Step into the world of Cosmetic Acupuncture, a holistic treatment cherished by celebrities and beauty aficionados alike. In our exclusive interview with New York City Acupuncturist Dr. Thalia Kazakos Resh, L.Ac, who is at the forefront of holistic skincare, we explore the transformative power of this ancient Traditional Chinese Medicine skincare treatment to address cosmetic issues. Known for its ability to smooth fine lines and enhance natural radiance, the beauty benefits of Facial acupuncture offer a rejuvenating alternative to conventional anti-aging solutions. Discover how this technique stimulates collagen production and revitalizes skin, offering a pathway to a youthful, glowing complexion. Join us for an inside look at how Dr. Thalia’s expert touch can redefine your approach to beauty.

Can you explain what Cosmetic Acupuncture is and how it differs from traditional Acupuncture? How does it contribute to youth-preserving benefits? 

Cosmetic Acupuncture is part of traditional Acupuncture and is a natural anti-aging treatment that has been practiced for thousands of years. There is a written history of emperors and empresses of ancient China using needles for natural facial rejuvenation. Cosmetic Acupuncture uses the same meridian system as medical Acupuncture with an additional focus on rejuvenating the appearance of the face. We target different points to promote longevity and treat the root cause of imbalances that contribute to visible signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles while also focusing on lifting and firming the skin and facial muscles. There are different techniques used to release tension causing fine lines and promote collagen and elastin production by skin's own stem cells.

Can you walk us through a typical Cosmetic Acupuncture session and share any rituals or unique techniques you incorporate for maximum skin rejuvenation?             

I gently cleanse the skin to prepare for treatment. I start off by treating the ears because auricular points relax the nervous system. I also thread the 3 auricular muscles behind the ear; these are the muscles they cut and shortened during a face-lift. Threading them is a non-invasive way to tighten them naturally without surgery. This has a lifting effect on the face particularly around the naso-labial folds. Then I ground the energy by placing needles in the feet and work my way up the body to the face. I use a basic lifting protocol on everyone and then I finish with detailed needling on the areas according to personal concerns and goals, like fine lines and wrinkles. After about 30 minutes of deep relaxation, I take the needles out and finish with some facial cupping, gua sha and massage using the PRANA face oil, an Ayurvedic skincare treatment which features regenerative compounds to soothe and hydrate. This helps enhance the effects of the treatment by further releasing tension, sculpting the face and nourishing the skin.

How does Cosmetic Acupuncture enhance your skin’s natural  radiance?  How often should one receive treatments to see  noticeable results?                           

Facial Acupuncture benefits are that it increases the circulation and blood flow to the skin, muscles and connective tissue in the face for anti-aging benefits naturally. You can generally see a difference in the radiance of your complexion immediately after one treatment. This breaking up stagnation and tension in the face promotes healthy skin and strengthens the skin tissue by improving the movement of vital substances through it, flushing out toxins and stimulating cellular renewal. Generally, I recommend a series of 4-6 weekly treatments to see progress and then monthly maintenance treatments.

What specific skin concerns, like stubborn acne or dark circles, can facial Acupuncture address? 

Acne is a very complicated and individual issue that facial Acupuncture does an amazing job at treating. The skin has to be cleared from the inside out and Traditional Chinese Medicine for beauty is able to identify the root cause of acne, which is different for everyone and needs to be treated differently. I highly recommend taking herbs if you struggle with acne as it can expedite the healing process. In addition, incorporating a skincare routine with natural ingredients and herbs rooted in Ayurveda, like those in the taïla skincare collection, can truly help clarify your complexion and combat acne-causing bacteria. With acne there is generally a need to clear out some type of inflammation as well as promote healing and remodeling of skin that may be scarred or pigmented from previous inflammation and breakouts. Dark circles are generally related to adrenal fatigue, Kidney qi deficiency and/or pathological cold in the lower Jiao. I would address this with medical Acupuncture during facial treatment and treat it holistically by making herbal, dietary and lifestyle recommendations as well.

How does Cosmetic Acupuncture stimulate collagen production, and what results can clients expect compared to more invasive treatments like Botox? 

Facial Acupuncture treatment releases muscle tension to prevent the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. Instead of freezing the nerves and muscles with a toxin to prevent expressions, Acupuncture relaxes and releases the muscle fibers and can also address any factors contributing to the repetitive expression like stress, negative emotions, eye strain, tech neck, temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) and more. There is a lot of information in our faces especially where expression lines and tension manifest. Over time facial Acupuncture enhances and improves the health and vitality of your skin and entire being making it a far superior treatment. I also recommend people who get regular Botox to also do facial Acupuncture in between their injections so they can help prevent some of the negative side effects like atrophy and sagging which are unfortunately associated with repeated use of botulinum toxin. Preventative Botox has not been around long enough to see the after affects or how it ages in people who have used it "preventatively" since their early 20's.

Can you share a personal success story or a transformation you’ve witnessed through Cosmetic Acupuncture that left a lasting impression on you?

I think the most impressive transformation I have witnessed with Facial Acupuncture is its ability to combat concerns like fine lines and scarring. No other treatment compares to it in terms of gentleness but profound ability to remodel skin on a cellular and structural level. Topicals don’t generally work deeply enough to have this effect and laser treatments can often be too aggressive for some people and degrade the skin's integrity and strength. Facial Acupuncture works wonders to transform and smooth the skin's texture permanently and naturally, from the inside out.

How can Cosmetic Acupuncture complement your skincare routine?

The benefits of Cosmetic Acupuncture will enhance the effects of a clean beauty skincare routine. It helps to increase circulation and blood flow in the muscles and skin on the face while also boosting collagen and elastin. A holistic skincare routine such as taïla’s Ayurvedic skincare products, which incorporates time-tested plant medicine, will go further on healthy skin — utilizing healing ingredients to regenerate the skin and promote cellular turnover. They work together synergistically and the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Can you explain the holistic benefits of Cosmetic Acupuncture and how it contributes to overall wellness beyond just skin appearance?

Facial Acupuncture takes a holistic approach by including a whole-body rebalancing in addition to a rejuvenating facial treatment for glowing skin. A patient may have dark circles under eyes due to stress and adrenal fatigue, acne related to hormonal imbalances and digestive issues, forehead and neck lines from tension caused by a stressful desk job or jaw pain and tension that's impacting the jaw line and accentuating nasolabial folds. Any combination of issues both health and aesthetics can be holistically treated during a Facial Acupuncture session. This approach often yields longer lasting, more sustainable results that will ultimately benefit the aging process far more than other types of aesthetic treatments and procedures. Herbal medicine is also a nice complement along with a clean skincare routine, diet, supplementation and lifestyle to maximize results.

You can seek out Dr. Thalia Kazakos Resh's services and expert advice at Muse Medicine - Acupuncture, Wellness & Beauty. Her Acupuncture, Wellness & Beauty Studio is located here in New York City.