Clinical, histological, and immunohistochemical evaluation of facial skin remodeling induced by mesotherapy

Background: The clinical consequences of chronic exposure to ultraviolet radiation on the skin include wrinkling, pigmentary changes, roughness, laxity, and telangiectasia, which result in the appearance of aging skin. Facial rejuvenation attributed to mesotherapy is a controversial issue that needs further clarification. Objective: To evaluate skin remodeling induced by mesotherapy in photodamaged skin through clinical, histological, and immunohistochemical assessment. Patients and methods: Ten volunteers with Fitzpatrick skin type III–IV and Glogau’s class I–II wrinkles with early to moderate photodamaged skin underwent 3 months (six sessions at 2-week intervals) of mesotherapy facial treatment. All patients were subjected to standard photographs and skin biopsies. Clinical, histological, and immunohistochemical evaluations were performed at baseline and at the end of the study (2 weeks after the last session). Results: Global improvement in photodamaged skin was observed. There was significant reduction in fine lines, coarse wrinkles, and uneven pigmentation (43%, P= 0.008; 10%, P= 0.05; and 15%, P= 0.014, respectively); an overall change in skin tone was detected (P= 0.059). The dermis showed a highly significant decrease in degenerated and disorganized collagen fibers (P= 0.034) and dermal elastosis (P= 0.011). There was a highly significant reduction in dermal immunostaining of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (P = 0.006) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (P =0.004). Conclusion: Mesotherapy might be an effective form of treatment for facial rejuvenation as probably has a role in interfering with the underlying inflammatory processes participating in photoaged skin.