Acupuncture for cosmetic use: a systematic review of prospective studies
Byung-Cheul Shin & Kyeong-Tae Lim · Journal of Cosmetic Medicine · 2018 December 31
DOI 10.25056/JCM.2018.2.2.76
Objective
Objectives of this article are to review the literature and systematically evaluate the effects and current use of acupuncture for cosmetic purposes.
Conclusions
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.
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Insights
The safety of cosmetic acupuncture appears tolerable, however, well-designed high-quality studies, are needed to determine its effects on facial cosmetic conditions.
Our systematic review of 2 RCTs and 5 prospective, single- armed studies demonstrated that there are a few trials with high-quality evidence regarding cosmetic acupuncture for facial cosmetic conditions. The safety of cosmetic acupuncture appears tolerable; however, well-designed high-quality studies, such as sham-controlled studies with standardized cosmetic acupuncture interventions, are needed to determine its effects on facial cosmetic conditions.
