Abstract
While injectables, lasers, and surgical interventions have traditionally been used to reverse the changes associated with facial aging, other alternative therapies such as facial acupuncture and facial exercises are now being studied for facial rejuvenation. In this paper, we both summarize the concepts of facial acupuncture and facial exercises, and review seven studies that evaluate the efficacy of these modalities. Data from these studies suggest that both facial acupuncture and facial exercises have the potential to improve the skin laxity, wrinkle length, muscle thickness, and pigmentary changes associated with aging. Patients frequently reported improvement and experienced very few side effects. However, further research is necessary before these modalities are widely accepted as effective by the medical community, though the results of these studies may ultimately make providers less hesitant when patients seek out these services.
Highlights
As per a recent survey performed by the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery in 2019, nearly 70% of patients reported considering a cosmetic procedure, which is an increase from just50% of patients in 2015 [1]
Studies were considered eligible for this review based on the following inclusion criteria: (1) use of experimental design; (2) performance of facial acupuncture with quantitatively measured results; (3) performance of facial exercises with quantitatively measured results; (4) were English language literature published in a peer-reviewed journal; and (5) seminal research carried out within the last 10 years
Alternative therapies have been developed to use in addition to or exclusive of traditional injectables, lasers, and surgical interventions for facial rejuvenation
Summary
50% of patients in 2015 [1] Of those participating in the 2019 survey, 70% of patients report seeking cosmetic procedures to either improve skin discoloration and texture, or lines and wrinkles around the eyes [1]. These changes are primarily a result of chronic sun exposure, though other factors such as subcutaneous fat loss and environmental exposures are said to contribute [2,3,4]. Ultraviolet light directly damages collagen and elastic fibers, which in turn leads to increased skin laxity and the formation of rhytides such as nasolabial folds and marionette lines [2,3,4]. The redistribution of subcutaneous fat in the face overtime further accentuates these changes [2]
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