A study of non-thermal non-ablative LED photomodulation device for reversal of photoaging in Asians

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Photomodulation1 has been studied and was shown to reverse photoaging in Caucasians but its effects on Asians is unknown. The objective of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of LED for improving photoaged skin in Asians. DESIGN/MATERIAL AND METHODS: 20 Chinese female subjects with skin type III–IV with a wide range of photoaged skin were recruited in this prospective study. Each subject has undergone 8 treatments with approximately 1 week interval between each treatment. Each visit involves application of 200 590 nm wavelength pulses over 35 seconds (GentleWaves® LED Photomodulation® unit, LightBioScience, LLC, Virginia Beach, VA). Subjects were evaluated at baseline, 1 week, 2 months and 4 months after treatment, by means of standardized photos using the Canfield Visia CR System®, Cutometer SEM 575® and patient questionnaires. RESULTS: At 1 week after treatment, 17% and 22% reported moderate and significant improvement of wrinkles; 33% and 17% reported moderate and significant improvement in pore size. 44% and 44% expressed moderate and significant overall satisfaction. At 2 months after treatment, the subjective improvements diminished. Cutometer showed increased elasticity in 2 out of 5 test areas 1 week after treatment, and 1 out of 5 test areas 2 months after treatment. Blinded investigators’ assessments were not remarkable. Few subjects showed mild improvement in wrinkles, skin texture, background erythema and pigmentation and were statistically insignificant. CONCLUSION: Although there is subjective improvement in photoaging after treatment with LED photomodulation®, clinical observers failed to detect any significant degree of improvement. This contradicts to the findings by other investigators that looked at its use in Caucasians.