{"title":"Is Acupuncture Effective in Diminishing Frown Lines? Evidence From a Randomized Controlled Trial","authors":"Hossein Haghir, Mohammad Javad Yazdanpanah, Seyed Kazem Farahmand, Majid Khadem-Rezaiyan, Hoda Azizi","doi":"10.1111/jocd.70144","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div>\n \n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Background</h3>\n \n <p>As life expectancy rises, facial rejuvenation has gained significance.</p>\n </section>\n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Aims</h3>\n \n <p>This study aimed to evaluate the effects of body and facial acupuncture on reducing frown lines in women aged 30–59 in Mashhad, Iran.</p>\n </section>\n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Patients/Methods</h3>\n \n <p>In this double-arm randomized wait-list controlled trial, 72 participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention group, receiving facial and body acupuncture twice weekly for 6 weeks, or a control group with no treatment. The primary outcome was assessed using the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) based on standardized photographs. Secondary outcomes included the Subject Satisfaction Scale (SSS) and Quality of Life (QOL) scores. Measurements were taken at three time points: week 0 (pre-treatment), week 7 (post-treatment), and week 12 (follow-up).</p>\n </section>\n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Results</h3>\n \n <p>At week 7, 63% of the intervention group showed reduced frown lines at rest, and 72% during maximum frowning, significantly outperforming the control group. The improvements observed in the intervention group persisted at week 12 with 68.6% at rest and 57.2% at maximum frown. The SSS indicated that 72.2% and 62.9% of the intervention group were satisfied with their frown lines at weeks 7 and 12, respectively. Notable QOL improvements in social functioning were observed in the intervention group compared to the control group at both weeks 7 and 12. No serious adverse effects were reported; minor bleeding occurred in 4.86% of treatment sessions, resulting in bruising in 0.69%.</p>\n </section>\n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Conclusion</h3>\n \n <p>This study demonstrates that facial and body acupuncture is an effective and safe method for reducing frown lines.</p>\n </section>\n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Trial Registration</h3>\n \n <p>IRCT20230204057316N1 (https://irct.behdasht.gov.ir/trial/68408)</p>\n </section>\n </div>","PeriodicalId":15546,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology","volume":"24 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3000,"publicationDate":"2025-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jocd.70144","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jocd.70144","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"DERMATOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
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Abstract
Background
As life expectancy rises, facial rejuvenation has gained significance.
Aims
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of body and facial acupuncture on reducing frown lines in women aged 30–59 in Mashhad, Iran.
Patients/Methods
In this double-arm randomized wait-list controlled trial, 72 participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention group, receiving facial and body acupuncture twice weekly for 6 weeks, or a control group with no treatment. The primary outcome was assessed using the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) based on standardized photographs. Secondary outcomes included the Subject Satisfaction Scale (SSS) and Quality of Life (QOL) scores. Measurements were taken at three time points: week 0 (pre-treatment), week 7 (post-treatment), and week 12 (follow-up).
Results
At week 7, 63% of the intervention group showed reduced frown lines at rest, and 72% during maximum frowning, significantly outperforming the control group. The improvements observed in the intervention group persisted at week 12 with 68.6% at rest and 57.2% at maximum frown. The SSS indicated that 72.2% and 62.9% of the intervention group were satisfied with their frown lines at weeks 7 and 12, respectively. Notable QOL improvements in social functioning were observed in the intervention group compared to the control group at both weeks 7 and 12. No serious adverse effects were reported; minor bleeding occurred in 4.86% of treatment sessions, resulting in bruising in 0.69%.
Conclusion
This study demonstrates that facial and body acupuncture is an effective and safe method for reducing frown lines.
期刊介绍：
The Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology publishes high quality, peer-reviewed articles on all aspects of cosmetic dermatology with the aim to foster the highest standards of patient care in cosmetic dermatology. Published quarterly, the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology facilitates continuing professional development and provides a forum for the exchange of scientific research and innovative techniques.
The scope of coverage includes, but will not be limited to: healthy skin; skin maintenance; ageing skin; photodamage and photoprotection; rejuvenation; biochemistry, endocrinology and neuroimmunology of healthy skin; imaging; skin measurement; quality of life; skin types; sensitive skin; rosacea and acne; sebum; sweat; fat; phlebology; hair conservation, restoration and removal; nails and nail surgery; pigment; psychological and medicolegal issues; retinoids; cosmetic chemistry; dermopharmacy; cosmeceuticals; toiletries; striae; cellulite; cosmetic dermatological surgery; blepharoplasty; liposuction; surgical complications; botulinum; fillers, peels and dermabrasion; local and tumescent anaesthesia; electrosurgery; lasers, including laser physics, laser research and safety, vascular lasers, pigment lasers, hair removal lasers, tattoo removal lasers, resurfacing lasers, dermal remodelling lasers and laser complications.
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