Comparative evaluation of wrinkle treatments

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Aesthetics
• Anti-aging research

Background:

• Skin wrinkles are a primary cosmetic concern associated with aging in women.
• Existing wrinkle treatments lack established guidelines, impacting quality of life.
• This study evaluates four promising anti-wrinkle methods based on industry guidelines.

Purpose of the Study:

• To clinically evaluate the effectiveness of fractional erbium YAG laser, intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy, CD-tretinoin external application, and nutritional therapy for wrinkle improvement.
• To compare objective and subjective outcomes of these four distinct anti-wrinkle interventions.
• To contribute to an evidence-based approach for anti-aging treatments.

Main Methods:

• Objective evaluation of wrinkle area fraction and skin viscoelasticity.
• Subjective evaluation using the visual analog scale (VAS) for subject satisfaction.
• Adherence to the Japan Cosmetic Industry Association's guideline for anti-wrinkle effect evaluation.

Main Results:

• Fractional erbium YAG laser and IPL therapy demonstrated significant improvements in both wrinkle area and skin elasticity.
• CD-tretinoin application showed significant improvements in wrinkle area and skin elasticity.
• Nutritional therapy significantly improved wrinkle area and overall wrinkle degree.
• All four treatments yielded comparable subject satisfaction scores via VAS.

Conclusions:

• All four evaluated minimally invasive procedures—fractional erbium YAG laser, IPL, CD-tretinoin, and nutritional therapy—significantly improved wrinkles.
• Comparative evaluation using consistent criteria is crucial for understanding treatment efficacy.
• An evidence-based approach, validated for effectiveness, is necessary for advancing wrinkle treatments.