Background/Aims: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of visual impairment. A single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP; rs3775291) in the Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) gene has recently been implicated in the pathogenesis of AMD in Caucasian populations. The aim of this study was to examine this association in Chinese persons with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to AMD and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). Methods: This was an observational cross-sectional study in Singapore. Study subjects were of Chinese ethnicity and included patients with exudative maculopathy and normal control subjects. The diagnoses of CNV and PCV were made based on fundus examination, fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography findings. Genomic DNA was extracted, and genotypes were determined by bidirectional DNA sequencing. We compared the allele and genotype frequencies between subjects with CNV and PCV with controls using the software PLINK. Results: A total of 246 subjects with exudative maculopathy (consisting of 126 with CNV and 120 with PCV) and 274 normal control subjects were recruited. The distribution of rs3775291 SNP genotypes for CNV and PCV was not significantly different from that for normal controls. Conclusion: This study indicates that the TLR3 rs3775291 gene polymorphism is not associated with CNV and PCV in Singaporean Chinese patients.

Background: Hair health critically influences both aesthetic appearance and psychological well-being. Existing treatments often show limited efficacy and may cause side effects. Gynostemma pentaphyllum (GP), known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, has emerged as a promising botanical agent, although clinical evidence regarding its hair health benefits remains limited. Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of GP extract in improving hair parameters through a randomized controlled trial. Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involved 100 eligible adults aged 19–60 years who were randomly allocated to either the GP or placebo group. Participants consumed 340 mL/day of the test product for 24 weeks. The primary outcomes included hair elasticity, density, diameter, glossiness, and subjective satisfaction. Safety was evaluated through laboratory tests and adverse event monitoring. Results: After 24 weeks, the GP group showed a threefold increase in hair elasticity and density and a fourfold increase in hair diameter compared to the placebo group. The subjective satisfaction scores corroborated these findings: the GP users reported better outcomes in terms of reducing hair damage and dryness. No significant differences in hair glossiness were observed based on the instrumental and visual assessments (p > 0.05). The safety evaluations revealed no severe adverse events. All the safety evaluation metrics demonstrated no significant abnormalities. Conclusions: This study provides compelling evidence of the efficacy of GP extract in enhancing hair health, demonstrating both significant functional improvements and an excellent safety profile. These findings substantiate its potential as a promising functional food ingredient for comprehensive hair care interventions.

Background: Low-level light therapy (LLLT) and light-emitting diode (LED) therapy have gained popularity in aesthetic dermatology for their effectiveness and convenience in treating skin aging through photobiomodulation (PBM). Recent advancements have led to the development of a new near-infrared (nNIR) LED device with a broader spectrum, aiming to enhance skin rejuvenation and hair growth. This study aims to clinically evaluate the efficacy of this nNIR device. Methods: The study included two segments: skin rejuvenation and hair growth evaluation. For skin rejuvenation, 20 participants aged 45–59 used an nNIR LED facial mask for 30 minutes, five times a week over 12 weeks. Parameters such as wrinkle count, skin moisture, elasticity, and density were measured. For hair growth, 25 participants aged 20–55 applied the same device to the scalp daily for 20 weeks, assessing hair growth at 6, 13, and 20 weeks. Results: Skin rejuvenation showed significant improvements, with wrinkles decreasing by up to 27.22% and skin texture, elasticity, moisture, and density also improving. Hair growth evaluation indicated a 1.33% increase in hair count by 20 weeks, with high participant satisfaction and no adverse reactions reported. Conclusion: The nNIR LED device demonstrated clinical efficacy in skin rejuvenation and hair growth, highlighting the benefits of a broader spectral range in PBM. While further research with larger and more diverse populations is recommended, this nNIR LED device suggests significant potential for advancements in aesthetic treatments. Level of Evidence III: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Background: Skin aging is a complex process influenced by genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors. Exosome‐based therapies, particularly those derived from plant sources such as apples, have emerged as a promising alternative for promoting skin regeneration and improving skin health. Methods: A 12‐week prospective, non‐randomized, split‐face, self‐controlled trial was conducted with 21 participants aged 40–59 years. The right facial hemisphere received Exo‐V Professional combined with Microneedle Therapy System (MTS), while the left hemisphere was treated with microneedling and normal saline as a control. This side allocation was predefined and was not randomized. Participants underwent four treatment sessions at three‐week intervals. Skin improvement was assessed through objective measurements, including wrinkle depth, skin lifting, skin elasticity, hydration, skin brightness, pore size, texture, glossiness, and transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Histopathological evaluation was performed on ex vivo human skin samples to assess collagen synthesis. Subjective satisfaction was measured using a 5‐point Likert scale, and adverse reactions were monitored through clinical assessments. Results: The Exo‐V side exhibited significantly greater improvements in all measured parameters compared to the control side ( p < 0.05). Histological analysis confirmed enhanced collagen deposition in the Exo‐V side, with increased young collagen synthesis compared to the control. Subjective assessments showed 100% participant satisfaction, with no reported adverse skin reactions throughout the study. Conclusion: Exo‐V Professional applied after microneedling was associated with greater short‐term improvements in multiple facial skin parameters than microneedling with saline, suggesting its potential as a topical adjunctive approach for facial rejuvenation. Further randomized, blinded, vehicle‐controlled studies with longer follow‐up are needed to confirm these findings, clarify the underlying mechanisms, and assess the durability of the observed effects.