The Efficacy and Safety of a Novel Protective Complex Combined With 50% Glycolic Acid Peel: A Double-Blinded, Split Face, Controlled Study

December 2021 | Volume 20 | Issue 12 | Original Article | 1336 | Copyright © December 2021


Published online November 16, 2021

Ofir Artzi MD,a,b,c Lee Heyman MD,b Rafael L. Carasso MD,d Joseph N. Mehrabi MScb

aArtzi Treatment and Research Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
bSackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
cDepartment of Dermatology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
dHillel Yaffe Medical Center, Hadera, Israel

Abstract
Background: Glycolic acid (GA) is a commonly used superficial peel with higher concentrations and lower pH levels leading to a stronger effect despite a higher risk of adverse effects (AE), which include burning, pain, itching, erythema, and edema.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the potential of a novel protective complex (NPC) to reduce facial AEs following a GA chemical peel treatment.
Methods and Materials: Twenty volunteers were selected for the study. A pair of numbered kits were supplied by and randomly assigned to be applied to each side of a patient’s face with either a 50% GA peel plus NPC or a control formulation with only a 50% GA peel. AEs, patient photographs, and standard and red filtered VISIA scans were evaluated by three independent dermatologists.
Results: The average post-treatment pain and itching were significantly higher in the control half as compared to the study half. Recovery time appeared to be significantly shorter in the treated side compared to the control side.
Conclusion: The addition of the NPC to GA 50% peel is a highly effective, safe modality in the reduction of erythema, pain, and itching after peel application, and it provides an advantage in the post-treatment healing period.

J Drugs Dermatol. 2021;20(12):1336-1339. doi:10.36849/JDD.5939

INTRODUCTION

Chemical peels are a popular, effective, noninvasive and relatively safe modality to improve skin appearance and to treat various skin problems, such as acne, pigmentation, scars, wrinkles, melasma, and photoaging among others. They are categorized according to their depth of penetration into superficial, medium, and deep peels.1,2 Peels are commonly used in clinical settings and found in many cosmetic products.1,3

Glycolic acid (GA) is a commonly used superficial peel with higher concentrations and lower pH levels leading to a stronger effect despite a higher risk of adverse effects. Most common adverse effects following glycolic acid peel are the sensation of burning, pain or itching, erythema, and edema.1,3-5 A novel protective complex (NOON Aesthetics®, Tel Aviv, IL), known as the DermShield™, was developed to be added to the peel in order to allow the use of high concentration GA peel at a low pH, while reducing the accompanying negative adverse effects on the skin. The purpose of this study is to examine this novel protective complex (NPC) for its anti-irritation effect, tolerability, efficacy, and safety while added to the GA 50% peel.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective, double blind, split-face controlled study aimed to evaluate the potential of the NPC to reduce facial adverse effects following a GA chemical peel treatment. The clinical trial was carried out at an outpatient private clinic in the period from January 2019 till March 2019. After approval of the Institutional Review Board (IRB), informed consent was obtained from all subjects prior to beginning the study.

One month prior to the trial, all patients could apply only a moisturizer and a sunscreen. A pair of numbered kits were supplied by NOON Aesthetics and assigned to each patient. The company used a designated software to randomize the patient number, facial halves, and the treated (50% GA peel plus NPC) Vs. the control formulations (only 50% GA peel). The two kits were identical in shape, size, and weight, as well as color, odor, and consistency. A randomized list was kept away to ensure the integrity of the trial. Neither the treating physician nor the patients knew which facial half was treated by the study or control kit.

Demographics, including age, medical history, dermatological