# WEB-040 — 28 GHz: altered pigment production in skin models

Why this matters
Skin pigmentation is a regulated biological process, not simply a cosmetic feature. This experiment found that exposure changed stimulated pigment production in cell and reconstructed-skin models. It adds a measurable response to investigate; whether the change has harmful consequences was not tested.

Id: WEB-040

Author: Kim et al.

Full Authors: Kyuri Kim; Young Seung Lee; Nam Kim; Hyung-Do Choi; Kyung-Min Lim

Year: 2022

Title: 5G Electromagnetic Radiation Attenuates Skin Melanogenesis In Vitro by Suppressing ROS Generation

Journal: Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Citation: Kyuri Kim; Young Seung Lee; Nam Kim; Hyung-Do Choi; Kyung-Min Lim. 5G Electromagnetic Radiation Attenuates Skin Melanogenesis In Vitro by Suppressing ROS Generation. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland). 2022. doi:10.3390/antiox11081449.

Doi: 10.3390/antiox11081449

Pmid: 35892650

Topic: Skin pigmentation responses; Millimetre-wave cellular responses

Verification Group: Original text reviewed

Record Role: Original text reviewed

Featured: False

Exposure: 28 GHz at 10 W/m² for 4 h/day; reconstructed pigmented epidermis exposed for 16 days; feedback temperature control.

Design: B16F10 melanoma cells and MelanoDerm human epidermis model, with and without α-MSH stimulation.

Finding: Exposure reduced stimulated melanin production, melanogenic-enzyme expression and ROS generation. Cell viability was not reduced.

Statistics: See the original results; effect sizes were not independently recalculated.

Boundary: Pigment regulation is not demonstrated skin injury. Do not infer increased cancer risk or loss of sun protection. No operational 5G NR waveform was verified in this source check.

Related: Related Korean pigmentation programme; distinct from the ENEA skin experiments.

Protection Question: Which exposure conditions reproduce this finding, and what would establish its relevance beyond the experimental model?

Access: Original methods/results and interpretation reviewed; raw data and supplements were not independently audited.

Locator: Original methods and results

Notice: Linked Europe PMC/PubMed notice fields checked 21 October 2026; no correction/retraction surfaced for this record. Publisher/citation screening is not exhaustive.

Funding: See original disclosure; funding details were not established in this check.

Conflicts: Authors report no competing interests/conflicts; declaration checked, not independently audited.

Source Url: https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11081449

Retrieval Links: https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11081449 | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35892650/ | https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9331092/

Verification Date: 2026-10-21

Discovery Id: TARGETED-20261021-13

Technology Tracks: 5g|millimetre

Technology Connection: Relevant carrier-frequency research; the record distinguishes actual 5G modulation from other laboratory waveforms.

Publication Type: Original journal research

Study Setting: Cells / isolated tissue

Browse Categories: cells