Research shows that the Nordlys 1940 nm laser remodels DNA methylation associated with skin aging and may influence genes associated with skin cancer.
A new peer-reviewed study suggests the Candela Nordlys 1940 nm non-ablative fractional laser modulates the skin’s epigenetic signature. According to the research published in Scientific Reports, the treatment reverses age-associated DNA methylation at the majority of responsive sites, suggesting a biological age reversal at the molecular level.
The research was conducted by the Candela Institute for Excellence and Mitra Bio. In a split-face study involving 22 adults, researchers analyzed more than 3.8 million cytosine-phosphate-guanine sites per sample over a nine-month period. The study found that at 83.9% of the sites most strongly associated with skin aging, the laser treatment shifted DNA methylation. These epigenetic changes were progressive and durable, appearing one month after the treatment series and stabilizing at the six-month mark.
“This study is an important first step toward understanding the biology beneath what we observe in the clinic,” says Konika Patel Schallen, MD, lead author and senior vice president of global clinical operations at Candela, in a release. “Physicians have seen that Nordlys treatments do more than improve the skin’s appearance, and until now, we could not fully explain why. For the first time, we have evidence of the molecular mechanism behind why skin is healthier and appears more youthful. Importantly, it also points to a molecular link to skin cancer biology and supports prior studies that link to lower keratinocyte-carcinoma risk.”
The molecular shifts observed in the study corresponded with visible clinical improvements. Using quantitative VISIA imaging, researchers found that brown-spot counts on the treated side of the face decreased by a median of 38% at one month post-treatment. This reduction was significantly greater than on the untreated side. The study also noted improvements in skin texture and overall pigmentation, which were linked to gene expression pathways for collagen regeneration, epidermal differentiation, and skin barrier integrity.
“Epigenetic patterns are among the most reliable molecular markers for measuring aging,” says Cristiana Banila, chief scientific officer and co-founder of Mitra Bio, in a release. “By profiling more than 3.8 million sites across the genome, we found that the changes were not only directional, opposing the patterns we associate with aging, but also durable and strengthening over months.”
The research further identified a molecular link to skin cancer biology. The laser was found to modulate DNA methylation at specific loci, including FGFR3, HOXB4, UBE2I, and PPP1R18/PPP1R26. These genes are associated with the pathogenesis of basal and squamous cell skin cancers.
“For decades, the industry has measured treatment success by the visible treatment impact,” says Geoff Crouse, CEO of Candela, in a release. “This research quantifies visible improvements and demonstrates the impact of the Nordlys system on skin biology. We are proud Candela continues to lead the conversation beyond the cosmetic realm and into regenerative medicine, skin health, and longevity.”
ID 105692065 © Dmitry Kotin | Dreamstime.com
