Non-Invasive Imaging of Facial Erythema Treated with a Transdermal Delivery System
- 1Department of Basic Biomedical Science, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland
- 2Department of Practical Cosmetology and Skin Diagnostics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland
Abstract
(1) Background: Facial erythema is spatially heterogeneous and may fluctuate considerably, making objective assessment of treatment-related changes challenging. This study aimed to evaluate changes in facial erythema following a hydroporation-based transdermal delivery protocol using complementary instrumental and image-based methods. (2) Methods: Twenty-eight women with persistent facial erythema underwent six treatment sessions performed at weekly intervals. Erythema was assessed at baseline, after three treatments, and after completion of the treatment series using a Mexameter and standardized cross-polarized photography followed by Gray-Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM) texture analysis of the green image channel at 45° and 135° orientations. Representative high-frequency ultrasound images were acquired to illustrate fluid deposition within the dermis immediately after the infusion step. (3) Results: The median Mexameter erythema index decreased from 383.0 (IQR 362.5–418.5) at baseline to 297.0 (268.5–337.5) after three treatments and 270.0 (247.3–311.3) after six treatments, with significant differences between all time points (Holm-adjusted p < 0.001; r = 0.74–0.86). GLCM analysis demonstrated a significant decrease in contrast and an increase in homogeneity at both 45° and 135° orientations compared with baseline (Holm-adjusted p < 0.001; r = 0.74–0.83). No significant differences in either GLCM parameter were observed between the third and sixth treatments (p > 0.05). (4) Conclusions: The hydroporation-based transdermal delivery protocol was associated with a significant reduction in facial erythema. Mexameter and GLCM analysis provided complementary quantitative information on treatment response.
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BibTeX
@article{odrzywolek2026noninvasive,
title = {{Non-Invasive Imaging of Facial Erythema Treated with a Transdermal Delivery System}},
author = {Wiktoria Odrzywołek and Dagmara Kuca and Małgorzata Bożek and Anna Deda and Sławomir Wilczyński},
journal = {Journal of Clinical Medicine},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/jcm15218332},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/15/21/8332},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Non-Invasive Imaging of Facial Erythema Treated with a Transdermal Delivery System
AU - Wiktoria Odrzywołek
AU - Dagmara Kuca
AU - Małgorzata Bożek
AU - Anna Deda
AU - Sławomir Wilczyński
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/26
JO - Journal of Clinical Medicine
DO - 10.3390/jcm15218332
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/15/21/8332
AB - (1) Background: Facial erythema is spatially heterogeneous and may fluctuate considerably, making objective assessment of treatment-related changes challenging. This study aimed to evaluate changes in facial erythema following a hydroporation-based transdermal delivery protocol using complementary instrumental and image-based methods. (2) Methods: Twenty-eight women with persistent facial erythema underwent six treatment sessions performed at weekly intervals. Erythema was assessed at baseline, after three treatments, and after completion of the treatment series using a Mexameter and standardized cross-polarized photography followed by Gray-Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM) texture analysis of the green image channel at 45° and 135° orientations. Representative high-frequency ultrasound images were acquired to illustrate fluid deposition within the dermis immediately after the infusion step. (3) Results: The median Mexameter erythema index decreased from 383.0 (IQR 362.5–418.5) at baseline to 297.0 (268.5–337.5) after three treatments and 270.0 (247.3–311.3) after six treatments, with significant differences between all time points (Holm-adjusted p < 0.001; r = 0.74–0.86). GLCM analysis demonstrated a significant decrease in contrast and an increase in homogeneity at both 45° and 135° orientations compared with baseline (Holm-adjusted p < 0.001; r = 0.74–0.83). No significant differences in either GLCM parameter were observed between the third and sixth treatments (p > 0.05). (4) Conclusions: The hydroporation-based transdermal delivery protocol was associated with a significant reduction in facial erythema. Mexameter and GLCM analysis provided complementary quantitative information on treatment response.
SN - 2077-0383
ER -