If you asked me a year ago what I thought about acupuncture, I would have said, “Doesn’t acupuncture seem a little shady?” In my mind, it was on the same level as Goop’s jade-colored vaginal eggs or people who burn sage to ward off bad energy when moving apartments (I don’t blame them, but it’s not good for me or my sensitive smoke detectors). But after acupuncture helped me quit drinking excessively, I gained a new respect for the ancient Chinese medicine that transformed my life. Now I rave about acupuncture to everyone I meet (if you’re one of those people, sorry to break my story, but acupuncture really does work). So why doesn’t acupuncture offer the same rebalancing, healing powers to my skin?
input: Pin and Poke A Botox facial without the Botox. During the hour-long treatment, different parts of your body are poked and prodded depending on your personal needs. Of course, your face is involved, which makes it look like a surreal pile of pins and needles, but (in theory) the results should be worth it. After the needles have taken effect, you’ll get a facial massage to remove excess moisture and reveal glowing skin.
Firstly, what does cosmetic acupuncture do for your skin? “It stimulates your internal organs to completely reset your body, whilst also increasing microcirculation in the skin for a brighter, firmer complexion,” explains aesthetic nurse and co-founder Gerry McClellan. Ardool Clinic, Anna SilsbeeAnd the benefits don’t end there: “Perforation induces the skin’s natural healing process, which boosts collagen and elastin production,” explains Silsbee, playing a key role in making skin look radiant and plump. the study Acupuncture has also been shown to help soothe inflamed, itchy skin in people with rosacea, which is what I suffer from. I was excited, to say the least.
After a little chat about everything from my Saturn return (Ariana Grande was really on to something after all) to my menstrual cycle to being a cosmetic acupuncturist and the founder of Pin & Poke; Harriet Hargreavesstart by checking your pulse. While my acupuncturist had previously blamed my heavy drinking on an “erratic” liver, Dr Hargreaves said my current problem was my spleen. “The spleen governs energy levels and is directly related to worry and overthinking,” she says. The spleen can lead to everything from excessive anxiety to constipation, so I was keen to nip it in the bud.
To prevent this, she inserts needles into my hands, wrists, feet, calves, face, and the top of my head. This is better than any facial I’ve ever had. The few pricks are relatively painless, and if you’ve had microneedling before, they’ll heal while you sleep. But certain areas may hurt more than others.
I’m then “cooked” for 25 minutes, after which I’m released and the facial massage begins. Dr. Hargreaves immediately notices tension in my jaw (which isn’t a surprise; I’ve tried everything from anti-wrinkle injections to facial yoga to relieve this tension). Unlike my previous TMJ treatments, the doctor explains the relationship between my jaw and pelvis. As it turns out, the two are psychologically linked, and misalignment of one can lead to tension in the other. I make a mental note to mention this the next time I see my chiropractor.
The benefit of this facial is that there’s zero downtime. That’s right, you don’t have to avoid makeup like the plague or risk eye irritation here. I was told I might experience some bruising the next day, but luckily I haven’t seen any discoloration. As for how often to choose a Botox-free facial, Hargreaves replies, “Your body will tell you when it needs it.” Sounds pretty simple, doesn’t it?
The next day after applying a little concealer and blush as a base
My skin was glowing when I left the clinic, and the post-facial effect lasted a week afterwards. Not bad. As for the relief of my rosacea, I think it will take a few more treatments to see results, but after a week there has been no recurrence. I don’t know if it’s a coincidence, but I plan to get another cosmetic acupuncture treatment.
A No Botox Botox facial (60 minutes) at Pin and Poke costs £120.
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Charlotte Bitmead (she/her) is a Senior Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. With over six years’ experience writing about beauty and previously contributing to ELLE and The Sunday Times Style, she has covered everything from politics to sustainability to inclusivity in the beauty industry. When she’s not writing in-depth features, trying out the latest skincare trends, or deciding on nail art, you’ll find her overspending in the bookshop or screaming at an Arsenal game. Find her on LinkedIn.
