Is Acupuncture Effective in Diminishing Frown Lines? Evidence From a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Abstract

As life expectancy rises, facial rejuvenation has gained significance. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of body and facial acupuncture on reducing frown lines in women aged 30-59 in Mashhad, Iran. 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). 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%. This study demonstrates that facial and body acupuncture is an effective and safe method for reducing frown lines. IRCT20230204057316N1 (https://irct.behdasht.gov.ir/trial/68408).