Photothermal therapy using gold nanoparticles and a long-pulsed 755-nm alexandrite laser to treat facial photoaging in Asian skin: A prospective clinical trial

Lasers Surg Med. 2022 Oct;54(8):1060-1070. doi: 10.1002/lsm.23581. Epub 2022 Jul 5.

Abstract

Background and objectives: Transdermally delivered gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) irradiated with near-infrared laser energy can create a photothermal effect within the sebaceous glands (SGs). Photothermal therapy (PTT) can be used clinically to reverse photoaging in SG-rich areas of the skin. Improvements in wrinkles and enlarged pores in Asian skin were assessed following AuNP-mediated PTT with a long-pulsed 755-nm alexandrite laser.

Study design/materials and methods: A single-arm, prospective trial was designed. Twenty Korean patients underwent three gold PTT interventions performed 4 weeks apart at laser hair-removal settings without cooling. At Week 20, changes in the wrinkle index (WI) and pore index (PI), size, and count were calculated using three-dimensional camera analyses. Overall improvements in wrinkles and pores (0-4 scale) were assessed by blinded investigators using standardized photographic comparisons. The subjects scored their satisfaction (0-10 scale) and treatment discomfort (0-10 scale). Safety data were also collected.

Results: There were significant reductions in the WI (8.3%, p < 0.01), pore size (23.1%, p = 0.035), and PI (19.9%, p = 0.034) in the periorbital areas at week 20 compared with baseline. The mean reductions in the size (22.5%, p = 0.027), count (16.5%, p = 0.048), and index (22.4%, p = 0.023) of the cheek pores were also significant. Investigators reported average scores of 3.2 ± 0.6 for improved wrinkle appearance, and 3.1 ± 0.7 for improvement in visible pores. Participants were moderately satisfied with the overall results (7.6 ± 1.8). Subjects felt moderate discomfort during treatment (4.7 ± 2.6). No serious or persistent adverse events occurred.

Conclusions: AuNP-mediated PTT showed noticeable efficacy and tolerability in treating wrinkles and pores in Asian skin over a 12 week-follow-up. Further studies with a longer follow-up are needed to confirm the reduction in SG activity at the parameters used.

Keywords: alexandrite laser; gold nanoparticles; photoaging; photothermal therapy; pores; wrinkles.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Gold / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Lasers, Solid-State / therapeutic use
  • Metal Nanoparticles* / therapeutic use
  • Photothermal Therapy*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Skin Aging*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Gold