Objective To investigate the effect of acupuncture on facial infrared thermal imaging in subjects with sleep deprivation.Methods A total of 64 healthy young subjects were randomly divided into normal sleep group (group A),sleep deprivation group (group B),sleep deprivation group treated with Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture combined with acupuncture at Shenmai and Zhaohai points (group C),and sleep deprivation group treated with acupuncture at sham acupoints (group D).Group A maintained a normal sleep state,while groups B,C,and D were deprived of sleep for 24 hours.On the next day,infrared thermal imaging was used to measure facial heat value in all groups and observe the changes in facial heat value after acupuncture in groups C and D.Results Infrared thermal imaging showed that group A had mild facial heat and groups B,C,and D had severe facial heat.Group A had significantly less heat than groups B,C,and D (P<0.05),and there was no significant difference between groups B,C,and D (P>0.05).Groups C and D had a significant reduction in facial heat value after treatment (P<0.05),and group C had a significantly greater reduction than group D (P<0.05). Conclusion Sleep deprivation can lead to an increase in facial heat.Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture combined with acupuncture at Shenmai and Zhaohai points can decrease facial heat caused by sleep deprivation and has a better clinical effect than acupuncture at sham acupoints.