Facial acupuncture and microneedling are similar in the sense that both involve needles being placed on your face. However, they are very different when it comes to how they work. While facial acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that is mostly used in treating dermatological conditions, microneedling is a procedure that is used more for cosmetic purposes.
Let us look further at differences between facial acupuncture and microneedling.
History of Facial Acupuncture and Microneedling
Facial acupuncture is a Traditional Chinese Medicine practice dating back thousands of years. It was first used by ancient Chinese doctors to treat patients with chronic conditions such as rheumatism, arthritis, lupus, and other ailments. It was also used to improve blood circulation and detoxify the body.
T
he needles are inserted into specific points on the face to stimulate the flow of energy or qi throughout the body. This helps the patient recover from their condition faster by stimulating the body’s natural healing process.
Microneedling is a relatively new procedure compared to facial acupuncture. It was developed in the 1980s when it was found that applying pressure to the skin would cause micro-injuries that would lead to an increase in collagen production. These injuries would then heal naturally creating smoother, softer, and healthier-looking skin.
While facial acupuncture works on the principle of stimulating the body’s natural healing processes, microneedling stimulates the body’s own self-repairing mechanism. Despite their differences, both techniques have been proven effective in helping people achieve better results in terms of skin rejuvenation.
Advantages of Microneedling
Microneedling offers several advantages over facial acupuncture. For starters, you can use a dermaroller at home without any special training. Anyone can learn how to do this procedure.
Unlike facial acupuncture where there is a need for highly trained experts, anyone can perform microneedling with this type of device. This makes it easy for people who want to try out this technique without having to spend money on expensive courses or equipment.
Another advantage of microneedling is that it does not create scarring if done properly. Since it uses small needles instead of large ones, it causes minimal damage to the skin. As a result, no marks are left behind after the procedure. This means that this treatment won’t result in looking like you’ve had surgery.
The third advantage of microneedling therapy is that it is painless. Unlike facial acupuncture, microneedling with a dermaroller does not hurt at all. In fact, most people find it quite relaxing since it feels similar to a massage.
Disadvantages of Microneedling
Despite its many benefits, microneedling still comes with some disadvantages. One disadvantage is that it takes longer to see the effects of the treatment. Most people notice visible changes within three months while others may take up to six months. Another drawback is that it requires multiple treatments. You’ll need to treat your skin regularly if you want to see long-lasting results.
Advantages of Facial Acupuncture
Compared to microneedling with a dermaroller, facial acupuncture is much more effective. It should only be performed by those who have been properly trained in the use of acupuncture needles, and specifically, for facial acupuncture points.
Facial acupuncture involves the stimulation of certain points on the face. Some of these areas include the eyes, nose, mouth, chin, forehead, temples, cheeks, ears, jawline and neck. These points are on energy channels that extend to the shoulders, chest, arms, hands, legs, feet, and toes. Each of these areas plays a role in improving one or more aspects of your health.
Disadvantages of Facial Acupuncture
Although facial acupuncture has numerous advantages over microneedling, it has one major disadvantage. It is designed to treat deeper and more systemic health conditions. So, it doesn’t directly treat skin conditions like wrinkles or acne.
What Do Facial Acupuncture and Microneedling Treat?
Microneedling, on the other hand, treats acne, scars, fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation, and other skin conditions with a different approach. The treatment uses tiny needles to penetrate the top layer of the skin, which stimulates new collagen growth and promotes healing.
Cost of Facial Acupuncture and Microneedling
Safety Concerns: Facial Acupuncture Vs Microneedling
Facial acupuncture is safe for most people, however, some people may experience mild discomfort during treatment. The needles used in facial acupuncture are made from stainless steel, which is non-allergic and hypo-allergenic. There is no evidence that facial acupuncture causes any harm to the body.
On the other hand, microneedling is a bit more risky because it involves sharper needles with various depths. There are several medical studies that show that microneedling can cause serious injuries like broken blood vessels, infections, and even death. These risks are why it’s important to seek professional help when performing this procedure.
Procedure: Microneedling Vs Facial Acupuncture
The basic difference between facial acupuncture and microneedling is the size of the needle used. In facial acupuncture, the needles are small enough to penetrate the epidermis while in microneedling, the needles are large enough to pierce the dermal layer. Facial acupuncture uses fine needles whereas microneedling uses larger needles.
In facial acupuncture, there are more than 30 points on the face. Each point has a corresponding area on, or system in, the body. When the needles are inserted into the correct areas on the face, the body responds by producing chemicals that promote the growth of new cells and tissue. These chemicals are called cytokines. Facial acupuncture stimulates the release of these cytokines which helps the body heal itself.
In contrast, microneedling works by creating tiny holes in the top layer of the skin. Once the holes have formed, they allow oxygen and nutrients to enter the skin. This allows the skin to repair itself and produce new collagen.
The main advantage of microneedling is that it can be done without any downtime. It does not require anesthesia or a prescription. Unlike facial acupuncture, microneedling with a dermaroller requires no special training. Anyone can learn how to use a dermaroller for microneedling at home.
There are two types of microneedling devices available: handheld and machine-based. The handheld version is easy to operate but it doesn’t provide much control over where the needle goes. On the other hand, the machine-based version provides precise control over where each needle goes. Since this machine is expensive, most people opt to just visit a professional.
The machine-based devise that professionals are trained to use for microneedling creates better results. The device is much more powerful and effective compared to the dermarollers used at home for microneedling.
Philosophy Behind Facial Acupuncture
Philosophy Behind Facial AcupunctureAcupuncture is based on the belief that every part of the human body has a corresponding part on the opposite side of the body. For example, if you have a headache on one side of your head, then the corresponding spot on the other side will feel better when touched. Similarly, if your left eye hurts, then the right eye will be feeling the pain too.
Acupuncture works because it stimulates the nervous system. The nerves send messages through the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body.
With a migraine, the signals from the brain tell the muscles to contract and close the eyes. If you’re getting an acupuncture treatment at the same time, the needles may cause the muscles to relax so that the eyes can open again.
When you receive facial acupuncture, the practitioner inserts thin needles into specific spots on your face. Some of the most common places where facial acupuncture is done include:
• Your forehead
• Underneath your eyebrows
• Between your nose and mouth
• On your cheeks
• Around your chin
• At the corners of your eyes
