Effect of Microneedling Associated With Drug Delivery on Facial Rejuvenation: Clinical and Histological Evaluation

Abstract

Introduction: Microneedling has been used to treat different human connective tissue disorders, promoting an increase in the permeation of active ingredients, to favour local vascularization and collagen production. Objective: To investigate the effects of microneedling associated with the permeation of cosmetological actives (drug delivery) on facial rejuvenation. Method: This was a controlled clinical trial, in which 30 volunteers with facial aging were recruited and distributed into 2 groups. G1 was treated with microneedling with associated saline and G2 received microneedling with associated drug delivery (with growth factors) in the entire facial region (full face). Both groups received two treatment sessions with an interval of 30 days between them. For result evaluation, photos were clinically analysed before and after the interventions, the facial symmetry was verified through the measurement of angles and measurement of the facial region, and a histological analysis of the eyelid region of two patients who underwent surgery blepharoplasty was carried out. Results: Both groups presented satisfactory clinical results in the photographs’ visual analysis. In the evaluation of facial symmetry, G2 showed an improvement in the measurements of the paralateronasal L-projection, nasolabial F-crease, right and left lateral palpebral crease, with p<0.01. In the histological analysis, G2 showed higher collagen and elastin increase than G1, with greater predominance of better-quality collagen (type I) when drug delivery was performed. Conclusion: The association of microneedling with growth factors promotes a greater production of collagen fibres and connective tissue reorganization, compared to microneedling with no cosmetological assets.