Topical Skincare Regimen may Reduce Erythema and Hyperpigmentation Post-CO2 Laser Treatment, reveals study

Ablative fractional CO2 laser is a popular treatment for various skin issues, but it often leads to adverse effects like erythema, dyspigmentation, and extended recovery periods, which negatively impact patients' quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate whether a regimen of CE Ferulic and Resveratrol BE serums could mitigate these adverse effects and promote better skin healing.

This randomized, investigator-blinded, split-face, controlled trial involved 51 patients aged 18 to 65 undergoing ablative CO2 laser treatment. Participants were randomly assigned to apply the CEF-RBE regimen to one side of their face and normal saline (NS) to the other side for 14 consecutive days. The regimen included applying CE Ferulic plus resveratrol BE serum to the designated side of the face twice daily, while the other side received normal saline. The primary endpoint was the erythema index (EI) on day 14. Key secondary endpoints included scabbing detachment time, percentage changes in EI and melanin index (MI), skin hydration, transepidermal water loss, skin sebum content, edema, and overall subject satisfaction.

• The study included 51 patients, of whom 29 (56.9%) were female, with a mean age of 29.8 years (SD 5.39).

• On day 14, the CEF-RBE side exhibited a significantly lower EI than the NS side (308.9 vs. 325.3, p = 0.034).

• Scabbing Detachment Time: The median time for complete scabbing detachment was 6.0 days (IQR 5.0-8.0) on the CEF-RBE side compared to 6.5 days (IQR 5.0-9.0) on the NS side (p = 0.018).

• Melanin Index (MI): The CEF-RBE side showed a 7.4% decrease in MI from baseline to day 14, whereas the NS side had a 0.2% increase (Δ = −7.6%, p = 0.044).

• Skin Hydration: Throughout the 14-day follow-up, the CEF-RBE side consistently displayed higher skin hydration compared to the NS side.

The findings indicate that the CEF-RBE regimen significantly improves post-laser treatment outcomes by reducing erythema and hyperpigmentation, promoting faster wound healing, and maintaining better skin hydration. These benefits highlight the potential of CEF-RBE in enhancing the quality of life for patients undergoing ablative CO2 laser treatments.

Incorporating a topical skincare regimen of CE Ferulic and Resveratrol BE serums following ablative fractional CO2 laser treatment significantly reduces erythema and hyperpigmentation, promotes wound healing, and maintains skin hydration. This regimen offers a valuable approach to improving post-laser treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction.

Reference:

Shi, Y., Shen, C., & Zhang, W. (2024). Efficacy and safety of a topical skincare regimen containing CE Ferulic serum and resveratrol BE serum following ablative fractional CO2 laser treatment: A prospective, randomized, split‐face, controlled trial. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology: JEADV. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.20070