Efficacy of a home‐used high‐intensity focused ultrasound device on wrinkle reduction

BACKGROUND: High‐intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) has been developed for the treatment of skin wrinkles on the face, neck, and body. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a home‐used HIFU device on wrinkles in mice based on the expression of fibrosis‐related genes and proteins. METHODS: The backs of 20‐week‐old mice were treated with a home‐used HIFU using the following probes: 4 MHz, 1.5 mm focal depth. The treated mice were compared with young mice by histological examination, real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and immunohistochemistry. Histological examination was performed by trichrome staining. Real‐time PCR and immunohistochemistry were conducted to determine the expression of collagen types I and III, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐1, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)‐1. RESULTS: Dermal thickness was increased after treatment with the home‐used HIFU device at 30 and 60 s per day for 1 week or 30 and 60 s per day for 2 weeks on trichrome. Gene and protein expression of collagen types I and III and elastin were increased after treatment with HIFU at all options of 30 and 60 s per day for 1 week or 30 and 60 s per day for 2 weeks. Gene and protein expressions of MMP‐1 and TIMP‐1 were decreased after treatment with HIFU device at 30 and 60 s per day for 1 week or 30 and 60 s per day for 2 weeks. CONCLUSION: The home‐used HIFU device can be an effective therapeutic modality for skin tightening.