Effects of a skin-massaging device on the ex-vivo expression of human dermis proteins and in-vivo facial wrinkles

Abstract

Mechanical and geometrical cues influence cell behaviour. At the tissue level, almost all organs exhibit immediate mechanical responsiveness, in particular by increasing their stiffness in direct proportion to an applied mechanical stress. It was recently shown in cultured-cell models, in particular with fibroblasts, that the frequency of the applied stress is a fundamental stimulating parameter. However, the influence of the stimulus frequency at the tissue level has remained elusive. Using a device to deliver an oscillating torque that generates cyclic strain at different frequencies, we studied the effect(s) of mild skin massage in an ex vivo model and in vivo. Skin explants were maintained ex vivo for 10 days and massaged twice daily for one minute at various frequencies within the range of 65–85 Hz. Biopsies were analysed at D0, D5 and D10 and processed for immuno-histological staining specific to various dermal proteins. As compared to untreated skin explants, the massaging procedure clearly led to higher rates of expression, in particular for decorin, fibrillin, tropoelastin, and procollagen-1. The mechanical stimulus thus evoked an anti-aging response. Strikingly, the expression was found to depend on the stimulus frequency with maximum expression at 75Hz. We then tested whether this mechanical stimulus had an anti-aging effect in vivo. Twenty Caucasian women (aged 65-75y) applied a commercial anti-aging cream to the face and neck, followed by daily treatments using the anti-aging massage device for 8 weeks. A control group of twenty-two women, with similar ages to the first group, applied the cream alone. At W0, W4 and W8, a blinded evaluator assessed the global facial wrinkles, skin texture, lip area, cheek wrinkles, neck sagging and neck texture using a clinical grading scale. We found that combining the massaging device with a skin anti-aging formulation amplified the beneficial effects of the cream.

Facial cleansing with a sonic brush—A review of the literature and current recommendations

“…Arrows point out specific areas of interest. The journal confirmed that the photographs can be used and that no permission is needed…”

“…The application of cyclic mechanical stimulation induces an increased expression of certain dermal‐epidermal junctions and dermal proteins ex vivo in human skin. The protein expression depends on the mechanical character of the stimulus frequency and displays a maximum around a frequency of 75 Hz …”

“…A study to understand effects of use of ultrasonic devices in facial cleansing was conducted by Caberlotto et al The ex vivo study indicated the model to be of interest for understanding biological effects of mechano‐transduction at the tissue level. Histological analysis and expression of proteins showed that under experimental conditions the tissue that was exposed to a soft mechanical impulse responded with an increased synthesis of skin structural proteins . The in vivo randomized clinical trial on 42 Caucasian women aged 65‐75 years, showed an effect on connective tissue enabling definition of an optimal application frequency (Figure ) .…”

“…Global wrinkle improvements were demonstrated during study. Example of two volunteers in Group 2 (cream plus sonic brush) before (baseline), after 4 wk and after 8 wk of treatment . The photographs illustrate an improvement of global facial wrinkles.…”

“…The evidence on short‐ and long‐term biological effects of therapeutic ultrasound may not be applicable to sonic brush use due to large differences between the two types of devices concerning electromagnetic energy density, frequency of application and performance. However, the effects on tissue that were shown, such as increased synthesis of structural proteins of the skin, may serve as a baseline for research on antiaging effects using the sonic brush…”