A recent study published in Clinical, Cosmetic, and Investigational Dermatology evaluated the effectiveness of Polynucleotides HPT® for improving skin quality in Asian subjects.
The researchers’ goal was to assess its impact on:
- Skin tone evenness (pigmentation, erythema, colouration/discoularation)
- Skin surface evenness (pore size, crepiness, lines and wrinkles, acne scars, hair, clarity)
- Skin firmness (elasticity, tautness/tightness, hydration)
- Skin glow (radiance, luminosity, brightness, vibrancy)
They highlighted that skin quality compromised by ageing is defined by these four categories, irrespective of ethnicity, age group and gender.
Identifying the differences between Asian and Caucasian skin
The researchers noted that the ‘primary difference between Caucasian and Asian skin is in the melanocyte function: the differences in sun exposure habits and natural defence mechanisms against the effects of chronic sunlight exposure might explain the different clinical manifestations of photoaging in Caucasian and Asian skin’. They added that although the two ethnicities show similar basal trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) levels and ceramide levels upon mechanical challenge, in Asians, the skin barrier function appears weaker than in Caucasians with reduced subcutaneous natural moisturising factor levels.
Study design
Five independent physicians, coordinated by Dr Ting Song Lim, medical director at Clique Clinic, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia, carried out this investigator-initiated study.
The research was an open-label, non-comparative cohort study involving 30 Asian participants aged 25-67 years. The study assessed the effects of three Polynucleotides HPT® (developed by Mastelli) injections over six months on patients where ageing and dry skin, big pores, skin laxity, and acne scars were the main indications for treatment. Other treated conditions included rough texture, dyschromia, refractory melasma, and enlarged pores.
Participants received three injections at baseline, four weeks, and eight weeks. Follow-up assessments occurred at four and six months. Skin changes were measured using 3D QuantifiCare imaging and the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS), rated by investigators and patients. Investigators and participants were asked to report any adverse events to evaluate the procedure’s safety profile.
Results
The study demonstrated significant improvements across all four skin quality categories. At the six-month follow-up, 43% of participants reported being ‘very much improved’, while 56% were ‘satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ with their results.
Investigator GAIS scores revealed consistent enhancements in skin tone, surface, firmness, and glow from baseline to the six-month mark.
Most participants rated the treatment comfort as “Comfortable” or “Very Comfortable” at the sixth-month follow-up for both the cannula and needle injections.
The treatment was well-tolerated, with no severe adverse effects reported.
Conclusions
The researchers emphasised that treatment with a Polynucleotides HPT® intradermal device ‘led to a meaningful and statistically significant improvement of the skin surface, firmness, pigmentation, and radiance with complete safety, including the lack of late-onset adverse events’.
While they agreed that the six-month follow-up period and technologically advanced assessment tools (QuantifiCare and GAIS scales) were the study’s strong points, the non-randomised cohort design lacking a control group needs to be acknowledged. Future studies on Polynucleotides HPT® plan to overcome this.
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