Histological evidence for skin rejuvenation using a combination of pneumatic energy, broadband light, and growth factor therapy.
OBJECTIVE
A variety of laser or light-based devices have been developed for skin rejuvenation. This study evaluates the efficacy (at the microscopic level) of a combination of pneumatic energy, broadband light, and profusion tip-delivered epidermal growth factor (EGF).


METHODS
Healthy adult Japanese volunteers were recruited for this study. The posterior parts of the left and right arms were treated with a device that combines pneumatic energy and broadband light (Isolaz device). The left arms were also treated with EGF through a tip. Each subject received four treatments at 10-day intervals. Biopsy specimens obtained 3 weeks after the second treatment and 3 weeks after the fourth treatment were examined for histological study.


RESULTS
After two treatments, elastin fibers and fibroblasts in the dermal papillary layers of the left arms were increased compared to the right arms. A mean of 173.9 cells positive for proliferating cell nuclear antibody (PCNA) were observed on the left arm compared to 101.0 on the right arm. After the fourth treatment, angiogenesis and increased collagen fibers were observed in the dermal papillary layers of both arms.


CONCLUSIONS
Four treatments with the addition of the profusion tip appear to hasten new collagen and elastin fiber formation, and the increase of PCNA positive cells so that dermal remodeling begins at an earlier stage than with the Isolaz alone.
Omi
Tokuya
T
Department of Dermatology, Queen's Square Medical Center, Yokohama, Japan. t.omi@queens-sq.or.jp
Kawana
Seiji
S
Sato
Shigeru
S
Naito
Zenya
Z
D000328:Adult; D001132:Arm; D003094:Collagen / Q000032:analysis; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004549:Elastin / Q000032:analysis; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000528:radiation effects*
D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D003094:Collagen; D004549:Elastin