Weekly Cosmetic Research Analysis
This week’s cosmetic-relevant literature emphasizes three areas: (1) high-quality clinical evidence for noninvasive or cosmetically favorable interventions (a registered RCT showing toluidine-blue photodynamic therapy achieves plaque control comparable to chlorhexidine/fluoride during orthodontics), (2) diagnostic and safety innovation driven by real-time clinical AI and next-generation non-animal risk assessment (AI-assisted LC-OCT markedly improves basal cell carcinoma detection; in vitro regr
Summary
This week’s cosmetic-relevant literature emphasizes three areas: (1) high-quality clinical evidence for noninvasive or cosmetically favorable interventions (a registered RCT showing toluidine-blue photodynamic therapy achieves plaque control comparable to chlorhexidine/fluoride during orthodontics), (2) diagnostic and safety innovation driven by real-time clinical AI and next-generation non-animal risk assessment (AI-assisted LC-OCT markedly improves basal cell carcinoma detection; in vitro regression models enable NAM-derived NESILs for skin sensitization), and (3) methodological advances for reproducible product testing and ethics in aesthetic practice. Together these studies could shift practice: broaden adoption of noninvasive diagnostics with AI, support non-animal safety limits for formulators, and expand nonchemical preventive options in aesthetic/dental care.
Selected Articles
1. The influence of photodynamic therapy on the supragingival plaque accumulation and bacterial composition in orthodontic patients: a randomized controlled trial.
In a registered, single-blind, four-arm randomized trial (n=48, 40 analyzed; 18-week follow-up), toluidine-blue 660 nm photodynamic therapy (PDT) reduced plaque indices comparably to 1% chlorhexidine varnish and 5% NaF varnish and lowered total supragingival bacterial counts. No new white-spot lesions occurred in the PDT or chlorhexidine groups and no harms were reported, supporting PDT as a viable nonchemical option for plaque control during fixed orthodontic treatment.
Impact: Highest-scoring clinical paper this week (design-weighted): a prospectively registered RCT showing a nonchemical, well-tolerated intervention that preserves cosmetic outcomes (no WSLs) — directly actionable for orthodontic and cosmetic practice.
Clinical Implications: Clinicians may consider implementing protocolized toluidine-blue PDT at bonding and at 6–12 week intervals to reduce plaque and prevent white-spot lesions as an alternative to chlorhexidine, avoiding associated staining and taste issues.
Key Findings
- PDT and chlorhexidine groups had significantly lower plaque indices than control at 12 and 18 weeks.
- Total supragingival bacterial counts decreased significantly in PDT, CHX, and TCP-5% NaF groups.
- No new white spot lesions observed in PDT or CHX groups; no harms reported.
2. AI-assisted basal cell carcinoma diagnosis with LC-OCT: A multicentric retrospective study.
A multicenter retrospective reader study (200 lesions, 43 dermatologists) demonstrated that real-time AI assistance with LC-OCT increased BCC diagnostic sensitivity by +25.8 points and specificity by +16.8 points compared with clinical and dermoscopic images. Benefits were greatest among less-experienced LC-OCT users, effectively bridging an approximate two-year experience gap and suggesting broader clinical adoption could reduce invasive biopsies.
Impact: First reported real-time AI assistant across dermatologic imaging modalities that substantially improves noninvasive 'digital biopsy' performance — high potential to change diagnostic workflows in cosmetic-sensitive areas.
Clinical Implications: AI-augmented LC-OCT could reduce unnecessary biopsies, accelerate diagnosis, and improve margin assessment for BCC — especially valuable in centers with limited LC-OCT expertise and for cosmetically sensitive lesions.
Key Findings
- Real-time AI-assisted LC-OCT increased sensitivity by +25.8 points and specificity by +16.8 points versus clinical and dermoscopic images.
- LC-OCT outperformed traditional imaging for diagnosing equivocal BCC lesions.
- AI benefits were larger among less-experienced users, bridging an ~2-year expertise gap.
3. Quantitative next generation risk assessment for skin sensitization - application of regression models based on in vitro data to estimate point of departure.
This methods paper presents an NGRA framework that integrates OECD TG 497 in vitro assays with regression models to derive quantitative points of departure (NAM-NESIL) for skin sensitizers, enabling QRA2 without animal data. Case studies applying the approach produced AEL/CEL ratios consistent with historical human-derived NESILs, supporting regulatory applicability for cosmetic ingredient safety limits.
Impact: Provides a practical, quantitative, non-animal pathway to set safe-use levels for cosmetic sensitizers (direct regulatory and formulation relevance), likely to accelerate adoption of NAMs in safety assessment.
Clinical Implications: Dermatologists, safety assessors, and formulators can reference NAM-derived NESILs in product evaluation and patient counseling, improving safety decisions for consumers at risk of contact dermatitis.
Key Findings
- Introduces an NGRA workflow combining OECD TG 497 in vitro hazard assessment with regression models to derive PoDs (NAM-NESIL).
- Applied to two sensitizers to calculate product-specific AELs and AEL/CEL ratios, showing concordance with historical human NESILs.
- Demonstrates potential to reduce reliance on in vivo data for cosmetic safety PoD derivation.