Efficacy and Safety of Topical Dexpanthenol-Containing Spray and Cream in the Recovery of the Skin Integrity Compared with Petroleum Jelly after Dermatologic Aesthetic Procedures

Flávia Alvim Sant’Anna Addor,Erwan Peltier,Maurício Cândido De Souza,Juliana Machado Canosa,Sonja Trapp

doi:10.3390/cosmetics8030087

Flávia Alvim Sant’Anna Addor, Erwan Peltier + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics8030087

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Journal: Cosmetics	Publication Date: Sep 10, 2021
Citations: 3	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Bayer (Switzerland), Medcin Dermatologia

Abstract

Moisturizers are commonly prescribed after laser and chemical peel aesthetic procedures, but the evidence regarding their efficacy and safety of such use is scarce. We conducted four single-blind, three-week, controlled studies to evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical Dexpanthenol-containing products (Bepantol® spray and Bepantol® cream) using petroleum jelly as a positive control. Skin recovery was assessed after four aesthetic procedures: (1) non-ablative facial laser resurfacing, (2) laser depilation on the external genital and inguinal regions, (3) chemical peel on the external genital and inguinal regions, and (4) ablative facial laser resurfacing. Efficacy was assessed through transepidermal water loss (TEWL) combined with clinical assessment of the skin by the investigators and the participants. In studies (1) and (4), the erythema intensity was evaluated by measuring dermal temperature with a thermal imaging camera. Safety was assessed through adverse event reporting and acceptability through a questionnaire. Dexpanthenol-containing products significantly decreased TEWL and dermal temperature, therefore maintaining skin integrity, promoting its recovery, and reducing erythema. No statistical differences with the positive control were observed. In addition, Dexpanthenol-containing products were well appreciated by the participants from a sensory perspective. These findings suggest that these Dexpanthenol-containing products are adequate for post-procedural care in aesthetic dermatology.

Highlights

The use of fractional photothermolysis (FP) laser is increasing in aesthetic clinics for several purposes: rejuvenation, improving the texture of the skin, reduction of small vascular injuries, reduction of wrinkles around the eyes, treatment of melasmas and acne scars, and depilation [1,2,3]
Dermatologists currently prefer products that protect the skin, but are able to repair minor damage and protect from transepidermal water loss, enabling the skin to recover by producing natural moisturizing factors (NMFs) and lipids by itself
Dexpanthenol-containing products displayed a similar efficacy and safety compared to the positive control in aesthetic post-procedural care

Summary

Introduction

The use of fractional photothermolysis (FP) laser is increasing in aesthetic clinics for several purposes: rejuvenation, improving the texture of the skin, reduction of small vascular injuries, reduction of wrinkles around the eyes, treatment of melasmas and acne scars, and depilation [1,2,3]. An FP laser can be ablative or non-ablative, depending on the impact on stratum corneum [2]. Ablative FP has longer wavelengths, in the range of 2940–10,600 nm, destroying the full-thickness of skin. Non-ablative FP has wavelengths ranging from 1320 to 1927 nm, leaving a functionally and histologically intact stratum corneum [2]. The ablative lasers vaporize the superficial layers of the skin by heating the dermis, usually using pulsed carbon dioxide (CO2) laser. Non-ablative lasers stimulate collagen growth only by creating focal thermal injury within the dermis [5], probably through a mechanism similar to ablative procedures but without the epidermal injury [3]. The healing process and success of laser treatments are enhanced by appropriate postoperative care of the laser-treated skin [5]

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Conclusion