Filament coating system assists recovery of ablative fCO2 laser treatment: A split-face clinical observation

BACKGROUND

The current nursing procedure after fractional carbon dioxide (fCO2) is complex and needs to be optimized. The present study was conducted to evaluate the assisting effect of filament coating system after fCO2 laser treatment.

METHODS

Chinese individuals aged from 18 to 65 years diagnosed as photoaging or atrophic acne scar were recruited and each participant was treated with one single pass of fCO2 laser. A split face was randomly assigned as treatment side or control side. For control side, conventional procedure was topically applied respectively, including desonide cream two times for 3 days, fusidic acid cream two times for 7 days, and recombinant human epidermal growth factor (RhEGF) gel four times for 7 days; for treating side, a filament coating system was applied immediately after one application of fusidic acid cream, desonide cream and RhEGF, and removed 3 h later, for 3 days. Erythema, edema, crust, and pain on both sides were scored from 0 to 10 before and 1, 2, 4, and 7 days after fCO2 laser treatment. Stratum corneum hydration (SCH) and sebum of forehead and cheek on both sides were also measured by using Corneometer-Sebumeter.

RESULTS

Twenty photoaging and 11 atrophic acne scar participants finished the observation. All of them complained of erythema, edema, crust, and pain after fCO2 laser treatment, and the scores decreased as time passed by. There were no statistical significances of erythema, edema, crust, pain, SCH, and sebum between treating side and control side at each observation time.

CONCLUSION

Filament coating system was effective, safe, convenient, and economic in assisting recovery of ablative fCO2 laser, which might be a new option for additional nursing procedure.

Fractional carbon dioxide laser versus combined fractional CO2 laser and platelet rich plasma in treatment of facial wrinkles: A comparative split face study

BACKGROUND

Wrinkles are the most visible sign in skin aging and for which many people seek different aesthetic procedures. Treatment options varies from invasive to non-invasive procedures. Combining platelet rich plasma and fractional carbon dioxide laser (CO₂ ) has been used frequently for showing promising results in treating photoaged skin generally and wrinkles specifically since the microscopic thermal zones created by the fractional laser facilitates the delivery of the plasma into the dermis which aids the process of collagen induction and skin rejuvenation.

AIM OF THE WORK

To compare and assess the clinical efficacy of fractional CO₂ laser alone versus combined fractional CO₂ laser and platelet rich plasma in treatment of facial rhytides (in terms of size, depth, and overall appearance).

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Twenty-six female patients were selected and each face was split into 2 halves a control side (Laser + saline) and an experimental side (Laser + platelet rich plasma). Treatment plan was 1 laser session per month for a total of 4 sessions. Clinical objective evaluation was done by the Antera camera in addition to assessment by two blinded dermatologists.

RESULTS

The combined treatment was as effective in improving wrinkles as fractional CO₂ laser alone. Antera camera scores showed statistical significance in overall wrinkles measurements on each side equally.

CONCLUSION

Both treatment modalities gave optimum cosmetic results with no significant difference noticed when compared with each other, although overall satisfaction with wrinkles and skin were statistically greater than the initial satisfaction scores.

Split-face clinical comparative study of fractional Er:YAG (2940nm) laser versus long pulsed Nd:YAG (1064nm) laser in treatment of atrophic acne scar

Despite various modalities used for treating acne scars, no single treatment modality was significantly satisfactory. We compare the efficacies of fractional Erbium: yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG), 2940 nm, laser versus long-pulsed Neodymium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG), 1064 nm, laser for the treatment of acne scars. Twenty patients were treated in a randomized split-face manner. They underwent three sessions at a three-week interval. Assessment of the patient was done before each treatment and 3 months after the end of the treatment sessions. The treatment effect was evaluated objectively, according to Sharquie scores for grading scarring acne vulgaris and digital photographic assessment and subjectively, according to the patient's satisfaction. Results According to objective Sharquie scores, there were no significant differences in the response between the two types of laser used. Based on the visual analog score, there was a significantly higher score of improvement for the side irradiated with fractional Er:YAG (2940 nm) laser. Subjectively, the patients were significantly satisfied with the results on the fractional Er: YAG than on the long pulsed Nd:YAG side. Both lasers were effective, However, the improvement in appearance of acne scars was better with fractional Er:YAG laser with fewer side effects with Long Pulsed Nd:YAG laser.

Effectiveness of water as the neutralising agent for glycolic acid peels in skin phototypes IV-V

The aim of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of water as a substitute for sodium bicarbonate plus solution in the neutralisation process of chemical peeling using a 35% glycolic acid solution. This randomised, double-blind, split-face, controlled trial was conducted in an outpatient setting. A total of 126 healthy patients with skin phototypes IV-V aged between 18 and 60 years old were recruited. Chemical peeling was performed with 35% glycolic acid solution. One side of the face was neutralised with water, and the other side of the face was neutralised with a sodium bicarbonate plus solution. The main outcome of this study was measured by the degree of erythema, pruritus and pain scores. Significant difference in the pain score immediately after the neutralisation process of the chemical peeling with glycolic acid was seen. However, there were no significant differences in the degree of erythema or the pruritus score. These results indicate that water can be used as a substitute for sodium bicarbonate plus solution in the neutralisation process of chemical peeling with 35% glycolic acid in patients with skin phototypes IV-V.

A Split-Face Study Assessing the Clinical Benefit, Tolerability and Subject Satisfaction of a Dermocosmetic in Subjects with Rosacea Associated with Erythema and Sensitive Skin

Objective

This study assessed the efficacy and tolerability of M89 in patients with rosacea associated with erythema and sensitive skin.

Methods

Intra-individual study in a split-face design comparing after 30 days M89 twice daily and usual skin care in 20 adult subjects with rosacea and sensitive skin. M89 contains 89% Vichy volcanic mineralizing water (VVMW) and 0.4% hyaluronic acid. It is hypoallergenic and contains no perfume and this convenes in rosacea. Contained minerals reinforce the natural defences of the skin in restoring the natural skin barrier, stimulating antioxidant activity and reducing inflammation, commonly observed in subjects with rosacea. Clinical evaluations included assessment of erythema, desquamation, papules and pustules, skin tightness, dryness, burning sensation, itching, stinging and stinging test as well as local tolerability. Instrumental evaluations included skin hydration and TEWL. Subject satisfaction was assessed at Days 15 and 30. Demodex density was assessed at Day 30.

Results

A significant superiority of M89 over the standard skin care was observed for erythema, skin tightness and dryness (all P≤0.05) as early as Day 15, the skin stinging test was significantly in favour of M89 (P<0.05 at Day 15 and P<0.01 at Day 30) and for skin hydration (P<0.0001) at Day 15 and 30 with no difference in mean Demodex density between M89 and usual skin care after 30 days. Tolerance was excellent and subject satisfaction very high.

Conclusion

Study results concerning M89 are encouraging for its use either alone or as an adjuvant daily skin care to topical medication in patients with persistent centrofacial erythema of rosacea with no more than 3 papules and pustules.