Plasma Dermatology: Skin Therapy Using Cold Atmospheric Plasma

Fei Tan; Yang Wang; Shiqun Zhang; Runying Shui; Jianghan Chen

doi:10.3389/fonc.2022.918484

Plasma Dermatology: Skin Therapy Using Cold Atmospheric Plasma

Front Oncol. 2022 Jul 12:12:918484. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2022.918484. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Fei Tan^{1

2

3}, Yang Wang⁴, Shiqun Zhang⁵, Runying Shui⁶, Jianghan Chen⁷

Affiliations

¹ Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery (ORL-HNS), Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital, and School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
² The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.
³ The Royal College of Surgeons of England, London, United Kingdom.
⁴ Department of Pathology, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital, and School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
⁵ Department of Pharmacology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, and School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
⁶ Department of Surgery, Department of Dermatology, Huadong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
⁷ Department of Surgery, Department of Dermatology, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital, and School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.

Abstract

Cold atmospheric plasma-based plasma medicine has been expanding the diversity of its specialties. As an emerging branch, plasma dermatology takes advantage of the beneficial complexity of plasma constituents (e.g., reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, UV photons, and electromagnetic emission), technical versatility (e.g., direct irradiation and indirect aqueous treatment), and practical feasibility (e.g., hand-held compact device and clinician-friendly operation). The objective of this comprehensive review is to summarize recent advances in the CAP-dominated skin therapy by broadly covering three aspects. We start with plasma optimisation of intact skin, detailing the effect of CAP on skin lipids, cells, histology, and blood circulation. We then conduct a clinically oriented and thorough dissection of CAP treatment of various skin diseases, focusing on the wound healing, inflammatory disorders, infectious conditions, parasitic infestations, cutaneous malignancies, and alopecia. Finally, we conclude with a brief analysis on the safety aspect of CAP treatment and a proposal on how to mitigate the potential risks. This comprehensive review endeavors to serve as a mini textbook for clinical dermatologists and a practical manual for plasma biotechnologists. Our collective goal is to consolidate plasma dermatology's lead in modern personalized medicine.

Keywords: cold atmospheric plasma; dermatitis; dermatology; fungal infection; medicine; skin; skin cancer; wound healing.

Publication types

Review