Noninvasive skin imaging in esthetic medicine—Why do we need useful tools for evaluation of the esthetic procedures

Abstract

Background: Despite the constant development of aesthetic medicine, there is still a lack of objective methods to assess the effectiveness of antiaging treatments and their impact on the skin. Histopathological examination of the skin section provides most of the key information about the condition of the skin, but it is an invasive procedure that requires a skin biopsy, which may be associated with the formation of a scar that is considered to be an aesthetic defect. Non-invasive imaging methods of the skin like dermoscopy, skin ultrasonography and reflectance confocal microscopy may be a useful solution. Aims and Methods: In this systematic review, we present the possible application of noninvasive skin imaging methods in esthetic medicine. The literature search was conducted via medical database (PubMed, Google Scholar). Results: The research suggests the use of dermoscopy during laser therapy, for the targeted treatment of vascular lesions and appropriate adjustment of laser parameters. Skin ultrasonography, especially high-frequency ultrasonography, has been widely used in aesthetic medicine-during and after volumetric treatments and in the assessment of the effects of anti-cellulite therapies, treatments that correct discolorations and improve skin quality. Publications also highlight the importance of reflexive confocal microscopy in the evaluation of the results of anti-aging treatments using the fractional laser, moisturizing preparations or micro puncturing combined with hyaluronic acid injections. Conclusion: Non-invasive skin imaging methods are useful tools for pre-and postoperative assessment in aesthetic medicine and their wide application may help to objectively assess the impact of anti-aging procedures on the skin.

High-Frequency Ultrasound to Assess Activity in Connective Tissue Panniculitis

“…Expert dermatologists have the advantage of being able to make an excellent clinicalultrasonographic correlation [14]. Currently, HFUS is increasingly used in dermatology both for diagnosis and follow-up of inflammatory diseases and tumors, and cosmetic dermatology [22,23]. In Spain, HFUS is routinely used in clinical practice in many tertiary hospitals [24,25].…”

Dermatological ultrasound in assessing skin aging

“…The gold standard method still remains histopathological analysis, yet it is an invasive approach that may lead to scarring. In this context, the US emerges as a non-invasive sophisticated instrument that provides objective data for more accurate evaluation ( 26 , 27 ).…”

“…Echogenicity typically demonstrates an augmentation associated with aging, in correlation with heightened collagen production and lower amount of intercellular substance ( 9 ). Variations in skin echogenicity have been extensively documented in anti-aging treatments, revealing increased echogenicity in both the epidermis and dermis ( 27 ). Echogenicity can be objectively assessed by the quantity and mean intensity of pixels ( 27 , 33 ).…”

Changes in Skin Microcirculation Resulting from Vibration Therapy in Women with Cellulite

“…An important problem in the methodology of research on the effectiveness of cosmetic and esthetic medical treatments is to identify a tool that allows for an objective evaluation of the obtained results. This is now a substantial issue in the assessment of these kinds of therapies and their effectiveness in the assumed goals of therapy [ 15 ].…”