Comparative histometric analysis of the effects of high-intensity focused ultrasound and radiofrequency on skin.

INTRODUCTION: High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and radiofrequency (RF) are used for non-invasive skin tightening. Neocollagenesis and neoelastogenesis have been reported to have a mechanism of controlled thermal injury. OBJECTIVE: To compare neocollagenesis and neoelastogenesis in each layer of the dermis after each session of HIFU and monopolar RF. METHODS: We analyzed the area fraction of collagen and elastic fibers using the Masson's Trichrome and Victoria blue special stains, respectively, before and after 2 months of treatments. Histometric analyses were performed in each layer of the dermis, including the papillary dermis, and upper, mid, and deep reticular dermis. RESULTS: Monopolar RF led to neocollagenesis in the papillary dermis, and upper, mid, and deep reticular dermis, and neoelastogenesis in the papillary dermis, and upper and mid reticular dermis. HIFU led to neocollagenesis in the mid and deep reticular dermis and neoelastogenesis in the deep reticular dermis. Among these treatment methods, HIFU showed the highest level of neocollagenesis and neoelastogenesis in the deep reticular dermis. CONCLUSIONS: HIFU affects deep tissues and impacts focal regions. Monopolar RF also affects deep tissues, but impacts diffuse regions. We believe these data provide further insight into effective skin tightening.

A study of the effects of physical dermabrasion combined with chemical peeling in porcine skin.

BACKGROUND: Many comparative studies of chemical peeling and dermabrasion have been reported. However, rare basic scientific data about the immediate effects after combined treatment with chemical peeling and dermabrasion have been confirmed. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of the application of physical abrasion in combination with chemical peels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three pigs were treated with physical abrasion using a water jet device in combination with an α-hydroxy acid solution, and the skin samples of the control received chemical peeling solution alone. The levels of growth factors and neuropeptides were measured with a multiplex immunoassay. RESULT: Skin treated with physical dermabrasion combined with chemical peeling showed prominent detachment and swelling of the stratum corneum (SC), and fluid collection in the hair follicles. The mean cell count of CD34 positive fibroblasts and mast cells, levels of epidermal growth factor, fibroblast growth factor-2, vascular endothelial growth factor, and neurotensin, were significantly increased in the tissue treated with physical abrasion combined with a chemical peeling agent, compared to the skin in the control. CONCLUSION: We concluded that physical dermabrasion combined with chemical peeling can be more effective than chemical peeling alone, for the approach through transfollicular routes.

Treatment of dilated pores with 1410-nm fractional erbium-doped fiber laser.

Dilated pores can be an early sign of skin aging and are a significant cosmetic concern. The 1410-nm wavelength is optimal for superficial dermal treatments up to 650 µm deep. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of the fractional erbium-doped fiber 1410-nm laser in the treatment of dilated pores. Fifteen patients with dilated facial pores underwent three laser treatments at 3-week intervals. Posttreatment skin responses and side effects were assessed at treatment and follow-up visits by study physicians. Clinical effectiveness of treatment was assessed by both study physicians and patients 3 months after the final laser treatment using a quartile grading scale. Histological examination was performed using biopsy samples taken at baseline (pretreatment) and 3 months after the last treatment. This study showed that greater than 51 % improvement in dilated pores was demonstrated in 14 of 15 patients after three sessions of laser treatments. Improvements in skin texture, tone, and smoothness were reported in all patients. Treatment was well tolerated in all patients, with no unanticipated side effects. This study demonstrates that the 1410-nm fractional erbium fiber laser is effective and safe for treatment of dilated facial pores in Fitzpatrick skin types III-IV.

Association of HSPA1B SNP rs6457452 with Alopecia Areata in the Korean population.

The heat shock 70 kDa protein 1B (HSPA1B), which has been well-studied among the famous heat shock proteins HSPA1A/B/L, is related to autoimmune diseases, including Alopecia Areata (AA). In this study, the association of a 5'-untranslated region (5'UTR) SNP rs6457452 and a promoter SNP rs2763979 (-1140C > T) of HSPA1B with AA was investigated in 236 controls and 228 AA patients. Statistical analyses using the multiple logistic models were done, according to the onset and the clinical features of AA, including the age of onset, family history, type of AA lesion, nail involvement and body hair involvement. The results showed that rs6457452 was associated with the onset of AA (p < 0.002). In the analysis of clinical features of AA, rs6457452 was weakly related to the age of onset (p ≤ 0.04) and that rs2763979 was only weakly related to the type of AA lesion (p = 0.041). In conclusion, we suggest that the 5'UTR SNP rs6457452 of HSPA1B may be associated with the onset of AA and the T allele of rs6457452 may confer the reduced susceptibility to AA in the Korean population.

Histologic comparison of microscopic treatment zones induced by fractional lasers and radiofrequency.

INTRODUCTION: Fractional photothermolysis induces microscopic, localized thermal injury in the skin surrounded by undamaged viable tissue in order to promote wound healing. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated acute histologic changes following each single pass of various fractional lasers and radiofrequency (RF). METHODS: Three male domestic swine were used. We used fractional Erbium:glass (Er:glass), Erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG), CO2 lasers, and fractional ablative microplasma RF. We analyzed features and average values of the diameter, depth, and vertical sectional areas treated with each kind of laser and RF. RESULTS: The microscopic treatment zone (MTZ) of fractional Er:glass resulted in separation of dermoepidermal junction with no ablative zone. Fractional Er:YAG provided the most superficial and broad MTZ with little thermal collateral damage. Fractional CO2 resulted in a narrow and deep "cone"-like MTZ. Fractional RF resulted in a superficial and broad "crater"-like MTZ. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides the first comparison of MTZs induced by various fractional lasers and RF. These data provide basic information on proper laser and RF options. We think that these findings could be a good reference for information about fractional laser-assisted drug delivery.

Serum leptin and adiponectin levels in Korean patients with psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a disorder caused by genetic and immunological factors. Leptin, a peptide hormone secreted predominantly from adipose tissue, regulates energy intake and expenditure, as well as the T-helper response. There have been conflicting reports regarding serum levels of leptin and adiponectin in patients with psoriasis. In the present study, we measured serum levels of leptin and adiponectin in Korean patients with psoriasis. Twenty-four patients with psoriasis and fifteen control subjects were included in the study. Serum leptin and adiponectin levels were determined by an immunometric sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mean serum leptin concentration in patients with psoriasis was higher than in controls, and the difference was statistically significant. In contrast, serum adiponectin levels in patients with psoriasis were significantly decreased compared with healthy controls. Leptin levels in vitamin D-deficient patients were statistically significantly higher than in vitamin D-sufficient patients. Serum adiponectin concentrations showed a negative correlation with body mass index (BMI) and psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) in patients with psoriasis. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that leptin and adiponectin may play a role in the immunopathogenesis of psoriasis and may be useful biomarkers indicating severity of psoriasis in Korean patients.

Characterization of microthermal zones induced by fractional radiofrequency using reflectance confocal microscopy: a preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: The microthermal zone (MTZ) produced by fractional device have been mostly evaluated through histopathologic analysis. Study of ablative type MTZ created by fractional device and skin thermal interaction using in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) has been rarely reported. OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the in vivo human RCM skin images of ablated fractional radiofrequency (RF) treatment to demonstrate the thermal interaction between RF and skin tissue. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Three healthy male subjects underwent a single irradiation of fractional RF on the upper back area. The diameter, area, and depth of the MTZ was measured using RCM. Three female domestic swine were used for comparative histopathological study. RESULTS: After RF treatment, crusted holes surrounding pale edematous rings were visible in RCM images. The empty spaces correlated to the location of ablative channels, and the presence of thermal modification zones corresponded to areas with a whitish ring showing high reflectance. Ablation depth increased in proportion to the energy of fractional RF. However, the diameter of the thermal modified zone was relatively constant regardless of RF energy. CONCLUSIONS: RCM successfully identified in vivo acute thermal changes after fractional RF. The results obtained in this study provide a clearer picture of tissue-thermal interactions in the skin.