If your social media feed is similar to mine, you may have noticed a spike in posts about cosmetic acupuncture. While it may sound like the latest trend in the ever-evolving world of beauty, the practice has deep roots in ancient Chinese medicine. But what exactly is cosmetic acupuncture? Spoiler alert: This is more than just chasing the fountain of youth – there’s more beneath the surface.
To get the lowdown on this fusion of beauty and wellness, we spoke with Brooke Taylor. A former esthetician and global skincare educator, Brooke now owns and operates The Road in Austin, one of our favorite spots for holistic beauty treatments and thoughtfully sourced wellness products. Taylor’s work is redefining the way we think about skin care—moving away from quick fixes and towards a more holistic approach to nourishing the mind and body. Because it’s not just about making us look our best (although that’s certainly a perk). Beauty is more about cultivating a sense of happiness that radiates from within.
Featured images are from our interview with Laura Lee.
Brooke Taylor LAc, MAcOM
Brooke founded The Road in Austin, Texas to share her experience in holistic skin care, acupuncture, and Chinese medicine to cultivate our own innate healing responses. She was a former esthetician, global skincare educator and brand manager before pursuing a Masters in Traditional Chinese Medicine to help heal others on a deeper level. She now combines cosmetic acupuncture and Chinese medicine, facial sculpting techniques, carefully planned skin care and high-tech modalities to guide clients holistically to look and feel their best.
What is cosmetic acupuncture?
Taylor emphasized that this approach goes beyond topical treatments. “We don’t treat the face in a microscopic way; we treat the face in a microscopic way. We consider the impact of your overall health and appearance and then treat accordingly,” explains Taylor. This holistic approach, rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), recognizes the interconnectedness of all body systems, meaning facial rejuvenation is not just about beauty, but also about overall health.
“We deliver acupuncture treatment to the body first, then strategically place specialized small needles on the face,” she says. Taylor notes that these treatments are designed to address a range of skin concerns including fine lines, wrinkles, collagen production, and acne and rosacea. Her expertise also includes advanced techniques such as fascia therapy, lymphatic drainage, gua sha and light therapy, all combined with carefully planned skin care. This comprehensive approach not only improves the appearance of your skin, but also helps relieve stress, balance hormones, and maintain good health.
Short-term benefits of cosmetic acupuncture
“The short-term benefits are skin and body/mental reset,” says Taylor, describing how this treatment can significantly restore a more youthful facial posture. The results are more than superficial, clients often see a significant reduction in fine lines and wrinkles, along with enhanced skin nutrition and hydration.
This rapid refresh is part of what makes cosmetic acupuncture so appealing. The immediate radiance and feeling of renewal is just the beginning, setting the stage for long-term benefits that will continue to emerge with continued treatment.
Long-term benefits of cosmetic acupuncture
“Long term, we will build on these results to create more resilient, healthier skin and microbiome,” explains Taylor. With regular maintenance, clients often experience profound changes and notice that they do not show the same signs of aging as their peers.
Of course, consistency plays a vital role in these lasting results. Taylor notes that those who commit to a consistent regimen will not only maintain youthful, vibrant skin, but it will also support their overall health. It is this holistic approach that sets cosmetic acupuncture apart, providing a powerful combination of aesthetic and health benefits that last over time.
Do injections have any effect on facial care? Can cosmetic acupuncture replace them?
While cosmetic acupuncture may not completely replace procedures such as facelifts, it plays a vital role in enhancing and maintaining skin health. Taylor observes that many patients are now looking for alternatives to fillers, especially as more conservative approaches gain traction in the aesthetic community.
“Injectors say fillers are not useful for ‘lifting,’ so it may be more beneficial to explore alternatives such as facial yoga, lymphatic massage, or gua sha,” advises Taylor. Cosmetic acupuncture not only addresses the physical issues of aging, but also addresses underlying issues such as stress and hormonal imbalances, providing a more comprehensive approach to facial rejuvenation.
What’s more, Taylor believes cosmetic acupuncture can help extend the time between injections or even reduce the need for them entirely. While it doesn’t replace invasive interventions, this practice offers a natural, health-conscious way to achieve vibrant, youthful skin.
“Most of my patients find that our treatments help them go longer between injections and keep their muscles toned and their skin healthy,” explains Taylor.
For those committed to a more holistic approach to skin care, cosmetic acupuncture offers an effective alternative that can promote health while enhancing facial beauty.
What misconceptions do you often encounter with clients about cosmetic acupuncture?
When it comes to cosmetic acupuncture, many people may think that the focus is only on the face. However, as Taylor emphasizes, this could not be further from the truth. “Your face and skin are part of a connected system from head to toe,” Taylor explains. That means treatments often go beyond facial acupuncture to address the underlying cause.
From hip tightness to stress levels, every aspect of your body affects the health and appearance of your skin. Taylor’s approach centers on the concept of chi, the flow of energy through the body. “For optimal health and skin, we look for a flow of energy—any stagnation can lead to issues like hyperpigmentation or redness,” she points out.
Taylor’s practice goes beyond acupuncture. If underlying issues, such as indigestion or extreme fatigue, are affecting a patient’s skin, she works with a team of experts to address those issues at their source. This comprehensive care ensures skin treatments are more effective and longer lasting. “By treating the entire face, results will occur faster [body],” Taylor suggested. This emphasizes the importance of understanding how interconnected our bodies are and how a comprehensive treatment plan can lead to healthier, more vibrant skin.
What skin care mistakes do you often encounter in practice?
1. Small tweaks snowball into a series of fixes
One of the most common pitfalls Taylor sees in her cosmetic acupuncture practice is that a small adjustment can snowball into a series of “fixes,” and they don’t always get better.
“For example, overfilling the cheeks may result in more wrinkles in the under-eye area, requiring Botox injections,” she explains.
This cycle of pursuit of correction can result in a less natural appearance and reliance on multiple interventions. Taylor’s approach, by contrast, addresses the underlying problem rather than a quick fix.
2. Using too many harsh ingredients that aren’t right for your skin
Another mistake Taylor often encounters, especially with younger clients, is overusing powerful skin care ingredients. “Using too many high-octane actives or harsh ingredients that aren’t suitable for your skin can cause inflammation,” she warns. This can lead to redness, dehydration and premature aging.
3. Not focusing on root causes
Finally, Taylor emphasized the importance of correctly identifying the cause of facial problems. For example, a “double chin” may be caused by tight neck muscles or poor tongue posture. “We can often resolve neck wrinkles by addressing posture issues rather than resorting to invasive surgery,” Taylor advises.
When people look at our facial skin/structure, what do they subconsciously see?
While we may see fine lines and wrinkles as signs of aging, others may not necessarily notice these details. “What people really notice is the clarity of the skin,” Taylor explains. This transparency, rather than a perfectly smooth surface, conveys a sense of vitality and overall wellness. Social media may perpetuate the ideal of a perfect face, but the reality is that a vibrant, healthy complexion—marked by the natural glow of well-cared-for skin—is much more effective in conveying youthfulness.
Achieving this goal is not about erasing every blemish or spot. “What’s more important is the overall health of the skin and the ‘god’ – the sparkling vitality in the eyes,” Taylor points out. Her insights point to this truth: Beauty comes from nourishing healthy skin and embracing natural radiance, rather than striving for unattainable perfection.
In general, how should we improve the appearance of our face?
Taylor advocated a holistic approach based on the principles of acupuncture. “Acupuncture helps manage ‘adult’ principles – sleep, digestion, stress, mood and hormones,” she explains. This isn’t just superficial. Instead, it addresses the underlying factors that impact skin health. By balancing these core aspects of daily life, acupuncture supports the skin’s natural regeneration process, revealing a more vibrant and healthy appearance.
“The key is consistency,” Taylor emphasized. Rather than a quick fix, this approach encourages stable and adaptive responses to life’s challenges, ensuring your overall health and skin remain in optimal condition. By committing to this holistic strategy, you can not only improve your appearance, but also develop a more balanced and resilient state.
