A new acupuncture technique called Thread Embedding Therapy (TET) has been tested by medical researchers in a study entitled, "Effect of thread embedding therapy for facial wrinkles and laxity: a single-arm, prospective, open-label study." The results appeared in the December 2017 issue of Integrative Medical Research.
During TET, special medical threads are inserted into subcutaneous tissue or muscles for the purposes of eliminating wrinkles, tightening skin, and generally improving the look and feel of the face. These particular threads are made up of harmless material that the body is able to absorb. Its insertion specifically aims to increase collagen production, a vital substance needed to maintain skin health.
This study elected to use a single-arm approach with the study participants all receiving the same exact treatment. In this case, 14 women between the ages of 40 and 59 underwent TET on the wrinkles located in their jowls (lower cheek area). Jowl slack is usually distinguished by saggy, wrinkly skin in older individuals.
Each patient received one treatment. Evaluations took place before treatment and one week after. To analyze facial proportions and evaluate the change in size and quality of facial wrinkles, several medical tools were used. These included the global esthetic improvement scale, Alexiades-Armenakas laxity scale, patient self-assessment forms, and the Glogau photoaging skin scale.
The deep folds presenting in the patient's jowls underwent a significant reduction in size, according to measurements taken by the researchers. These readings demonstrated the degree to which the nasolabial and melolabial wrinkles improved.
The Alexiaded-Armenakas laxity scale and the global esthetic improvement scale readings also revealed statistically noteworthy results, favoring TET for combating wrinkles due to aging and radiation from the sun. The side effects reported include minor cases of pain and inflammation, which passed quickly. With no major adverse effects, TET showed it had the potential to achieve results in a short time.
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Source: Yun Y., Choi I. (2017). Effect of thread embedding therapy for facial wrinkles and laxity: a single-arm, prospective, open-label study. Integrative Medical Research. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29296569
About the Author: Vanessa Vogel Batt, L.Ac., MSTOM, studied at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, and practiced acupuncture and Oriental medicine in New York for several years. Vanessa enjoys traveling the world, and has published articles on acupuncture and Oriental medicine and related health topics for websites and publications in both the U.S. and abroad.