Recent Applications of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Cosmetology: A Review

Medical cosmetology, a rapidly emerging branch in aesthetic medicine, addresses cosmetic issues such as pigmentation, skin aging, and adipose accumulation. Positioned between surgical cosmetic procedures and daily beauty routines, this approach generally offers high safety, minimal side effects, and short recovery periods. However, some concerns remain regarding the biocompatibility of certain cosmetic chemicals, as well as potential safety issues and the incidence of allergic reactions. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) herbs, derived from natural plant sources, are regarded as safe and biocompatible candidates to fill this gap. This review aims to elucidate the molecular biological mechanisms and targets involved in those most concerned issues of medical cosmetology. Subsequently, we summarize the recent studies of TCM herbs and their active components acting on the above issues. Furthermore, we discuss the research and application progress of TCM herbs through modern transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS). As a review paper, we would like to provide a novel perspective on the integration of TCM herbs with modern biomedical engineering methods for medical cosmetology applications.