Some people are turning to a 4,000-year-old practice to deal with a contemporary obsession: looking old. Acupuncture, once used solely as a remedy for pain and disease, is gaining favor as an alternative to invasive cosmetic surgery and synthetic fillers.

Naturopathic doctor and licensed acupuncturist Kristen Coles recently began offering facial rejuvenation acupuncture at Dr. Laurie Steelsmith’s Steelsmith Natural Health Center in Waikiki. The treatments have become popular with mature clients as well as brides aiming to have their skin looking its best before their big day.

Coles said acupuncture won’t produce the immediate results of surgery and fillers, but will result in a fresher, more natural look without the risks associated with those methods.

Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine in which thin needles are inserted into the skin or tissues at strategic points. It works in facial rejuvenation by creating microtraumas under the skin, according to Coles.

“That allows your own repair system to go into action to produce more collagen and regenerate the dermis,” she said. “It helps improve the texture of the skin, color and subtly lifts areas where people are experiencing some sagging.”

Just as needles are used to treat migraines and pain, they “release tight jaws and relax the chronic stress we hold in our faces. They work deeply, not superficially.”

Because of the holistic aspect of the treatment, it may also work to reduce muscle pain in the neck and shoulders, as tightness in the face also affects those muscles. Acupuncture points in the face correlate to organs such as the kidneys, stomach and gall bladder, so beyond appearance, patients might also see improvement in hormone balance, digestion and overall well-being, Coles said.

One downside is the potential for some bruising.

Coles said 90 percent of her patients see improvement immediately after one treatment, depending on their skin condition, but the best results generally come with a series of 10 treatments. The cost at Steelsmith Natural Health Center is $140 per session. There are also packages of six treatments for $740 or 10 treatments for $1,199.

Coles targets zones on the face correlated with puffiness and lines, such as the area of the forehead slightly above and between the brows, where furrows and vertical lines appear from anger, frustration and irritability.

“The Chinese call them ‘hanging daggers,’” Coles said. Although acupuncture can help lift and increase blood flow to the area, she said some of the repair requires more personal effort. “We can also work on them by changing our emotions.”

Emotions and the way we use our muscles are reflected in our expressions, giving some credence to parents’ warnings about making ugly faces lest our faces freeze in permanently ugly ways. Who knew that, while trying to scare us to a certain degree, they were right?

Steelsmith Natural Health Center is at Eaton Square, 438 Hobron Lane, Suite 314. The center will host a free demonstration June 28 from 6 to 6:45 p.m. Call 943-0330 to reserve a space.