Recent applications of Traditional Chinese Medicine in cosmetology: a Review

Medical cosmetology, a rapidly emerging branch of aesthetic medicine, addresses cosmetic concerns 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, concerns persist 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 alternatives to address these limitations. This review aims to elucidate the molecular and biological mechanisms and therapeutic targets associated with the most prevalent concerns in medical cosmetology. Subsequently, we summarize recent studies on TCM herbs and their active components that act on these conditions. Furthermore, we discuss advances in the research and application of TCM herbs through modern transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS). As a review, this paper provides a novel perspective on the integration of TCM herbs with contemporary biomedical engineering approaches for medical cosmetology applications.