â Back to EMF Signal
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Therapeutic
Pulsed electromagnetic fields protected skin collagen from UV damage in laboratory study
Byun and colleagues at Gachon University and collaborating clinics and companies in South Korea report in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences that pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) exposure reduced ultraviolet B-induced collagen loss in skin fibroblast cultures and an in vivo model. The study used the commercial PEMF device Corefacial and links the protective effect to A2A adenosine receptor signaling and reduced NLRP3 inflammasome activation. The authors stress that the findings do not prove the proposed mechanism and should be read as evidence from a UVB-specific experimental model rather than a comprehensive model of solar photoaging.
ðŽ This research is covered in EMF Signal's section on therapeutic EMF applications. It investigates controlled use of electromagnetic fields as potential treatment, not environmental exposure.
Note: The journal's conflict-of-interest disclosure states that two authors are employed by LIBON Inc., which funded the research through grants, and two other authors direct dermatology clinics. According to the disclosure, the funder had no role in study design, analyses, interpretation or the decision to publish.
Quotes
"Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) stimulation is a non-optical biophysical modality that may modulate inflammatory and matrix responses."
â Byun et al., International Journal of Molecular Sciences
"In UVB-exposed fibroblasts, PEMF restored A2AAR and PKA protein levels, cAMP levels, and the pNLRP3/NLRP3 ratio, similar to the effects of the A2AAR agonist CGS-21680."
â Byun et al., International Journal of Molecular Sciences
"In the in vivo UVB model, PEMF similarly increased A2AAR and PKA protein levels, cAMP levels, and the pNLRP3/NLRP3 ratio, while attenuating IL-1Îē/NF-ΚB/MMP-associated responses and preserving dermal collagen."
â Byun et al., International Journal of Molecular Sciences
"These findings are consistent with, but do not prove, involvement of A2AAR/cAMP/PKA-related signaling and inhibitory NLRP3 phosphorylation in the PEMF response."
â Byun et al., International Journal of Molecular Sciences
"These results should be interpreted as evidence from a UVB-specific experimental model rather than a comprehensive model of solar photoaging."
â Byun et al., International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Exposure
"PEMF (Corefacial; K1MED GLOBAL, Seoul, Republic of Korea) treatment used a PEMF-generating device to deliver time-varying electromagnetic pulses to cultured fibroblasts or animal skin tissue. The PEMF exposure parameters were a frequency of 20 Hz, magnetic flux density of 149 mT, pulse duration of 220 Ξs, and exposure time of 3 min. Each sample or animal received a single PEMF exposure."
â Byun et al., International Journal of Molecular Sciences (Materials and Methods, full text)
Location
ð South Korea
ð Underlying Research
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Exposure Attenuates Ultraviolet B-Induced Dermal Collagen Loss in Association with A2A Adenosine Receptor Signaling
Byun KA, Lee JI, Oh S, Kim SE, Seo SB, Son KH, Byun K
(2026)
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Journal Level 0â
