Preliminary safety and efficacy of liquid-type polycaprolactone for neck rejuvenation in Asian adults in a prospective pilot study

@article{thongjaroensirikul2026preliminary,
  title = {{Preliminary safety and efficacy of liquid-type polycaprolactone for neck rejuvenation in Asian adults in a prospective pilot study}},
  author = {Panwadee Thongjaroensirikul and Thanya Techapichetvanich and Pitchaya Maneeprasopchoke and Ya-Nin Nokdhes and Panyapat Buranaporn and Teerapat Wannawittayapa and Woramate Bhorntarakcharoen and Sariya Sittiwanaruk and Puntarika Abhinoraseth and Pornsuk Yamlexnoi and Onjira Meethong and Rungsima Wanitphakdeedecha},
  journal = {Scientific Reports},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.1038/s41598-026-73937-2},
  url = {https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-73937-2},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}

TY  - JOUR
TI  - Preliminary safety and efficacy of liquid-type polycaprolactone for neck rejuvenation in Asian adults in a prospective pilot study
AU  - Panwadee Thongjaroensirikul
AU  - Thanya Techapichetvanich
AU  - Pitchaya Maneeprasopchoke
AU  - Ya-Nin Nokdhes
AU  - Panyapat Buranaporn
AU  - Teerapat Wannawittayapa
AU  - Woramate Bhorntarakcharoen
AU  - Sariya Sittiwanaruk
AU  - Puntarika Abhinoraseth
AU  - Pornsuk Yamlexnoi
AU  - Onjira Meethong
AU  - Rungsima Wanitphakdeedecha
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/01
JO  - Scientific Reports
DO  - 10.1038/s41598-026-73937-2
UR  - https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-73937-2
AB  - The neck is a challenging area for aesthetic rejuvenation due to its thin dermis and the risk of nodule formation associated with traditional particulate fillers. A novel, liquid-type polycaprolactone (PCL) offers a potential alternative by mitigating these risks. To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of liquid-type PCL for the treatment of horizontal neck lines in Asian patients. In this prospective, open-label, single-arm pilot study, 30 Asian subjects received three sessions of liquid-type PCL (GOURI; 210 mg/mL, 21% PCL) injections at one-month intervals using a subdermal cannula technique. All participants completed the treatment series; follow-up data were available for 29 participants at 1 month and 28 participants at both 3 and 6 months after completion of treatment. Objective biophysical parameters, including skin elasticity (Cutometer) and skin texture/wrinkle depth (Antera 3D), were assessed over a 6-month follow-up period. Subjective satisfaction and safety were also evaluated. Visual and quantitative assessments demonstrated measurable improvement in horizontal neck lines and skin quality over 6 months. In participant-level paired analyses, skin distensibility (R0) decreased from 0.214 ± 0.089 at baseline to 0.102 ± 0.091 at 6 months (mean change, −0.109; 95% CI, −0.152 to −0.066; standardized mean change [Cohen’s dz], −1.03; p < 0.001). Gross elasticity (R2) changed from 66.66 ± 15.72 to 38.16 ± 29.35 (mean change, −28.68; 95% CI, −40.70 to −16.67; dz, −0.93; p < 0.001). Skin roughness, volume of depression, and melanin index also decreased significantly. At 6 months, 85% of participants with available follow-up data reported ≥ 51% improvement. The treatment was generally well tolerated; one participant developed mild bruising that resolved spontaneously within 8 days. Liquid-type PCL may represent a safe and minimally invasive option for neck rejuvenation in appropriately selected patients. These pilot data suggest measurable improvement in neck skin texture, firmness-related parameters, and pigmentation; however, controlled studies with longer follow-up and blinded evaluation are required to confirm efficacy, durability, and optimal candidate selection.
SN  - 2045-2322
ER  -