Name: Zel Skin
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Abstract

SUMMARY BACKGROUND

Many over the counter topical products claim to reverse the signs of cutaneous photo-damage. To date, the two most studied ingredients for improving the texture, tone, and pigmentation of the skin are topical retinoids and hydroquinone.¹

OBJECTIVE

This split face study compares a mass market skincare regimen with a prescription skincare regimen for photo damaged skin.

METHODS

Twenty-seven subjects with moderate facial photodamage enrolled. Each subject was consented and assigned with the mass market anti-aging system (Treatment A) to one side of the face. The prescription anti-aging system (Treatment B or Treatment C) was applied to the other side of the face. Treatment B contained 13 subjects whom did not use 0.025% Retinol cream. Treatment C contained 14 subjects who used a 0.025% Retinol Cream. Subjects had 4 visits over 12 weeks for digital photography and surveys. Blinded physicians evaluated the photographs.

RESULTS

Physician objective analysis showed all three systems to have a statistically significant clinical improvement in photoaged skin seen in as little as 4 weeks of use. Participant’s surveys rated the mass market system higher than both of the professional systems for visible skin changes, ease of use, and likelihood to recommend to a friend. Twelve of twenty-seven subjects preferred the mass market system for overall improvement while twelve thought each system gave the same improvement.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates a mass marketed system can give similar improvements as a professionally dispensed prescription system. The majority of participants preferred the mass-marketed system.

Authors: Hilary Reich MD,^a,b Irmina Wallander BA,^a Lacie Schulte MS BA,^a Molly Goodier BS,^a and Brian Zelickson MD^a

^aZel Skin & Laser Specialist, Edina, MN
^bUniversity of Minnesota Department of Dermatology, MN

Susan E. Walgrave, MD, David Kist, HTL, Peter M.H. Cham, MD, and Brian D. Zelickson, MD, Minneapolis, MN

This study investigated the safety and efficacy of the confluent 2,790 nm Erbium:YSGG (PearlTM, Cutera) laser for facial rejuvenation. The 2,790 nm Er:YSGG wavelength has a lower water absorption coefficient than the 2,940 nm Er:YAG wavelength, allowing for minimally ablative resurfacing and coagulation, which may increase clinical efficacy while reducing patient downtime.

Eleven subjects (mean age 50, skin types I–III) with mild to moderate photodamage and wrinkles had two facial treatments with the 2,790 nm Er:YSGG laser using a fluence level of 3.5 J/cm2 and pulse duration of 0.4 ms, with 20% overlap. Treatments were performed 6 weeks apart. Pre–auricular biopsies from five subjects were evaluated at baseline and 6 weeks after the final treatment. Data from blinded physician photo evaluations (quartile scale of improvement) and subjects’ self–assessment of improvement (none, mild, significant, dramatic) were analyzed.

Histologically, 80% of subjects had new collagen formation in the dermal grenz zone. Increased epidermal thickness was also seen in 60% of subjects. Based on the blinded photo evaluations, 89% of subjects showed visible improvement in dyschromia, tone/texture, and fine lines. Similarly, 55% displayed visible improvement in wrinkles. Evaluators were substantially consistent (agreement between evaluators, kappa of 0.71) and accurate (agreement between evaluators versus gold standard, kappa of 0.78) about their identification of before and after photos. Subjects’ self–assessment indicated “significant” to “dramatic” improvement in dyschromia (91%), tone/texture (82%), and fine lines (64%). No serious adverse events were reported. Moderate treatment discomfort was noted with a mean pain score of 5.5 on a 10–point scale.

The minimally ablative resurfacing treatments with the 2,790 nm Er:YSGG laser demonstrated good tolerability with minimal downtime. Blinded physician evaluations indicated visible improvement in the majority of subjects with strong agreement between evaluators. Subjects were highly satisfied with their clinical improvement, especially with respect to dyschromia and tone/texture.

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Expert Care. Exceptional Skin.

Zel Skin Contributes to Comparative Study of Facial Photodamage

Abstract

SUMMARY BACKGROUND

OBJECTIVE

METHODS

RESULTS

CONCLUSION

Ablative Resurfacing w/ the Confluent 2,790 nm Erbium:YSGG Laser

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