Microneedle Therapy System Combined with Glucose 10% for the Treatment of Enlarged Pores and Fine Wrinkles.

backgroundEnlarged pores and fine wrinkles are common cosmetic concerns in Asian patients. While energy-based devices and injectables are widely available, many patients prefer procedures associated with minimal downtime, low risk, and natural outcomes.

objectivesTo evaluate the clinical outcomes of microneedle therapy system (MTS) followed by topical application of glucose 10% with hyaluronic acid (Sihler G, Seoul, Republic of Korea) in Korean patients seeking improvement in skin texture, pore size, and fine wrinkles.

methodsIn this prospective single-arm observational study, forty Korean patients (24 women and 16 men; aged 28-72 years) underwent three to four MTS sessions at 4-week intervals. Immediately after microneedling, glucose 10% with hyaluronic acid was applied topically to the treated facial regions. In this prospective single-arm observational study, forty Korean patients (24 women and 16 men; aged 28-72 years) underwent three to four MTS sessions at 4-week intervals. Immediately after microneedling, glucose 10% with hyaluronic acid was applied topically to the treated facial regions. Clinical outcomes were assessed at baseline and at the final follow-up visit after completion of treatment (12 weeks for three sessions or 16 weeks for four sessions) by two independent physicians using the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS). Patients also self-rated outcomes using GAIS, and satisfaction was recorded using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Pore size was evaluated using a photonumeric pore grading scale, and fine wrinkles were assessed using the Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale (WSRS). Safety and tolerability were recorded. Given the exploratory nature of the study and absence of comparator arms, analyses were primarily descriptive.

resultsAt the final follow-up evaluation (12-16 weeks, depending on number of sessions), two physicians rated 73 per cent of patients as "much improved" or "very much improved" on GAIS. Patient-reported GAIS was similar, with 80 per cent rating themselves in these categories. Mean satisfaction scores increased from 2.3 at baseline to 8.5 at study completion. Improvements in pore grading were observed in 78 per cent of patients, while WSRS scores improved in 68 per cent. The procedure was well tolerated, with only transient erythema and mild swelling.

conclusionsMTS combined with topical glucose 10% and hyaluronic acid was associated with clinical improvement in pore refinement and fine wrinkles in this cohort of Korean patients. Given the absence of a control group, these findings should be interpreted as preliminary and hypothesis-generating. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .