New approach to wrinkles could replace Botox

The non-invasive technique combines high-intensity light from light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and a lotion made of green tea extract. It works 10 times faster than a similar anti-wrinkle treatment that uses LEDs alone, the researchers say.

Andrei P Sommer and Dan Zhu point out that researchers have used light-therapy, or
phototherapy, for more than 40 years to help heal wounds. Recently, scientists showed that use of high-intensity LEDs, similar to those used in automotive tail lights and computers, could help reduce skin wrinkles when applied daily for several months.

But exposure to intense LED light is also involved in generating high levels of reactive oxygen species as byproducts that can potentially damage cells. To combat that effect, the researchers combined the LED with a potent antioxidant in green tea extract called epigallocatechin gallate.

The combination treatment resulted in smoother skin, including "less pronounced wrinkle levels, shorter wrinkle valleys, and juvenile complexion", the scientists say. The treatment showed promising results in only a tenth of the time it took for LED therapy alone to reduce wrinkles.

The study could form the basis of "an effective facial rejuvenation programme", and lead to a new understanding of the effect of reactive oxygen species on cellular ageing, they note.
Their study is scheduled to be published in the Oct 7 issue of ACS' Crystal Growth & Design, a bi-monthly journal.