Contact our team on (03) 9347 9247.

Is Cosmetic Acupuncture Right for You?

People may explore Cosmetic Acupuncture for concerns such as:

Fine lines
Facial tension
Jaw tension
Forehead tension
Skin that feels dull or tired
Changes in facial elasticity
Uneven-looking skin tone
Puffiness
The appearance of some scars
General facial wellbeing
Wanting a non-injectable approach to facial rejuvenation
Wanting cosmetic treatment that still feels like self-care rather than a procedure

You don’t need to be trying to make yourself look twenty-three.

You are allowed to like your face and enjoy doing lovely things to it.

Our Acupuncturists and Chinese Medicine Practitioners

Dr Zoe Zhanshu Yang, Chinese Herbal Medicine Practitioner & Acupuncturist

Cosmetic Acupuncture Fees

Facial acupuncture appointments also include body acupuncture where appropriate as part of the broader Chinese Medicine treatment.

New Patient – 75 minutes – $180
Return Patient – 55 minutes – $140

Current appointment options, fees and any available packages are displayed through our online booking system.

Private Health Insurance and HICAPS

Private health insurance claiming may be available depending on the practitioner providing your treatment, the service received and your individual extras cover.

We have HICAPS available at the clinic for eligible on-the-spot claims.

We recommend checking your cover directly with your health insurer before your appointment if you’re relying on a rebate.

If you’re unsure which appointment to choose, contact reception on (03) 9347 9247.

Ready to Give Your Face Some Love?

Fine lines, tired skin, facial tension or simply the desire to spend an hour doing something lovely for yourself.

All perfectly acceptable reasons to come.

Book Now!

Not sure which appointment to book? Contact our team on (03) 9347 9247.

Gift Vouchers

Gift vouchers for this treatment are available to purchase online.
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What Is Cosmetic Acupuncture?

Cosmetic Acupuncture, sometimes called Facial Acupuncture, uses very fine acupuncture needles placed at selected points across the face and, depending on the treatment, elsewhere on the body.

It draws from Traditional Chinese Medicine while placing particular attention on the face, skin and facial tissues.

Unlike cosmetic injectables, Cosmetic Acupuncture doesn’t involve injecting a substance beneath the skin.

Nothing is being filled.

Nothing is being frozen.

Your face remains very much your face.

The treatment instead uses acupuncture needling as a gentle stimulus to the facial tissues while also considering tension, muscle activity and the person’s broader Chinese Medicine presentation.

Is Cosmetic Acupuncture Really Thousands of Years Old?

Acupuncture itself has a very long history within Chinese Medicine.

Using acupuncture and other traditional techniques in relation to facial appearance and health also has historical roots.

But it’s a bit of a stretch to say that the exact Cosmetic Acupuncture protocol you receive in a Melbourne treatment room today has been performed unchanged for 5,000 years.

Contemporary Cosmetic Acupuncture combines traditional principles with techniques that have continued to develop and evolve.

Ancient roots.

Modern face.

Both can be true.

How Does Cosmetic Acupuncture Work?

Cosmetic Acupuncture involves placing very fine needles into selected areas of the face.

There are several ways practitioners understand what happens next.

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, facial acupuncture may be used to influence the movement of Qi and Blood through the face and related meridians while treating the person’s broader constitutional pattern.

From a contemporary perspective, needling provides a local mechanical stimulus to skin and underlying tissues.

Researchers have explored possible effects on facial muscle tone, local tissue responses, circulation and skin elasticity.

There is some promising research around facial elasticity and particular types of wrinkles, but Cosmetic Acupuncture is still an emerging research area.

So we’d rather say:

There are interesting reasons to keep studying this.

than:

We have discovered the secret to reversing ageing with tiny needles.

The second one certainly makes a better Instagram ad.

It’s just not where the evidence is yet.

Cosmetic Acupuncture for Fine Lines and Wrinkles

Fine lines are part of what faces do as they age.

Which is terribly inconsiderate of them.

Sun exposure, genetics, skin structure, facial movement, hormones, smoking and the passage of time can all influence how our skin changes.

Cosmetic Acupuncture is sometimes used with the aim of softening the appearance of fine lines and supporting facial elasticity.

Research into facial acupuncture remains limited, and results vary.

Cosmetic Acupuncture isn’t Botox.

It isn’t filler.

And we don’t think it should pretend to be.

For people who prefer a gentler, non-injectable approach and are comfortable with more subtle potential changes, that may actually be part of the appeal.

Facial and Jaw Tension

This is where Cosmetic Acupuncture can become interesting even for people who aren’t particularly concerned about ageing.

Faces work hard.

We squint.

Concentrate.

Frown.

Smile.

Talk.

Chew.

Clench.

Stare at screens.

Raise one eyebrow while somebody explains something profoundly irritating.

Muscles around the forehead, temples, jaw, cheeks and neck can become tense or overworked.

Cosmetic Acupuncture may incorporate points selected around areas of facial tension as part of the treatment.

If jaw tension or facial pain is your primary concern rather than cosmetic appearance, a more targeted treatment such as Remedial Massage or Myotherapy may be worth considering.

What About Collagen?

You’ll often see Cosmetic Acupuncture described as a treatment that stimulates collagen production.

The theory is that very fine needle insertion creates a controlled local tissue stimulus and that the body’s normal tissue-repair processes may then be activated.

Fibroblasts are cells involved in producing components of the extracellular matrix, including collagen.

That biological explanation is plausible and frequently proposed in Cosmetic Acupuncture.

What we don’t yet have is strong enough clinical evidence to promise that a particular Cosmetic Acupuncture treatment will meaningfully increase facial collagen or produce a predictable amount of skin tightening.

So we’re happy to say the mechanism is interesting.

We’re less interested in promising that your face is about to become a collagen factory.

Cosmetic Acupuncture and Skin Elasticity

Skin gradually changes as we age.

Collagen and elastin change.

Fat distribution changes.

Bone changes.

Muscles change.

Hormones change.

Sun exposure accumulates.

Essentially, ageing has assembled quite the committee.

Small studies of facial acupuncture have reported potential improvements in measures of facial elasticity.

Research is still limited, so we don’t promise a lifting or firming effect for everybody.

Some people may notice changes in the appearance or feel of their skin.

Others may mainly enjoy the treatment itself.

Both are perfectly legitimate reasons to come.

Cosmetic Acupuncture for Dull or Tired-Looking Skin

People often describe wanting their skin to look:

Brighter.

Fresher.

Less like I’ve had the week I’ve actually had.

Acupuncture produces local responses where needles are inserted, and temporary redness or flushing can occur following treatment.

Some people report that their complexion appears brighter or more refreshed afterwards.

That’s different from claiming Cosmetic Acupuncture permanently increases oxygen delivery or hydrates the skin more deeply than moisturiser.

Your skin barrier still deserves attention.

So does hydration.

And sun protection.

And sleep.

And hormones.

And genetics.

Cosmetic Acupuncture gets to be one part of the picture rather than pretending to be the entire bloody picture.

Cosmetic Acupuncture for Pigmentation

Pigmentation has many possible causes.

Sun exposure, inflammation, hormonal changes, acne, skin injury and various dermatological conditions can all alter pigmentation.

Cosmetic Acupuncture may be chosen by some people as part of their broader approach to skin health, but we don’t promise that acupuncture will remove pigmentation.

New, changing or concerning pigmented lesions should be medically assessed.

Australia has quite enough sunshine for us to take that seriously.

Cosmetic Acupuncture for Acne and Acne Scarring

Acne is a complex inflammatory skin condition influenced by factors including hormones, sebum production, follicular changes, inflammation and genetics.

Chinese Medicine practitioners may consider acne within the person’s broader pattern and may use facial and body acupuncture as part of treatment.

Cosmetic Acupuncture may also be explored by people concerned about the appearance of some acne scarring.

It isn’t appropriate to promise that needling will erase acne or scars.

If acne is persistent, severe, painful, causing significant scarring or affecting your wellbeing, appropriate medical or dermatological treatment may be important.

What About Puffy or Tired-Looking Eyes?

The area around the eyes is delicate and can change with sleep, allergies, genetics, ageing, fluid distribution and other factors.

Cosmetic Acupuncture practitioners may include carefully selected points around the face when puffiness or tired-looking eyes are part of what you’d like to address.

However, persistent or unexplained swelling around the eyes shouldn’t automatically be treated as a cosmetic problem.

Sometimes puffy eyes need acupuncture.

Sometimes they need sleep.

Sometimes they need your GP.

Bodies remain annoyingly individual.

What About Sagging or “Lifting”?

This is another area where cosmetic marketing can get rather enthusiastic.

Ageing changes the skin, connective tissues, facial fat, muscle and underlying bone.

No acupuncture needle is going to physically replace lost facial volume in the way a filler can.

Cosmetic Acupuncture may be used with the aim of supporting facial tone and elasticity, and some people report subtle changes in the way their face looks or feels.

We prefer the language of supporting tone and elasticity rather than promising a facelift without the facelift.

Cosmetic Acupuncture and Facial Muscles

Facial muscles are unusual because many insert directly into the skin and play an enormous role in facial expression.

Some are extremely active.

Others change with age.

And some appear to spend most of the day expressing:

What the actual fuck?

Facial acupuncture techniques may target particular muscles or areas of tension depending on the practitioner’s assessment.

This may be particularly relevant around areas such as:

Forehead
Brow
Temples
Jaw
Cheeks
Neck

The intention isn’t to paralyse facial movement.

Your expressions remain yours.

Does Cosmetic Acupuncture Hurt?

Usually, very little.

Cosmetic Acupuncture uses extremely fine needles designed for delicate facial treatment.

You may feel a brief tiny prick as some needles enter.

Other needles may barely register.

Once they’re in place, many people find the treatment surprisingly relaxing.

Occasionally a particular point might feel more sensitive.

If something hurts, tell your practitioner.

Again:

No therapeutic medals for suffering.

What Does a Cosmetic Acupuncture Session Feel Like?

First, you’ll have a consultation.

Your practitioner may ask about your skin concerns as well as broader aspects of your health from a Chinese Medicine perspective.

Depending on your treatment, acupuncture points may be selected on both the face and body.

Then the needles are placed.

And you rest.

Some people feel deeply relaxed.

Some fall asleep.

Some become very aware that they haven’t lain completely still without looking at a phone for approximately nine years.

It’s a surprisingly lovely treatment.

Why Is Body Acupuncture Included?

Cosmetic Acupuncture at The Urban Alchemist isn’t necessarily limited to the face.

Within Traditional Chinese Medicine, the face isn’t treated as though it has been detached from the rest of the person.

Your practitioner may consider sleep, digestion, stress, menstrual health, energy and other aspects of your presentation when choosing acupuncture points.

Body points may therefore be incorporated alongside facial needling where appropriate.

Cosmetic Acupuncture vs Botox

These treatments work very differently.

Botulinum toxin temporarily reduces the activity of selected muscles by interfering with nerve signalling.

Cosmetic Acupuncture does not do this.

It uses fine acupuncture needles to stimulate selected facial and body points without injecting botulinum toxin.

That means the results shouldn’t be expected to look the same.

If your goal is a dramatic reduction in movement-related wrinkles, Cosmetic Acupuncture isn’t a natural version of Botox.

It’s a different treatment.

And we’d also retire the idea that Botox contains mysterious “nasty chemicals and toxins” while acupuncture is pure and natural.

Botulinum toxin is a medical treatment.

Cosmetic Acupuncture is another option.

You can prefer one without needing to make the other the villain.

Cosmetic Acupuncture vs Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers add volume by injecting a substance beneath the skin.

Cosmetic Acupuncture doesn’t add volume.

So it cannot literally “fill” a hollow or sunken area in the same way.

People who choose Cosmetic Acupuncture are often looking for something more subtle and non-injectable.

Neither approach needs to pretend to be the other.

Cosmetic Acupuncture vs Face & Jaw Massage

If your primary goal is muscular relaxation, jaw tension or having somebody work directly through the muscles of your face, a targeted facial massage treatment may be a better fit.

If you’re interested in facial needling within the broader framework of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, choose Cosmetic Acupuncture.

And if you’re thinking:

Both sound bloody lovely, actually.

We understand.

Can Cosmetic Acupuncture Replace Good Skincare?

No.

Please continue wearing sunscreen.

Melbourne weather may behave like four different countries before lunch, but ultraviolet radiation remains irritatingly committed to the job.

Cosmetic Acupuncture can sit alongside sensible skincare.

If you have a significant skin condition, your GP or dermatologist may also need to be involved.

Are There Side Effects?

Cosmetic Acupuncture is minimally invasive, but that doesn’t mean there is zero possibility of side effects.

Possible temporary effects include:

Redness
Minor bleeding
Bruising
Tenderness
Temporary soreness
Light-headedness
Feeling tired after treatment

Mild bruising can occur with facial acupuncture.

Serious complications are uncommon when acupuncture is performed appropriately by a qualified practitioner, but no needling procedure is completely risk-free.

Will I Bruise?

Possibly.

The face has an excellent blood supply and an occasional small bruise can happen.

If you take anticoagulant or antiplatelet medication or bruise easily, tell your practitioner before treatment.

If you have an important event tomorrow and one tiny bruise would cause an international incident, perhaps don’t schedule your first Cosmetic Acupuncture session tonight.

When Might Cosmetic Acupuncture Need to Be Postponed?

Tell your practitioner before treatment if you have:

An active skin infection
Active cold sores in the treatment area
Broken or significantly irritated skin
Recent facial surgery
Recent cosmetic injections
Recent laser treatment
Recent chemical peels
A bleeding disorder
Anticoagulant or antiplatelet medication
Pregnancy
A significant medical condition relevant to treatment

This doesn’t automatically mean you can’t have Cosmetic Acupuncture.

It means your practitioner needs the information to decide what is appropriate and whether treatment should be modified or postponed.

Cosmetic Acupuncture After Botox or Fillers

If you’ve recently had Botox, dermal fillers or another cosmetic procedure, tell your practitioner what you had done and when.

The timing may affect when facial acupuncture is appropriate.

It may be sensible to allow the area to settle before treatment.

Where necessary, your practitioner may recommend checking with the clinician who performed your cosmetic procedure.

Cosmetic Acupuncture After Laser or Chemical Peels

Recently treated skin may be more sensitive and may need time to recover.

Tell your practitioner if you’ve recently had laser resurfacing, skin needling, chemical peels or other facial procedures.

More treatment is not always better treatment.

Sometimes your face would simply like everybody to leave it alone for a minute.

What About Bell’s Palsy?

Bell’s palsy causes sudden weakness or paralysis on one side of the face.

Sudden facial weakness requires prompt medical assessment.

That’s important because other neurological conditions, including stroke, can also cause facial weakness.

If facial weakness appears suddenly, particularly alongside arm weakness, speech difficulty, severe headache, dizziness or other neurological symptoms, seek urgent medical care.

Acupuncture may sometimes be explored as complementary care after appropriate assessment, but a Cosmetic Acupuncture appointment should not be your first response to sudden facial paralysis.

How Many Cosmetic Acupuncture Sessions Will I Need?

There isn’t one magic number.

Some Cosmetic Acupuncture protocols use a course of several treatments over a number of weeks.

How frequently you attend depends on:

Your goals
Your skin
Your health
Your practitioner’s approach
How you respond
Whether you simply enjoy having it done

Your practitioner can recommend a plan and review it with you.

We don’t think your face needs to enter into a lifelong contractual relationship with acupuncture.

When Will I See Results?

This varies.

Some people report that their skin looks brighter or feels different soon after treatment.

Changes in fine lines, elasticity or facial tone, if they occur, are likely to be more subtle and may require a course of treatment.

Cosmetic Acupuncture isn’t designed to produce the immediate structural changes associated with injectables or surgery.

If dramatic and predictable cosmetic alteration is your priority, another treatment may better match your expectations.

How Long Do the Effects Last?

We don’t have good enough evidence to promise a particular duration.

Skin continues ageing.

You continue making facial expressions.

The sun continues existing.

Life continues happening.

Some people choose occasional ongoing treatments because they enjoy how their skin looks or how the treatment feels.

That is different from saying everybody needs maintenance treatment.

Do I Need to Stop Using Skincare?

Usually, no.

Tell your practitioner about prescription skincare, retinoids, active skin conditions and recent procedures where relevant.

Your practitioner can advise you if anything needs to be modified around your appointment.

Can Men Have Cosmetic Acupuncture?

Of course.

Wrinkles have demonstrated a remarkable commitment to gender equality.

Cosmetic Acupuncture can be considered by anyone interested in the treatment, provided it’s appropriate for their health and skin.

Is Cosmetic Acupuncture Only About Looking Younger?

Absolutely not.

This is actually one of the things we like most about it.

You might want your skin to look fresher.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cosmetic Acupuncture

Is Cosmetic Acupuncture the same as regular Acupuncture?

It uses the same fundamental practice of inserting fine acupuncture needles, but Cosmetic Acupuncture places particular emphasis on the face, skin and facial tissues.

At The Urban Alchemist, body acupuncture may also be included where appropriate as part of the broader Chinese Medicine treatment.

Is Cosmetic Acupuncture a natural alternative to Botox?

We wouldn’t describe it that way.

Botox and Cosmetic Acupuncture work differently and produce different kinds of effects.

If you’re specifically looking for the predictable reduction in muscle movement associated with Botox, Cosmetic Acupuncture shouldn’t be expected to reproduce it.

Does Cosmetic Acupuncture get rid of wrinkles?

We don’t promise that.

Some people seek Cosmetic Acupuncture with the aim of softening the appearance of fine lines or supporting facial elasticity, but research is still limited and individual results vary.

How many sessions do I need?

There isn’t one standard number.

Your practitioner can recommend an approach based on your goals, health, skin and response to treatment.

Does facial acupuncture hurt?

Usually very little.

The needles used are extremely fine, although some areas of the face may feel more sensitive than others.

Can Cosmetic Acupuncture help jaw tension?

Facial acupuncture may include points around areas of jaw or facial tension.

If pain or significant jaw dysfunction is your main concern, a treatment specifically focused on jaw and facial muscles or appropriate clinical assessment may be more suitable.

Can I have Cosmetic Acupuncture after Botox or fillers?

Possibly, but tell your practitioner exactly what treatment you had and when.

You may need to allow time between procedures.

Can I have Cosmetic Acupuncture while pregnant?

Pregnancy changes what may be appropriate during acupuncture treatment.

Tell your practitioner if you are pregnant or may be pregnant before your appointment.

Will I bruise?

A small bruise is possible because facial acupuncture involves needling tissue with a rich blood supply.

If bruising would be particularly inconvenient because of an upcoming event, plan your appointment accordingly.

Can I claim Cosmetic Acupuncture on private health insurance?

Eligibility depends on your practitioner, the service provided, your insurer and your individual extras cover.

We have HICAPS available for eligible on-the-spot claims.

Check directly with your health fund if you’re relying on a rebate.

Cosmetic Acupuncture in Carlton North, Melbourne

Cosmetic Acupuncture sits in an interesting space.

Part beauty treatment.

Part acupuncture.

Part Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Part lying quietly on a warm table while an impressive number of extremely tiny needles somehow becomes relaxing.

We’re not going to promise to reverse ageing.

We’re not going to tell you wrinkles are a health problem.

And we’re definitely not going to suggest that your face needs fixing.

But if you’d like to explore a gentle, minimally invasive approach to facial wellbeing, tension, skin appearance and the changes that come with having lived an actual life, Cosmetic Acupuncture can be a beautiful treatment.

Our Carlton North clinic is conveniently located for people seeking Cosmetic Acupuncture from Carlton, Fitzroy, Fitzroy North, Clifton Hill, Brunswick East, Northcote, Collingwood and Melbourne’s inner north.

Ready to Give Your Face Some Love?

Come exactly as you are.

Wrinkles, laugh lines, frown lines and all.

Book Now!

Not sure which appointment to book? Contact us on (03) 9347 9247.