For individuals wanting to improve or maintain skin health, can incorporating acupuncture help improve skin and fight the aging process?

Cosmetic Acupuncture

Cosmetic acupuncture follows the traditional acupuncture practice of needle insertion. The objective is to reverse signs of aging and improve skin health.  It is sometimes referred to as acupuncture facial rejuvenation, which has been used as an alternative to surgical facelifts and other conventional procedures. Preliminary studies have examined how it can help remove age spots, lift droopy eyelids, and reduce wrinkles. (Younghee Yun et al., 2013)

How Acupuncture Works

In traditional Chinese medicine or TCM, acupuncture has long been used to improve the flow of energy – qi or chi – throughout the body. This energy is believed to circulate through energy pathways known as meridians. When health problems occur, according to TCM, there are obstructions or blockages in the circulation.
Acupuncturists can restore optimal circulation/flow and improve health by inserting needles into specific acupoints. (National Institutes of Health, 2007)

Cosmetic Acupuncture

Cosmetic acupuncture is said to improve skin health and act as an anti-aging treatment by stimulating the production of collagen. This protein is a major component of the skin.  The skin’s inner layer loses collagen and firmness as the body ages.  However, further research is needed to support the claim that acupuncture can promote collagen production. Some suggest cosmetic acupuncture helps rejuvenate the skin by improving the body’s overall energy. One study found individuals saw improvements after five sessions of facial cosmetic acupuncture. (Younghee Yun et al., 2013) However, it is recommended that ten treatments be performed once or twice a week for optimum results. After that, maintenance treatments are done every four to eight weeks.  Unlike Botox or dermal fillers, cosmetic acupuncture is not a quick fix. The focus is to create long-term changes in the skin and body, which means improved:

• Collagen stimulation
• Skin tone
• Reduced jaw tension
• Overall appearance(Hiroshi Kuge et al., 2021)
• Reduced anxiety and tension

When the needles are inserted into the skin, they create wounds known as positive microtraumas. The body’s natural healing and repairing abilities activate when it senses these wounds. These punctures stimulate the lymphatic and circulatory systems, which deliver nutrients and oxygen to the skin cells, nourishing them from the inside out.

• This helps even out complexion and promotes skin radiance.
• The positive microtraumas also stimulate the production of collagen.
• This helps improve elasticity, minimizing lines and wrinkles.

Alternatives

Several natural remedies may help improve skin health and offer anti-aging benefits. Ceramides are a fat molecule found naturally in the top layer of the skin and an ingredient used in skin-care products. These may protect against aging-related dryness in the skin. (L Di Marzio 2008) Preliminary research suggests that applying white tea to the skin may fight the breakdown of collagen and elastin – a protein that supports skin elasticity and prevents sagging). There’s also evidence that natural substances such as argan oil, borage oil, and sea buckthorn may offer moisturizing benefits that could improve skin.(Tamsyn S A Thring et al., 2009)

While further evidence of cosmetic acupuncture is needed, integrating acupuncture can help manage stress and enhance overall health. Individuals considering cosmetic acupuncture should consult their primary healthcare provider to see if it is right for them.

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References

Yun, Y., Kim, S., Kim, M., Kim, K., Park, J. S., & Choi, I. (2013). Effect of facial cosmetic acupuncture on facial elasticity: an open-label, single-arm pilot study. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2013, 424313. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/424313

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (2007). Acupuncture: An Introduction. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine Website. https://choimd.com/downloads/NIH-info-on-acupuncture.pdf

Kuge, H., Mori, H., Tanaka, T. H., & Tsuji, R. (2021). Reliability and Validity of Facial Check Sheet (FCS): Checklist for Self-Satisfaction with Cosmetic Acupuncture. Medicines (Basel, Switzerland), 8(4), 18. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicines8040018

Di Marzio, L., Cinque, B., Cupelli, F., De Simone, C., Cifone, M. G., & Giuliani, M. (2008). Increase of skin-ceramide levels in aged subjects following a short-term topical application of bacterial sphingomyelinase from Streptococcus thermophilus. International journal of immunopathology and pharmacology, 21(1), 137–143. https://doi.org/10.1177/039463200802100115

Thring, T. S., Hili, P., & Naughton, D. P. (2009). Anti-collagenase, anti-elastase and anti-oxidant activities of extracts from 21 plants. BMC complementary and alternative medicine, 9, 27. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-9-27