Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology最新文献

Background: Refractory rosacea can be effectively treated with fractional microneedle radiofrequency (FMR), but its optimal parameters need confirmation.

Objective: To explore the optimal parameters of FMR in treating rosacea-like dermatitis and the underlying mechanisms.

Methods: A rosacea-like dermatitis mouse model was intervened with FMR of varying pulse energy and width. By assessing the severity of erythema and measuring erythema area, optimal parameters of FMR to treat rosacea-like dermatitis in mice were determined. Pathological staining was performed to examine the infiltration of inflammatory cells and CD31⁺ microvessels. Expression levels of pro-inflammatory factors were detected by qRT-PCR. The involvement of the NF-κB signaling pathway and its downstream mediators (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) in mice treated with low-power short-pulse-width fractional microneedle radiofrequency (LS-FMR) was detected using Western blotting. In a cohort of 20 patients with erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (ETR) and managed by one session of FMR treatment, therapeutic efficacy was assessed by Multispectral skin analysis system at 3 months of follow-up.

Results: LS-FMR at energy levels of 1, 2, 3 and 4 W and pulse width of 20 ms alleviated the severity of erythema and narrowed the erythema area in LL37-induced mice. It significantly inhibited the infiltration of mast cells and CD4+ T cells, polarization of CD4+ T cells to Th1/Th17 cells, angiogenesis, the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, as well as the expression of downstream inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α). In a cohort of 20 ETR patients, just one session of FMR treatment significantly alleviated erythema at 3 months of follow-up, without obvious adverse events.

Conclusion: LS-FMR is a promising approach to treat rosacea by suppressing skin immune responses and angiogenesis.

Trial registration: Clinical trial number: Not applicable.

Background: Sequential monopolar-bipolar radiofrequency (RF) systems aim to provide multi-layer dermal heating for skin tightening and rejuvenation. Real-world outcome data for these devices remain limited.

Objectives: To evaluate the clinical efficacy, safety, and patient-reported outcomes of the DENSITY NOIR sequential RF device for aesthetic facial indications.

Methods: A retrospective multicentre case series was conducted across dermatology clinics in the United States. Consecutive patients who underwent DENSITY NOIR RF treatment and had standardized pre-and post-treatment photographs, along with follow-up surveys completed ≥ 30 days after treatment, were included in the study. Provider-rated improvement (4-point scale) and patient-reported outcomes, including visible improvement, satisfaction, pain, downtime, and likelihood to recommend, were summarized descriptively. Age-stratified subgroup analyses and correlation assessments were also performed.

Results: Twenty-five patients (88% female; age range 26-55 years) met the inclusion criteria. All demonstrated improvement from baseline; 56% showed moderate improvement, while 24% showed marked improvement. Patient satisfaction was high (100%), with 48% "very satisfied." Likelihood-to-recommend scores were strong (median 10/10). Downtime was minimal; 92% reported none. Age-subgroup analyses showed greater proportions of marked improvement and "very satisfied" responses among patients > 55 years. Pain scores were low, and no adverse events were recorded.

Conclusions: Sequential RF treatment demonstrated meaningful aesthetic improvement with excellent tolerability, high satisfaction, and negligible downtime. Findings support its value as a minimally invasive skin-rejuvenation option.

Background: Hair loss remains a global concern for both men and women.

Aims: This study assessed the efficacy and safety of a proprietary extract of bioactive fatty acids from saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) for treating self-perceived thinning hair in healthy adult men and women (SEREVELLE, Valensa International; Eustis, FL).

Methods: This 6-month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study assessed the beneficial effects of daily active treatment (n = 40) vs. placebo (n = 20) on several hair growth parameters.

Results: Active treatment of SEREVELLE significantly outperformed placebo on all primary endpoints at Day 180. Mean (SD) change in baseline total terminal hair count was +18.6 (29.6) with active vs. -10.1 (30.5) with placebo (p < 0.001; 283% greater improvement). Total vellus hair count increased +6.6 (15.6) vs. -2.1 (15.7) (p < 0.05; 414% greater improvement). Total hair density rose +25.1 (27.7) vs. -12.2 (38.8) (p < 0.001; 306% greater improvement). Subgroup analyses at Day 180 corroborated these advantages: across populations, between-group differences in mean change favored active for subgroup of men, with total terminal hair count (p = 0.003), total vellus hair count (p < 0.001), and total hair density (p < 0.001). In menopausal women, active produced significant placebo-adjusted gains in total terminal hair count (p < 0.05) and total hair density (p < 0.01), with a nonsignificant numerical advantage for total vellus hair count. There were no treatment-related adverse events.

Conclusion: The daily use of a proprietary saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) extract safely and effectively promotes hair growth in men and women with self-perceived thinning hair.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory skin disorder that causes barrier dysfunction and chronic itching; patients exhibit more obvious age-related external changes than healthy individuals. Detailed comparative investigations of patients with AD and healthy individuals are lacking, including visible age, skin physiological function, and inflammatory and immune factors in the stratum corneum.

Aims: To investigate the skin physiological function, physiologically active substances in the stratum corneum, and visible age of patients with AD and healthy controls (HCs), and to verify the effects of skincare habits.

Methods: This study was conducted from November to December 2023 and included male and female patients with AD and HCs aged 20-50 years. Skincare habits were assessed using a questionnaire, physiological function by device measurements, physiologically active substances using multiplex analysis, and visible aging by comparison with age- and sex-matched patients with AD and HCs.

Results: Compared with those in the HC group, the cheek skin of the AD group was darker, had a higher melanin index, lower stratum corneum water content, higher transepidermal water loss, higher levels of inflammatory and immune factors in the stratum corneum, and less sebum on the forehead skin surface. Additionally, the AD group appeared older than their age-matched HC group. However, skincare habits improved these changes, with no significant difference between the HC and AD groups following skincare habits.

Conclusions: Skincare habits can suppress AD-associated changes in the physiological function of the skin, inflammatory and immune factors in the stratum corneum, and visible aging.

Background: Shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes) contains polysaccharides, phenolics, and β-glucans known for their antioxidant and nutraceutical properties; however, its dermatological applications remain limited.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant potential, enzyme inhibition activities, and cytotoxicity of freeze-dried Shiitake extract and to develop and characterize a topical cream formulation containing the extract for potential cosmetical and dermatological use.

Methods: Shiitake mushrooms were extracted with 75% ethanol and freeze-dried. Antioxidant capacity was assessed using a total antioxidant assay. Elastase, collagenase, and tyrosinase inhibition activities were evaluated using fluorometric and spectrophotometric assays. Cytotoxicity was tested on HaCaT human keratinocytes using the AlamarBlue assay. A topical cream formulation containing the shiitake extract was prepared, and its pH, viscosity, density, and stability were assessed through accelerated stability tests.

Results: The extract showed moderate antioxidant capacity (107 μM Trolox equivalent). It inhibited elastase activity by 51.99% and induced a concentration-dependent suppression of collagenase activity, reducing measurable enzyme activity to levels below the detection limit of the assay at higher concentrations. No significant tyrosinase inhibition was observed. Cytotoxicity assays confirmed that the extract was non-toxic, maintaining > 90% HaCaT viability across all tested concentrations. The formulated cream exhibited skin-compatible pH (≈5.5), suitable viscosity, homogeneous texture, and remained stable without phase separation or microbial growth under accelerated aging conditions.

Conclusion: Shiitake extract appears to be a safe and naturally derived bioactive ingredient, exhibiting notable elastase and collagenase inhibitory activities and demonstrating promising potential for incorporation into anti-aging and nutraceutical skin-care formulations.

Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy, safety, and underlying mechanisms of microneedling alone or combined with drugs for androgenetic alopecia (AGA), so as to provide evidence for the standardized clinical treatment.

Methods: A total of 60 male AGA patients admitted to our hospital from January 2023 to June 2025 were enrolled and stratified into mild, moderate, and severe groups (20 cases each) based on the Hair Loss Severity Score (HLSS). The mild group received microneedling alone, the moderate group received microneedling combined with minoxidil, and the severe group received microneedling combined with a mixed solution of minoxidil and finasteride. All patients were treated with a pen-type electric microneedle at a needling depth of 1 ± 0.5 mm (tolerated by patients), once weekly. The treatment course was 8 weeks for the mild group, 12 weeks for the moderate group, and 16 weeks for the severe group. Efficacy was evaluated using HLSS, hair density detection, and patient satisfaction (Visual Analog Scale, VAS) before and after treatment, with adverse reactions recorded.

Results: Before treatment, significant differences in HLSS and hair density were observed among the three groups (all p < 0.001), showing a gradient distribution of mild group < moderate group < severe group (for HLSS) and mild group > moderate group > severe group (for hair density). After treatment, HLSS significantly decreased (all p < 0.001) and hair density significantly increased (all p < 0.001) in all groups. Intergroup comparisons revealed that HLSS was mild group < moderate group < severe group, while hair density was mild group > moderate group > severe group (all p < 0.001). The moderate group had the highest patient satisfaction (8.5 ± 0.8 points), with significant differences among the three groups (p = 0.004). No severe adverse reactions occurred in all 60 patients; only 3 cases (5.0%) developed mild scalp erythema and swelling, which resolved spontaneously within 24-48 h.

Conclusion: Microneedling exerts therapeutic effects by regulating hair growth signaling pathways and promoting transdermal drug delivery. It is effective for mild AGA when used alone, and achieves more significant efficacy in moderate to severe AGA when combined with drugs, with high safety. Thus, it is worthy of clinical promotion. However, this study has limitations such as a small sample size and male-only participants, and further multi-center, large-sample RCTs are needed for validation.