Patch test: Microneedle patches found to significantly improve undereye wrinkles in 12 weeks – study

Microneedles are extremely small, micro-sized needles designed to penetrate the outer layer of the skin. It is a common cosmetic procedure used to help improve skin imperfections such as wrinkles and acne scarring or just to rejuvenate the skin.

Depending on the size of the needles, microneedles can be used as a non-invasive home skin care and has been gaining popularity in the form of roller devices and skin patches.

As such, a team of researchers from South Korea have suggested the need for proper assessment of the use of such microneedle products.

“Interest in home care devices has been on a steep rise, especially in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the usefulness and safety of these microneedles used for cosmetic purposes at home should be evaluated.”​

The paper noted that skin microneedling was a relatively minimally invasive procedure. The microneedle itself can reach down into the mid-dermis, and bleeding after application of is a common result that initiates the wound healing process.

“However, the treatment can induce microinjuries in the stratum corneum and keratinocytes, which stimulate inflammatory responses from keratinocytes, resulting in stimulation of dermal fibroblast,”​ it added.

For this study, the team tested magnesium microneedles patches on the delicate undereye area that is susceptible to wrinkles.

“Under-eye wrinkles, which are the first sign of ageing, are the most common complaints of patients, even those in their 20s and 30s. Skin in the under-eye area is thinner than other sites. Therefore, we designed the study to assess the efficacy and safety of magnesium microneedles patches for treating under-eye wrinkles.”​

The microneedle patch applied on the under-eye area consisted of an adhesive hydrocolloid pad and magnesium needles with a length of 0.23 mm.

A total of 20 subjects aged 27 to 58 years were enrolled in the study. The subjects applied magnesium microneedles patches on the under-eye wrinkle area for one to two hours every other night for 12 weeks.

Subjects were advised to use their usual cosmetics and not to change any cosmetics during the study period.

Any discomfort or adverse events were reported by subjects during the study period. Those who experienced mild discomfort or irritation were instructed to apply the patch for an hour.

Over the course of 12 weeks, subjects visited the clinic for evaluation at weeks zero, two, four, eight and 12. Medical photographs were collected to evaluate the undereye area.

It was graded by clinicians, measuring the wrinkle index with a facial analyser, and measuring the dermal thickness of the under-eye area with ultrasonography.

After eight weeks, a “substantial improvement”​ in wrinkles was observed. Analysis of the wrinkle

index using a facial analyser demonstrated “significant improvement”​ at week 12. Additionally, at week 12, dermal thickness showed a tendency to improve.

“In conclusion, magnesium microneedle ​patches with needles 0.23 mm in length can be safely used for the improvement of wrinkles in thin skin areas such as under-eye sites at home,” ​the team concluded, but noted the need for further studies.

For instance, it suggested that a new study using various microneedle sizes should be done.

“To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the safety and efficacy of non-absorbable Microneedle​ patches on wrinkles for 12-week usage as a home device… Further studies including a split-face study with a greater number of subjects are required.”​

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Magnesium microneedle patches for under-eye wrinkles​

Source: Dermatologic Therapy

Donghwi Jang et al.

DOI: 10.1111/dth.15732