Calcium filler shows promise for scarsCombined use of microfocused ultrasound and a calcium hydroxylapatite dermal filler for treating atrophic acne scars: A pilot study.
We explored the effectiveness of combining microfocused ultrasound with a calcium hydroxylapatite dermal filler for treating acne scars. This approach was evaluated in a group of healthy adults aged 35-55, who had moderate to severe facial scars from acne.
During the treatment, ultrasound was applied in a cross-hatch pattern to stimulate the skin, followed by injections of a diluted calcium hydroxylapatite filler mixed with lidocaine for comfort. The results were assessed 90 days later, focusing on changes in scar severity and overall satisfaction of the subjects.
The findings revealed significant improvement in acne scars, particularly in those with severe scarring. The majority of participants reported being satisfied with their results, and no adverse side effects were noted. While calcium hydroxylapatite alone was not isolated in this study, its combination with ultrasound showed promising results for reducing scar visibility.
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Calcium enhances sebum productionKrüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) facilitates lipid production in immortalized human sebocytes via regulating the expression of SREBP1.
We examined how calcium treatment influences sebum production, particularly in relation to acne. Sebocytes, the cells in our skin that produce oil, were treated with calcium, and we confirmed increased lipid production using well-established techniques. This response is important because excessive sebum is a key factor in acne development.
Our findings showed that calcium not only increased the overall sebum output but also stepped up the levels of several key regulators involved in the lipogenesis process. Notably, we observed that calcium treatment boosted the expression of proteins like SREBP1, which plays a crucial role in managing lipid levels in skin cells.
We also discovered that the transcription factor KLF4 was elevated with calcium treatment. This raised a fascinating question: could KLF4 be enhancing lipid production? To test this, we overexpressed KLF4 in sebocytes, and indeed found that it further stimulated the expression of lipid-producing proteins and increased overall lipid production.
In conclusion, our study sheds light on the significant role of calcium in sebum production and highlights KLF4 as a promising new regulator in this process. These insights may open doors for developing more effective acne treatments by targeting sebum production pathways.
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Calcium effective, no added HIFU benefitProspective and randomized comparative study of calcium hydroxylapatite vs calcium hydroxylapatite plus HIFU in treatment of moderate-to-severe acne scars.
We explored the effectiveness of calcium hydroxylapatite as a treatment for moderate to severe atrophic acne scars. In a carefully structured study, twenty women with noticeable acne scars were treated with calcium hydroxylapatite alone and also in combination with high-intensity microfocused ultrasound (HIFU).
Our assessments showed promising results. After just one month, those who received the calcium treatment noted an improvement in their skin texture and wrinkles when compared to those who received a placebo. By three and six months, every participant in the study reported an improvement in their acne scars.
However, it's important to highlight that while the calcium treatment was indeed effective, adding HIFU did not provide any additional benefits beyond the results seen from calcium alone. This suggests that while calcium hydroxylapatite stands out as a solid option for tackling acne scars, pairing it with HIFU doesn’t necessarily enhance its effectiveness.
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Calcium's role in acne treatmentIdentification and validation of amino acid-based mild exfoliating agents through a de novo screening method.
We explored how calcium may impact skin health, particularly in relation to acne. The study utilized an innovative screening method to identify effective exfoliating agents, focusing on amino acids like carnitine and serine. While the results highlighted these agents as effective in enhancing skin exfoliation, the study also noted the role of calcium.
However, it’s important to clarify that while calcium was mentioned, the study did not specifically isolate its effects on acne treatment. The agents tested showed effective results in improving the skin's turnover rate, hinting at potential benefits for various skin issues, including dullness and minor acne.
Ultimately, while the research signifies the promise of calcium in skincare, it stops short of stating it as a proven treatment for acne. For now, the focus remains on agents like carnitine and serine, which could support healthier skin through enhanced exfoliation.
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Calcium's role in acne exploredEffects of Extracellular Calcium and 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 on Sebaceous Gland Cells In vitro and In vivo.
We explored the role of extracellular calcium and 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) in the functioning of sebaceous glands, with a focus on their implications for acne treatment. In our study, we looked at how different concentrations of calcium affect the morphology, cell count, and lipid production of SZ95 sebocytes, both in controlled lab conditions and in clinical observations of acne patients.
Our findings revealed that when exposed to low levels of calcium, there was an increase in lipogenesis—this means the cells produced more lipids or oils. However, as we raised the extracellular calcium levels, we noted that the number of sebocytes increased, and their shape became more like epithelial cells, while lipid production decreased. Importantly, low calcium also led to a decrease in E-cadherin, a protein vital for cell adherence, which seemed to correlate with increased cell detachment and apoptosis, or cell death.
We also noted that 1,25(OH)2D3 appears to suppress oil production while simultaneously triggering autophagy, a process that helps cells clean out damaged components. In the clinical study involving acne patients, we observed no significant abnormalities in serum calcium levels, but younger patients had lower 1,25(OH)2D3 levels than older individuals.
This suggests that both calcium and vitamin D have a role in acne development, but there wasn't a clear, standalone benefit of calcium treatment for managing acne. Instead, the combination of increased calcium and decreased vitamin D might contribute to the problems seen in younger patients with acne. Overall, our research highlights the complex interplay between these nutrients and sebaceous gland function, offering important insights for potential acne therapies.
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