I Tried a $475 Acupuncture Facial, and TBH, I've Been Glowing Ever Since

Welcome to I Tried It Month, where we’ll be publishing a new fashion, beauty, or wellness article every day in January that features a first-person account of shaking up an old habit, pushing beyond a comfort zone, or simply trying something new. Follow along for 31 days of storytelling, including everything from going without a cell phone for 40 days to trying the polarizing low-rise-pants trend.

If there are two things I’m absolutely obsessed with, they would be acupuncture and facials. I started getting regular acupuncture early on during the pandemic, and it’s done wonders for everything from my anxiety to headaches. And while facials are a more occasional treat, nothing beats that just-left-my-aesthetician’s-office glow. So when Ora invited me to its new location to try its new treatment, an acupuncture facial, I was basically in heaven.  

Since the first location opened in New York City’s NoHo neighborhood in 2020, Ora has been a mainstay for the city’s wellness-minded. And it recently opened its second outpost, located on the Upper East Side (so new, in fact, that when I arrived for my first appointment, it hadn’t even officially opened yet—fancy!). Also new is the acupuncture facial, a $475-a-pop treatment that’s just what it sounds like: a combination service that blends the traditional Chinese medicine staple with a glow-boosting, tension-busting skincare treatment.

The new Upper East Side space.

Like any first-time acupuncture session, I first filled out an intake form. Then I was led to the cushy treatment room to meet Marisa Anaya, licensed acupuncturist and developer of the Ora facial. Marisa first asked me several questions about my health—everything from sleep (ugh) to stress levels (argh) to digestion (meh). 

Next, we took a close look at my face to discuss my skincare goals. That’s the Ora facial twist: This treatment is a two-in-one. It has all the benefits of regular, full-body acupuncture but with a facial rather than traditional rest. Sounds nice, right? 

Once the needles were placed (painlessly!) from the shoulders down, Marisa began the facial. She started with three cleansing steps, including a gentle clay exfoliant followed by a peptide serum. Then came the microcurrent tool. If you haven’t had microcurrent before, it feels, well, weird. Like strong magnets are buzzing around your face. But it’s not painful (although, you should tell your practitioner if you have dental fillings, as they may trigger irritation). The results are hard to ignore, particularly when it comes to muscle sculpting and lymphatic drainage. 

After some time, Marisa removed the needles on my body, and then applied some to my face (again, not painful). Then, she added blue and red LED lights, which help with acne and anti-aging, respectively. While these tools worked their magic simultaneously, she gave me a quick pressure-point massage on my hands and feet. 

Next was my favorite part: the lymphatic-drainage massage. I have pretty bad jaw pain, so I found that the massage helped relieve some of that tension. However, if you’re sensitive, this part may be a bit intense. Then I was on my way!

I had a total of four sessions (each spaced about a week apart), and they had the same general structure with a few small tweaks. For instance, in one appointment, Marisa added facial cupping to the mix as well.

Here were my results after each session:

Final verdict: Overall, I really enjoyed this treatment and would recommend it for anyone looking for self-care in spades. I saw great results from the facials, and they lasted for days if not weeks. The biggest barrier is the cost. The acupuncture facial doesn’t come cheap. Each session is $475 (for about 90 minutes), although, again, it does combine two treatments in one.

Up next: True Story: I Cleared My Skin in Three Days Thanks to This LED Face Mask