Greater Collagen Deposition with the Microneedle Therapy System Than with Intense Pulsed Light

BACKGROUND Intense pulsed light (IPL) and the microneedle therapy system (MTS) are currently available for the treatment of scars. Greater collagen deposition has been proposed as a mechanism for the treatment of scars. OBJECTIVE To compare the effects of IPL and MTS on collagen deposition. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty-four imprinting control region mice were divided into three groups: untreated controls, treatment with IPL, and treatment with MTS. A single pass of IPL 10.5 J/cm2 and five passes (total 15 strokes) of MTS were performed three times every 2 weeks. Four weeks after the last treatment, skin thickness measurements using a caliper, microscopic examination, Western blot analysis for type I collagen, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for total collagen content were performed. RESULTS Measured using calipers, MTS, resulted in greater skin thickness than IPL that paralleled the dermal thickness of the biopsied specimens. MTS also increased expression levels of type I collagen and total collagen content more than IPL. IPL effects were superior to control. CONCLUSION MTS increased collagen deposition more than IPL, and MTS might be more effective than IPL for scar treatment. The authors have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters.