Efficacy and Safety of Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation for Improving Clinical Signs of Facial Skin Aging

BACKGROUND: Skin aging is a key focus in aesthetic and dermatologic medicine. Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) is a noninvasive, acupuncture-based technique that integrates traditional meridian theory with modern electrical stimulation. This study evaluated the clinical efficacy and safety of TEAS in improving the clinical signs of facial skin aging and promoting facial rejuvenation. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of TEAS on the clinical signs of facial skin aging. METHODS: Ninety participants were randomly assigned to TEAS, acupuncture, or Sham-TEAS groups. The TEAS group received 30-min treatments, five times per week for four weeks. Primary and secondary outcomes were assessed using the VISIA analysis system and the FACE-Q scale. RESULTS: TEAS significantly reduced wrinkle scores at week 4 and week 8 compared with baseline (p < 0.001) and achieved greater improvement than acupuncture (p < 0.05). FACE-Q scores increased significantly in the TEAS and acupuncture groups compared with Sham-TEAS (p < 0.01), with greater improvement in Social Function in the TEAS group (p < 0.05). Both physician-rated and self-assessed GAIS and WSRS scores also improved in the TEAS group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: TEAS appears to be a safe, noninvasive intervention that is primarily effective in reducing wrinkle severity and improving patient-reported outcomes, while showing limited effects on other VISIA parameters of facial skin aging.