Unlocking the Healing Power of Acupuncture for Skin Health

This article cites other resources and research from experts. Please review the citations at the bottom of each post for further examination.
Information gathered from The Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine: “Acupuncture as a Treatment Modality in Dermatology: A Systemic Review” by Chelsea Ma, MD & Raja K. Sivamani, MD, MS, CAT.

Are you tired of juggling creams, serums, and medications every day to address your skin concerns? The ancient practice of acupuncture might hold some answers!

I know what you’re thinking as soon as you hear THAT word – NEEDLES – but let me reassure you: Acupuncture is NOT just about sticking needles into your skin – it’s a holistic approach rooted in ancient Chinese medicine dating back over 3,000 years, that stimulates specific points in your body to restore balance and promote healing. (Plus, you don’t have to worry – those needles are super fine and sterile, making the experience more soothing than scary!)

The Science of Acupuncture for a Healthier Glow

It’s exciting to find that recent studies have uncovered the potential of acupuncture to alleviate various skin issues! From annoying acne breakouts to troublesome rashes, acupuncture has shown promise in improving skin health.

But how does it work? 

Based on our research and findings from other studies, acupuncture works from within your body to reduce inflammation, improve mental health, enhance circulation, and influence hormones and the nervous system, all of which are integral factors in maintaining skin health. Our systematic review of acupuncture’s impact on dermatologic conditions revealed some intriguing findings like… 

  • Outperforming placebos and other treatments
  • Significantly improving common conditions like dermatitis, itching, and acne
  • And even addressing stubborn issues like chloasma (those pesky dark spots)!

The Path Forward: Integrating Traditional Wisdom with Modern Medicine

As interest in complementary and alternative medicine continues to grow, acupuncture is gaining recognition as a valuable tool in dermatology. In a world where synthetic medications often dominate the healthcare landscape, acupuncture offers a refreshing alternative! With its gentle approach and minimal side effects, acupuncture is increasingly embraced by patients seeking holistic solutions for their skin concerns and beyond.

Whether you’re dealing with stubborn acne, irritating rashes, or simply seeking a holistic approach to skincare, acupuncture holds the potential to unlock new avenues of healing. So, why not explore this ancient practice and discover its transformative power for yourself? Your skin – and your overall well-being – will thank you for it!

References:
  1. Longhurst JC. Defining meridians: a modern basis of understanding. J Acupunct Meridian Stud. 2010;3:67-74.
  2. Tan EK, Millington GW, Levell NJ. Acupuncture in dermatology: an historical perspective. Int J Dermatol. 2009;48:648-652.
  3. Zhou WT, Jia SY, Zhang YQ, et al. Pathological changes in internal organs after blocking low hydraulic resistance channels along the stomach meridian in pigs. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:935687.
  4. Zhang WB, Xu YH, Tian YY, et al. Induction of hyperalgesia in pigs through blocking low hydraulic resistance channels and reduction of the resistance through acupuncture: a mechanism of action of acupuncture. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:654645.
  5. Wang B. Yellow Emperor’s Canon of Internal Medicine: Ling Su, Jiu Zhen Shi Er Yuan. Beijing, China: China Science & Technology Press; 1997.
  6. Wei S, Chen ZH, Sun WF, et al. Evaluating meridian-sinew release therapy for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:182528.
  7. Lee SH, Kim CE, Lee IS, et al. Network analysis of acupuncture points used in the treatment of low back pain. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:402180.
  8. Lee IS, Lee SH, Kim SY, Lee H, Park HJ, Chae Y. Visualization of the meridian system based on biomedical information about acupuncture treatment. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:872142.
  9. Harris PE, Cooper KL, Relton C, Thomas KJ. Prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use by the general population: a systematic review and update. Int J Clin Pract. 2012;66:924-939.
  10. Cooper KL, Harris PE, Relton C, Thomas KJ. Prevalence of visits to five types of complementary and alternative medicine practitioners by the general population: a systematic review. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2013;19:214-220.
  11. Smith N, Shin DB, Brauer JA, Mao J, Gelfand JM. Use of complementary and alternative medicine among adults with skin disease: results from a national survey. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2009;60:419-425.
  12. Hou H, Wu T. Fifty-six cases of acne treated by auricular needle-embedding. J Trad Chin Med. 2002;22:115-116.
  13. Kim KS, Kim YB. Anti-inflammatory effect of Keigairengyo-to extract and acupuncture in male patients with acne vulgaris: a randomized controlled pilot trial. J Alternat Complement Med. 2012;18:501-508.
  14. Liu Z. Clinical observation on the effect of earlobe-bleeding plus body acupuncture in 85 cases of common acne. J Trad Chin Med. 2008;28:18-20.
  15. Feng XJ, Fu JY, Liu F. Clinical observation on the combined use of acupuncture and herbal medicine for treatment of chloasma. J Trad Chin Med. 2010;30:15-17.
  16. Shi HF, Xu B, Guo XC, Qiu XW, Zhang YP, Ding XJ. Effect of Gan-Pi regulatory needling in treating chloasma. Chin J Integr Med. 2010;16:66-70.
  17. Xun J. Clinical observation in 30 cases of chloasma treated by auricular point pressing and pricking. J Trad Chin Med. 2003;23:207.
  18. Lee KC, Keyes A, Hensley JR, et al. Effectiveness of acupressure on pruritus and lichenification associated with atopic dermatitis: a pilot trial. Acupunct Med. 2012;30:8-11.
  19. Pfab F, Hammes M, Backer M, et al. Preventive effect of acupuncture on histamine-induced itch: a blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2005;116:1386-1388.
  20. Pfab F, Huss-Marp J, Gatti A, et al. Influence of acupuncture on type I hypersensitivity itch and the wheal and flare response in adults with atopic eczema: a blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. Allergy. 2010;65:903-910.
  21. Pfab F, Athanasiadis GI, Huss-Marp J, et al. Effect of acupuncture on allergen-induced basophil activation in patients with atopic eczema: a pilot trial. J Alternat Complement Med. 2011;17:309-314.
  22. Pfab F, Kirchner MT, Huss-Marp J, et al. Acupuncture compared with oral antihistamine for type I hypersensitivity itch and skin response in adults with atopic dermatitis: a patient- and examiner-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. Allergy. 2012;67:566-573.
  23. Salameh F, Perla D, Solomon M, et al. The effectiveness of combined Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. J Alternat Complement Med. 2008;14:1043-1048.
  24. Iraji F, SM, Mokhtari H, Siadat A. Acupuncture in the treatment of chronic urticaria: a double-blind study. Internet J Dermatol. 2005;3.
  25. Tao S. Acupuncture treatment for 35 cases of urticaria. J Trad Chin Med. 2009;29:97-100.
  26. Zhao Y. Acupuncture plus point-injection for 32 cases of obstinate urticaria. J Trad Chin Med. 2006;26:22-23.
  27. Che-Yi C, Wen CY, Min-Tsung K, Chiu-Ching H. Acupuncture in haemodialysis patients at the Quchi (LI11) acupoint for refractory uraemic pruritus. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2005;20:1912-1915.
  28. Gao H, Zhang W, Wang Y. Acupuncture treatment for 34 cases of uremic cutaneous pruritus. J Trad Chin Med. 2002;22:29-30.
  29. Jiang YH, Jiang W, Jiang LM, et al. Clinical efficacy of acupuncture on the morphine-related side effects in patients undergoing spinal-epidural anesthesia and analgesia. Chin J Integr Med. 2010;16:71-74.
  30. Ohlsen BA. Acupuncture and a gluten-free diet relieve urticaria and eczema in a case of undiagnosed dermatitis herpetiformis and atypical or extraintestinal celiac disease: a case report. J Chiropract Med. 2011;10:294-300.
  31. Weiying L, Yuanjiang D, Baolian L. Treatment of the localized neurodermatitis by plum-blossom needle tapping and with the modified yangxue dingfeng tang—a clinical observation of 47 cases. J Trad Chin Med. 2006;26:181-183.
  32. Kvist LJ, Hall-Lord ML, Rydhstroem H, Larsson BW. A randomised-controlled trial in Sweden of acupuncture and care interventions for the relief of inflammatory symptoms of the breast during lactation. Midwifery. 2007;23:184-195.
  33. Ursini T, Polilli E, Congedo G, et al. Complete healing of a giant wart in a severely immune-compromised patient with HIV infection treated with acupuncture. Case Rep Dermatol. 2011;3:175-180.
  34. Wang WZ, Zhao L. Acupuncture treatment for spontaneous polyhidrosis. J Trad Chin Med. 2008;28:262-263.
  35. Yun Y, Kim S, Kim M, Kim K, Park JS, Choi I. Effect of facial cosmetic acupuncture on facial elasticity: an open-label, single-arm pilot study. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:424313.
  36. Wright JG, Swiontkowski MF, Heckman JD. Introducing levels of evidence to the journal. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2003;85-A(1):1-3.
  37. Cho ZH, Oleson TD, Alimi D, Niemtzow RC. Acupuncture: the search for biologic evidence with functional magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography techniques. J Alternat Complement Med. 2002;8:399-401.
  38. Cho ZH, Hwang SC, Wong EK, et al. Neural substrates, experimental evidences and functional hypothesis of acupuncture mechanisms. Acta Neurol Scand. 2006;113:370-377.
  39. Wu MT, Hsieh JC, Xiong J, et al. Central nervous pathway for acupuncture stimulation: localization of processing with functional MR imaging of the brain—preliminary experience. Radiology. 1999;212:133-141.
  40. Eshkevari L, Permaul E, Mulroney SE. Acupuncture blocks cold stress-induced increases in the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis in the rat. J Endocrinol. 2013;217:95-104.
  41. Hui KK, Liu J, Makris N, et al. Acupuncture modulates the limbic system and subcortical gray structures of the human brain: evidence from fMRI studies in normal subjects. Hum Brain Mapp. 2000;9:13-25.
  42. Huang W, PD, Napadow V, Park K, et al. Characterizing acupuncture stimuli using brain imaging with FMRI—a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature. PLoS One. 2012;7.
  43. Napadow V, Makris N, Liu J, Kettner NW, Kwong KK, Hui KK. Effects of electroacupuncture versus manual acupuncture on the human brain as measured by fMRI. Hum Brain Mapp. 2005;24:193-205.
  44. Napadow V, Dhond RP, Kim J, et al. Brain encoding of acupuncture sensation—coupling on-line rating with fMRI. Neuroimage. 2009;47:1055-1065.
  45. Jiang SH, Tu WZ, Zou EM, et al. Neuroprotective effects of different modalities of acupuncture on traumatic spinal cord injury in rats. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2014;2014:431580.
  46. Qi YC, Xiao XJ, Duan RS, et al. Effect of acupuncture on inflammatory cytokines expression of spastic cerebral palsy rats. Asian Pac J Trop Med. 2014;7:492-495.
  47. Son YS, Park HJ, Kwon OB, Jung SC, Shin HC, Lim S. Antipyretic effects of acupuncture on the lipopolysaccharide induced fever and expression of interleukin-6 and interleukin-1 beta mRNAs in the hypothalamus of rats. Neurosci Lett. 2002;319:45-48.
  48. Guo T, Guo Z, Yang X, et al. The alterations of IL-1beta, IL-6, and TGF-beta levels in hippocampal CA3 region of chronic restraint stress rats after electroacupuncture (EA) pretreatment. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2014;2014:369158.
  49. Wang H, Du MH, Shi X. [Effects of acupuncture at ‘‘Zusanli’’ (ST 36) on cerebral proinflammatory cytokine and plasma neuron specific enolase in septic rats]. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2013;33:1105-1107.
  50. Jang YH, Lee JY, Kang HY, Lee ES, Kim YC. Oestrogen and progesterone receptor expression in melasma: an immunohistochemical analysis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2010;24:1312-1316.
  51. Lieberman R, Moy L. Estrogen receptor expression in melasma: results from facial skin of affected patients. J Drugs Dermatol. 2008;7:463-465.
  52. Ortonne JP, Arellano I, Berneburg M, et al. A global survey of the role of ultraviolet radiation and hormonal influences in the development of melasma. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2009;23:1254-1262.
  53. Lutfi RJ, Fridmanis M, Misiunas AL, et al. Association of melasma with thyroid autoimmunity and other thyroidal abnormalities and their relationship to the origin of the melasma. J Endocrinol Metab. 1985;61:28-31.
  54. Kang HY, Hwang JS, Lee JY, et al. The dermal stem cell factor and c-kit are overexpressed in melasma. Br J Dermatol. 2006;154:1094-1099.
  55. Kim EH, Kim YC, Lee ES, Kang HY. The vascular characteristics of melasma. J Dermatol Sci. 2007;46:111-116.
  56. Kim EJ, Park HY, Yaar M, Gilchrest BA. Modulation of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors in melanocytes. Exp Dermatol. 2005;14:625-633.
  57. Qin Y, He J, Xia L, Guo H, He C. Effects of electroacupuncture on oestrogen levels, body weight, articular cartilage histology and MMP-13 expression in ovariectomised rabbits. Acupunct Med. 2013;31:214-221.
  58. Xiong F, Gui J, Yang W, Li J, Huang GY. Effects of acupuncture on progesterone and prolactin in rats of embryo implantation dysfunction. Chin J Integr Med. 2015;21:58-66.
  59. Ouyang BS, Gao J, Che JL, et al. Effect of electro-acupuncture on tumor necrosis factor-alpha and vascular endothelial growth factor in peripheral blood and joint synovia of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Chin J Integr Med. 2011;17:505-509.
  60. Ma J, Luo Y. Effects of electroacupuncture on expressions of angiogenesis factors and anti-angiogenesis factors in brain of experimental cerebral ischemic rats after reperfusion. J Trad Chin Med. 2008;28:217-222.
  61. Sunay D, Ozdiken M, Arslan H, Seven A, Aral Y. The effect of acupuncture on postmenopausal symptoms and reproductive hormones: a sham controlled clinical trial. Acupunct Med. 2011;29:27-31.
  62. Dong H, Ludicke F, Comte I, Campana A, Graff P, Bischof P. An exploratory pilot study of acupuncture on the quality of life and reproductive hormone secretion in menopausal women. J Alternat Complement Med. 2001;7:651-658.