In vitro and in vivo validation of a new three-dimensional fringe projection-based device (AEVA-HE) dedicated to skin surface mapping.

BACKGROUND: Aging signs are much visible on the surface of the skin that presents different changes: cheeks start to sag, more and deeper wrinkles appear, and pigmentation spots increase. Face diagnostic to recommend products includes assessing cutaneous micro-relief or the micro-depressive network on the face. Furthermore, there is an increasing demand for clinical and instrumental methods to prove the efficacy of anti-aging treatments. As a result, very accurate and sensitive three-dimensional (3D) devices are developed and validated to measure and quantify aging skin and to catch fine anti-aging products acting on wrinkles and fine lines. METHODS: AEVA-HE, a non-invasive 3D method based on fringe projection technology, is used to robustly characterize the skin micro-relief from a full-face acquisition and from multiple extracted zones of interest. In vitro and in vivo studies are conducted to assess the reproducibility of this system and its precision toward a standard fringe projection system, DermaTOP. RESULTS: The AEVA-HE successfully measured micro-relief and wrinkles and demonstrated the reproducibility of measurements.  AEVA-HE parameters were found highly correlated to DermaTOP. CONCLUSION: The present work illustrates the performance of the AEVA-HE device and its dedicated software kit as a precious tool for quantifying the major characteristics of wrinkles appearing with age and thus offers a high potential for assessing the effect of anti-wrinkling products.

Controlled, randomized study evaluating the effects of treating cellulite with AWT/EPAT.

INTRODUCTION: Cellulite affects 95% of women and can lead to negative consequences. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the efficacy and safety of acoustic wave therapy (AWT) using extracorporeal pulse activation technology (EPAT) to manage cellulite. METHODS: Twenty-five women were included in the study and treated with AWT. Six AWT treatment sessions were performed over the course of 4 weeks. Three thousand pulses were applied to an area measuring approximately 10 x 15 cm on the thigh. The treatment was performed using the D-ACTOR 200 by STORZ MEDICAL AG (Tägerwilen, Switzerland). Follow-up visits were performed 1 week and 12 weeks after treatment. Changes in the skin structure were evaluated using the DermaTOP System (Eotech, Paris, France). Skin elasticity measurements were performed using the DermaLab Device (Cortex Technology, Hadsund, Denmark). RESULTS: The difference between treated and untreated legs was statistically significant with regard to depressions, elevations, roughness and elasticity after the first follow-up visit. CONCLUSION: The study showed that the AWT/EPAT treatment using the D-ACTOR 200 appears to be a safe and effective treatment alternative for the temporary improvement in the appearance of cellulite.

Non-ablative skin remodeling: an 8-month clinical and 3D in vivo profilometric study with an 810 nm diode laser.

BACKGROUND: Non-ablative remodeling has recently been proposed as a new anti-aging treatment with no downtime. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate objectively, with a three-dimensional (3D) in vivo profilometric study, the efficacy and safety of non-ablative skin remodeling with an 810 nm diode laser on periorbital wrinkles with an 8-month follow-up. METHODS: Ten female patients (mean age: 55 years) were treated three times at 1-month intervals and then evaluated 5 months after the last treatment. Patients were evaluated using clinical data, standardized photographs and 3D in vivo profilometry in order to quantify the degree of improvement. This objective method evaluates the general degree of roughness (anisotropy) and the depth of the wrinkles. RESULTS: An observer independent from the study showed slight improvement in the quality of the skin and visual aspect of the wrinkles at 3 months. Eight months later this was confirmed to a lesser degree by clinical and 3D profilometry. No immediate or late adverse effects were noted at any stage of the procedure. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that irradiation with a 810 nm laser emitting in a pulsed mode and connected to a cooling system reduced anisotropy of the skin and improved the clinical aspects of the wrinkles. Results appear quickly at 3 months and are stable at 8 months.

Botulinum toxin A: a 9-month clinical and 3D in vivo profilometric crow's feet wrinkle formation study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the duration of the effects of a defined dose of BTX-A on crow's feet formation wrinkles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-five patients each received one injection of 12 units of BTX-A in the orbicularis oculi muscle on both sides of the face. The results were evaluated at 3, 6 and 9 months. Standardized photographs were taken of the wrinkle formations at rest at each step of the 9-month period following the treatment, and the wrinkles were then rated on photographs by blinded observers. Three-dimensional (3D) in vivo profilometry was also used to quantify the degree of improvement. RESULTS: Both the self-assessments by the patients themselves and the objective assessments of the 3D profilometry study provided similar results, but the independent observer assessment results were slightly more optimistic. There was a statistically significant difference observed between baseline and the evaluations at both 3 and 6 months. CONCLUSION: BTX-A is a safe and effective method for treating crow's feet wrinkles. In both the observer assessment and the 3D skin profilometric assessment, a clear improvement was shown at 6 months.