Mechanical dermal micro-coring is a safe and effective option for improving skin laxity, texture, and wrinkles on the neck, based on new data appearing at the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS) 43^rd Annual Conference on Energy-based Medicine and Science in Baltimore.

While mechanical dermal micro-coring is approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of moderate-to-sever wrinkles on the midface and lower face, its use in the neck area has not been studied, according to an abstract presented by Mary Beth Mudd, MD, of New You Center for Advanced Medical Aesthetics in Columbus, Ohio, at the meeting.

The study researchers conducted the off-label study to assess the effects of a single treatment with micro-coring technology (MCT) on skin laxity, texture, and wrinkles in tissues of the neck. Two independent reviewers assessed the results based on 3 months of standardized follow-up photos; patient experience, safety, and down time also were assessed. All study participants were women, with a mean age of 64 years, and most were Fitzpatrick Skin Type II or III (two patients were FST IV). Each patient received one neck treatment with 5% density, and two were partially treated with 7% density.

Overall, 77% of patients saw mild or moderate improvement in skin texture, 18% saw no improvement, and 1 patient had an excellent result, according to the abstract. Approximately two-thirds (65%) of patients saw mild or moderate improvement in skin laxity, and 35% saw no improvement. Similarly, 72% of patients saw mild or moderate improvement in neck wrinkles/necklace lines, while 29% saw no improvement. Neck MCT was more difficult to perform than facial MCT, in part because of the more challenging neck anatomy, according to the researchers. However, the treated neck areas seemed to heal more quickly than treated facial areas, she said.

Patient satisfaction was high, and a majority said they would consider a second treatment.  The perceived visual and photographic improvement following MCT correlated to pre-procedural skin laxity and textural irregularities.

“While MCT is FDA-approved for use on the mid and lower face, this study shows MCT can be used safely and effectively on the neck to improve skin laxity, texture, and wrinkles,” they team concluded in their abstract. “Further study is needed to determine the optimal number of treatments for best results and to determine which patients are ideal candidates for this minimally invasive procedure as opposed to surgical referral to achieve best results. It will also be interesting whether MCT should be used alone or in combination with energy-based treatments to achieve more dramatic results in patients with more clinically significant laxity and textural concerns.”

The findings were limited by the open-label design and small sample size, and more research is needed to determine the optimal number of treatments for best results and to identify the patients most likely to benefit as an alternative to surgical referral.

Disclosures: None.

Source: Mudd M, et al. EVALUATION OF A SINGLE TREATMENT OF MECHANICAL DERMAL MICRO-CORING FOR SKIN LAXITY, TEXTURE, AND WRINKLES OF THE NECK. Presented at: American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery 43^rd Annual Conference on Energy-based Medicine and Science. April 11-14, 2024; Baltimore.