J Cosmet Med.  2018 Dec;2(2):76-84. 10.25056/JCM.2018.2.2.76.

Acupuncture for cosmetic use: a systematic review of prospective studies

• Shin BC
• Lim KT

• KMID: 2561057
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.25056/JCM.2018.2.2.76

Abstract

Background
Despite the use of cosmetic acupuncture in clinical fields, there is little evidence regarding its effects and safety for cosmetic use.
Objective
Objectives of this article are to review the literature and systematically evaluate the effects and current use of acupuncture for cosmetic purposes.
Methods
We searched 15 English, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean databases by using relevant keywords. All prospective studies on acupuncture for cosmetic use were considered; we conducted literature analyses to determine the current status of cosmetic acupuncture use and extracted data related to its effects.
Results
Two randomized controlled trials and 5 single-armed prospective trials with 216 participants (150 from randomized controlled trials, 66 from single-armed studies) were included. All 7 studies reported positive results for at least one of the following: total effective rate (n=2), squares and counts of wrinkles (n=1), facial blood circulation (n=1), facial size reduction and improvement of skin condition (n=1), anti-aging by a patient-oriented self-assessment of facial elasticity scale (n=1), and water and oil content of facial skin (n=1). Four studies reported itching, dry desquamation, bruising, bleeding, pain, and swelling as adverse events. Six of 7 trials reported statistical flaws, and specific information regarding acupuncture rationale (42.9%), other components of treatment (57.1%), and practitioner background (0%) were rarely reported. However, details regarding patient indications for treatment, treatment regimen, and control interventions were consistently reported (100%) in the Standards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture (STRICTA) reporting guideline.
Conclusion
This systematic review suggests that a few trials regarding acupuncture for cosmetic use have incorporated rigorous designs. Although the studies reported generally positive results with tolerable safety, the methodology of the trials should be updated in a rigorous manner, including the use of randomized, sham-controlled studies with standardized interventions, in order to provide sufficient evidence regarding the effects of cosmetic acupuncture.

Keyword

acupuncture; cosmetic use; miso facial acupuncture; prospective study; systematic review