The Day I Tried Cosmetic Acupuncture

Disclosure: I received complimentary treatment for review. 

Senia of Healing Insight in St. Paul, MN

Up until recently, I hadn’t heard of cosmetic acupuncture. I’d tried regular acupuncture at a local chiropractor and I didn’t have a great experience so I never went back. But when Senia from Healing Insight (in St. Paul, MN) reached out to me and offered the opportunity to try it out, I thought I may as well give it another go! Plus, cosmetic acupuncture was much different than what I’d tried before so what did I have to lose?

So I set up my appointment which included a consultation and treatment. Senia actually graduated top of her class at the U of M in engineering and began her career in the medical field. But over time, she found she wanted to help people more directly and after seeing the amazing things that acupuncture could do – she decided she wanted to help people that way!

Cosmetic acupuncture is such a specialized skill that it takes a 3 year master program to be able to practice. Beyond that, Senia has over 3,000 hours of experience under her belt, and I could tell from the moment that I met her that she knew her stuff.

As a side note, can I just say that I think Senia missed her calling as an interior designer as well? Her business is spectacularly decorated, and is so beautiful which somehow also makes it so much for comfortable. How does that work? I don’t even know, but it does.

Okay, side note done, let’s move forward 🙂

What is Cosmetic Acupuncture?

I love to know why things work the way they do. For cosmetic acupuncture, I wanted to understand how sticking needles in your face would make your skin look better. Well the jist of it is this; the needles for cosmetic acupuncture are much shorter than body needles. The cosmetic needles only go to the second layer of skin which is called your dermis. This is the layer to get to in order to stimulate collagen and elastin and help them to renew faster.

To process takes five weeks, of two times per week. After this, your results last for up to 5 years! She told me that many women choose to do cosmetic acupuncture instead of getting botox or a facelift, or essentially plastic surgery.

The Process

So at Healing Insight, each cosmetic treatment includes a body treatment. She said she was going to go with a post-natal body program for me, but she also helps people with digestion, sleep, anxiety and lots more with body acupuncture. That being said, the appointment starts with a consultation and complete analysis to determine your body’s needs; how’s your sleep? Your diet? Your digestion? Senia likes to find those imbalances in your body and treat them.

For me, this meant several needles ranging from my ankles, legs, and up to my hands and wrists, and of course up to my face. On the face were several dozens of little needles in specific, strategic placement from Senia. It felt like little pin pricks as each went in. Some I couldn’t even feel (I liked those ones! Ha!)

Scared of needles? I asked her about this as well. I’m not a huge fan of needles either, but I wouldn’t say I’m scared of them. Either way, she has handled those who are afraid of needles before and says that her strategy is to ease into it. She begins with the body needles and sees how you feel from there. She wants people to know that acupuncture doesn’t hurt! Most people don’t even notice it.

Once the needles are in, you are able to relax for 30 minutes. She said a lot of people take a short nap (which would have been so welcomed, but of course, I couldn’t fall asleep) Most people experience a very relaxed feel, a floating feeling, a ‘buzzed’ feeling or just a bit of rejuvenation. For me, I felt super light – and I had to move my arms every now and then to make sure they were still there!

My before and after pictures don’t really do it justice because you can’t tell too much right away. I noticed the biggest difference the next morning when I looked in the mirror and thought, “Did I forget to take my makeup off last night??”

Senia also told me that people are always amazed at how calm they are after a treatment, and I had to agree. I walked out like I had just finished getting a massage.

Where to Get Cosmetic Acupuncture

Of course you can get cosmetic acupuncture done at Healing Insight (in St. Paul, MN) which I highly recommend. I could tell that this was something they do really well, they have the experience and knowledge that is needed for quality treatment.

Plus, Senia and Alicia at Healing Insight are offering my readers an exclusive discount of 10% off cosmetic facial acupuncture consultation and the package when you mention you found them on the Real Housewives of Minnesota blog!! (Expires 10/31/15)

This is an awesome savings, it ends up being a $135 savings value with Alicia, and a $175 savings value with Senia Mae!

Visit their website to make an appointment online (how nice is that?!) or give them a call (651) 792-5222 to set up a time that works for you. With just one appointment, I saw results for up to 5 days after the treatment. Just imagine if I were going twice a week!

Have you tried cosmetic acupuncture? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Sarah