Laser-Assisted Hyaluronic Acid Delivery by Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser in Facial Skin Remodeling: AProspective Randomized Split-Face Study in France.

Abstract

Combining the efficacy of ablative fractional carbon dioxide lasers (AFXL) to laser-assisted hyaluronic acid delivery (LAHAD) has not yet beenstudied. The objective of our study was to evaluate the safety and the efficacy of laser-assisted hyaluronic acid (HA) delivery with AFXL in facial skin remodeling. We conducted a prospective, double-blinded, randomized split-face studyon 20 patients from 30 to 70 years old, with a skin phototype from I to IV. Each patient received full-face treatment with AFXL, immediately followed by the application in droplets into the fractional ablative tunnels of 1 mlof HA gel on one hemifaceand 1 mlof physiological saline on the other hemiface. To evaluate postlaser aftermath, the intensity of erythema, edema, and crusts was graded. To assess facial skin remodeling, we scored the improvement of skin texture, firmness, fine lines, and skin radiance from baseline. Patients were evaluated on the3rdand 7thday, 1stand 3rdmonth using clinical evaluations, photographs, and patient questionnaires. We showed equivalence in postlaser aftermath between HA-treated and nontreated hemiface. Trend data analyses at the 3rdmonth suggested that immediate application of HA after AFXL resulted in a greater improvement in facial skin remodeling, especially for skin texture (mean score of 2.60 vs. 2.45) and skin firmness (mean score of 2.55 vs. 2.40). Skin radiance showed the best improvement, reaching almost a score of 5/10. LAHAD with AFXL is a safe treatment showing promising results in facial skin remodeling. These findings need to be confirmed by a larger study to evaluate the value of LAHAD in daily clinical practice. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.