AUTHOR=Cheng Haiyan , Zhang Ruina , Zhuo Fenglin 

TITLE=Synergistic effect of microneedle-delivered extracellular matrix compound and radiofrequency on rejuvenation of periorbital wrinkles

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Medicine

VOLUME=9

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2022.900784

DOI=10.3389/fmed.2022.900784

ISSN=2296-858X

ABSTRACT=<sec><title>Background</title><p>A combination of minimally invasive modalities can induce collagen regeneration more quickly and promote the penetration of topical agents, thus promoting skin rejuvenation. In this study, we aimed to investigate the synergistic efficacy of extracellular matrix compound (ECM-C) <italic>via</italic> microneedle (MN) and radiofrequency (RF) on periorbital wrinkles.</p></sec><sec><title>Method</title><p>A total of 25 participants with periorbital wrinkles were selected for this study. The left and right side of the periorbital area was randomly given ECM-C <italic>via</italic> MN or ECM-C <italic>via</italic> MN combined with RF. MN combined with ECM-C treatment was given 5 times at 2 weeks intervals, whereas RF treatment was given 3 times at 4-week intervals. The following items were assessed: wrinkles by VISIA<sup>®</sup> system; biophysical parameters such as skin hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), erythema index, and melanin index by CK multiple probe adapter; and skin elasticity and skin thickness by DermaLab Combo<sup>®</sup> photographs were taken at the baseline and 2 weeks after the last treatment. Subjective assessments, such as Crow's Feet Grading Scale (CFGS) and Global Aesthetic International Scale (GAIS), were also recorded.</p></sec><sec><title>Result</title><p>A total of 25 participants with an average age of 43 years participated in this trial. Periorbital wrinkles on both sides decreased after the treatment, and the side treated with ECM <italic>via</italic> MN and RF showed better improvement than the other side with ECM-C <italic>via</italic> MN alone. Skin hydration increased after the treatment on both sides. TEWL, skin erythema, and skin melanin indexes were not changed. Skin elasticity and skin thickness increased more on the side of ECM-C <italic>via</italic> MN and RF than on the other side of ECM-C <italic>via</italic> MN alone. The evaluation scores for CFGS improved on either side; however, no difference was found for CFGS and GAIS between intergroup comparisons after the treatment.</p></sec><sec><title>Conclusion</title><p>The objective assessment of wrinkles, elasticity, and thickness of periorbital skin improved more on the side with ECM-C treatment <italic>via</italic> MN combined with RF than on the other side of ECM-C treatment <italic>via</italic> MN only. However, no statistically significant difference was found between the subjective CFGS and GAIS evaluation of the two sides.</p></sec>