Combined Microneedling Research Articles

Effectiveness of growth factor-induced therapy for skin rejuvenation: A case series.

Microneedling in combination with the use of growth factors can help with a range of indications, including skin rejuvenation. There is an increase in request for safe minimally invasive procedures with no-to-minimal downtime. This procedure offers regeneration and is becoming popular as part of the regenerative, minimally invasive era. To examine the efficacy of a course of two sessions of growth factor-induced therapy using propriety preparation of AQ recovery serum. Thirty women with various ethnic backgrounds (Chinese, Caucasian and Latino) with an average age of 38years old participated and mild-moderate visual facial aging signs Two sessions with 2-week intervals were completed using a derma stamp (transdermal drug delivery method) and 2mL of growth factor serum (AQ Skin Solution recovery serum-contain a mixture of contains a mix of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), granulocyte monocyte-colony-stimulating factor, and platelets-derived growth factor with patented technology for extraction and composition at each session.The procedures were carried out for anti-aging and skin rejuvenation. Clinical assessment, VISIA photography, independent assessment of before and after photographs baseline and six weeks by two clinicians and two laypersons were carried out. The participants used FACE-Q questionnaire (outcome satisfaction) and scored changes in terms of their skin texture, radiance, pore size, wrinkles, pigmentation, tightness and overall skin appearance. Physician's global assessment revealed growth factor-induced therapy resulted in skin rejuvenation in all races with 95% confidence, and this increased to 98% confidence for Latinos and Caucasians within the six weeks. Participants' subjective rating revealed improvement of overall skin appearance with 95% confidence. Most noted improvements were in brightness, skin texture, and tightness. This study revealed improvement in overall skin appearance, brightness, skin texture, and tightness. The treatment is non-invasive, safe, with no or minimal downtime and resulted in high participant satisfaction.

Efficacy and safety of fractional CO2 laser and tranexamic acid versus microneedling and tranexamic acid in the treatment of infraorbital hyperpigmentation

Objective To compare the efficacy and safety of microneedling and fractional CO2 laser in combination with tranexamic acid (TA) in the treatment of infra-orbital hyperpigmentation. Patients and methods This split-face clinical trial performed on 30 volunteers. The patients were randomly assigned to treat with fractional CO2 laser and microneedling, both combined with TA topically. Three monthly treatment sessions were performed. Two blinded dermatologists evaluated the response after each treatment session and one and three months after the last session. We also asked patients to evaluate their overall satisfaction at the final follow up. Adverse effects have also been documented. Results Both methods showed significant improvement in all sessions comparing with the baseline state (p value <.05). There were no significant differences between two methods on the days 30, 90, and 150. But the laser showed significantly higher improvement on day 60. The patients’ satisfaction did not reveal any significant difference between the two sides. Adverse events were temporary with no significant difference between both sides except for erythema that lasts longer with microneedling. Conclusions Both fractional CO2 laser and microneedling in combination with topical TA seem to be effective modalities in the treatment of infraorbital hyperpigmentation with no significant side effects.

Efficacy of the combination of Q‐switched Nd:YAG laser and microneedling for melasma

Melasma is a common, multifactorial, and recurring disease which is not easy to treat. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of microneedling in combination with Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser (QsNd-YAG laser) for treatment of melasma. Fifteen female patients with epidermal or mixed-type melasma on the face were included in the study. Patients were first treated with QsNd-YAG laser, and then with microneedling containing mesotherapy products of biomimetic peptides, at the same session. Modified Melasma Area Severity Index (mMASI) scores were calculated before the first session and again 2weeks after the last session. The same treatment protocol was repeated every 2weeks for five sessions within period of 3months of therapy. The evaluation was performed according to the before and after photographs taken from three angles including 90-degree front and 45 degrees from left and right with the VISIA device. Of the 15 patients included in the study, the mean mMASI scores before and after treatment were 9.2±5.7 (3.8-23.1) and 3.6±4.0 (0.6-16.8), respectively. mMASI scores were significantly reduced after completion of the protocol. Six (40%) patients had "very good response," 4 (26.7%) patients had "good response," and 5 (33.3%) patients were "unresponsive." Six (40%) patients were followed up for 1year, and only 1 patient had a recurrence (6.7%). In addition to the use of photoprotective measures, multimodality treatment including QsNd-YAG laser and microneedling with mesotherapy products containing biomimetic peptides is effective to treat melasma and they work synergistically.

Combined microneedling with topical application of platelet-rich plasma versus microneedling alone in the treatment of stria distensae: clinicopathological analysis

Background Striae distensae (SD) are common skin conditions. Objectives This study was done to test the hypothesis that ‘the use of microneedling (MN) before platelet-rich plasma (PRP) application will allow for deeper penetration and therefore, augment its efficacy in the treatment of SD.’ Patients and methods Forty patients with SD were divided into (i) Group I, the patients were treated with MN only, and (ii) Group II, the patients were treated with combined MN-PRP. The clinical improvement was evaluated by two dermatologists. Skin biopsies were obtained before and after therapy to examine immunohistological changes. Results As compared to the use of MN alone, therapy with combined MN-PRP was associated with: (i) a marked to the excellent improvement of the skin lesions of SD, (ii) a more significant deposition of collagen and elastic fibers, (iii) increased proliferative activity in the epidermis, and (iv) a decreased caspase-3 protein expression values in the epidermis. Conclusions This study proved that the combined MN-PRP is more effective than MN alone for the treatment of the lesions of SD. The underlying molecular mechanisms are open for future studies.

Combined microneedling with tacrolimus vs tacrolimus monotherapy for vitiligo treatment

Background Miconeedling has been used to augment the transdermal drug delivery. Combination modalities may accelerate and improve the repigmentation in vitiligo. Objective To determine the efficacy and tolerability of combined microneedling with tacrolimus vs tacrolimus 0.1% ointment for the treatment of vitiligo. Patients and Method Forty-eight patients with vitiligo were randomized into two groups: group I applied tacrolimus once daily for 6 months. Group II received microneedling with topical tacrolimus at 2 weeks intervals for a maximum of 6 months. The assessment was based on the clinical improvement and immunohistochemical changes. Skin biopsies were taken at baseline and after the treatment for c-kit + expression. Results After treatment, the repigmentation >75% was observed in 50% of the patients in group II compared to 29.2% in group I (p .02). There was an earlier response in group II than in group I (p .002). The improvement was significantly higher in the legs and extremities in group II than in group I (0.003). The immunohistochemical results showed significantly higher expression of c-kit in group II than group I (p .01). No severe side effects were reported. Conclusion The results suggest the superiority of the combination regimen (tacrolimus and microneedling) for vitiligo treatment.

Topical latanoprost solution in combination with microneedling in treatment of segmental vitiligo

Background Vitiligo is a depigmenting disorder of the skin and mucous membranes. Latanoprost (LT) is a prostaglandin F2α analog used in the treatment of glaucoma and was found to induce skin pigmentation. Aim This comparative study aims to assess efficiency of topical 0.005% LT solution in combination with microneedling for treatment of segmental vitiligo. Patients and methods The authors addressed 50 patients with segmental vitiligo stable for at least one year divided into two groups in this study: group A included 25 patients treated with topical 0.005% LT solution in combination with microneedling sessions by using dermapen, and group B included 25 patients who were treated with topical 0.005% LT solution alone without microneedling. The response to treatment was evaluated by serial photographs, degree of pigmentation, and vitiligo area scoring index (VASI). All patients were evaluated before the start of the treatment and each month after the end of the treatment. Results The group A, which was treated by combination of topical 0.005% LT ophthalmic solution and microneedling, showed significant improvement in VASI score, whereas group B, which was treated by topical 0.005% LT ophthalmic solution alone without microneedling, showed minimal improvement in VASI score. Conclusion The use of microneedling in combination with using topical LT improves the results of treatment of segmental vitiligo.