Argon- and nitrogen-plasma pulses decrease facial sebum excretion in oily human skin by regulating lipogenesis and proliferation in human sebocytes

Although several energy devices targeting sebaceous glands have been developed, an effective and safe therapeutic tool for hyperseborrhea is needed. Non-thermal atmospheric-pressure plasma (NTAPP) induces microscopic tissue reactions in sebaceous glands of rat skin in vivo. Fifteen healthy volunteers with oily facial skin underwent three sessions of argon- and nitrogen-NTAPP treatment. The casual sebum level, sebum excretion rate, porphyrin index, and histological analysis were evaluated. Argon- and nitrogen-NTAPP pulses were applied to testosterone and linoleic acid (T/LA)-treated human SZ95 sebocytes. Lipids were assessed using BODIPY and quantitative Nile red staining. Proliferation and differentiation markers were assessed. Argon- and nitrogen-NTAPP pulses suppressed casual sebum levels and sebum excretion rates in the skin, at week 4. The porphyrin index revealed a 38% reduction at week 2. Skin biopsy samples showed no obvious thermal coagulation, but the number of Ki67+ cells in the sebaceous glands decreased at week 2. Argon- and nitrogen-NTAPP inhibited T/LA-induced increases in lipid synthesis, Ki67+ cells, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-ɣ transcription in human sebocytes without apoptosis. Argon- and nitrogen-NTAPP therapy is a safe and effective method for reducing sebum excretion in oily human skin and inhibits lipogenesis and cell proliferation in human sebocytes.