Supporting muscle tone and definition when softening jawline or mid-face sag is the main concern.
In brief
The Facial Aculift programme at PULSE TCM is physician-led facial acupuncture for sagging tone, dullness, fine lines, and related complexion concerns. Care may combine facial and distal points, optional electroacupuncture or gua sha, and herbal medication after consultation. Results vary; your physician sets expectations at assessment.
- MOH-registered
- Pattern-based plans
- 15 clinics
The programme
Balance the face by regulating qi and Blood
Facial Aculift is Traditional Chinese Medicine care adapted for the face. Thin needles support meridian flow, local muscle tone, and circulation so the complexion can look fresher without invasive surgery.
In TCM, facial tone and lustre reflect qi and Blood reaching the skin, with the Liver and Spleen often shaping stress flush, puffiness, or dullness. Needling selected facial and body points helps restore flow, ease stagnation, and support the tissue environment that keeps skin looking firmer and more even. At PULSE, MOH-registered physicians may add electroacupuncture when sagging needs a stronger stimulus, optional gua sha for circulation and puffiness, or herbs matched to your constitution. Care complements dermatology and aesthetic procedures; it does not replace them when infection, unexplained lesions, or medical red flags need conventional review first.
How care unfolds
Care pathways
Support shaped for lift, glow, and texture
Three common entry points. Your assessment may name a different mix of patterns and goals.
Encouraging circulation and a clearer tone when dullness or uneven colour dominates.
Glow & radiance
Book this pathway
Supporting fine lines, blemish patterns, and skin texture when elasticity and clarity are the focus.
Clarity & texture
Book this pathway* Facial aesthetic care is adjunctive under physician guidance. Seek medical assessment for active infection, unexplained lesions, or severe cystic acne before continuing aesthetic needling.
Approach to healing
Therapies used in Facial Aculift plans
Your physician recommends a combination based on your assessment. Not every visit uses every modality.
Facial acupuncture
Fine sterile needles at facial and distal points after consultation, used to support muscle tone, local circulation, and pattern balance. Many people notice a fresher look after a session; lasting change usually needs a course of care.
Acupuncture treatment
Electroacupuncture
A gentle current passed between selected needle pairs when your physician wants a stronger stimulus for tone or sagging. Used only when it fits the assessment, not on every visit.
Facial gua sha
Smooth-edged scraping to support circulation, ease puffiness, and leave a warmer glow when added. This is physician-led therapeutic work, not a spa facial menu; additional fees apply.
Gua sha treatment
Herbal medication
Customised formulas may support internal patterns that show on the face, such as Blood deficiency, Liver qi stagnation, or dampness. Cost is not included in the session fee.
Chinese herbal medicineFacial acupuncture is the foundation. Electroacupuncture may intensify the stimulus when sagging features strongly. Gua sha and herbs join when indicated; gua sha and herbal fees sit separately when added.
Your recovery roadmap
A journey from foundation to maintenance
Facial change is a journey of consistency. The phases below are a general guide. Session count, frequency, and pace are customised after your initial clinical assessment. Many people plan for about 10 sessions or more when seeking clearer firmness and definition.
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Foundation
Settle circulation and baseline tone. Facial acupuncture with optional gua sha supports glow and eases puffiness while your physician names the pattern. Focus: fresher colour and comfort with needling. Frequency: once or twice weekly. Many people notice glow and a mild lift early on.
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Vitality
Build definition and texture support. Electroacupuncture may join when sagging needs a stronger stimulus, alongside continued facial and distal points. Focus: firmer feel and clearer contours. Frequency: once weekly. Visible change usually deepens across a multi-week course.
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Maintenance
Protect progress with spaced sessions and lifestyle guidance. Herbs may continue when internal patterns still drive dullness or swelling. Focus: sustain tone and radiance. Frequency: bi-weekly or monthly, physician-advised. Goal: steady complexion without chasing every session.
Why patients choose PULSE
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MOH-registered, bilingual physicians
TCMPB-registered under MOH. English and Mandarin care across the network.
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Pattern decoded before needles
Four examinations name qi stagnation, Blood deficiency, or related patterns in plain language.
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Face and constitution in one plan
Local facial work sits beside whole-body regulation, not as a one-off surface fix.
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Honest about what TCM can and cannot do
Plans evolve with your response; referral when dermatology or aesthetic medicine is safer first.
Physicians
TCM physicians for facial aesthetics
TCMPB-registered under MOH. Several physicians work with facial beauty acupuncture, cosmetology, and related aesthetic TCM pathways.
Physician Judy Zhu
TCM Physician
Facial Beauty Acupuncture · Facial Nerve · Cosmetology
Physician Fang Ying
TCM Physician
Pain Management · Sports Injuries · Gynaecology
Physician Yumi Yen
TCM Physician
Pain & Injury · Dry eye · Internal Medicine
Physician Tanny Kong
TCM Physician
Gastrointestinal · Internal Medicine · Pain Management
Physician Ng Yu Xiang
TCM Physician
Internal Medicine · Pain & Injury · Aesthetic Care
Dr Sim Beng Joo
Advisor / Consultant Physician
Gastrointestinal Syndromes · Pain Management · Sleep / Fatigue
Dr Kevin Tang
Consultant Physician
TCM Oncology · Pain Management · Gynecology
From the clinic
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Facial acupuncture works best when we treat the face and the pattern underneath it. I look at tone, stress load, and sleep before choosing electroacupuncture or gua sha.
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Glow often returns before dramatic contour change. Naming the pattern early helps us set a realistic course instead of promising a surgical shortcut.
Patient stories
Patient stories from facial care
Limited-time offer
Promotion
TCM × PSYCH Insomnia Trial
First-timer bundle for the TCM × PSYCH Insomnia programme: physician consultation with acupuncture or herbal prescription, one psychotherapy session, and AŌRA Joy or Calm. Exclusive of GST.
$328 U.P. $400++
Insomnia programme details
Locations
Find a facial acupuncture clinic near you
Private treatment rooms islandwide, near MRT, with bilingual teams and consistent hygiene standards.
- 15 clinics islandwide Including ION Orchard, Great World, Paragon, Woodleigh, Millenia Walk, Raffles Place, and neighbourhood locations across Singapore.
- Comfort and privacy Calm rooms built for confidential consultations on facial tone, glow, and complexion concerns.
FAQs
Facial acupuncture questions, answered
How it works, session count, sensation, electroacupuncture, gua sha, cost, and booking.
How does facial acupuncture work?
Fine needles are placed at facial and selected body points to support qi and Blood flow, local muscle tone, and microcirculation. That may help firmness, glow, and texture over a course of care. Your physician names the pattern first so needling is specific to you.
How many sessions will I need?
Some people notice glow or a mild lift after the first visit. Clearer firmness and definition usually need about 10 sessions or more, spaced weekly or as advised. Pace depends on age, skin condition, and goals; results vary.
Does facial acupuncture hurt?
Needles used on the face are very fine. Most people feel little more than a light prick, tingling, or brief pressure. Sessions are designed to be settling; many people find them calming.
What is electroacupuncture on the face?
Electroacupuncture passes a small current between selected needle pairs to intensify the stimulus when sagging or tone needs stronger support. It is optional and only used when your physician judges it suitable.
Can I add gua sha to my facial acupuncture session?
Yes, when indicated. Facial gua sha can support circulation and ease puffiness after needling. It is physician-led therapeutic work, not a spa facial package, and additional fees apply.
Is facial acupuncture a substitute for fillers or surgery?
No. Facial Aculift is a complementary TCM pathway for tone, glow, and texture support. It does not replace fillers, lasers, or surgical lifts. Tell your physician about any aesthetic or dermatology care so plans stay coordinated.
How much does facial acupuncture cost at PULSE?
Facial acupuncture is listed from $150 to $300 on our charges page, depending on the plan. Optional gua sha and herbal medication are charged separately. Your physician confirms fees after assessment.
How can I book for the programme?
Use the online booking form, WhatsApp, or phone. Select Face & Skin Conditions as the concern and Facial Aculift as the service interest when prompted.
References
Sources & page citations
- Yun Y, Kim S, Kim M, Kim K, Park JS, Choi I. Effect of facial cosmetic acupuncture on facial elasticity: an open-label, single-arm pilot study. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2013;2013:424313. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23983778
- Cheng H, Xie L, Wang T, Shi B. Effectiveness of acupuncture therapy on improvement of nasolabial folds and marionette lines: a retrospective study. Health Science Reports. 2024;7(8):e70014. doi:10.1002/hsr2.70014
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Traditional Chinese medicine: What you need to know. 2019. nccih.nih.gov
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners Board. Registration & practice standards for TCM physicians. Ministry of Health, Singapore. healthprofessionals.gov.sg/tcmpb
- Ministry of Health Singapore. TCM practitioners (Healthcare Professional Portal). hpp.moh.gov.sg/tcm-practitioners
Clinically reviewed
Reviewed by Dr Sim Beng Joo
Advisor (Science & Strategy) / Consultant Physician · TCMPB T1303003A
MOH-licensed TCM physician and biomedical scientist, with clinical work spanning internal patterns that often sit beside complexion and aesthetic TCM care.
View full profileEducational information based on clinical experience and TCM principles. Not a substitute for personalised consultation. Speak with your healthcare provider before starting new treatments. TCM complements (and does not replace) urgent or specialist Western medical care, including active skin infection, unexplained lesions, or severe cystic acne that needs dermatology review first.
Book
Begin your facial acupuncture consultation
Tell us what you are noticing, softening tone, dullness, fine lines, or puffiness. We will match you with the right physician and clinic.