Sonophoresis: The New Needleless Delivery System in Aesthetics
Transdermal delivery of therapeutic agents is often limited by the skin’s barrier function, namely the stratum corneum. The stratum corneum is the protective barrier of the body. It repels harmful bacteria and other pathogens. Think of it as the moat around the castle. Sonophoresis uses ultrasound energy to overcome this barrier. At the molecular level, sonophoresis temporarily disrupts the stratum corneum and increases skin permeability through cavitation, acoustic streaming and thermal effects. This energy overcomes the barrier limitation and molecules can then be delivered to lower layers of the skin, even large molecules such as platelet rich plasma, peptides, growth factors and exosomes. Originally used in physical therapy, sonophoresis has gained attention for aesthetic and dermatological applications since penetration of compounds is utilized without needles.
Mechanism of Sonophoresis
The primary mechanisms through which sonophoresis increases skin permeability include:
- Cavitation: Ultrasound waves of energy generate microbubbles in intracellular lipids, causing then to oscillate and subsequently collapse. This disrupts lipid layers and enhances diffusion pathways.
- Acoustic Streaming: This unidirectional movement of fluid induced by ultrasound can increase the transport of molecules through microchannels caused by cavitation.
- Thermal Effects: In low intensity sonophoresis, although minimal heat is generated, the localized heating can increase the permeability of the skin by altering the lipid fluidity.
These mechanisms work synergistically to enable penetration of hydrophilic, lipophilic and large molecules such as peptides, proteins and nucleic acids.
What Can Sonophoresis Deliver?
Sonophoresis is particularly effective in delivering:
- Peptides such as acetyl hexapeptide-B and palmitoyl oligopeptides.
- Hydrophilic drugs such as Minoxidil for hair restoration and lidocaine for anesthesia.
- Growth factors and cytokines from PRP and exosomes.
Scientific Evidence
Multiple in vitro and in vivo studies support the enhanced delivery capabilities of sonophoresis.
- Mitragotri et al demonstrated low frequency ultrasound enhanced transdermal delivery of insulin and other macromolecules.
- Polat et al reviewed studies showing that ultrasound facilitates delivery of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic compounds.
- Ogura et al showed successful transdermal delivery of interferon-B via sonophoresis.
Advantages of Sonophoresis
- Non-invasive and pain free
- Allows for repeated treatments with minimal side effects and recovery time
- Suitable for patients with trypanophobia (Fear of needles)
Disadvantages
- Depth of penetration is limited especially in skin thickened areas
- May require coupling agents such as gels for applications depending on the compound
Aesthetic Application of Sonophoresis
Facial Rejuvenation
Sonophoresis has been proven to enhance the penetration and effectiveness of:
- Antioxidants such as Vitamin C and Glutathione
- Peptides such as acetyl dipeptide-31, and Matrixyl
- Exosomes and Platelet Rich Plasma which has been proven to increase dermal remodeling, collagen synthesis and cellular regeneration.
Clinical outcomes include improved skin texture, elasticity, reduction in fine lines and enhanced hydration. Sonophoresis can be combined with micro needling or radiofrequency for synergistic effects.
Hair Growth
Sonophoresis is used to enhance the delivery of:
- Minoxidil to improve follicular penetration and response
- Growth Factors from Platelet Rich Plasma and Exosomes have been proven when combined with sonophoresis the combination increased the proliferation of dermal papilla cells and the anagen phase of hair growth is induced.
Combination of Sonophoresis with Biologics
The combination of biologics delivered by sonophoresis has been proven to enhance delivery and bioactivity.
- Platelet Rich Plasma contains PDGF, TGF-B, VEGF and other growth factors, cytokines and bioactive proteins. Sonophoresis facilitates dermal delivery without needles, maintaining patient comfort while increasing effectiveness.
- Peptides such as acetyl dipeptide 31 amide improve fibroblast function and dermal density, sonophoresis enhances their penetration depth and effectiveness.
- Exosomes are rich in mRNA and proteins; sonophoresis aids in the transport across the skin barrier supporting cell communication and regeneration.
Studies
The Role of Microtrauma in Hair Regrowth and Regeneration in Non-Scarring Alopecia
Itl J Dermatol 2025 Jul 8 PMID 40627439 (Ahead of print)
Hair loss in both men and women significantly impact quality of life and often has modest treatment outcomes. Recently, microtrauma, which involves small, intentional skin injuries, has emerged as a promising method to stimulate hair growth through immunomodulation in non-scarring alopecia. This review explores the pathogenesis of hair loss, the mechanisms behind microtrauma, various methods of inducing it and their efficacy in treating non-scarring alopecia.
Procedures utilizing microtrauma can promote hair regrowth by manipulating immune cells through wound healing responses, increasing growth factor release and enhancing blood circulation. Examples of microtrauma include microneedling, fractional and non-fractional lasers, contact immunotherapy, low level laser therapy and platelet rich plasma injections which can be delivered by sonophoresis. Microneedling promotes stem cell activation and the expression of hair growth related genes. Iontophoresis and sonophoresis enhances drug delivery. Platelet Rich Plasma has shown efficacy in increasing hair density, thickness while expediting wound healing and tissue restoration. Photobiomodulation with LLLT, stimulates cellular activity and prolongs growth phases.
Microtrauma based treatments offer promising strategies for hair restoration.
Clinical Uses of Long Duration Ultrasound and Long Duration Sonophoresis in Sports Medicine-Minireview
J Orthop 2025;10(1):4566 PMID 40401229
Competitive physical sports demand rigorous training, increasing the risk of overuse associated musculoskeletal traumatic injuries followed by a complex and time-consuming healing process with economic effects and potential disability. Tissue healing involves inflammation, molecular and cellular pathway regulation, proliferation and tissue regeneration. These responses can significantly vary depending on the location and severity of the injury, affecting recovery time, pain intensity, range of motion and return to sports activity. Despite medical advancements healing, pain alleviation, regenerative tissue quality, mobility and quality of life remain challenging. Current treatments including non- steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and opioid based treatments have systemic adverse effects and efficacy limitations.
Long duration ultrasound therapy has emerged as a promising mechanical biological and diathermic treatment providing critical biomechanical and thermal stimuli. Biomechanical stimuli helped regulate acute inflammation, cellular proliferation and tissue regeneration. Thermal stimuli enhance blood flow angiogenesis and nutrient exchange accelerating healing and improving recovery outcomes. These combined stimuli also increase skin porosity and permeability facilitating targeted drug delivery through sonophoresis and enhancing the efficacy of treatments like platelet rich plasma. This review examines recent studies exploring the therapeutic effects of long duration ultrasound as a standalone and adjunctive therapy,
Conclusion: Long duration ultrasound treatment provides acoustic biomedical and thermal stimulus enhancing temperature and local skin porosity. Long duration ultrasound promotes targeted drug delivery, increases blood circulation, tissue oxygenation and nutrition exchange and decreases inflammation. This expedites tissue recovery through cellular differentiation, proliferation and extracellular matrix deposition resulting in accelerated tissue regeneration and alleviation. Sports medicine providers recommend that patients actively utilize long duration ultrasound in conjunction with conventional therapies including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, stem cells and PRP treatments which can be delivered by sonification to improve the patients’ quality of life, significantly expedite their return to activity and reduce the overall recovery period.
Low Frequency Sonophoresis: A promising Strategy for Enhanced Transdermal Delivery
Adv Pharmacol Pharm Sci 2024 Jun 5:2024:1247450 PMID 38938593
Sonophoresis is the most approachable mode of transdermal drug delivery systems, wherein sonophoresis penetrates drug molecules into the skin. It is an alternative method for an oral system of drug delivery and hypodermal injections. The cavitation effect is thought to be the main mechanism used in sonophoresis. The cavitation process involves forming a gas bubble and its rupture. Other mechanisms used are thermal effects, convectional effects and mechanical effects. Synergistic effects of sonophoresis, along with some permeation enhancers, such as chemical enhancers, iontophoresis, electroporation and microneedles, increase the effectiveness of drug penetration.
Sonophoresis is a valid alternative to oral delivery or hypodermic injections especially for drugs with less bioavailability.
Juventix Innovation: Juvasonic Needle-Free Delivery Device
Juventix Regenerative Medical is proud to offer the Juvasonic Transdermal Delivery System for needleless delivery of serums, peptides, exosomes and platelet rich plasma. This device utilizes the science of sonification and red-light therapy which has been specifically designed for physicians and aestheticians who want to offer clients exceptional results with minimal to no discomfort. This innovation enhances topical absorption of powerful biologics including cosmetic serums.
Unlike other modes of intradermal delivery, Juvasonic employs sonic vibrations and red-light therapy to temporarily increase the permeability through the stratum corneum of the skin. This ensures that therapeutic compounds reach the deeper layers of the shin where they are the most effective.
Juventix Regenerative Medical incorporates the Juvasonic to its’ expanding array of medical aesthetic devices which includes the Apollo Duet (needleless electroporation and ionophoresis), Low Level Laser Therapy, (LLLT) and the Radiance RF (microneedling).
Add aesthetic topical serums, exosomes and platelet rich plasma /platelet rich fibrin (natural fillers) Juventix Regenerative Medical is an industry innovator and leader in the regenerative medical aesthetic field.
RESTORE, REVIVE, REGENERATE — JUVENTIX REGENERATIVE MEDICAL
Regenerative Regards,
Dr. Robert McGrath
