Wiktoria Odrzywołek

(1) Background: Facial erythema is spatially heterogeneous and may fluctuate considerably, making objective assessment of treatment-related changes challenging. This study aimed to evaluate changes in facial erythema following a hydroporation-based transdermal delivery protocol using complementary instrumental and image-based methods. (2) Methods: Twenty-eight women with persistent facial erythema underwent six treatment sessions performed at weekly intervals. Erythema was assessed at baseline, after three treatments, and after completion of the treatment series using a Mexameter and standardized cross-polarized photography followed by Gray-Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM) texture analysis of the green image channel at 45° and 135° orientations. Representative high-frequency ultrasound images were acquired to illustrate fluid deposition within the dermis immediately after the infusion step. (3) Results: The median Mexameter erythema index decreased from 383.0 (IQR 362.5–418.5) at baseline to 297.0 (268.5–337.5) after three treatments and 270.0 (247.3–311.3) after six treatments, with significant differences between all time points (Holm-adjusted p < 0.001; r = 0.74–0.86). GLCM analysis demonstrated a significant decrease in contrast and an increase in homogeneity at both 45° and 135° orientations compared with baseline (Holm-adjusted p < 0.001; r = 0.74–0.83). No significant differences in either GLCM parameter were observed between the third and sixth treatments (p > 0.05). (4) Conclusions: The hydroporation-based transdermal delivery protocol was associated with a significant reduction in facial erythema. Mexameter and GLCM analysis provided complementary quantitative information on treatment response.

Background: Many widely used drugs—including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, tetracyclines and thiazide diuretics—are labelled as photosensitising, yet their phototoxicity has been defined almost entirely by ultraviolet A (UVA) exposure. Whether this risk extends to the near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths of lasers commonly used in aesthetic medicine is unclear, and a history of such medication is often treated as a relative contraindication to laser procedures. Methods: A bibliometric analysis of 391 Scopus-indexed publications using VOSviewer was performed to quantitatively map the thematic structure of the retrieved literature. The bibliometric mapping was complemented by sequential refinement of the Scopus corpus and a focused assessment of the final records to determine whether studies directly addressing the predefined experimental question could be identified. We assessed whether 980 nm diode-laser irradiation of normal human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) induces phototoxicity in the presence of seven photosensitisers (ketoprofen, meloxicam, hydrochlorothiazide, doxycycline and diclofenac, with chlorpromazine and 8-methoxypsoralen as reference photosensitizers). Cells were irradiated through the closed culture-plate lid at two fluences (62.3 and 34.4 mJ/cm and viability was measured 0.5, 1 and 24 h later. Data were analysed by two-way ANOVA (compound × laser), pairwise Welch tests with Benjamini–Hochberg correction, and equivalence testing against an ISO 10993-5-based margin. Results: Viability remained between 82.7% and 109.6% of control under all conditions and never fell below the 70% cytotoxicity threshold. The compound × laser interaction was non-significant at every time point (p = 0.25–0.69), indicating no drug-specific phototoxicity, and no pairwise comparison remained significant after correction. A small, drug- and fluence-independent reduction of about six percentage points was observed but stayed well within the non-cytotoxic range and was equally present in drug-free controls. Conclusions: Under the specific 980 nm irradiation conditions tested, the photosensitising drugs did not increase phototoxicity in normal human dermal fibroblasts. These findings support a wavelength-specific view of drug photosafety: rigorous UVA-directed photoprotection remains essential, whereas the tested drugs did not increase phototoxicity under the specific in vitro 980 nm irradiation conditions evaluated in this study.

Background: Acne scars significantly impact skin texture and esthetics, necessitating effective treatment modalities. This study evaluates the efficacy of erbium glass laser therapy in improving atrophic acne scars using advanced image analysis techniques. Materials and methods: Twenty patients with mild to moderate atrophic scars underwent two sessions of 1550 nm erbium glass laser treatment. The clinical photographs were analyzed using a Gray-Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM) to assess changes in contrast and homogeneity across the grayscale and RGB channels. The analysis revealed statistically significant improvements post-therapy, including reduced contrast and increased homogeneity, indicating a smoother and more uniform skin texture. The blue and green channels demonstrated the greatest sensitivity to surface-level textural changes, while the red channel exhibited the smallest differences, reflecting its deeper penetration and reduced sensitivity to surface alterations. Conclusions: These findings underscore the value of quantitative imaging techniques in dermatology for objectively evaluating therapeutic outcomes and optimizing treatment strategies. Erbium glass laser therapy emerges as a non-invasive and effective solution for acne scar management.

Background: Acne scarring presents a significant esthetic and psychological concern, commonly classified into atrophic and hypertrophic types. Effectively managing these lesions often involves the use of therapeutic strategies such as laser treatments, dermabrasion, and fillers. This study investigates the efficacy of 1550 nm erbium glass laser therapy in the treatment of atrophic acne scars through a quantitative assessment. Material and Methods: Participants with mild to moderate atrophic acne scars received two sessions of fractional erbium glass laser therapy at one-month intervals. Skin density and epidermal thickness were measured using a high-frequency ultrasound device (DUB SkinScanner), while the Antera 3D imaging system facilitated a comprehensive analysis of skin parameters, including texture, volumetric depressions, and pigmentation. Results: The use of this therapy led to significant improvements across multiple parameters. Skin density and epidermal thickness increased. Significant reductions were observed in fold depth, pore volume, and depression volume, indicating enhanced smoothness and minimized scar appearance. Improvements in texture roughness and pigmentation contributed to a visually coherent skin surface. Conclusions: Fractional erbium glass laser therapy effectively ameliorates the appearance of atrophic acne scars by increasing skin density, reducing dermal depressions, and improving texture and pigmentation uniformity. The Antera 3D system and high-frequency ultrasound device demonstrated high efficacy in capturing subtle changes, supporting its value in clinical applications for optimizing treatment parameters.

Background: The techniques of choice used in the treatment of extensive vascular lesions of the face are methods based on high-energy light sources, such as lasers and IPL (intense pulsed light). The techniques commonly employed to detect blood vessel abnormalities in skin primarily rely on semi-quantitative or qualitative scales. Methods: The study was conducted on a group of 38 volunteers; a series of three treatments was performed using an IPL source (Lumecca, Inmode, Israel). The vessels’ response to the high-energy light was verified using the following quantitative methods: mexametric measurements, hyperspectral imaging, and directional reflectance measurements. Results: In the mexameter measurement, statistically non-significant differences were obtained in the hemoglobin content in the skin condition prior to and following multiple intense pulsed light sessions. Studies performed using a hyperspectral camera showed that at a wavelength of 580 nm, the increase in skin reflectance after the treatment was statistically significant. Total directional reflectance measurements showed that at wavelengths of 400–540 nm and 480–600 nm, following the IPL treatment, the skin reflectance increased statistically significantly. Implementing three consecutive intense pulsed light procedures appears adequate to obtain a clinically satisfactory reduction in vascular changes in the facial skin. Mexametric measurements do not enable the assessment of the reaction of blood vessels to IPL. Conclusions: Hyperspectral imaging is an effective method for the quantitative assessment of skin vascular lesions. The best results in the assessment of vascular lesions using hyperspectral imaging are obtained at wavelengths of 420 nm and 580 nm. The hemispheric directional reflectance method allows for a quick, accurate, and repeatable assessment of vascular skin changes.

Purpose: This pilot study aims to explore how skin parameters and body composition impact the tolerance to EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) stimuli in women, particularly focusing on pain tolerance in response to varying intensities of EMS. This research seeks to understand what is essential for optimizing EMS applications. Patients and Methods: The study involved 16 females (age 35.9 ± 12.3). Body composition and anthropometric measurements were taken, including BMI (Body Mass Index), weight percentage, WHtR (Waist to Height Ratio), WHR (Waist-Hip Ratio), and Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis. High-frequency ultrasound scans were conducted to assess skin parameters. The EMS stimulation was performed using an Evolvex (InMode, Israel), with applicators placed around the abdomen and intensity adjusted according to patient tolerance, recorded at the pain threshold. Results: The maximum tolerated EMS stimulus varied from 12V to 55V, with a median of 33V. Body weight showed a strong positive correlation (R=0.76, p< 0.001) and hip circumference (R=0.66, p< 0.001) with EMS intensity. Body fat mass (R=0.61, p=0.012) and visceral fat area (R=0.55, p=0.029) were positively correlated with EMS intensity. However, no significant correlations were observed between EMS tolerance and muscle tissue parameters or total body water content. The study also found that skin structure parameters showed no significant impact on EMS tolerance. Conclusion: The study reveals that women’s tolerance to EMS stimuli is influenced by various factors. Anthropometric parameters like hip circumference, body weight, skinfold, and BMI are strongly correlated with EMS tolerance. Body composition factors, particularly adipose tissue characteristics such as body fat mass and percentage, also significantly impact EMS intensity requirements, with no notable correlation to muscle tissue or water content. However, variations in skin structure, including thickness and density, do not significantly affect EMS tolerance. These insights are crucial for tailoring personalized EMS therapy to enhance effectiveness and comfort in both aesthetic and rehabilitative applications.

Psoriasis is an inflammatory dermatosis manifested by the appearance of brown-red papules on the body, covered with silver scales. One of the most common and effective treatments for psoriasis is narrow-band UVB phototherapy. Narrow-band UVB has a wavelength of 311 nm, which results in shallow skin penetration, is absorbed only by the epidermis and the superficial layers of the dermis. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of narrow-band UVB 311 nm phototherapy on skin covered with psoriatic scales and without psoriatic lesions in patients with psoriasis vulgaris on the total directional hemispherical reflectance (DHR) of the skin, skin density and epidermis thickness. For this purpose, a 410 Solar DHR reflectometer and high-frequency ultrasonography DUB SkinScanner were used. A total of 48 volunteers were enrolled. There was a difference in the reflectance of skin without psoriatic scales and psoriatic skin. Depending on the wavelength range, the skin was characterized by different reflectance values. During the course of phototherapy, the reflectance values decreased, both in the psoriatic skin and skin without psoriatic scales. After the phototherapy, the epidermis thickness and SLEB layer decreased and skin density increased in the area with psoriatic plaque. The density of the skin without psoriasis after a series of 20 irradiations increased, while the thickness of the epidermis did not change.

Background: Microcirculation is the flow of blood through the smallest vessels in the circulatory system. Capillaries respond to various pathologies much earlier than arteries and veins, the changes which indicate that the disease is already developing. Careful monitoring of the functioning of the capillary system often allows the detection of in vivo disorders at an early stage.Aims: The aim of the study was to evaluate the microcirculation within acne lesions. A noninvasive method of semi‐quantitative blood perfusion measurement based on laser speckle contrast analysis (LASCA) and a quantitative assessment of the acne severity using the hyperspectral imaging method supported by image analysis and processing methods were used.Patients/Method: The acne lesion perfusion was compared to the healthy skin perfusion of the control group. The reflectance in the range from 400 to 1000 nm was also compared for acne lesions and healthy skin. A dedicated version of the algorithm based on the gray‐level co‐occurrence matrix was used to compare differences between acne lesions and healthy skin.Results: Blood perfusion in acne lesions is on average 117% higher than in healthy skin. The reflectance of acne lesions was lower in the range of 400–600 nm compared to the healthy skin. A statistically significant decrease in the reflectance of acne lesions was demonstrated for wavelengths: 434, 549, and 588 nm.Conclusions: Increased blood perfusion in acne lesions compared to healthy skin suggests increased chemotaxis of inflammatory cells and wound healing. Decrease points in skin reflectance resemble the absorption peaks for hemoglobin and coproporphyrin III produced by Cutibacterium acnes. Thus, the proposed methods may serve not only for the early detection of acne lesions, before they manifest themselves clinically for the naked eye, but may also be a tool for quantifying the effectiveness of acne treatment.

Background: The mechanism of intense pulsed light action on the skin is based on selective photothermolysis. The light delivered to the tissue is scattered and absorbed by chromophores that absorb a beam of radiation of a specific length. The skin reflectance changes depending on the physiological state of the tissue, as shown by the hyperspectral camera. The aim of the study was to assess the hyperspectral reflectance of acne skin before and after intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy and to compare it with the reflectance of healthy skin. Materials and methods: The study involved 27 volunteers with diagnosed moderate acne. The control group consisted of 20 people without acne lesions. All acne volunteers underwent a series of four treatments using IPL at weekly intervals. The volunteers with acne lesions were photographed before the series of treatments and a week after the 4th treatment. Results: Acne skin shows lower reflectance than healthy skin. Acne skin after IPL therapy is characterized by a higher reflectance compared to acne skin before the therapy and resembles the reflectance of the skin of the control group. A statistically significant difference was found between the acne skin before the treatments and the skin of the control group. Conclusions: The effect of IPL therapy on acne skin is the increase of its reflectance by reducing the number of chromophores, which brings it closer to the reflectance value of healthy skin. Hyperspectral imaging allows for: the evaluation of the treated skin at each stage, a precise selection of the light wavelength depending on the problem, and therefore, for optimizing the number of irradiations and increasing the safety of the therapy.

The synergy of cosmetic acids, with their keratolytic and antibacterial properties, with the mechanical exfoliation of the epidermis brings faster and better treatment results. The aim of the study was to compare the effects of using only pyruvic acid and the synergy of microdermabrasion and chemical exfoliation. In total, 14 women diagnosed with acne took part in the study. Two areas were marked on the participants’ faces: the right side (microdermabrasion treatment and a preparation containing pyruvic acid 40%) and the left side (preparation containing pyruvic acid 40%) without mechanical exfoliation. A series of four treatments was performed at 2-week intervals. Skin parameters such as stratum corneum hydration and sebum secretion were measured. Before the treatments, all patients had moderate acne according to GAGS (Min: 19, Max: 22, Md: 20), and after the treatments, it decreased to mild acne according to GAGS (Min: 13, Max: 17, Md: 140). On the right side of the face, there was a statistically significant reduction in sebum secretion in all the examined areas of the face and increase in the hydration of the stratum corneum. On the left side of the face, the differences were also observed in the decrease of sebum value and increase of hydration level; however, they were smaller than on the right side. The use of microdermabrasion in combination with pyruvic acid led to better results in the case of increased hydration and reduction of sebum secretion than using only pyruvic acid treatment.