Across 12 included studies, RFMN consistently improved Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) or modified MASI scores and melanin indices, with effects maintained up to 6 months. Histological evidence demonstrated reductions in dermal senescence markers and partial restoration of basement-membrane integrity. RFMN also showed a favorable safety profile, with a low incidence of PIH in darker phototypes.
Relevant if you're working with salicylic acid for hyperpigmentation.
If you're targeting hyperpigmentation, this research supports adding salicylic_acid to your AM/PM routine. Timeline to expect: 6 months based on study duration.
Translated from this study's findings, not a personal prescription. Pair with your existing protocol and your practitioner's guidance.
1. Aesthet Surg J Open Forum. 2026 Apr 25;8:ojag075. doi: 10.1093/asjof/ojag075. eCollection 2026. The Efficacy and Safety of Radiofrequency Microneedling for Melasma: A Systematic Review and Qualitative Evidence Synthesis. Kumar N, Lin S, Luthra A, Patel T, Bhatia AC.
1. Aesthet Surg J Open Forum. 2026 Apr 25;8:ojag075. doi: 10.1093/asjof/ojag075. eCollection 2026. The Efficacy and Safety of Radiofrequency Microneedling for Melasma: A Systematic Review and Qualitative Evidence Synthesis. Kumar N, Lin S, Luthra A, Patel T, Bhatia AC. Melasma is a chronic, relapsing hyperpigmentation disorder that is difficult to treat, particularly in Fitzpatrick skin types III-V, where energy-based devices frequently induce postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). Radiofrequency microneedling (RFMN) has emerged as a promising alternative because it targets dermal pathology while minimizing epidermal injury. Systematically evaluate the efficacy, safety, and mechanistic rationale of RFMN for melasma. A PRISMA 2020 compliant search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, and LILACS (2014-2025) identified clinical studies evaluating RFMN alone or in combination therapies. Risk of bias was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute tools. Owing to clinical and methodological heterogeneity, a qualitative synthesis was performed. Across 12 included studies, RFMN consistently improved Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) or modified MASI scores and melanin indices, with effects maintained up to 6 months. Histological evidence demonstrated reductions in dermal senescence markers and partial restoration of basement-membrane integrity. RFMN also showed a favorable safety profile, with a low incidence of PIH in darker phototypes. Combination treatment, particularly with low-fluence Q-switched Nd:YAG laser produced greater pigment reduction than monotherapy. RFMN is an effective and safe modality for melasma, offering advantages over pigment-directed lasers by addressing dermal mechanisms and limiting PIH risk. It may serve as a first-line energy-based therapy. Level of Evidence:3 (Therapeutic) For image description, please refer to the figure legend and surrounding text. © The Author(s) 2026. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Aesthetic Society. DOI: 10.1093/asjof/ojag075 PMCID: PMC13240677 PMID: 42253423
Original source →Friedreich's ataxia is a rare, chronic, progressive, neurodegenerative condition affecting multiple organ systems, including neurological, musculoskeletal, cardiac, and endocrine systems, and is marked by low cardiopulmonary fitness. We tested the effect of exercise and NAD+ precursor supplementation with nicotinamide riboside, which have each shown benefits in animal and early clinical studies, on cardiopulmonary fitness in individuals with Friedreich's ataxia. This 12-week, outpatient, phase 2, single-site (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA), randomised, 2 × 2 factorial clinical trial recruited individuals aged 10-40 years with an ejection fraction of 45% or greater who were able to exercise.
Wounds continue to represent a significant public health challenge globally. In recent years, Astragalus mongholicus Bunge, a traditional Chinese botanical drug utilized for wound treatment, has garnered increasing research attention. However, the therapeutic efficacy and safety of this natural botanical drug on wound healing remain poorly understood.
Recent preclinical studies have shown that nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) plays a critical role in molecular mechanisms of axon degeneration, and reductions in NAD+ levels are associated with axonal degeneration. Nicotinamide riboside (NR) is a safe and widely available pyridine-nucleoside form of vitamin B3 and is an NAD+ precursor. To investigate if oral supplementation of synthetic NR can act as a therapeutic agent to prevent degeneration of small somatic sensory axons innervating the skin or promote regeneration of these same fibers in humans, we utilized a validated experimental model of cutaneous nerve degeneration and regeneration and conducted a placebo-controlled, double-blinded Phase 2 study.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Individual results vary. Consult a qualified dermatologist or healthcare professional for medical concerns. Full disclaimer →