A Single-Center Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Tolerability of Four Microneedling Treatments on Fine Lines and Wrinkles of Facial and Neck Skin in Subjects With Fitzpatrick Skin Types I-IV: An Objective Assessment Using Noninvasive Devices and 0.33-mm Microbiopsies.
Aesthet Surg J 2021;
41:NP1603-NP1618. [PMID:
33656167 DOI:
10.1093/asj/sjab052]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Although ablative techniques are the standard of care for the treatment of fine lines and wrinkles, microneedling offers a minimally invasive alternative.
OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of microneedling on facial and neck fine lines and wrinkles.
METHODS
Thirty-five subjects between 44 and 65 years old with Fitzpatrick skin types I to IV received 4 monthly microneedling treatments over the face and neck. Subjects returned 1 and 3 months posttreatment. At every visit, high-resolution ultrasonography and optical coherence tomography were performed, and transepidermal water loss and skin elasticity were measured. Microbiopsies (0.33 mm) were collected pretreatment, before the fourth treatment and 3 months posttreatment.
RESULTS
Thirty-two subjects (30 females, 2 males) completed all 7 visits. Facial dermal and epidermal density increased 101.86% and 19.28%, respectively, from baseline at 3 months posttreatment. Facial elasticity increased 28.2% from baseline at 3 months posttreatment. Facial attenuation coefficient increased 15.65% and 17.33% at 1 and 3 months posttreatment, respectively. At study completion, blood flow at a depth of 300 µm decreased 25.8% in the face and 42.3% in the neck. Relative collagen type III and elastin gene expression was statistically higher 3 months posttreatment. However, total elastin protein levels were unchanged from baseline values. Dermal muscle formation was observed in 58% of biopsies extracted 3 months posttreatment compared with 15.3% at baseline.
CONCLUSIONS
The results illustrate the effects of microneedling treatments. Noninvasive measurements and biopsy data showed changes in skin architecture and collagen/elastin gene expression, suggesting skin rejuvenation, with new extracellular matrix production and muscle formation.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3
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