Comparison of a novel wound dressing vs current clinical practice after laser resurfacing

Abstract

Background There are many postprocedure skin care options, but no consensus on the best formulation to optimize healing. Silicone gels have only been used to treat keloids and hypertrophic scars and typically applied after the wound has healed. This study compared the healing response after fractional ablative erbium laser resurfacing with a petrolatum‐based ointment and a silicone gel. Methods A randomized, open‐label, split‐face study was performed. Ten subjects underwent Erbium:YAG (Sciton) fractional laser resurfacing. Patients were randomized to apply a petrolatum‐based gel or a silicone gel (Stratacel®; Stratpharma) on either the right or left side of the face. Subjects applied the products twice a day for 7 days and were evaluated in person 7, 30, and 60 days postprocedure. Subjects reported on the overall general aesthetic outcome, perceived pain, itch, and tightness via questionnaires using the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale and the Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale (WSRS). Results All subjects healed without complications. By day 60, there was no difference in signs and symptoms of healing between the two different dressing approaches. However, patients treated with the silicone gel had less post‐treatment erythema and hyperpigmentation. Conclusions A novel silicone gel resulted in reduced signs of erythema and hyperpigmentation postprocedure, without an increase in adverse events. Additionally, the silicone gel dries to form a thin, full contact film and can be covered with sunscreen or cosmetics once dry. This new silicone gel presents a good option for postprocedure care after ablative fractional laser resurfacing.

Biocompatible Triple-Helical Recombinant Collagen Dressings for Accelerated Wound Healing in Microneedle-Injured and Photodamaged Skin

“…Photo-injured skin is severely damaged in both the epidermis and the dermis, resulting in acute inflammation and collagen fiber breakage [34]. Skin erythema and edema were observed as acute post-inflammatory reactions, which were significantly reduced after 4 days of treatment with THRC dressings, while the reported wound care products of a petroleum-based ointment or a novel silicone gel showed persistent redness on day 7 [12,37]. Meanwhile, on day 4, H&E-stained tissues revealed only a few cellular infiltrations.…”

“…Petrolatum-based ointments have been commonly used for posttreatments, which are too occlusive to promote wound maceration and may cause contact dermatitis [8,9]. Silicone-based gels are semi-occlusive dressings that prevent maceration, but they may be insufficient in accelerating skin healing [10][11][12][13]. A formulation containing tri-and hexapeptides has been applied to reduce skin redness after radiofrequency (RF) microneedling [14,15].…”

How to Promote Skin Repair? In-Depth Look at Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Strategies

“…A significant reduction in roughness was observed with topical silicone, without observing significant differences in smoothness, hydration, or TEWL when compared with the placebo group [86]. In another study where a silicone gel was applied after patients underwent Erbium:YAG fractional laser resurfacing, a reduction in erythema and hyperpigmentation was observed [87]. De Giorgi et al [88] also demonstrated silicone gel's ability to reduce the formation of keloid and hypertrophic scars, as well as signs/symptoms associated with the wound healing process, namely color alterations, pulling sensation, and paraesthesia.…”