I Tried Face Acupuncture at Miami’s Hip Standard Spa — The Results Left Me Speechless

• 
  READ MORE: Could a Meghan-approved massage banish my back pain blues?
  

It may seem like punishment, but allowing needles to be inserted into your cheeks, chin, and forehead is a celebrity-approved method for achieving more youthful, radiant skin.

The technique referred to as facial acupuncture is promoted as a ‘natural’
Botox
‘—and, naturally, celebrities from
Kim Kardashian
to
Gwyneth Paltrow
are reportedly admirers.

The therapy includes inserting tiny needles into the facial area, which proponents say can boost collagen generation, enhance blood flow, and alleviate muscular stress.

This aids in minimizing fine lines, lifting droopy skin, and provides a brighter, more youthful appearance—according to the proposed idea.

Others think it can aid with reducing jaw tightness, facial swelling, and even hormonal breakouts.

Unlike cosmetic injectables, which can immobilize facial expressions or result in an unnatural-looking “pillow face,” this approach harnesses your body’s natural healing processes to revitalize your skin internally, achieving a more organic look.

Honestly, at 45 years old, everything mentioned seems quite attractive—especially considering my long-standing belief in acupuncture, which proved effective in eliminating my severe hay fever.

When I was invited to experience a session with Lori Bell, who goes by the nickname ‘The Good Witch,’ at The Standard Spa in Miami, I couldn’t resist saying yes.

What’s the issue… and where can we find the answer?

Once upon a time, someone mentioned that eventually you’ll either appear older, or if you opt for extensive cosmetic procedures, things might get strange.

These are the two choices available. In reality, there isn’t much you can actually do to appear noticeably more youthful.

Moreover, appearing more mature isn’t an issue—I aspire for younger folks to look at me and believe, here’s someone who has gained experience and understands life’s lessons.

However, this does not imply that you should cease attempting to improve yourself—reportedly, facial acupuncture can perform wonders.

Keeping this in mind, I make my way to The Standard Spa, Miami Beach.

The hotel sits within a renovated treasure from the 1950s located on Belle Isle, initially constructed as the Monterrey Motel by renowned architect Norman Giller, who was an influential member of Miami’s mid-20th century architecture scene.

It was subsequently transformed into the Lido Spa Hotel, an innovative health resort from the 1960s famous for its rigorous programs focused on nutrition, physical activity, and medical oversight.

Today, the structure still exudes considerable original allure—picture small-scale white-painted cottages alongside lush tropical foliage with palms—which now incorporates contemporary, eclectic elements.

The Standard is renowned for its bold branding and high-profile patrons, with its location in Miami serving not only as an accommodation but also as a premier destination for the city’s fashionable youth looking for vibrant night entertainment.

A well-known advertisement showed a woman urinating on an expensive carpet, and more recently, the hotel garnered criticism for offering a cocaine-inspired cocktail presented in a pouch along with a rolled banknote.

What’s the treatment?

I’ve scheduled a 90-minute session of Acupuncture Facial Rejuvenation for $275, approximately £207, marketed as a ‘natural, healthy face-lift.’

The session starts off with an extensive discussion about my daily life, touching upon typical topics such as my diet and eating times, my sleeping patterns, and the nature of my stress levels.

Lori specializes in a form of traditional Chinese medicine called Five Element acupuncture, which revolves around the concept that both our physical well-being and emotions are regulated by the equilibrium of five fundamental elements: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water.

Every component aligns with particular organs and feelings, and the therapy seeks to rebalance these elements, addressing the underlying source of ailments instead of merely the signs of distress.

She mentions that our discussion will serve as guidance for her needlework.

Next comes the actual treatment. For those who have never experienced acupuncture, this can be quite intimidating.

However, the reality is that you experience nothing at all. Throughout approximately 15 minutes, Lori inserts roughly 40 needles into various parts of your body including your face, hands, arms, legs, and feet.

I don’t actually sense much, though I am faintly conscious of things when I shift positions on the treatment table.

Lori is speaking, elaborating on how different aspects interconnect, but I lose track of her explanation as I start dozing off.

By the conclusion of my time here, I find myself exploring the beautiful tiled spa area complete with steam rooms, showers, and saunas.

When I join my friends for dinner, they all spontaneously comment that I appear remarkably refreshed for a middle-aged chap suffering from jet lag.

And I must say, I was quite surprised by how few eyelid bags I had.

It also temporarily alleviated my consistently rosy, rosacea-prone complexion.

Like I mentioned before, I appreciate acupuncture—whenever I suffer from a sports-related injury, I go through several sessions for pain management, an effect supported by various scientific studies.

This year, the pollen is exceptionally severe, so I’m planning an additional round of acupuncture for hay fever, which should address the issue.

While there isn’t any scientific evidence showing its effectiveness, and I’ve heard from others who say it wasn’t helpful, it has worked for me personally.

Did you call it a ‘natural facelift’? I wouldn’t take it that far. However, would I repeat the experience for aesthetic purposes? Absolutely.

For more info

Standard Medium Rooms at
The Standard Spa
, Miami Beach accommodations usually begin at approximately £225 per night. Keep in mind, these rooms feature a Queen-sized bed, which falls on the smaller side for double beds.

Standard large rooms equipped with king-sized beds may have prices starting from £260 for each night. More luxurious options like the Garden Rooms and Bath Terrace Rooms, boasting outdoor areas, begin at approximately £300 per night. Additionally, there’s a daily resort charge of roughly £50 added to your bill.

Read more