Medical/biological study (experimental study)

The effects of radiofrequency on skin: Experimental study med./bio.

By: Alvarez N, Ortiz L, Vicente V, Alcaraz M, Sanchez-Pedreno P

Published in: Lasers Surg Med 2008; 40 (2): 76-82

Aim of study (acc. to author)

This study should investigate whether the exposure to radiofrequency can evoke changes in the skin of guinea pigs.

Background/further details

Eighteen tricolour guinea pigs (nine males and nine females) were used, six in the control group and 12 in the exposure group. The animals were shaved before exposure. Punch biopsies of the skin were taken within 48 to 72 hours following each session, and 2 months following the final treatment.

Endpoint

morphol./histopathol. changes: effects on the skin

Exposure

- RF
- PW pulsed wave

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 4–8 MHz Modulation type: pulsed Exposure duration: repeated exposure, 6 min/week, for 6 weeks	-

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	4–8 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	repeated exposure, 6 min/week, for 6 weeks
Additional info	"interwoven bipolar RF waves from 4 to 8 MHz"

Modulation

Modulation type	pulsed
Pulse width	3 ms

Exposure setup

Exposure source	Thermafine Lift device
Setup	A 1-cm² tip was used, including an air-cooling system. The applicator was moved across the shaved skin until the surface temperature of the treated area (taken with an RS Mini IR LASER Thermometer) rose by 3 to 5°C.

Parameters

No parameters are specified for this exposure.

Additional parameter details

The device was set to 80 J/cm².

Exposed system:

animal
guinea pig

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

morphol./histopathol. changes: thickness, intercellular substance (collagen, mucopolysaccharides, elastic fibres content), cellularity: amongst others Haematoxylin-Eosin, Toluidine blue staining: light microscopy)
clinial skin aspects (erythema, oedema); skin temperature

Investigated system:

tissue slices
investigation on living organism

Investigated organ system:

skin

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

A slight erythema accompanied by an increase in local temperature (between 3 and 5 °C) was found after each exposure. The most relevant changes were seen in the papillary region of the dermis which underwent an expansion due to oedema and congestion in the first half of the experiment. An increase in cellularity and the accumulation of intercellular substance followed. Likewise, the content of collagen, elastic fibres and mucopolysaccharides increased.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study
blind study

Study funded by

Grupo Solilaser, Spain

Ceyhan AM et al. (2012): Protective effects of beta-glucan against oxidative injury induced by 2.45-GHz electromagnetic radiation in the skin tissue of rats
Sanchez S et al. (2008): Effect of GSM-900 and -1800 signals on the skin of hairless rats. III: Expression of heat shock proteins
Johansson A et al. (2008): No effect of mobile phone-like RF exposure on patients with atopic dermatitis
Karinen A et al. (2008): Mobile phone radiation might alter protein expression in human skin
Sanchez S et al. (2007): In Vitro Study of the Stress Response of Human Skin Cells to GSM-1800 Mobile Phone Signals Compared to UVB Radiation and Heat Shock
Masuda H et al. (2006): Effect of GSM-900 and -1800 signals on the skin of hairless rats. I: 2-hour acute exposures
Sanchez S et al. (2006): Human skin cell stress response to GSM-900 mobile phone signals. In vitro study on isolated primary cells and reconstructed epidermis