Effect of Facial Acupuncture Stimulation: Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Based Masseter Muscle Volume Analysis and Questionnaire Evaluation
Mieko Ogino, Megumi Iijima, Yukinori Okada, Itsuko OkudaAbstract
Background
Cosmetic acupuncture may improve wrinkles, swelling, sagging, and facial asymmetry and may lift facial contours.
Objectives
To investigate the impact of cosmetic acupuncture on masseter muscle volume and its implications for facial aesthetics
Methods
We included 10 apparently healthy adult women (average age, 50.3 ± 6.45 years) and performed acupuncture once a week for 8 weeks. Magnetic resonance imaging was conducted before acupuncture stimulation and 3 days after the treatment. The collected image data were analyzed using ZioCube software (ZioSoft Co., Ltd., Tokyo). Before and after the intervention, two evaluators measured the masseter muscle volume thrice each and calculated the average value.
Results
The average total volume of the left and right masseter muscles decreased from 40.73 ± 8.2 cm3 to 37.81 ± 8.57 cm3 after cosmetic acupuncture, a significant reduction of 2.92 ± 2.48 cm3 (7.37%, p < 0.05). All 10 subjective evaluation items showed significant decreases, particularly in facial sagging, contour, and asymmetry, confirming aesthetic improvements and psychological satisfaction among participants. Cosmetic acupuncture reduced masseter muscle volume, leading to noticeable aesthetic benefits.
Conclusions
Acupuncture stimulation at acupoints around the masseter muscle can reduce the muscle volume due to muscle relaxation. The improvement in subjective evaluation and changes and decreases in masseter muscle shape enable the attainment of facial contour aesthetics, contributing to the evidence in support of cosmetic acupuncture.