What If Acupuncture Could Treat Acne?

The use of acupuncture as treatment for some dermatologic conditions including dermatitis, hyperhidrosis, pruritus, urticaria, and facial elasticity has been found to be effective. While studies have been conducted on the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment on chronic inflammatory skin conditions such as acne, there is still more work to be done.

Research On Acupuncture For Dermatologic Conditions Exists

Although the Chinese have practiced acupuncture for centuries, currently, only an estimated 1.4% of American adults visit acupuncturists each year. Dr. Raja Sivamani, assistant professor in the department of dermatology at UC Davis anticipates that the number of American patients seeking acupuncture will increase over the years, so he decided to study its effects on various skin conditions. Sivamani and his coresearchers narrowed down a search of various types of studies and clinical trials of using acupuncture to treat dermatologic conditions from 1,255 articles to 24 reports of studies from around the world. Sivamani said that the initial high number of articles indicated that the research on this topic has been growing faster than he had anticipated.

Did Acupuncture Help Acne Patients?

Of the 24 studies that Sivamani and his colleagues focused on, 17 reported “statistically significant improvement of outcome measurements”. The conditions that were treated in the studies included acne, pruritus, chloasma, dermatitis herpetiformis, atopic dermatitis, to name a few. According to the results of the studies, however, by scientific standards, it cannot be said that acne or chloasma, a darkening of the skin commonly occurring during pregnancy, can be improved by acupuncture treatments.

Good News For Many Dermatologic Conditions

While studies on the effects of acupuncture on acne were not favorable, there is good news for patients with other skin conditions. Studies revealed that acupuncture treatments worked well for atopic dermatitis, a type of eczema that involves itchy, dry skin. Acupuncture was shown to also treat urticaria, also known as hives by reducing the rate and duration of episodes. One study found acupuncture to be more effective than herbal medication and oral diphenhydramine for relieving pruritus, or itchy skin. And four of the studies reviewed found that acupuncture treatments were effective when used to treat HPV warts, breast inflammation, polyhidrosis, and facial elasticity.

Acupuncture For Overall Wellness

Sivamani and his team uncovered favorable information where acupuncture in dermatology is concerned. He has stated that he intends to collaborate with acupuncture specialists to conduct further studies on the effects of acupuncture on chronic inflammatory skin conditions such as acne. It will be interesting to learn what their findings will reveal. If you are seeking relief for chronic conditions, pain, allergies or other ailments, let Metro Detroit Acupuncture assist you in your road to overall wellness and pain relief. Find out how we we can treat many conditions with medically proven acupuncture.