From the mountains of Colorado to the heart of Ashland, Megan Doty has followed a lifelong passion for healing and connection. As the owner of Luminous Well-Being, she now helps clients look and feel radiant through cosmetic acupuncture, microneedling, and advanced peptide therapies, blending ancient wisdom with modern science.
What do your patients experience if they’re nervous about needles?
That’s the most common concern I hear. The truth is that cosmetic acupuncture is much gentler than people expect. The needles are ultra-fine, and most people barely feel them, at most a light pinch or a quick tingle that fades right away. Once the treatment begins, people usually feel deeply relaxed, and many fall asleep. They often say it feels more like a spa treatment than anything clinical. By the end, their skin looks brighter and more lifted, they feel calmer, lighter, and more energized.
We often hear about acupuncture for aches and pains, but less about cosmetic treatment. Can you suggest resources, anecdotes, or endorsements for people unfamiliar?
Cosmetic acupuncture has stepped into the spotlight in recent years, and not just in alternative health circles. In fact, New York Times article “That’s a Lot of Needles in Your Face” (8/7/2025) profiles women like Rebecca Abrams, who owns the Manhattan Vintage Show, and has been getting regular cosmetic acupuncture facials every four to six weeks for over five years. For her, it’s part of a “self-care commitment” to looking and feeling her best.
And she’s far from alone. Stars like Jessica Alba, Kim Kardashian, and Gwyneth Paltrow have all openly endorsed cosmetic acupuncture as a natural way to maintain youthful, radiant skin. Actress Sarita Choudhury (And Just Like That…) has shared that she does weekly sessions, while Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles and NBA star LeBron James have turned to acupuncture as part of their recovery and rejuvenation routines.
It’s not just celebrities — interest in “notox” approaches (choosing natural alternatives to Botox and fillers) has exploded. Google searches for cosmetic acupuncture are up nearly 250% in the last two years, and TikTok views for “notox” content have grown more than 200%, and 70 million #cosmeticacupuncure posts on TikTok this year. Younger clients are embracing acupuncture as a preventative, holistic option that supports not only appearance but also sleep, stress relief, and overall wellness.
Compared to injections and surgery, how does acupuncture approach cosmetic treatment and efficacy?
That’s the beauty of cosmetic acupuncture. On one hand, it offers all the well-known benefits of traditional acupuncture — helping with sleep, reducing anxiety, easing aches and pains, and supporting digestion, to name a few. Each of these areas plays a huge role in how we look and feel. When you sleep better, manage stress, and improve overall health, it naturally shows up in your face.
On a more targeted level, the needles create tiny micro-stimulations in the skin. This boosts circulation, bringing fresh oxygen and nutrients to the area, and signals the body to produce more collagen and elastin — the proteins responsible for firm, supple, youthful-looking skin. Over time, this helps soften fine lines, improve tone, and restore a natural, healthy glow — without injections or chemicals.
What if someone has had cosmetic surgery, Botox, or fillers?
Cosmetic acupuncture is an excellent support after cosmetic surgery as it helps maintain results, encourage healing, and soften scar tissue naturally. If you’ve had Botox and/or fillers, I offer supportive treatments to help maintain the health of the skin and underlying tissues.
What are the pros and cons of cosmetic acupuncture vs. conventional treatment?
Conventional cosmetic treatments like Botox or fillers can give fast results, but they often come with side effects, risks, and the need for ongoing maintenance. They also don’t address the root causes of aging or how stress, lifestyle, and internal health show up on the skin. Over time, they lose effectiveness, may leave the face looking frozen or overfilled, and can come with serious side effects. Research suggests Botox may thin the skin, weaken facial muscles, erode underlying bone, and add toxic stress that impacts overall health — even affecting the brain.
Cosmetic acupuncture, on the other hand, is gentle, natural, and holistic. The results are gradual and cumulative, but they go far beyond appearance — improving circulation, balancing hormones, calming the nervous system, and supporting the body as a whole.
The main “con” is that it takes commitment — usually a series of treatments — but the benefit is that the results last longer and actually support your overall health and vitality.
Instead of just masking symptoms, cosmetic acupuncture helps your body do what it’s designed to do: heal, regenerate, and glow.
Tell us a little about your journey. How did you end up practicing this kind of work in Ashland?
I grew up in the Four Corners of Colorado in a family that valued holistic living — my mom taught me about natural medicine and organic gardening, while my dad introduced me to meditation, yoga, and Chinese history. From an early age, I wanted to help people feel better, and I explored many different paths: Western medicine, neurology, even marine biology.
Ultimately, I found Chinese medicine reflected my values: caring for the whole person, honoring nature, and seeing health and beauty as interconnected. I trained at the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, one of the top schools in the U.S., where I studied acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutrition, and bodywork. After graduating, I moved to Ashland in 2012 to be close to family and root myself in a community that values creativity, health, and natural beauty.
What makes cosmetic acupuncture different from a traditional facial?
Cosmetic acupuncture is both skin care and whole-body care. A session with me lasts about two to three hours (depending on whether it’s a first-time or a follow-up appointment) and includes body and facial acupuncture, red light therapy, gua sha, massage, microcurrent, facial cupping, and the AmpCoil. The needles stimulate collagen, circulation, and elasticity, softening fine lines and improving tone, while the body points support sleep, digestion, stress, and overall balance. The result is not just a brighter face but a healthier, calmer body. The manual techniques support lymphatic drainage, sculpt the face, and are deeply relaxing, while the AmpCoil utilizes PEMF (Pulsed Electro-Magnetic Frequency) technology to charge cells with specific healing frequencies.
You also use microneedling and peptides. How do those fit in?
Microneedling creates tiny micro-channels in the skin, which signals the body to regenerate and absorb nutrients more effectively. When paired with peptides — short chains of amino acids that act like “messenger molecules” — the results are amplified. For example, copper peptides help stimulate collagen, firm skin, and speed healing. By offering microneedling with acupuncture, I’m able to bring together ancient practices and modern science in a way that supports lasting vitality.
Why do people choose you as their practitioner?
I think it’s the time and care I give. I don’t juggle multiple patients or rush through treatments. Each session is one-on-one, personalized, and grounded in deep listening. People tell me they feel safe, cared for, and truly seen in my office. That combination of professionalism, intuition, and warmth is what keeps them coming back.
How long does it take to see results, and how long do they last?
Everyone is different, but most people notice some glow and lift after just one session. For longer-lasting changes — like softening lines or firming skin — I recommend a series of 6–18 weekly treatments.
Results build over time, and many clients maintain their improvements for months or even years, especially if they come in for regular “tune-ups” every 4–6 weeks. Unlike Botox, which wears off, cosmetic acupuncture actually trains your skin and body to regenerate naturally.
Who is cosmetic acupuncture best for?
It’s great for anyone who wants to age gracefully and naturally — from women in their 20s and 30s looking for prevention, to men and women in their 40s, 50s, and beyond who want to refresh and restore. It’s also wonderful for people with sensitive skin, acne, rosacea, or those who don’t want the risks or side effects of injectables.
Many clients come in for beauty but stay for the wellness benefits — better sleep, improved mood, and a stronger sense of balance.
What piece of advice do your clients find most helpful, and can you share that with readers?
Skin problems aren’t really skin problems — they’re often internal issues showing up on your face. Puffy eyes, sagging, dark spots, wrinkles — they don’t just appear out of nowhere. Your digestion is the true source of beauty, because it’s where nourishment and assimilation happen. When you nourish your body with whole, seasonal foods, chew thoroughly, and choose organic over processed, your digestion improves. That glow shows up on your face. The simple act of being mindful of what you’re putting in your body — and being truly present while eating — naturally leads to better choices, better digestion, and ultimately, more radiant skin. In Chinese Medicine, when you enjoy your food, you actually build more Qi, or life energy. I encourage my patients to slow down, be present with their food, and avoid rushing, multitasking, or eating in front of screens.
In the same vein, oxidative stress is like a slow fire that ages us from the inside out — and alcohol pours fuel on that fire. It depletes nutrients, irritates the gut, and dries the skin, which can show up as acne, rosacea, wrinkles, or faster aging. In Chinese Medicine, alcohol is seen as damp heat, clogging digestion and fueling inflammation that often appears right on the face — so best to leave alcohol alone.
What are some myths you hear about cosmetic acupuncture?
Myth 1: “I can’t wear makeup or do my normal activities right after treatment.”
Cosmetic acupuncture is minimally invasive with no downtime. Patients can usually resume normal activities and can apply makeup shortly after treatment.
Myth 2: “It’s not helping with the underlying causes, just superficial.”
It’s anything but.
Our skin is really a window into what’s happening inside of us — physically, emotionally, and energetically. When we care for the skin holistically, we’re actually caring for the whole self. A lot of us have been taught that wanting to look beautiful is shallow, or even unworthy of someone who’s “spiritual.” But I see it as the opposite. Beauty, when approached this way, is not vanity — it’s vitality. It’s self-respect, self-love, and a stand for your own well-being. When we feel good in our skin, we feel seen, safe, confident, and fully expressed.
You often use nature as a metaphor in your work. Can you share one that helps people understand how self-care impacts beauty?
Have you ever had a houseplant that was struggling? Maybe it wasn’t getting enough light, water, or nutrients. The leaves start to wilt, bugs appear, and it just looks unhealthy. Then you move it to a sunny window, give it consistent water and plant food — and suddenly it comes back to life. We’re not so different. When we give ourselves the right care, nourishment, and environment, we thrive. Beauty isn’t something you spray on top; it grows out of how well we care for ourselves.
Can you share some recent customer success stories with us or testimonials?
Happy to! K.S. visited me for a facial refresh, and stated, “Not only do the treatments rejuvenate my face with a youthful glow, but Megan tends to any other emotional or physical imbalances I’m experiencing, which she identifies in our pre-treatment check-ins. Sluggish digestion, painful cycle, grief, and burnout have all been treated in tandem with my fancy facial rejuvenation treatment. Where else can you go for that kind of full-spectrum support, all while smoothing and firming your beautiful face? This is it! -K.S
J.P visited me ahead of an audition, and said, “It’s been 3 days since my appointment with Megan Doty. I scheduled a session with her because I had an important event and wanted to freshen my energy, clear negative energy from my field and shine from the inside out. I received all that and more. Three days after our 2 hour session, I have more regular digestion, my energy levels have been uplifted and stable, and the reflection I see in the mirror is brighter and more clear. I felt Megan’s expertise, kindness and care as she used several modalities that were new to me. Because of Megan’s thorough explanation, I could simply relax and receive, totally trusting her as she was teaching me things I didn’t know before, and here I am today, still reaping the benefits! Thank you, Megan, for reminding me of the beauty of my own vibrant health and well being! Highly recommend!!!” -JP
What encouragement would you give to someone who feels discouraged about aging?
Aging is natural, but it doesn’t mean losing your vitality. Too often, people turn to quick fixes like Botox or fillers, which may change the surface but don’t support your health or radiance from within. True beauty comes from balance — nourishing your body, mind, and spirit. When you sleep better, manage stress, eat well, and care for yourself holistically, it shows in your skin, your energy, and the way you carry yourself. You don’t have to ‘fight aging’ — you can embrace it with grace, confidence, and authenticity.
How can people get a hold of you?
To learn more, schedule an appointment, or book a free consultation:
541-625-3206
295 E Main St, Ashland
