Remodeling, fibrogenesis, and proliferative activity processes and possible pathways for their activation in the skin after monopolar RF lifting and injections of a polylactic acid-based preparation

Objective: Comparative assessment of skin biopsies (20 patients) after injections of PDLLA-based preparations and monopolar RF lifting and evaluation of morphofunctional changes in the epidermis and dermis, characterizing the processes of cell proliferation, fibrogenesis, and tissue remodeling.

Results: Combined use of monopolar RF lifting and polylactic acid (PDLLA) without a delay, compared to hardware therapy administered 7 days after injection therapy, demonstrated increased local tissue reactions and structural changes in the epidermis and dermis, increased fibrogenesis due to collagenogenesis and elastogenesis, and increased proliferative processes without disrupting the integrity of the basement membrane, accompanied by increased expression of the chaperone protein HSP70 in surrounding tissues. These changes were less pronounced in almost all studied parameters when combined with injection therapy and hardware therapy with a 7-day delay.

Conclusion: The combined use of monopolar RF lifting and PDLLA injection therapy, compared to hardware therapy alone without injection, also demonstrated activation of the studied parameters, with the exception of no difference in the course of proliferative processes and elastogenesis, reaching the levels determined for the group with the combined use of PDLLA and RF lifting without delaying the latter. This may indicate a high degree of activation of proliferative processes and elastogenesis in both study groups.