Background

Acne scarring remains a significant problem. Laser therapy has produced varying results with deeper ablative therapies occasionally associated with side effects including delayed healing, infection, scarring, erythema, acne, milia, edema and dyspigmentation.

Objective

Can adjuvant topical therapy impact the healing process and outcome of patients treated with fractional laser for acne scarring?

Methods and materials

Ten patients were randomized to receive either Regenerating Skin Nectar with TriHex Technology^®- RSN or a bland moisturizer. Patients underwent two laser procedures one month apart with Hybrid Fractional Laser. The topical was applied twice daily for 2 weeks prior to the first laser procedure, and through completion of the study. Seven study visits occurred over a 90-day period. Measurements were conducted in lesional and non-lesional areas - transepidermal water loss (TEWL), erythema, photography, Goodman and Baron qualitative scale, Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale and patient questionnaires - to assess functional recovery and aesthetic outcomes in the scarred areas. One patient from each cohort consented to biopsy before the procedures and 90 days after the first procedure.

Results

Reduced TEWL scores in the RSN group were evident at all time points with statistically significant reductions occurring 4 days after first and second procedures indicating more efficient fluid conservation at a critical point in the healing trajectory. Erythema index demonstrated a consistent decrease in the RSN cohort over the control from day 4 through day 90 on lesional and non-lesional skin. Acne scar assessment scores improved in the RSN cohort compared with the control at all time points. Biopsy results showed early elastin regeneration in the RSN biopsy with controlled non-hypertrophic collagen formation evident.

Conclusion

The use of RSN pre- and post- laser resurfacing significantly decreased postprocedural TEWL and erythema, and increased aesthetic improvement in acne scars and patient satisfaction, when compared with bland moisturizer.