A Pilot Clinical Study of a Biomimetic Suction Patch for Improving Wrinkles, Elasticity, Hydration, and Pigmentation via Enhanced Topical Delivery

BACKGROUNDSuction-based bioinspired patches have emerged as noninvasive platforms for enhancing topical delivery; however, clinical validation of their multidimensional skin benefits remains limited.

AIMSThis pilot study evaluated the clinical efficacy of a biomimetic suction-type microstructured patch combined with a cosmetic ampule for improving wrinkles, elasticity, hydration, and pigmentation.

PATIENTS/METHODSTen healthy female subjects (aged 31–63 years) participated in a 4-week split-face study. The test side received both ampule and suction-type patch application, while the control side received ampule alone. Wrinkle depth was assessed using Antera 3D, elasticity using Ballistometer (CoR), hydration using Epsilon E100, and pigmentation using DermaVision imaging. Measurements were performed at baseline, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks under controlled environmental conditions.

RESULTSAfter 2 weeks, the test side showed significant improvements in wrinkle depth (−10.74% vs. −6.27%), elasticity (+4.11% vs. +2.03%), and hydration (+28.63% vs. +11.24%) compared with control. After 4 weeks, pigmentation decreased by 15.77% in the test group versus 4.99% in control. Intergroup differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). No adverse events were observed.

CONCLUSIONSThe suction-type biomimetic patch significantly enhanced multiple skin parameters compared with ampule application alone. These findings support the potential of structure-mediated, noninvasive suction interfaces as delivery-enhancing platforms in cosmetic dermatology.

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