Dr. Kenshi Yamazaki, director of ALOOP CLINIC & LAB, received an Outstanding Presentation Award at the 44th Annual Meeting and Scientific Congress of the Japanese Society of Aesthetic Dermatology for a joint research presentation with Pola Chemical Industries, Inc.
The aim of this research is to capture the differences between individual spots (age spots and other pigmented spots) at the molecular level.
Outstanding Presentation Award for Molecular-Level Analysis of Spots
Dr. Kenshi Yamazaki, director of ALOOP CLINIC & LAB, which is operated by the Astronauts general incorporated association, is conducting research on the molecular-level analysis of spots together with Pola Chemical Industries, Inc., the company in charge of research, development and production for the POLA ORBIS Group.
This joint research was presented at the 44th Annual Meeting and Scientific Congress of the Japanese Society of Aesthetic Dermatology, where the presentation titled "Gene Expression Profiling of Pigmented Lesions Using Microbiopsy: Integrated Evaluation with Skin Measurements" was selected for the Outstanding Presentation Award.
The research analyzes the spots of actual patients using "microbiopsy," a technique that collects a very small amount of skin.
This makes it possible to capture, at the molecular level, the diverse characteristics of spots that are difficult to tell apart by appearance or skin measurements alone.
The key points of the award-winning research are as follows.
Using a previously developed technology that classifies the molecular mechanisms inside the skin for each type of spot, the researchers analyzed the spots of actual patients.
The results suggested that, in actual patients as well, differences between spots that are hard to capture by appearance or skin measurements can potentially be identified at the molecular level.
In the future, this is expected to help in choosing aesthetic treatments and skincare suited to the characteristics of each spot.
Toward New Insights into Spot Treatment and Skincare
Age-related spots are a familiar skin concern for many people, but even spots that look alike may respond differently to aesthetic treatments and skincare from person to person.
It is thought that multiple factors are involved behind this, such as the balance between melanin production and discharge.
To examine the condition inside the skin, this research project uses "microbiopsy," which collects a very small amount of skin while keeping the burden on the skin low, together with an analysis that comprehensively examines the state of genes working inside cells (gene expression analysis).
Through this, the project has captured the characteristics of spots at the molecular level and has shown that different classifications of characteristics exist for each spot.
In this presentation, it was reported that the team succeeded in capturing the differences between individual spots in the spots of actual patients who consented to take part in the research.
By evaluating gene expression inside the skin in detail, rather than relying only on measurements of the skin surface, the study showed the potential to improve the accuracy of future treatment and procedure selection and of progress evaluation.
Because microbiopsy places little burden on the skin, it is also possible to track changes in the molecular mechanisms inside the skin after skincare or treatment.
This is expected to deepen the understanding of the process by which skin improves, not just the causes of spots, and to lead to the development of more suitable aesthetic treatments and skincare.
Pola Chemical Industries, Inc. is the company in charge of research, development and production for the POLA ORBIS Group.
It works on developing new active ingredients and creating new value beyond the boundaries of cosmetics.
Pola Chemical Industries, Inc.
About ALOOP CLINIC & LAB
ALOOP CLINIC & LAB is an aesthetic dermatology clinic operated by the Astronauts general incorporated association.
It is located on the 4th floor of the Pola Ginza Building, 1-7-7 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, and offers aesthetic dermatology treatments not covered by insurance.
Hours are 11:00-20:00 on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and 10:00-18:00 on Tuesday and Thursday.
The clinic is open except during the year-end and New Year holidays and on irregular days off.
