Microneedles: A novel clinical technology for evaluating skin characteristics
Open accessAbstract
Background: Current methods for evaluating efficacy of cosmetics have limitations because they cannot accurately measure changes in the dermis. Skin sampling using microneedles allows identification of skin‐type biomarkers, monitoring treatment for skin inflammatory diseases, and evaluating efficacy of anti‐aging and anti‐pigmentation products. Materials and methods: Two studies were conducted: First, 20 participants received anti‐aging treatment; second, 20 participants received anti‐pigmentation treatment. Non‐invasive devices measured skin aging (using high‐resolution 3D‐imaging in the anti‐aging study) or pigmentation (using spectrophotometry in the anti‐pigmentation study) at weeks 0 and 4, and adverse skin reactions were monitored. Skin samples were collected with biocompatible microneedle patches. Changes in expression of biomarkers for skin aging and pigmentation were analyzed using qRT‐PCR. Results: No adverse events were reported. In the anti‐aging study, after 4 weeks, skin roughness significantly improved in 17 out of 20 participants. qRT‐PCR showed significantly increased expression of skin‐aging related biomarkers: PINK1 in 16/20 participants, COL1A1 in 17/20 participants, and MSN in 16/20 participants. In the anti‐pigmentation study, after 4 weeks, skin lightness significantly improved in 16/20 participants. qRT‐PCR showed significantly increased expression of skin‐pigmentation‐related biomarkers: SOD1 in 15/20 participants and Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) in 15/20 participants. No significant change in TFAP2A was observed. Conclusion: Skin sampling and mRNA analysis for biomarkers provides a novel, objective, quantitative method for measuring changes in the dermis and evaluating the efficacy of cosmetics. This approach complements existing evaluation methods and has potential application in assessing the effectiveness of medical devices, medications, cosmeceuticals, healthy foods, and beauty devices.
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
Kim et al.73's study has limitations including small sample size and need for further research to validate findings on larger scale.
“Limitations include the small sample size and the necessity for further research to validate the findings on a larger scale.”
From Cosmeceuticals in photoaging: A review. (2024) · cites this paper as [73]
The Materials and Methods section (Study participants; page not provided) reports 20 participants in each of two studies, supporting the small-sample-size point. The passages found do not state that larger-scale research is necessary to validate the findings; the Conclusion instead discusses potential applications. (LLM, conf=0.84)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredKim et al.73 introduced a method using biocompatible microneedles and transcriptomics to objectively evaluate cosmeceutical efficacy.
“A noteworthy recent study by Kim et al.73 presents an innovative approach to objectively evaluate the efficacy of cosmeceuticals. Their method involves analyzing skin samples collected using biocompatible microneedles and conducting transcriptomics analysis.”
From Cosmeceuticals in photoaging: A review. (2024) · cites this paper as [73]
In Kim et al.73's two trials (20 participants each), results demonstrated improvements in skin roughness and lightness with significant changes in expression of biomarkers associated with skin aging and pigmentation.
“Two trials were conducted, one focusing on anti‐aging and the other on anti‐pigmentation, each involving 20 participants. The results demonstrated improvements in skin roughness and lightness, accompanied by significant changes in the expression of biomarkers associated with skin aging and pigmentation.”
From Cosmeceuticals in photoaging: A review. (2024) · cites this paper as [73]
Kim et al.73's study provides Level II evidence according to Oxford evidence hierarchy.
“This study provides Level II evidence according to the Oxford evidence hierarchy, indicating moderate quality evidence.”
From Cosmeceuticals in photoaging: A review. (2024) · cites this paper as [73]
The Materials and Methods section describes two 20-participant studies with measurements at weeks 0 and 4. Our copy does not assign the study a Level II rating under the Oxford evidence hierarchy or call its evidence moderate quality (searched: Oxford evidence hierarchy, Level II, study design). (LLM, conf=0.78)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Cites
Oxidative Stress in Aging Human Skin
Rinnerthaler, M., Bischof, J., Streubel, M., Trost, A., & Richter, K. (2015) · Biomolecules · doi:10.3390/biom5020545 · Cited by 1,053 · see citing works
Ascorbic acid: much more than just an antioxidant
Arrigoni, O., & Tullio, M. C. D. (2002) · Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - General Subjects · doi:10.1016/s0304-4165(01)00235-5 · Cited by 988 · see citing works
Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safety
Mukherjee, S., Date, A., Patravale, V., Korting, H. C., Roeder, A., & Weindl, G. (2006) · Clinical Interventions in Aging · doi:10.2147/ciia.2006.1.4.327 · Cited by 580 · see citing works
Transdermal Delivery of Drugs with Microneedles—Potential and Challenges
Ita, K. B. (2015) · Pharmaceutics · doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics7030090 · Cited by 527 · see citing works
Chang, H., Zheng, M., Yu, X., Than, A., Seeni, R. Z., Kang, R., Tian, J., Duong, P. K., Liu, L., Chen, P., et al. (2017) · Advanced Materials · doi:10.1002/adma.201702243 · Cited by 465 · see citing works
Minimally Invasive Protein Delivery with Rapidly Dissolving Polymer Microneedles
Sullivan, S. P., Murthy, N., & Prausnitz, M. R. (2008) · Advanced Materials · doi:10.1002/adma.200701205 · Cited by 392 · see citing works
Polymer multilayer tattooing for enhanced DNA vaccination
DeMuth, P. C., Min, Y., Huang, B., Kramer, J. A., Miller, A. D., Barouch, D. H., Hammond, P. T., & Irvine, D. J. (2013) · Nature Materials · doi:10.1038/nmat3550 · Cited by 277 · see citing works
A Hydrogel Microneedle Patch for Point‐of‐Care Testing Based on Skin Interstitial Fluid
He, R., Niu, Y., Li, Z., Li, A., Yang, H., Xu, F., & Li, F. (2020) · Advanced Healthcare Materials · doi:10.1002/adhm.201901201 · Cited by 261 · see citing works
Vitamin A and Vitamin E: Will the Real Antioxidant Please Stand Up?
Blaner, W. S., Shmarakov, I. O., & Traber, M. G. (2021) · Annual Review of Nutrition · doi:10.1146/annurev-nutr-082018-124228 · Cited by 203 · see citing works
Guttman‐Yassky, E., Diaz, A., Pavel, A. B., Fernandes, M., Lefferdink, R., Erickson, T. R., Canter, T., Rangel, S. M., Peng, X., Li, R., et al. (2019) · JAMA Dermatology · doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2019.2983 · Cited by 188 · see citing works
The effect of aging in primary human dermal fibroblasts
Lago, J. C., & Puzzi, M. B. (2019) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0219165 · Cited by 186 · see citing works
Yilmaz, E., & Borchert, H. (2005) · International Journal of Pharmaceutics · doi:10.1016/j.ijpharm.2005.10.002 · Cited by 185 · see citing works
Kong, R., Cui, Y., Fisher, G. J., Wang, X., Chen, Y., Schneider, L. M., & Majmudar, G. (2015) · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology · doi:10.1111/jocd.12193 · Cited by 163 · see citing works
Molecular mechanisms of cutaneous aging. Age-associated connective tissue alterations in the dermis.
Uitto, J., FAZIO, M. J., & Olsen, D. R. (1989) · PubMed · Cited by 156 · see citing works
Molecular mechanisms of cutaneous aging
Uitto, J., FAZIO, M. J., & Olsen, D. R. (1989) · Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology · doi:10.1016/s0190-9622(89)70228-0 · Cited by 150 · see citing works
Dyjack, N. T., Goleva, E., Rios, C. L., Kim, B. E., Bin, L., Taylor, P. A., Bronchick, C., Hall, C. F., Richers, B. N., Seibold, M. A., et al. (2018) · Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology · doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2017.10.046 · Cited by 121 · see citing works
Shoshani, D., Markovitz, E., Monstrey, S., et al. (2008) · Dermatologic Surgery · doi:10.1111/j.1524-4725.2008.34248.x · Cited by 115 · see citing works
Hiraishi, Y., Nakagawa, T., Quan, Y., et al. (2012) · International Journal of Pharmaceutics · doi:10.1016/j.ijpharm.2012.10.042 · Cited by 104 · see citing works
Callaghan, T., & Wilhelm, K. (2008) · International Journal of Cosmetic Science · doi:10.1111/j.1468-2494.2008.00455.x · Cited by 97 · see citing works
Chiu, H.-J., Fischman, D. A., & Hämmerling, U. (2008) · The FASEB Journal · doi:10.1096/fj.08-112375 · Cited by 96 · see citing works
Essential features for antioxidant capacity of ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
Santos, K. L. B., Bragança, V. A. N., Pacheco, L. V., et al. (2021) · Journal of Molecular Modeling · doi:10.1007/s00894-021-04994-9 · Cited by 96 · see citing works
The effect of Vitamin C on melanin pigmentation – A systematic review
Sanadi, R. M., & Deshmukh, R. S. (2020) · Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology · doi:10.4103/jomfp.jomfp_207_20 · Cited by 95 · see citing works
TFAP2 paralogs regulate melanocyte differentiation in parallel with MITF
Seberg, H. E., Van Otterloo, E., Loftus, S. K., Liu, H., Bonde, G., Sompallae, R., Gildea, D. E., Santana, J. F., Manak, J. R., Pavan, W. J., et al. (2017) · PLOS Genetics · doi:10.1371/journal.pgen.1006636 · Cited by 85 · see citing works
Tape strips in dermatology research*
Hughes, A., Tawfik, S. S., Baruah, K. P., O’Toole, E. A., & O’Shaughnessy, R. F. L. (2020) · British Journal of Dermatology · doi:10.1111/bjd.19760 · Cited by 79 · see citing works
Kim, J. H., Shin, J. U., Kim, S. H., Noh, J. Y., Kim, H. R., Lee, J., Chu, H., Jeong, K. Y., Park, K. H., Kim, J. D., et al. (2017) · Biomaterials · doi:10.1016/j.biomaterials.2017.10.013 · Cited by 78 · see citing works
Self-citationDaly, T. J., & Weston, W. L. (1986) · Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology · doi:10.1016/s0190-9622(86)70248-x · Cited by 76 · see citing works
The Role of Wound Healing and Its Everyday Application in Plastic Surgery
Ireton, J. E., Unger, J. G., & Rohrich, R. J. (2013) · Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Global Open · doi:10.1097/gox.0b013e31828ff9f4 · Cited by 76 · see citing works
Opportunities and challenges in delivering influenza vaccine by microneedle patch
Jacoby, E., Jarrahian, C., Hull, H. F., & Zehrung, D. (2015) · Vaccine · doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.03.062 · Cited by 68 · see citing works
Desai, S. R., Ayres, E. L., Bak, H., et al. (2019) · PubMed · Cited by 65 · see citing works
Haustead, D. J., Stevenson, A. W., Saxena, V., Marriage, F., Firth, M. J., Silla, R. C., Martin, L., Adcroft, K. F., Rea, S. M., Day, P. J., et al. (2016) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/srep26846 · Cited by 59 · see citing works
Advancement through epidermis using tape stripping technique and Reflectance Confocal Microscopy
Olesen, C. M., Fuchs, C. S. K., Philipsen, P. A., Hædersdal, M., Agner, T., & Clausen, M. (2019) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-019-48698-w · Cited by 59 · see citing works
Ultrasound enhanced skin‐lightening effect of vitamin C and niacinamide
Hakozaki, T., Takiwaki, H., Miyamoto, K., Sato, Y., & Arase, S. (2006) · Skin Research and Technology · doi:10.1111/j.0909-752x.2006.00186.x · Cited by 52 · see citing works
Gimeno, A., Zaragozá, R., Vivó-Sesé, I., Vinã, J. R., & Miralles, V. J. (2004) · Experimental Dermatology · doi:10.1111/j.0906-6705.2004.00112.x · Cited by 48 · see citing works
Masuda, Y., Oguri, M., Morinaga, T., et al. (2013) · Skin Research and Technology · doi:10.1111/srt.12119 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
Shin, J., Lee, D., Choi, S., et al. (2010) · Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology · doi:10.1111/j.1468-3083.2010.03815.x · Cited by 43 · see citing works
PINK1 signaling in mitochondrial homeostasis and in aging (Review)
Kitagishi, Y., Nakano, N., Ogino, M., Ichimura‐Shimizu, M., Minami, A., & Matsuda, S. (2016) · International Journal of Molecular Medicine · doi:10.3892/ijmm.2016.2827 · Cited by 38 · see citing works
Determination of antioxidant efficacy of cosmetic formulations by non‐invasive measurements
Vertuani, S., Ziosi, P., Solaroli, N., Buzzoni, V., Carli, M. F. D., Lucchi, E., Valgimigli, L., Baratto, G., & Manfredini, S. (2003) · Skin Research and Technology · doi:10.1034/j.1600-0846.2003.00018.x · Cited by 35 · see citing works
Assessment of the efficacy of a new complex antisensitive skin cream
Wang, Y., Viennet, C., Jeudy, A., Fanian, F., He, L., & Humbert, P. G. (2018) · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology · doi:10.1111/jocd.12486 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
Cosmeceutical Aptitudes of Niacinamide: A Review
Madaan, P., Sikka, P., & Malik, D. S. (2021) · Recent Advances in Anti-Infective Drug Discovery · doi:10.2174/2772434416666211129105629 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
Park, H. J., Byun, K.-A., Oh, S., Kim, H. M., Chung, M. S., Son, K. H., & Byun, K. (2022) · Molecules · doi:10.3390/molecules27154923 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
Latitudinal Clines of the Human Vitamin D Receptor and Skin Color Genes
Tiosano, D., Audı́, L., Climer, S., Zhang, W., Templeton, A. R., Fernández‐Cancio, M., Gershoni‐Baruch, R., Sánchez-Muro, J. M., Kholy, M. E., & Hochberg, Z. (2016) · G3 Genes Genomes Genetics · doi:10.1534/g3.115.026773 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
Becker, A. L., Carpenter, E. L., Slominski, A. T., & Indra, A. K. (2021) · Frontiers in Oncology · doi:10.3389/fonc.2021.743667 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
Kim, S. H., Kim, J. H., Lee, S. J., Jung, M. S., Jeong, D. H., & Lee, K. H. (2022) · Skin Research and Technology · doi:10.1111/srt.13135 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
Self-citationTakagi, Y., Shimizu, M., Morokuma, Y., et al. (2014) · International Journal of Cosmetic Science · doi:10.1111/ics.12127 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Dermal Fibroblasts Actively Metabolize Retinoic Acid but not Retinol
Randolph, R. K., & Simon, M. (1998) · Journal of Investigative Dermatology · doi:10.1046/j.1523-1747.1998.00307.x · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Development of a novel microneedle platform for biomarker assessment of atopic dermatitis patients
Lee, K. H., Kim, J. D., Jeong, D. H., Kim, S. M., Park, C. O., & Lee, K. H. (2023) · Skin Research and Technology · doi:10.1111/srt.13413 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Self-citationEfficacy testing of cosmetic products*
Serup, J. V. (2001) · Skin Research and Technology · doi:10.1034/j.1600-0846.2001.70301.x · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Influence of retinoids on skin fibroblasts metabolism in vitro.
Jurzak, M., Latocha, M. T., Gojniczek, K., et al. (2008) · PubMed · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Yanagihara, S., Kobayashi, H., Tamiya, H., Tsuruta, D., Okano, Y., Takahashi, K., Masaki, H., Yamada, T., Hasegawa, S., Akamatsu, H., et al. (2013) · The Journal of Dermatology · doi:10.1111/1346-8138.12050 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Lee, J. H., Yoo, J. H., Oh, S. H., Lee, K.-Y., & Lee, K. H. (2010) · Yonsei Medical Journal · doi:10.3349/ymj.2010.51.3.438 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Self-citationSignificance of hair‐dye base‐induced sensory irritation
Fujita, F., Azuma, T., Tajiri, M., et al. (2010) · International Journal of Cosmetic Science · doi:10.1111/j.1468-2494.2009.00564.x · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Lei, B. U. W., Yamada, M., Hoang, V. L. T., et al. (2019) · Journal of Visualized Experiments · doi:10.3791/58614 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Lee, H., Kim, Y. J., & Oh, S. H. (2014) · Annals of Dermatology · doi:10.5021/ad.2014.26.6.764 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Efficacy of a fine fiber film applied with a water‐based lotion to improve dry skin
Gabe, Y., Uchiyama, M., Sasaoka, S., et al. (2022) · Skin Research and Technology · doi:10.1111/srt.13149 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Yamada, M., Melville, E. L., Cowin, A. J., et al. (2020) · Skin Research and Technology · doi:10.1111/srt.12971 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Min, D., Ahn, Y., Lee, H. K., et al. (2023) · Skin Research and Technology · doi:10.1111/srt.13354 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Lei, B. U. W., Yamada, M., Hoang, V. L. T., et al. (2019) · Journal of Visualized Experiments · doi:10.3791/58614-v · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Turner, E. O. (2022) · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology · doi:10.1111/jocd.15134 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Cosmeceuticals in photoaging: A review.
Chan, L. K. W., Lee, K. W. A., Lee, C. H., Lam, K. W. P., Lee, K. F. V., Wu, R., Wan, J., Shivananjappa, S., Sky, W. T. H., Choi, H., et al. (2024) · Skin Research and Technology · doi:10.1111/srt.13730 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
- Authors
- Kim, S. H., Kim, J. H., Choi, Y. M., Seo, S. M., Jang, E. Y., Lee, S. J., Cho, S., Jeong, D. H., & Lee, K. H.
- Affiliations
- Cutis Biomedical Research Center Co. Ltd. Seoul Republic of Korea
- Yonsei BB Skin Clinic Seoul Republic of Korea
- Raphas Co. Ltd. Seoul Republic of Korea
- Venue
- Skin Research and Technology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2024-03
- Volume
- 30
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- e13647-e13647
- ISSN
- 0909-752X (ISSN-L)
- 1600-0846
- PMC
- PMC10926177
- OpenAlex
- W4392660889
- Cited by
- 10
- References
- 58
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 3
- FWCI
- 1.74
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Skin Research and Technology (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Pharmaceutical Science › Advancements in Transdermal Drug Delivery
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Dermatologic Treatments and Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Skin Protection and Aging
- Keywords
- microneedles, skin sampling, skin aging, skin pigmentation, anti-aging cosmetics, skin biomarkers, PINK1, COL1A1, SOD1, vitamin D receptor, skin roughness, skin lightness, adverse skin reactions, microneedle patch, 3D skin imaging, spectrophotometry
- MeSH terms
- Cosmetics, Humans, Pigmentation Disorders, Skin, Skin Pigmentation, Biomarkers, Skin Aging
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
