Efficacy of MAS063DP lotion vs 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide lotion in improving post-ablative fractional CO2 laser resurfacing wound healing: a split-face, triple-blinded, randomized, controlled trial

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation after carbon dioxide laser: review of prevention and risk factors

The CO2 laser has been widely utilized in dermatology; its expanding clinical applications include the management of neoplastic lesions, benign growths, cosmetic conditions, and reactive disorders. The laser's popularity is mainly due to the high precision and short recovery time this technology provides. However, postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) has been one of the challenging adverse effects of the CO2 laser. Therefore, several modalities have been studied for the prevention of PIH following CO2 laser treatment. This review aims to analyze the incidence of PIH after CO2 laser therapy, identify its risk factors, and assess the efficacy of the examined treatment modalities in preventing PIH. Pubmed and Embase databases were searched for this study, and relative clinical trials were included in the review. Descriptive findings - including age, gender, skin type, types of intervention, and incidence of PIH - were reported. When appropriate, the incidence of PIH was compared across each possible individual factor, such as skin type, gender, and type of intervention. A total of 211 articles were identified, and 14 relevant articles were included in this review. Seventy percent of the subjects were females (n=219), and 30% were males (n=94), with a mean age of 30 years (SD=7.8). The most common skin types were type IV (59%) followed by type III (25%). In total, eight studies investigated the prevention of PIH. The incidence of PIH after CO2 laser significantly varies between studies and differs based on the type of intervention. The studies indicate that the use of Clobetasol propionate 0.05% and fusidic acid cream appeared to effectively reduce PIH, recording an incidence rate of 39% and 53.3%, respectively. The Fitzpatrick-skinphenotype did not appear to influence the risk of PIH. There is a lack of high-powered clinical studies analyzing the incidence of PIH after CO2 laser treatment and the associated risk factors. PIH occurrence may be related to inflammation resulting from thermal damage by the CO2 laser. Consequently, the use of postoperative topical medications with anti-inflammatory properties might reduce its incidence. The use of ultra-potent topical corticosteroids and topical fusidic acid appeared to reduce PIH, possibly reducing postoperative inflammation effectively. Similarly, platelet-containing plasma may be beneficial in reducing CO2 side effects, including PIH. However, more studies are needed to further establish the influence of skin type on PIH and investigate modalities to reduce PIH occurrence after CO2 laser use.

Diagnosing Disorders of Facial Erythema

Identification of specific patterns, shades, and intensity of erythema in the skin has always been critical and fundamental to diagnostic accuracy in dermatology. Erythema is often less noticeable in darker skin types. The interplay of inflammation and variance of skin tone contributes to appreciable differences in the clinical appearance of cutaneous disease in darker complexions. In this article, we discuss common disorders that present with facial erythema in skin of color and offer distinguishing features of each disorder to assist the clinician with diagnosing these conditions in the presence of deeply pigmented skin.

A Randomized, Double Blinded, Split-Face Study of the Efficacy of Using a Broad Spectrum Sunscreen with Anti-Inflammatory Agent to Reduce Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation After Picosecond Laser

BACKGROUND

Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is a sequela of laser procedures observed commonly in darker-skin individuals. In general, regular UV filters are beneficial in preventing PIH, but the comparison with sunscreen containing anti-inflammatory ingredients remains unexplored.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy of a sunscreen with anti-inflammatory agent (sunscreen A) in the reduction of PIH after a picosecond laser with that of regular sunscreen (sunscreen B).

METHODS

Fifty-nine acne vulgaris and acne scar patients with skin phototypes III and IV were treated with 1 session of picosecond laser with the microlens array to the whole face. Sunscreens A and B were randomized to be applied on either side of the face. Hyperpigmentation assessed by brown score mode on Visia^®, acne quantity, porphyrins and patient satisfaction were evaluated at baseline, weeks 1, 2, 4 and 6.

RESULTS

Sunscreen A caused a higher reduction of the brown score compared to the other side but there was no statistically significant difference. Interestingly, a significant decrease of inflammatory acne lesions compared with baseline was observed as early as week 2 on the sunscreen A side (weeks 2, 4 and 6; P = 0.017, P = <0.001, and P = <0.001, respectively). Compared with sunscreen B, levels of porphyrins on sunscreen A side were significantly less at weeks 1 and 6 (weeks 1 and 6; P = 0.022 and P = 0.029, respectively).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated a tendency towards lower post-laser pigmentation when the sunscreen with anti-inflammatory agents was applied. This product also had an effective outcome as an adjunctive treatment option of acne vulgaris.

THAI CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRY ID

TCTR20210305004 (URL: http://www.thaiclinicaltrials.org/show/TCTR20210305004).

The Optimal Application of Medium Potency Topical Corticosteroids in Preventing Laser-Induced Inflammatory Responses-An Animal Study

Background: During ablative fractional resurfacing (AFR) laser therapy, thermal damage to the skin is inevitable, resulting in inflammatory responses and small wounds. Corticosteroids are known for their anti-inflammatory effect. However, inappropriate application of corticosteroids carries the risk of delayed wound healing. Therefore, we aimed to find the optimal administration route, timing, and duration of medium potency corticosteroid treatment to prevent AFR laser-induced inflammatory responses and to minimize the risk of delayed wound healing. Methods: We determined the anti-inflammatory efficacy of corticosteroids by skin erythema and tissue biopsies on C57BL/6 mice. Wound healing was evaluated by crust area and epithelial gap. Finally, Masson’s trichrome stain and α-SMA immunohistochemistry stain were used to analyze scar contracture. Results: Our results demonstrated that one dose of medium-potency topical corticosteroid applied immediately after AFR laser treatment could prevent erythema effectively with minimal disruption to wound healing. Notably, when more than one dose was administered, wound healing was delayed and scar contracture was aggravated by the application of medium-potency topical corticosteroids in a dosage-dependent manner. Conclusion: Our findings suggested that single-dose medium-potency topical corticosteroids could potentially improve AFR laser-induced acute inflammatory responses in clinical applications.

Postinflammatory and rebound hyperpigmentation as a complication after treatment efficacy of telangiectatic melasma with 585 nanometers Q-switched Nd: YAG laser and 4% hydroquinone cream in skin phototypes III-V

BACKGROUND

The potential efficacy of vascular component-targeted laser has been evaluated for the treatment of melasma, which commonly found with the co-existence of telangiectasia.

AIMS

To evaluate the treatment efficacy and safety of 585-nm QSNYL and 4% HQ cream combination vs 4% HQ cream alone for telangiectatic melasma in the skin phototypes III-V.

PATIENTS/METHODS

Twenty-one Thai female patients with telangiectatic melasma and Fitzpatrick skin phototypes (FPTs) III-V were randomly treated with the 585-nm QSNYL on one side of the face for five sessions at 2-week intervals. All patients were assigned to apply HQ cream daily at night on both sides of the face for 10 weeks and a broad-spectrum sunscreen regularly throughout the study. The treatment efficacy and safety were evaluated using the Modified Melasma Area and Severity Index (mMASI), biometric evaluation, patient assessment, and adverse effects.

RESULTS

The combination-treated side yielded more significant improvement of mMASI than the topical-treated side at weeks 2, 4, and 8, respectively. However, 19% of the patients developed postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) on the laser-treated side, especially in FPTs IV-V and rebound hyperpigmentation. There was a significant improvement of hemoglobin and melanin index, but without statistical difference between the two treatment groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of 585-nm QSNYL and HQ treatment yields treatment efficacy and skin rejuvenation effects for telangiectatic melasma. Nonetheless, a high incidence of PIH and rebound hyperpigmentation is adversely developed in dark FPT. Thus, this laser treatment should be cautiously applied in those with dark FPTs IV-V to avoid laser-induced pigment alteration.

Functional recovery in human partial thickness skin wounds after application of multicomponent hydrolipidic film (MAS063DP): A prospective, open-label, comparative clinical trial

Acute and minor skin wounds are common in daily life. However, in clinical practice, after initial management in the acute phase, the wounds are managed mainly through observation, and the patients are usually lost to follow-up. Considering a multicomponent hydrolipidic dressing (MAS063DP) long-known for its safe application in eczema and recently in laser-induced wounds, we aimed to evaluate its ability in functional recovery of impaired skin integrity during wound healing. Sixteen patients (N = 16) were enrolled and completed (n = 8 vs n = 8) this prospective, open-label, vehicle-controlled clinical trial with 12-week follow-up. Transepidermal water, skin viscoelasticity and bioimpedance analysis were measured initially, at the 1st, 4th, 8th, and 12th weeks. Improvements in these parameters were greater in the MAS063DP group (from 31.4 ± 9.0 to 16.4 ± 4.3 g/m² h, P < .001; from 77 ± 16% to 88 ± 9%, P < .05; from 4182 ± 3823 to 2644 ± 1772 Ω) than in the white petrolatum group. No significant adverse events occurred, and all participants were more satisfied with the intervention. In this study, MAS063DP can restore skin integrity and reinstitute physiologic function as a feasible and safe intervention more markedly than management through observation during the healing process by providing protective hydrolipidic layer on the skin with simultaneous anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities from its key ingredients such as glycyrrhetinic acid, Vitis vinifera, telmesteine, and vitamins C and E.

Prophylaxis of Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation From Energy-Based Device Treatments: A Review [Formula: see text]

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is an acquired hypermelanosis that can result from inflammatory dermatologic disease, trauma, or iatrogenesis from procedures. This condition disproportionately affects individuals with skin of color, and it can place a significant psychosocial burden on affected patients. The management of PIH is, therefore, of great interest to clinicians, especially dermatologists. The treatment of established PIH has long been a principal focus within the literature, with publications on the topic outnumbering publications on prophylaxis of PIH. Prophylaxis strategies to prevent PIH vary greatly in clinical practice, likely due to the absence of an evidence-based consensus. Published approaches to PIH prophylaxis include pretreatment (topical alpha hydroxy acids, retinoids, hydroquinone, and brimonidine) and post-treatment strategies (photoprotection, corticosteroids, and tranexamic acid). This review will examine the current literature on prophylaxis of PIH from energy-based device treatments.