Background: Disturbance of p53 expression may play an important role in the pathogenesis of ultraviolet (UV) light-induced skin cancer as well as photoaging.
Objectives: To objectively evaluate the potential effect of nonablative facial rejuvenation on p53 expression.
Participants and methods: Thirty patients with Fitzpatrick skin type III to IV were divided into five groups. Each group underwent a different nonablative modality: radiofrequency (RF), intense pulsed light (IPL), electro-optical synergy (ELOS) (combined RF and IPL), 1,320-nm neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser, and 2,940-nm erbium-doped (Er):YAG laser minipeel. Skin biopsies were obtained before treatment, by the end of treatment, and 3 months after treatment. Biopsies were also taken from 30 controls. Quantitative evaluation of p53 was performed using computer image analysis for immunostained tissues.
Results: P53 expression was statistically significantly greater at the end of IPL (p = .02) and ELOS (p = .02) treatments than before treatment but was statistically insignificantly lower (p > .05) 3 months after treatment than at the end of treatment. No significant differences (p > .05) were observed in p53 level after RF, 1,320-nm Nd:YAG, and 2,940-nm Er:YAG mini-peel treatments from baseline.
Conclusions: The increase in epidermal p53 expression after IPL treatment could increase the risk of skin neoplasia by intense pulsed light-induced DNA damage which may lead to dysregulation of apoptosis and initiation of skin cancer.
© 2013 by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.