Fractional laser shown to modify epigenetic markers of skin ageing

A study published in Scientific Reports (Nature Portfolio) has shown that a 1,940 nm non-ablative fractional laser (Nordlys^®, Candela) induces sustained changes in DNA methylation, an epigenetic marker associated with skin ageing. Conducted in 22 adults using a split-face study design, the research analysed more than 3.8 million CpG sites per sample over a nine-month period. The authors report a reversal of age-associated methylation patterns at 83.9% of the most responsive sites. In total, 635 differentially methylated regions were identified one month after treatment, with these changes still evident six months later. The study also reported a median 38% reduction in brown spots one month after treatment.

The researchers also observed modulation of biological pathways involved in epidermal differentiation, collagen organisation, skin barrier function and several genes associated with keratinocyte carcinomas. These findings suggest that the biological effects of non-ablative fractional lasers may extend beyond tissue remodelling alone. However, the results will need to be confirmed in larger clinical studies.