Effect of Single Facial Acupuncture on Dermal Structure and Appearance Satisfaction
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age30-60
SponsorFar Eastern Memorial Hospital
About this trial
This study aims to investigate the effects of a single session of facial rejuvenation acupuncture on skin structure and personal satisfaction with facial appearance. As facial aging involves complex changes in muscles, skin, and soft tissues, facial acupuncture is considered a potential minimally invasive treatment to help restore balance and promote tissue repair.
Researchers will enroll 60 healthy adults aged 30 to 60 who are concerned about facial aging. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an immediate intervention group or a waitlist control group. The intervention group will receive one session of facial acupuncture at the start of the study. The control group will continue their normal daily skincare routine for 6 weeks, after which they will receive the same single acupuncture treatment.
All participants will be monitored weekly for 6 weeks. The research team will use non-invasive tools, including high-frequency skin ultrasound, 3D facial scanning, and a digital complexion analysis system, to objectively measure changes in skin thickness, facial volume, and wrinkles. Participants will also complete questionnaires at various time points to share their satisfaction with their appearance, self-confidence, and quality of life.
Eligibility criteria
This trial accepts healthy volunteersQualifiers
Adults aged 30 to 60 years old. Individuals concerned about facial aging issues.
Individuals without severe chronic diseases.
Disqualifiers
Pregnant women.
Individuals with coagulation disorders.
Individuals with a keloid constitution or tendency for abnormal scarring.
Individuals with acute or chronic facial hemiplegia/paralysis of any cause.
Trial design
Design model
Parallel
Treatments tested in this trial
Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture (FRA)
Procedure/SurgeryThis intervention consists of a single, comprehensive session of Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture (FRA). The procedure targets 20 specific anatomical structures across the neck, jaw, perioral, cheek, periorbital, and upper face regions. The acupuncturist uses specific needling techniques (e.g., flat, oblique, and deep insertions) to balance myofascial tension-relaxing hypertonic muscles (such as the corrugator and masseter) and stimulating hypotonic muscles (such as the zygomaticus major/minor). Additionally, ligament release techniques are applied to vertical and horizontal retaining ligaments to stimulate tissue remodeling. The intervention is administered once at Week 0 for the experimental arm, and once at Week 6 for the waitlist control arm.
Treatment groups
60 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groupsGroup A: Single FRAExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: Waitlist Control GroupNo intervention 0 interventions
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Change in Dermal Thickness
Measured as the change in thickness (in µm) from the sub-epidermis to the upper margin of the subcutaneous fat layer using high-frequency skin ultrasound (DUB Cutis). This objective metric reflects the microstructural changes and extracellular matrix remodeling stimulated by the intervention.
Time frame
Baseline (Week 0) to Week 6Secondary outcomes
1
Change in Facial Volume and Contour
Measured as the difference in mid-to-lower face soft tissue volume (in cc) and changes in lifting curved length (e.g., from tragus to the corner of the mouth) using 3D facial scanning (Morpheus 3D Scanner).
Time frame
Baseline (Week 0) to Week 62
Change in Skin Density
Assessed by analyzing the change in dermal echogenicity using a high-frequency skin ultrasound (DUB Cutis). Echogenicity is measured quantitatively as the pixel density, reported in percentage (%)
Time frame
Baseline (Week 0) to Week 63
Change in Wrinkle Depth
Quantified measurement of wrinkle depth using a digital complexion analysis system (VISIA). Reported in millimeters (mm).
Time frame
Baseline (Week 0) to Week 64
Change in Wrinkle Quantity
Quantified measurement of the absolute number of wrinkles using a digital complexion analysis system (VISIA). Reported as a count.
Time frame
Baseline (Week 0) to Week 6Sponsors and contacts
Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.
Far Eastern Memorial Hospital
Lead sponsor
Neihu Lixin TCM Clinic
Collaborator
Source ClinicalTrials.gov