Acne, a scourge of adolescence, might be going to meet its ultra high-tech match. By using a mixture of ultrasound, gold-covered particles and lasers, researchers from UC Santa Barbara and also the private medical device company Sebacia allow us a targeted therapy that could potentially lessen the frequency and intensity of breakouts, relieving acne sufferers the discomfort and stress of coping with severe and recurring pimples.
The particles are delivered into the gland through the ultrasound and are heated by the laser. (Credit: Peter Allen Illustration)
“Through this unique collaboration, we’ve essentially established the foundation of a novel therapy,” said Samir Mitragotri, professor of chemical engineering at UCSB.
Pimples form when follicles get blocked by sebum, an oily, waxy substance secreted by skin oil glands located adjacent to the follicle. Excretion of sebum is really a natural process and processes to lubricate and waterproof your skin. Occasionally, however, the openings of the follicles (pores) get blocked, typically by bits of hair, skin, dirt or other debris mixed in using the sebum. Overproduction of sebum is another problem, which may be caused by hormones or medications. Alterations in your skin, for example its thickening during puberty, may also contribute to follicle blockage. Whatever the cause, the accumulating sebum harbors bacteria, which leads to the inflammation and native infection that people call acne.
The new technology develops Mitragotri’s specialties in targeted therapy and transdermal drug delivery. Using low-frequency ultrasound, the therapy pushes gold-coated silica particles with the follicle in to the sebaceous glands. Postdoctoral research associate Byeong Hee Hwang, now a helper professor at Incheon National University, conducted research at UCSB.
“The initial aspect of these particles is the fact that whenever you shine a laser on them, they efficiently convert light into heat using a process called surface plasmon resonance,” said Mitragotri. This also marks the first time ultrasound, which has been proved for a long time to provide drugs with the skin, has been utilized to deliver the particles into humans.
These silica and gold particles are exceedingly tiny about a hundredth of the width of the real hair but they are answer to the therapy. When the particles are deposited in the target areas, lasers are targeted at them and, because the gold shells are made specifically to interact with the near-infrared wavelengths from the lasers, the light becomes heat. The heated particles essentially cause deactivation from the sebaceous glands. The sebum, pore-blocking substances and particles are excreted normally.
“Should you deactivate these overproducing glands, you’re basically treating the main cause of the acne,” said Mitragotri.
According to the research, which is published within the?Journal of Controlled Release, this protocol might have several benefits over conventional treatments. Called selective photothermolysis, the technique doesn’t irritate or dry the skin’s surface. In addition, it poses no risk of resistance or long-term side effects that may occur with antibiotics or any other systemic treatments.
“It’s highly local but highly potent as well,” Mitragotri said of the treatment. “I think this is beneficial in addressing the concerns regarding other, conventional treatments.” Based on Mitragotri, this photothermolysis method is particularly suited to patients with advanced, severe or difficult-to-treat acne. The study has gone from concept to numerous studies in a relatively almost no time. However, other more long-term aspects of this therapy have yet to be studied, like the extent of follicular damage, if any; exactly what the most effective and beneficial parameters of the treatment may be; and just what contraindications exist.
