How To Use Acupuncture Pen On Face

Acupuncture pens are very versatile devices. Although initially, I purchased an acupuncture pen to address aches and pains, I quickly found that it was an excellent beauty aid too! Want to know more? Learn how to use an acupuncture pen on the face here. 

Not only does this process aid in collagen production and leave you looking younger and brighter, but it will also make you feel incredible too! Check out this ultimate guide to ensure that you’re reaping all of the benefits of your acupuncture pen.

How Does Electronic Acupuncture Pen Help With Beauty?

First, let’s discuss the benefits of using an acupuncture pen on the face. Specifically, let’s take a look at what beauty concerns can be tackled using an acupuncture pen.

Acupuncture pens use a low-frequency electronic pulse. By targeting areas on the face, this pulse is able to move muscles that you normally wouldn’t have access to. In turn, this works to tighten or loosen the muscles, depending on the acupoint.

Stimulating acupuncture points on the face works to increase blood circulation and improve lymph drainage. This process may also increase collagen production and hydration, leading to much younger, healthier, and brighter-looking skin.

Don’t believe me? I don’t blame you. It all sounds a bit too good to be true. However, this study, although focusing on traditional acupuncture, provides some incredibly promising results regarding the effects of acupuncture on the elasticity of the skin.

If you need a bit more convincing, check out this article titled Do Acupuncture Pens Work. It discusses everything you need to know, including all of the evidence you need to feel confident in the effectiveness of acupuncture pens.

How To Use Acupuncture Pen On Face

Now that you’re aware of all of the wonderful benefits, you’re likely desperate to find out how to use an acupuncture pen on the face. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place! Take a look at our simple, step-by-step guide below. We also include some handy tips and tricks!

Determine Your Target Areas

Before you get started, it is first necessary to determine the acupuncture points you will be focusing on. As such, it is important that you do your research and ensure that the points you work on will provide the desired results. For some inspiration, check the acupuncture points below.

Acupoint: ST-3 (Other Names: Stomach-3/Ju Liao/Large Bone Hole)

Juliao, or ST-3, is located in the depression below the cheekbone, directly below the pupil. It belongs to the stomach meridian and is an ideal spot to focus on if you are concerned about dry or dull skin around the cheeks. It works to increase blood flow, and make your skin look more youthful. 

To learn more about this acupoint and others with a similar effect, take a look at this article about the small intestine 18 acupoints.

Acupoint: ST-6 (Other Names: Stomach-6/Jia Che/Jaw Bone)

Jiache, or ST-6, is located on the cheek. The acupoint can be found at the depression when you close your jaws together. This point also belongs to the stomach meridian and it promotes water metabolism. As such, it is a great point if you are experiencing unwanted swelling of the face. It is also a good spot to treat facial pain. 

If swelling is a concern for you, check out this article about acupressure points for swollen lymph nodes in the neck.

Acupoint: Bl-2 (Other Names: Urinary Bladder-2/Zan Zhu/Gathered Bamboo)

Cuanzhu, or Bl-2, is located in the depression on the medial end of the eyebrow. It belongs to the urinary bladder meridian. When this acupoint is pressed, blood flow increases and the nerves around tired eyes are stimulated. As such, it is an ideal spot if your skin and eyes are tired. 

To learn more about acupoints for eye strain, take a look at this article on the feng chi point.

Consider Sensitivities

If you have particularly sensitive skin, or you have recently experienced an injury or excessive swelling, it is important that you avoid these areas, or that you check with a licensed healthcare professional before using the acupuncture pen on these areas. 

If you haven’t used acupuncture before, it might help to start off slowly and gradually work up to greater intensities, as some users experience discomfort due to nerve endings when first receiving treatment.

Keep Things Clean

Even though you don’t need to worry about needles with an electric acupuncture pen, it is still necessary to be as hygienic as possible. Before using the pen, ensure that it has been sterilized. This is especially important if multiple people use the pen.

Additionally, your hands and the skin that you plan to work on should be freshly clean. To ensure that everything stays clean and tidy, it is a good idea to work in a clean, calm, uncluttered space when you use the acupuncture pen.

Apply Cream Or Gel

Most acupuncture pens require that you use some kind of conductive gel or cream on the target areas before you use the pen. This will ensure that the pen produces the most effective results possible. It also ensures that the skin remains soothed throughout the treatment.

Use The Acupuncture Pen

Now that you are properly prepared, you can begin using the acupuncture pen on your face. To learn how to use an acupuncture pen on the face, you first need to check the manufacturer’s instructions. This is because different pens may need to be used in different ways. 

Generally speaking, when you use an acupuncture pen on the face, you should move it from left to right. You should also apply very light pressure in the desired spots and ensure that the pen is perpendicular to the skin when you’re using it. 

When you are trying to target beauty concerns on the face, it is also important that you do not neglect using the acupuncture pen around the face. Acupoints around the face can be just as important and useful as those on the face.

Tips For Applying The Acupuncture Pen

First off, the first step is to select the right type of head. Many acupuncture pens come with different shaped heads, and each boasts its own benefits. For instance, dome heads are great for pain relief, whilst scraping heads are perfect for increasing blood circulation.

Additionally, don’t try to focus on a large area. It is best to focus on very specific points. It is important that you use your acupuncture pen on these points consistently. If you use your pen on a huge array of different points every day, you won’t see any great benefits.

Finally, slow and steady wins the race. Do not rush treatment! Start with a low frequency and take your time when focusing on your chosen acupressure points. You will be more likely to see benefits sooner this way and less likely to experience any side effects.

Other Uses Of Acupuncture Pens

Acupuncture pens are incredibly versatile. In addition to being excellent beauty aids, they are also great for relieving both physical and emotional pain.

For instance, they can relieve joint pain, muscle pain, foot pain (needs link), chronic pain, headaches, anxiety disorder symptoms, nausea, and much more! In case you want to know, we have another article on how to use an acupuncture energy pen for foot pain.

Whilst more evidence is needed to truly understand the efficacy of electronic acupuncture pens, some studies have produced very promising results.

For instance, this 2008 systematic review concluded that laser acupuncture was a good form of pain relief for certain conditions.

Similarly, much promising work has been done to prove how effective acupressure, particularly that on the face, has many wonderful physical, mental, and cosmetic benefits. Take a look here to learn more.

Author: P. Sze

P. Sze P. Sze is the founder of TCM Tips and Dragon Acupuncture®. She graduated from the National University of Singapore with a first-class honor in Civil Engineering. S he also holds a master’s degree in Engineering and is the brain behind the innovative TCM products of Dragon Acupuncture®. She is the author of The Beginner's Guide to Auricular Therapy: Application of Ear Seeds (ISBN 978-1520451398) and Facial Gua Sha - Fight the Signs of Aging Naturally and Inexpensively (ISBN 978-1980678922). She has dedicated her life to ensuring that the complex theories behind oriental medicine and the seemingly dangerous techniques that involve needles and fire do not scare you from trying oriental medicine. This is why she writes endlessly about acupressure and its countless health and wellness benefits.

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