We Tried It AN ACUPUNCTURE FACIAL

As a beauty writer, I’m invited to try all sorts of new treatments. But I also get a bunch of inspiration through Instagram scrolling—and that’s where I found my latest task. French influencer Mathilde Lacombe posted a filter-free self ie highlighting her ridiculously smooth forehead, which she claimed wasn’t the result of Botox. Instead, she said her ironed-out guise was thanks to cosmetic acupuncture.

- RENÉE REARDIN

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medicine practice in which a skilled practitioner inserts metal needles into the skin at pressure points believed to affect different parts of the body. Activating these pressure points is thought to help balance the body’s flow of energy, known as chi or qi, and stimulate nerves, muscles, and connective tissue to relieve pain and ease tension.

In cosmetic acupuncture, also known as an acupuncture facial, the needles are placed primarily in the face to relax muscles and smooth out lines and wrinkles, as well as sculpt and de-puff. “Common areas would be the frown lines and the vertical lines between the eyebrows,” says Sarah Kreitzer, owner of Acupuncture Center Toronto. “And we use sculpting points that are found below the cheekbones.” Needles are tucked under the bone, she says, which can help give cheekbones a more lifted look.

Needles are also placed in areas of the body thought to indirectly address cosmetic concerns on your face. “These points in the body have a reflex zone function,” Kreitzer says. With water retention in the face, for example, she says they would probably stimulate points that strengthen the spleen and help disperse swelling or edema.