TikTok Says Ear Seeding Can Help With Everything From Anxiety to Facial Sculpting—Here's What Experts Say

Lately, I’ve been seeing ear seeding content flood my FYP on Instagram and TikTok. (You know how the algorithm works—you engage with one video and you’re suddenly served 100.) If you’re like me, this isn’t a term or a topic you’re familiar with. So if you’re asking me what on earth ear seeding is, I get it. Allow me to explain. Ear seeds are tiny magnets, dots, or balls that are applied to the outer ear and secured with adhesive. The idea is to place them on specific pressure points, which can provide certain skincare and wellness benefits. Proponents of the practice say it can do everything from facilitate lymphatic drainage to sculpt the appearance of the skin and even reduce anxiety and alleviate insomnia.

Ear seeding is taken from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), so while it’s not new, it seems to be trending nonetheless. In one video, a content creator applies ear seeds ahead of a long-haul flight, stating that she won’t fly without them, because they ease her anxiety. In another, a content creator places ear seeds on one ear but not the other. After a few hours, the ear-seed side of her face looked like it had been treated to a luxury facial; it was more lifted, sculpted, and defined than the other side. Intriguing? Yes, but I wasn’t sold just yet. I’ve been a beauty editor long enough to know research is required before jumping into anything, internet-viral or not. And, often, TikTok and Instagram don’t communicate the history and context behind any given product or practice. So I did what any good beauty editor would do, and I reached out to the experts. Ahead, read what dermatologists and TCM doctors have to say about ear seeding.

The History of Ear Seeding

Gudrun Snyder is the founder and CEO of Moon Rabbit. She’s also a doctor of acupuncture and Chinese medicine. “Ear seeding is ancient—its roots go back thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine,” she says. “The idea is that the ear is a microsystem of the body, with different points corresponding to organs, emotions, and systems. In the 1950s, a French neurologist mapped the ear in the shape of an inverted fetus and helped formalize what’s now called auriculotherapy, but the foundation was already deeply established in TCM.”

Haley Parker is a board-licensed acupuncturist and herbalist as well as a professor and director of clinical operations at Virginia University of Integrative Medicine. She seconds this, saying the concept comes from TCM, and it’s based on the idea that the ear is a “microcosm: a small reflector of the entire body and nervous system.” However, systemic auriculotherapy maps (like the ones found in modern acupuncture clinics) were formalized by French physician Paul Nogier in the 20th century. “Ear seeds specifically are a noninvasive extension of this tradition, providing acupressure rather than needle puncture,” she says. “Ear seeds became popular as a gentle, accessible option for people who want acupressure without needles.”

Interestingly enough, Snyder says it’s called “ear seeding” because practitioners would traditionally use the seeds of the Vaccaria plant, which are small, round, and “perfect for applying pressure” as in acupuncture, but without the needles. “These days, we’ve zhuzhed things up with gold, stainless steel, and even Swarovski crystals. So they’re not just functional—they’re also kind of fabulous. Healing, but make it chic.”

Wellness Benefits

This is the burning question, and it seems the answer is yes—mostly. Let’s talk about ear seeding regarding wellness benefits first (namely, stress, anxiety, sleep, and pain). Snyder says ear seeding can legitimately improve all of the above. “When done correctly, ear seeds are incredibly effective. They’re based on auriculotherapy, a traditional Chinese medicine technique that treats the ear as a map of the entire body. Specific points on the ear connect to different organs, systems, and emotional states. When you apply light pressure to those points with a seed, you're essentially sending a message to your body to reset, regulate, or rebalance. We use ear seeds in the clinic all the time to help with stress, sleep, pain, and anxiety. It’s like acupuncture you can take home with you.”

Parker agrees, saying there’s truth to the claims, albeit with important clarifications. “The outer ear is highly innervated and reflects the nervous system. For years, clinicians have used points on the ear to influence stress response, sleep regulation, and pain modulation. Ear seeding provides constant acupressure stimulation throughout the day, which can support many things like pain and ‘fight or flight’ stress.” Parker says ear seeding is so impactful that some of her patients notice the moment the ear seeds fall out.

She references multiple potential theories for why ear seeding works:

• Polyvagal Theory: “Ear stimulation ‘talks directly’ to the nervous system and helps shift the body out of survival mode.”
• Embryological Development Theory: “During fetal development, the ear forms from multiple embryological layers. Because of this shared origin, the ear maintains deep neurological connections throughout life, which is why ear stimulation can have whole-body effects.”
• Neurovascular and Autonomic Reflex Theory: “The ear has blood vessels and reflexes and modulation pathways to send signals to the rest of the body.”
• Traditional East Asian Medicine (Meridian and Qi Theory): “Ear work helps the body return to balance by improving flow and communication.”

Skincare Benefits

When it comes to using ear seeds for skincare (lifting, sculpting, and de-puffing), it’s not the magic wand that Instagram and TikTok videos might claim it is. Take it from board-certified dermatologist Jenna Queller, MD, FAAD. “From a medical standpoint, there is no high-quality evidence that ear seeding produces true lymphatic drainage, facial sculpting, or long-term de-puffing. Anatomically, the face drains through the deep cervical lymph nodes, not the ear, so there’s no established pathway for ear seeds to redirect lymphatic flow.”

While she says some people may notice a mild, short-term effect, it’s likely related to relaxation and stress reduction, which can transiently lower cortisol and fluid retention. However, it will be a temporary and indirect side effect. “Ear seeding cannot change facial fat, muscle tone, or skin laxity. The dramatic before-and-after images circulating online are often influenced by lighting, angles, facial massage, or timing rather than the ear seeds themselves.” (There! My burning question, answered.) “Some small studies suggest auricular acupressure may reduce stress and anxiety, which can indirectly influence inflammation through neuroimmune pathways. However, these effects are nonspecific and not targeted to facial skin.”

Snyder seconds this, saying the skincare side of ear seeding is often misunderstood. “Ear seeds alone won't ‘snatch’ your face, but what a lot of people don’t notice is that the viral videos often include a mini lymphatic massage during application. That’s what’s giving the immediate lift or de-puffing effect. The seeds themselves don’t physically sculpt your face. That said, they can definitely support healthy skin from the inside out. Certain points on the ear help regulate hormones, reduce inflammation, and calm stress—all of which are big players in how our skin looks. So while they’re not your next contour tool, they are a great companion to a holistic skincare routine.”

And any IG or TikTok videos that claim ear seeding can improve skin tone and/or reduce facial redness, especially from rosacea, aren’t to be trusted. Take it from Judy Kim, an aesthetician at Body + Beauty Lab in Radnor, Pennsylvania. “At this time, there is no strong medical or clinical evidence to support claims that ear seeding improves skin tone, reduces facial redness, or significantly decreases inflammation. Any perceived improvements are likely indirect and temporary, related to overall stress reduction and nervous system regulation rather than a direct effect on the skin itself.”

Queller agrees, “Ear seeding does not affect cutaneous blood vessels, rosacea or erythema pathways, melanin or pigmentation, skin barrier function, or collagen remodeling. Any perceived improvement in redness is most likely temporary and stress-related, not a true dermatologic treatment effect.”

At the end of the day, Kim says the “primary functions” of ear seeding are to regulate the nervous system, modulate mild to moderate pain, and reduce stress throughout the body. “As a result, the face or body may appear healthier due to reduced tension, improved circulation, and a more relaxed nervous system.” While some individuals report mild, temporary benefits, there is “limited scientific evidence” to support claims that it directly or dramatically impacts the skin.

How to Use Ear Seeds at Home

The experts say ear seeding can be effectively practiced at home. “Ear seeds are one of the few TCM tools that are super user-friendly,” Snyder says. “You don’t need to be a pro to get benefits, especially if you have a good guide or a practitioner’s advice to start. We design our Moon Rabbit kits with clear diagrams to help people use them confidently at home. That said, if you're dealing with something specific or complex, a licensed acupuncturist can help tailor point placement to your needs.”

Parker agrees that ear seeds can be used at home, but “placement and awareness matter.” She recommends referencing a guide or diagram to pinpoint the precise placement areas. “Home kits often have instructions, and a practitioner can help to guide users during their treatment for at-home care between their professional treatments,” she says. “A licensed clinician (like an acupuncturist) can be more specific for points, conditions, and constitutional treatment goals, and adjust the points based on the presentation. Just remember if you have complex symptoms (chronic pain, significant sleep disruption), a professional assessment is highly valuable and may need a referral or would be a candidate for acupuncture or herbs.”

Below, Snyder and Parker share a few highly effective ear seeding placements to consider:

• Shen Men: This is helpful in reducing stress. “Shen Men is one of the most popular calming points,” Snyder says. “It helps quiet the mind and reset the nervous system.”
• Endocrine Point: This is helpful for hormonal balance
• Sympathetic Point: This helps boost circulation and reduce inflammation
• Heart Point: This is helpful for emotional support.
• Kidney Point: This is “traditionally linked to adrenal and inner quiet,” Parker says.
• Lung Point: This is “associated with releasing tension and fluid regulation.”
• Point Zero: This helps bring the body into balance

Parker recommends using light pressure when placing ear seeds at home. “Ear seeds are about stimulating the nervous system, not aggressive massage,” she says. And, as with any wellness practice, it will work best when paired with other healthy lifestyle habits, especially as it pertains to the skin. “For visible relaxation, combine with hydration, rest, and gentle lymphatic facial techniques,” she says. “Never underestimate the power of drinking more water and going out to exercise to move the blood and lymph!”

“It’s also important to know that even subtle ear stimulation can bring about a noticeable shift in tension and breath pattern, which cascades into mood,” Parker says. “Don’t underestimate the power of touch and just taking a moment to tune into the self. This is a great way to shift [your] mood. Encouraging mindful breathing along with seeding enhances the benefit.”

How Long Ear Seeds Last

While it may depend on the specific at-home ear seeding kit and/or adhesive being used, you should generally expect to keep ear seeds in place for a few days at a time. “For my patients, I tell them to keep the seeds in for about as long as a Band-Aid and change it every three to five days,” Parker says. “Remove if irritation occurs, like with sleeping or overstimulation.”

What to Be Cautious Of

The experts agree that ear seeding is generally safe; there are just a couple of considerations. “Individuals with sensitive or reactive skin may experience irritation, allergic reactions, or contact dermatitis from certain adhesives or metal materials used,” Kim says. “For those prone to hyperpigmentation, repeated pressure on the ear may cause lingering dark spots, and if ear seeding is done too frequently, it can temporarily compromise skin comfort or texture. Anyone considering ear seeding should consult with a licensed or medical acupuncturist to determine whether they are an appropriate candidate.”

Queller agrees, adding, “While generally low risk, ear seeding can cause irritant or allergic contact dermatitis, local inflammation, or infection if hygiene is poor. Potential dermatologic risks include contact dermatitis from adhesives (glues) or metals, local irritation or pressure-related inflammation, and infection if seeds are worn too long or not kept clean. Rarely, cartilage irritation or chondritis occurs with excessive pressure. Patients with sensitive skin, eczema, metal allergies, or a history of keloids should be especially cautious.”

What to Look For in an At-Home Kit

Parker recommends looking for the following in an at-home kit:

• Sterile, hypoallergenic seeds or pellets (maybe alcohol wipes)
• Clear point charts
• Simple, user-friendly instructions

On the flip side, she recommends avoiding products that “claim miraculous, guaranteed results or “use irritating adhesives or cheap materials.” The latter can lead to potential skin reactions.