The Effects of a Daily Skincare Regimen on Maintaining the Benefits Obtained from Previous Chemical Resurfacing Treatments

September 2016 | Volume 15 | Issue 9 | Features | 1145 | Copyright © September 2016


Suzanne Bruce MD,a Wendy Roberts MD,b Craig Teller MD,c and Lora Colvan BSd

aSuzanne Bruce and Associates, Houston, TX
bRancho Mirage Dermatology, Rancho Mirage, CA
cBellaire Dermatology Associates, Bellaire, TX
dMDRejuvena, Inc., San Diego, CA

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Chemical peels are versatile treatments that involve chemical exfoliation of the skin for cosmetic improvement. Deeper peels produce more significant results, but can be associated with longer healing time and potential complications. Novel chemical resurfacing treatments (AGE and MELA) were developed in Europe to produce skin resurfacing via controlled inflammation to promote cell regeneration with minimum negative effects associated with conventional peelings. The AGE Resurfacing regimen is indicated for the treatment of photoaging, and consists of multi-ingredient peeling solution with trichloroacetic acid, pyruvic acid, salicylic acid, mandelic acid, and lactobionic acid. The MELA Resurfacing regimen addresses hyperpigmentation concerns and contains mandelic acid, potassium azeloyl diglycinate, retinol, salicylic acid, phytic acid, lactobionic acid, and lactic acid. Results of previously conducted US clinical experience trial of AGE and MELA resurfacing protocols rated 81% of subjects with some level of improvement according to physician assessment.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether a daily skin care regimen used for 12 weeks could maintain the benefits achieved with AGE and MELA chemical resurfacing treatments.
METHODS: Subjects who completed participation in the AGE and MELA skin resurfacing clinical trial were recruited to participate in a continuation trial and used a daily regimen of MDRejuvena facial products for 12 weeks. No other facial products were permitted. Physicians assessed the severity of individual skin parameters at baseline and week 12 and provided global assessment. Subjects assessed improvement of individual skin parameters at week 12 and provided an overall assessment.
RESULTS: Thirteen subjects participated in the 12-week continuation trial. According to the physician’s global assessment, all subjects demonstrated some level of improvement at week 12 compared to baseline. Physician assessment showed a decrease in severity of all skin parameters assessed at week 12 compared to baseline. According to the subject overall assessment at week 12, 11 of 12 subjects noted some level of improvement, 1 subject saw no improvement, and 1 subject did not provide an overall assessment. Mild to moderate improvement was observed by subjects in all individual skin parameters assessed except for skin discoloration.
CONCLUSIONS: The results of the continuation study demonstrate that use of a daily skin care regimen, which include combination of 2 various strengths of MDRejuvena Rejuvaphyl® Rejuvenating Complex: low strength (LS) and high strength (HS), not only maintains but can enhance the beneficial effects of skin resurfacing treatments for at least 12 weeks.

J Drugs Dermatol. 2016;15(9):1145-1150.

INTRODUCTION

Chemical peeling is a procedure used for cosmetic improvement of skin in which a chemical exfoliating agent is applied to destruct portions of epidermis and/or dermis with subsequent regeneration and rejuvenation of the tissues. These treatments provide reliably reproducible results in a wide variety of patients with a good cost-benefit ratio. Chemical peels are divided into 3 categories depending upon the depth of the wound created by the peel.1 For superficial peels alpha-hydroxy-acids and most recently lipo-hydroxy acid are used to induce an exfoliation of the epidermis; medium-depth agents such as trichloroacetic acid (<50%) cause an epidermal to papillary dermal peel and regeneration; deep peels using trichloroacetic acid (>50%) or phenol based formulations reach the reticular dermis to induce dermal regeneration.2 Deeper peels produce more significant results, but are associated with longer healing times and the potential for complications.3, 4
The skin resurfacing products and protocols (from Laboratorio pHformula Internacional SL, Barcelona, Spain) were developed as a dermatological skin resurfacing system to address specific skin conditions such as aging, hyperpigmentation, acne, and chronic redness. The systems are based on the concept of