Auricular Acupuncture for Facial Rejuvenation: Results from a Large Real-World Clinical Series

A new study evaluated the aesthetic effects and safety of auricular acupuncture as a non-invasive facial rejuvenation strategy in a large real-world cohort.¹ In what is the largest standardized clinical series to date, the findings suggest that auricular acupuncture may offer rapid, well-tolerated improvements in facial contour, nasolabial folds, and cheek firmness, particularly appealing to patients seeking non-injectable, low-downtime rejuvenation.

Background

Auricular acupuncture is based on the somatotopic organization of the ear, first formalized by Paul Nogier’s “inverted fetus” theory, which proposes that specific auricular regions correspond to different body parts.² In aesthetic practice, this approach offers an indirect method of facial modulation for anti-aging and wrinkle reduction without needling the face itself, making it attractive for patients seeking minimal trauma and rapid recovery.

“The key techniques in this trial involve accurate localization and precise operation,” the authors wrote. “Given the numerous ear acupuncture points and the small size of the ear, accuracy in locating the points is crucial for successful treatment.”

Study Design and Interventions

The self-controlled retrospective analysis was conducted at a tertiary acupuncture hospital in China and included 217 adult patients aged 35 to 70 years who underwent auricular acupuncture specifically for facial cosmetic purposes between November 2023 and December 2024. The cohort was predominantly female (95.9%), with a mean age of 48.3 years, reflecting the demographic most likely to seek non-surgical facial rejuvenation. The cohort was split into 2 groups: 131 patients with evaluable photographs before and immediately after a single session (immediate-effect group), and 86 patients with standardized photographs before treatment and after approximately three months of weekly treatments (intermediate-term group).

All participants received a standardized two-needle protocol on each ear. One needle was inserted into a “cheek” point on the anterior earlobe and directed toward the great auricular nerve region, and a second needle was placed at a gonadotropin point near the interauricular notch. Needles were retained for at least 2 hours, substantially longer than in conventional acupuncture, based on the investigators’ experience that prolonged stimulation enhanced and prolonged aesthetic effects.

Efficacy was assessed using both investigator-rated and patient-reported outcomes. Facial photographs were evaluated using the Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale (WSRS) for nasolabial folds and the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS). Patients completed selected domains of the validated FACE-Q, focusing on overall facial appearance, cheeks, lower face and jawline, and nasolabial folds. Pain and adverse events were monitored using a visual analogue scale and systematic safety reporting.

Short and Long-Term Effects

After a single auricular acupuncture session, the mean WSRS score improved significantly from 2.49 to 1.86, indicating a reduction in nasolabial fold severity. Approximately 63% of patients demonstrated objective improvement, and 77% were rated as improved on the GAIS. The most prominent immediate changes were observed in nasolabial folds, lower face contour, and jawline definition, consistent with patients’ FACE-Q responses. Satisfaction with nasolabial fold improvement was highest (mean score 3.59/5), suggesting that wrinkle softening was a particularly noticeable short-term effect.

Among the 86 patients who completed weekly treatments for three months, improvements were even more pronounced. Mean WSRS scores dropped from 2.53 to 1.67, with nearly 78% showing objective improvement. GAIS response rates reached 95.35%, with over 60% rated as “very much” or “greatly” improved. At this later time point, cheek firmness and mid-face tightening emerged as the most satisfying outcomes, reflected by the highest FACE-Q score (3.78/5).

Overall, auricular acupuncture was well tolerated. About 35% of patients reported no pain, and the remainder reported only mild discomfort (VAS 1–3). Minor bleeding occurred in 36% of patients and resolved with brief pressure. Only 1 transient vasovagal episode was recorded, and no infections, severe pain, or serious adverse events occurred.

Future Research Opportunities

The authors emphasized that this was a single-center, uncontrolled, retrospective study, making placebo effects, regression to the mean, and selection bias unavoidable. Additionally, the cohort was overwhelmingly female, further limiting generalizability. Outcomes relied on photography and subjective scales, and long-term durability beyond 3 months was not assessed, but should be considered in future prospective research.

References

1. Zhu W, Prateepjumraskul P, Han Y, Hu H, Chen L. Auricular Acupuncture for Facial Aesthetics: A Preliminary Retrospective Clinical Study of 217 Cases. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2026;25(1):e70629. doi:10.1111/jocd.70629

2. Gori L, Firenzuoli F. Ear acupuncture in European traditional medicine. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2007;4(Suppl 1):13-16. doi:10.1093/ecam/nem106