A novel optical coherence tomography‐based in vitro method of anti‐aging skin analysis using 3D skin wrinkle mimics

Abstract

Background Wrinkles represent a characteristic symptom of skin aging. In recent years, various studies have focused on their prevention and/or cure. However, clinical tests are still the only method available to directly detect and evaluate the anti‐wrinkle efficacy of various substances. Moreover, no in vitro strategy for such anti‐aging skin analysis has been reported. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to develop a novel technology to overcome these limitations. Materials and methods Full‐thickness (FT) skin wrinkle mimics with various widths and depths were fabricated using a collagen stamping method. These were analyzed and compared using 2D and 3D Swept Source‐Optical Coherence Tomography (SS‐OCT) imaging technologies. Results SS‐OCT demonstrated superficial and cross‐sectional images of the wrinkle mimics, and the size of the wrinkles was validated using image analysis. Retinoic acid treatment significantly decreased both the depth and width of wrinkles formed in the FT skin wrinkle mimics. Conclusions Using 3D tissue engineering and SS‐OCT imaging technologies, we developed a novel in vitro technique that can directly detect skin wrinkles. This significantly efficient method could lead to an alternative strategy for animal experiments and preclinical anti‐aging research on the skin.

Microneedles: A novel clinical technology for evaluating skin characteristics

“… 27 For wrinkle evaluation, methods that indirectly measure the depth of wrinkles by manufacturing a replica at the 2D level, or those that measure the actual skin depth at the 3D level using fringe projection, are used. 28 , 29 , 30 However, other than these methods, it is difficult to accurately evaluate the dermis without using biopsy. Non‐invasive tape stripping has emerged as an alternative method for evaluation because biopsy is invasive and can cause scars; however, it has been reported that the tape stripping method is ineffective in reflecting changes in the dermis, the skin layer in which most molecular biological reactions of skin aging occur, because the collection area of the sample is limited to the epidermis.…”