materials through the stratum corneum. Lipid based materials absorb much more efficiently than aqueous bases. Thus, the volatile silicone elastomer aids in material delivery then rapidly evaporates.
Gene expression studies on Alastin formulations have confirmed the relevant MMP, TIMP, decorin, dermatopontin, elastin, and collagen upregulation (Table 1) with histological biopsy confirmation
(Figure 3b) of changes in the ECM following pre-conditioning and treatment. In the interim, multiple clinical cases have demonstrated
less downtime and excellent symptomatic relief when used in conjunction with resurfacing procedures (Figure 5).
CONCLUSION
Skin photodamage and aging results in characteristic changes that have been well defined. These changes have long lasting effects predominantly on the dermis, the major constituent of
skin thickness. The dermal ECM orchestrates much of the repair and regeneration that occurs within all skin layers. The ECM is severely disrupted by photodamage with collection of protein aggregates following collagen, elastin, and proteoglycan fragmentation
secondary to oxidative stress reactions, glycation end products, and dysfunctional proteasomic systems. Skin rejuvenation is complicated by these factors with a background
of unstructured fragmented ECM creating less focal adhesion points causing rounded senescent fibroblasts, less collagen and elastin production, amorphous collections of elastin and other protein fragments disturbing normal cell to cell cross talk, and abnormal non-enzymatic cross linkages creating glycation end products.
Using the model/paradigm of chronic wound healing, it is suggested that adequate wound/skin bed preparation is an essential pre-requisite to any therapeutic rejuvenating procedure.
Pre-conditioning and post-treatment management with Alastin Regenerating Skin Nectarâ„¢ with TriHex Technology
â„¢ (Alastin Skin Care, Carlsbad, CA) is aimed at optimizing post procedure neocollagenesis and elastin production by modulating the ECM. Thus, the ECM is better able to address fragments created by the procedure as well as fragments accumulated through years of sun exposure and aging. By targeting various mechanisms of ECM fragmentation, the matrix is altered to a proregenerative milieu rather than one of scarring and inflammation. The select peptides and botanical
extracts synergistically and sequentially aid in ECM modulation to optimize and “prime†the skin for resurfacing procedures. Furthermore, this approach allows for modulation
to occur over time, maintaining results achieved.
