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Updated: Jun 1, 2026

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Skin changes after manual or electrical acupuncture.

Edwin Yong Miao1

  • 1M Modern Traditional Chinese Medical Clinic, Ringwood, Melbourne, VIC 3134, Australia. edwinmiao2@optusnet.com.au

Acupuncture in Medicine : Journal of the British Medical Acupuncture Society
|May 28, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Skin pigmentation, or dark spots, can occur after acupuncture or electroacupuncture (EA) treatments. These temporary skin changes typically fade after treatment cessation, with severity linked to acupuncture dosage.

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Area of Science:

  • Integrative Medicine
  • Dermatology
  • Traditional Chinese Medicine

Background:

  • Skin changes following acupuncture or electroacupuncture (EA) are not widely recognized.
  • Increased awareness among healthcare providers regarding these post-treatment skin alterations is needed.

Observation:

  • A case series involving four patients experiencing transient or persistent skin pigmentation after acupuncture or EA treatments.
  • Skin pigmentation (dark spots) appeared at various points during or after treatment courses, ranging from one treatment to two years of continuous therapy.

Findings:

  • Observed skin pigmentation resolved gradually after discontinuing acupuncture or EA.
  • Pigmentation diminished significantly (over 50% reduction in size and intensity) within 14 days to 2 years post-treatment, depending on the case.

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  • Skin pigmentation appears to be a specific effect of needling, potentially correlated with acupuncture dosage, irrespective of manual or EA stimulation.

    • Implications:

    • Highlights the potential for temporary skin pigmentation as a consequence of acupuncture and EA.
    • Suggests a dose-dependent relationship between needling and the occurrence of skin pigmentation.
    • Emphasizes the need for further research into the mechanisms and clinical significance of acupuncture-induced skin changes.