Care, with Pushpa
Facial acupuncture: what it is and is not
Facial acupuncture uses very fine, single-use needles at chosen points on the face, neck, hands and body, with a conversation before and after. Pushpa, our licensed acupuncturist, offers it.
It is optional. It is never added to another visit unless you ask, and many clients start with a gua sha facial and decide later.
Who usually asks about it: adults who are curious after a gua sha facial, people who already come for acupuncture, and people who like to know exactly what is happening, step by step.
A visit, in order
What a visit is like
- 01
Step 1: A conversation
Pushpa asks about your health, your medicines, your skin care and what you hope for. She explains each step and where needles may go. About fifteen minutes.
- 02
Step 2: Getting comfortable
You lie back with a pillow under your knees and a blanket over you. You can stop at any point.
- 03
Step 3: Fine needles
A small number of hair-thin needles at points on the face, neck, hands and body, left in place for about twenty minutes while you rest.
- 04
Step 4: Needles out, a few notes
Pushpa removes every needle and counts them, then a warm towel and a few notes. The visit takes about an hour.
What you may feel afterward
You may feel a light tap, a brief pinch or a dull warmth where a needle goes in, then calm. A tiny mark or light bruise can appear at a point and usually fades in a few days, so plan around events.
Before you book
Tell us first
Tell us about any of these when you book or at the start of your visit. We will explain what we change.
Pregnancy
Pushpa will change or skip points, and may ask you to check with your midwife or doctor first.
Blood thinners
Or a bleeding disorder. Needles near the face bruise more easily.
Recent injections
Fillers, wrinkle-relaxer injections or other procedures in the past few weeks.
Needle fear
We can start with a gua sha facial, or with hand and ear points only.
Implants and lymph nodes
A pacemaker or other implant, or lymph nodes removed on one side.
Skin infections
Cold sores, active infection or open skin. We will wait.
How many visits, and what this does not do
Pushpa suggests a plan after the first visit, often a short series of visits close together, and revises it as you go. You can stop whenever you like.
What it does not do
Facial acupuncture is not a facelift. It does not remove wrinkles, reverse aging or treat a skin condition, and it does not replace a dermatologist's care. We make no promise about how your skin will look. Results vary.
When to see a doctor instead
See a doctor first for a rash that spreads, a mole that changes, skin that is hot, swollen or painful, or any sign of infection. In an emergency, call 911.
Next step
Book this visit, or ask a question first
Tell us which visit you are curious about and when you are free. We reply by phone or email to find a time.