Laser-Assisted and Device-Assisted Filler Delivery: A Histologic Evaluation

Area of Science:

• Dermatology and Aesthetic Medicine
• Biomedical Engineering
• Histology and Tissue Analysis

Background:

• Transcutaneous delivery of cosmetic fillers is often enhanced using lasers and other devices.
• Limited histologic data exists on the efficacy of various laser/device-assisted filler delivery methods.
• Optimal device and filler combinations for enhanced delivery require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To objectively evaluate the histological effects of laser-assisted and device-assisted filler delivery.
• To compare the efficacy of different energy-based devices in enhancing transcutaneous filler penetration.
• To identify the most effective combination of devices and fillers for improved delivery.

Main Methods:

• Ex vivo human abdominoplasty skin samples were utilized for the study.
• Treatments included fractional CO2 laser, fractional radiofrequency microneedling (FRMN), and microneedling.
• Topical application of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite, and tissue marking dye followed treatment, with subsequent histologic evaluation.

Main Results:

• Fractional CO2 laser demonstrated significant channel formation and delivery of PLLA and black dye, with lesser amounts of hyaluronic acid and minimal calcium hydroxylapatite.
• Microneedling effectively delivered only black dye.
• FRMN showed no significant channel formation or product delivery.

Conclusions:

• Fractional CO2 laser combined with PLLA is the most effective method for laser/device-assisted filler delivery among the tested modalities.
• Neither microneedling nor FRMN proved effective in enhancing filler delivery in this study.
• Further research into optimizing laser and filler parameters for transcutaneous delivery is warranted.