When you consider that plastic surgery is still a surgical procedure, it becomes obvious why people are looking for alternatives. All of the risks and expense of surgery accompany any elective cosmetic option. Beyond that, once the procedure is completed, there remains a significant healing time before one is ready to go out in public.

In contrast to plastic surgery, cosmetic acupuncture is 100% safe. There are no hazards associated with it, aside from the chance that there may be some slight bruising. The results will not be seen overnight, but the benefits will be long-term and long-lasting. Without invasive surgical procedures or dangerous chemical peels, cosmetic acupuncture leaves you with an subtle, natural beauty and youth to your skin.

A practitioner will insert tiny, thin needles into wrinkles and frown lines. The needles stimulate energy to flow around the face; blood rushes to the surface, and the muscles relax. The muscles then tighten, which decreases sagging of facial skin. The needles also stimulate the cells to create new collagen fibers under wrinkles, filling in fine lines. A recent study by the International Journal of Clinical acupuncture claims that 90% of those who tried facial acupuncture saw positive results such as softening of facial lines, improvement in skin tone, reduction of under-eye circles, and a general facial rejuvenation.

Prices and number of treatments vary from one practitioner to the next. When searching for a practitioner, be wary to choose someone with a license who has studied with a qualified teacher, and is part of the American cosmetic acupuncture association.

In addition to treating the body as a whole, Acupuncture also has benefits for patients who are undergoing cosmetic facial treatments. Typically, this type of Traditional Chinese medicine treatment is used to alleviate and treat stress, insomnia, anxiety and depression related illnesses, as well as countless other issues that we deal with today's society. Some doubt the validity of facial acupuncture; though the connection between positive well-being and improved skin appearance is easy to comprehend.

As skeptics will point out, the average facelift is far from permanent, lasting only 3 - 5 years. No matter how many procedures someone has, in order to delay the aging process, a few years down the road from surgery, new aging effects will become apparent.

A newer and much safer way to reach desirable cosmetic results has come about. Cosmetic acupuncture does not enlist the side effects of going under the knife. Similar to traditional Chinese medicine, a practitioner places very small needles into age lines on the face. The purpose of the needles is to get energy flowing in these areas. As blood rushes to the surface, the muscles tighten which firms the skin. The International Journal of Clinical Acupuncture reports that 90% of trial participants of facial acupuncture noted results like softening of facial lines, better skin tone, lessened blue circles under the eyes, and an overall facial rejuvenation effect.