Laser-Based, Needle-Free Transdermal Drug Delivery

The objective of this new regular column in Modern Aesthetics® magazine is to see how aesthetic medicine is practiced in different regions across the globe and highlight innovative treatments and techniques. Articles focus on new technologies that are being developed and brought to the forefront of dermatology and plastic surgery.

Suk Bae Seo, MD, is a world-renowned dermatologist and leading expert on laser and aesthetic medicine. He is in private practice in South Korea and the CEO of the SAS Dermatology Clinic in Seoul. In this article, Dr. Seo describes a novel technology that has taken the aesthetic world in Korea by storm and could revolutionize aesthetic medicine globally.

—Jane Yoo, MD, MPP

Jane Yoo, MD, MPP: Please describe the Mirajet technology.

Suk Bae Seo, MD: Mirajet (JSK Biomed) is considered the world’s first laser-based, needle-free microjet transdermal drug delivery system. Light energy is transformed into pressure as drugs penetrate the skin in the form of a microjet without any needles. With a penetration depth of 2 mm, the device’s target is the dermal layer of the skin. The dosage can be controlled precisely and evenly spread, with 0.1 to 0.3 mL of drug per shot. The high velocity and repetition rate can produce 2,400 microshots/min, making the treatment quick and efficient.

Dr. Yoo: What can be injected with this device?

Dr. Seo: Various drugs can be applied. Mirajet is commonly used to apply cosmetic treatments, including hyaluronic acid, botulinum toxins, vitamins, and platelet-rich plasma. For example, patients can receive needle-free onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox, Allergan Aesthetics, an AbbVie company) aimed accurately into the superficial dermis.

Dr. Yoo: What makes the device stand out from other tools for targeted drug delivery?

Dr. Seo: The Mirajet device allows precise drug delivery by enabling exact control of the penetration depth and dosage administered. There is no need to wait for a laser or microneedling to finish and then manually apply drugs to the patient’s face (which does not guarantee that the correct amount is applied). Additionally, in some cases, the patient can return to work immediately after treatment.

Dr. Yoo: What is the purported mechanism by which the technology works?

Dr. Seo: Fibroblasts are stimulated by microholes in the dermal layer of the skin, resulting in collagen regeneration. With the interaction of proper drugs, a synergistic effect is achieved for improvement in a wide variety of areas.¹

Dr. Yoo: What current applications have you been working on?

Dr. Seo: Currently, Mirajet is used in various fields and combinations, with drugs for melasma, pigmentary problems, depressed acne scars, burn scars, and stretch marks. It can be used to volumize and lift different structures of the face and body.

Dr. Yoo: What are you most excited about in terms of applications?

Dr. Seo: I am the first dermatologist in Korea to use poly (D, L-lactic acid) in conjunction with Mirajet for the purposes of rejuvenating skin and improving the appearance of pitted acne scars (Figure). This substance is similar to but much softer than injectable poly-L-lactic acid (Sculptra, Galderma). During the past 3 years, I have found that these particles can be used to remodel the dermis effectively.

Figure. Before (A) and after (B) treatment with Mirajet and poly (D, L-lactic acid).
Courtesy of Suk Bae Seo, MD

Dr. Yoo: How many treatments do patients typically need?

Dr. Seo: It depends on the patient, but good results are being seen long after their last treatment session. I have not encountered any adverse effects such as nodule formation when using poly (D, L-lactic acid).

Dr. Yoo: How is the device changing the field of aesthetic medicine?

Dr. Seo: It seems to be the fastest, most efficacious, and most painless means of drug delivery in dermatology, with very little downtime depending on the type of treatment that is performed. Patients may experience fine petechiae or pinpoint bleeding.

Dr. Yoo: What do you envision for the future with the device?

Dr. Seo: We are developing a new version of Mirajet that can further increase stability and efficiency and deliver thermal energy like a fractional laser, with repeated mechanotransduction and drug delivery.

1. Lee JJ, Yi KH, Kim HS, et al. A novel needle-free microjet drug injector using Er:YAG laser: a completely new concept of transdermal drug delivery system. Clin Anat. 2022;35(5):682-685. doi:10.1002/ca.23892