Are there any scientifically documented effects of acupuncture on vitiligo?

The acupuncture, originating from traditional Chinese medicine, is increasingly being studied as a complementary approach in the treatment of certain dermatological conditions. It involves inserting fine needles into specific points on the body—called acupuncture points—situated along energetic meridians. These points also correspond to neural, blood, or lymphatic pathways, as well as to bony or dermal regions, and are associated with distinct therapeutic effects. By stimulating these areas, the acupuncturist seeks to restore the body’s energetic balance, thereby contributing to overall health maintenance. Recent research provides an overview of potential benefits of this practice, but also its limitations in the dermatological field.

During an acupuncture session, needles may remain in place for 15 to 30 minutes. This method is used to address a variety of health concerns, such as chronic pain (back pain, joint pain, migraines…), digestive issues, sleep disturbances, anxiety, etc. It should be noted that acupuncture is often used in conjunction with other medical treatments.

The vitiligo is an autoimmune disease that leads to skin depigmentation due to the loss of melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin. Several forms of vitiligo, the main ones being the non-segmental form, characterized by bilateral and often symmetrical hypochromic macules, and the segmental form, following a unilateral distribution.

A study, published in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine in 2023, evaluated the efficacy of acupuncture combined with NB-UVB phototherapy in the treatment of stable non-segmental vitiligo. This research included eight patients with a total of 26 lesions. Conducted over 12 weeks, the study compared one side of the body treated with acupuncture + NB-UVB and the other side receiving phototherapy alone. The results show that the VASI score (Vitiligo Area Scoring Index) decreased from 93.07 to 78.46 (a 16% reduction) in the acupuncture + NB-UVB group, indicating a significant improvement, while it remained virtually unchanged in the NB-UVB-only group, with just a 1.2% decrease (score of 91.92). Furthermore, patients in the first group reported moderate and tolerable pain, and adverse effects were limited to mild erythema and small bruises, with no serious complications.

According to the results, the combination of acupuncture and NB-UVB phototherapy could constitute a promising approach to promote repigmentation in the vitiligo stable, particularly in areas known to be resistant such as the extremities. However, this study does not demonstrate that acupuncture alone exerts a beneficial effect on vitiligo. Therefore, comparative trials with and without acupuncture are necessary to confirm the actual efficacy of this technique in this condition. Moreover, larger-scale studies with extended follow-up are needed to validate these results.

The relevance of acupuncture in cases of vitiligo remains hypothetical, pending larger-scale research. If you suffer from vitiligo, it is important to consult a dermatologist so they can guide you toward a treatment plan tailored to your situation.

• Physiopathologie et mécanismes à l’origine du vitiligo. Vitiligo Bordeaux-Service de recherche clinique.

• BAE H. & al. Acupuncture and immune modulation. Autonomic Neuroscience : Basic & Clinical (2010).

• BOUKHEDOUNI N. Mécanismes immunologiques impliqués dans la perte des mélanocytes au cours du vitiligo. Médecine humaine et pathologie – Université de Bordeaux (2018).

• GUO D. & al. Acupuncture for vitiligo: An overview of systematic reviews and meta-analysis. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (2023).

• HSU C.-H. & al. Surrounding needling and narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy treatment: Synergistic effects for repigmentation in chronic, stable nonsegmental vitiligo. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine (2023).