Epidermal Nevi: What Is New.

This article reviews the clinical findings of epidermal nevi and their associated syndromes and provides an update on their pathogenic genetic changes as well as targeted therapies detailed to date.

Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of a Topical Formulation Containing Epidermal Growth Factor, Tranexamic Acid, Vitamin C, Arbutin, Niacinamide and Other Ingredients as Hydroquinone 4% Alternatives to Improve Hyperpigmentation: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Split Face Study.

Hyperpigmentation is a common concern of patients in aesthetic practice. There are various treatment options, but topical depigmenting agents such as hydroquinone (HQ) are usually a first-line option. Given HQ's side effects and potential controversy over its long-term use from prior animal studies, there is a consumer demand for non-HQ topical formulations that provide similar efficacy, but with a reduced adverse reaction profile to HQ. There is increasing evidence to support the use of selective growth factors, tranexamic acid, niacinamide, arbutin, and Vitamin C in improving hyperpigmentation. This study sought to determine whether a non-HQ topical formulation, composed of the aforementioned ingredients, could provide similar or improved efficacy to topical HQ, but with a reduced adverse reaction profile. This single-center, prospective, randomized, controlled split face study investigated the safety and efficacy of a proprietary product SKNB19 compared with hydroquinone 4% (HQ4%) in treating hyperpigmentation. Eighteen adult subjects with facial pigmentation were randomly assigned to have one side of their face treated with SKNB19 twice a day (morning and night application) and the other treated with HQ4% applied nightly. Patients used a 5-point scale to self-assess their overall appearance, and a 4-point scale to assess redness, irritation, and tolerability to the skin-brightening creams. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to test whether there was a statistical difference between the two treatments. Three-dimensional imaging was performed before treatment was administered and again 1 month following treatment initiation using a Canfield Vectra 3D imaging system. Five independent reviewers comprising two dermatologists, two facial plastic surgeons, and one oculoplastic surgeon graded and performed a qualitative comparative assessment of each side of the face using the before and after images. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to test whether there was a statistical difference in overall appearance between SKNB19- and HQ4%-treated sides. SKNB19-treated hyperpigmentation had a statistically significant improvement in the overall appearance of hyperpigmentation and was shown to be 28.5% better than HQ4%-treated skin in the patient self-assessment and 27% better than HQ4%-treated skin in the independent reviewer assessment. On pair-wise comparison, the independent reviewer assessment also showed that 88.2% of the SKNB19-treated sides appeared equal or better than the HQ4%-treated sides. One patient dropped out of the study because of severe intolerance to HQ4%. No patients experienced intolerance to SKNB19, and all were able to continue its use without adverse effects. SKNB19-treated hyperpigmentation also had a statistically significant reduction in irritation when compared with HQ4%-treated hyperpigmentation. Patients reported a reduction in redness when using SKNB19 as opposed to HQ4%, but these figures did not reach statistical significance. This study supports that SKNB19, a recently developed non-HQ proprietary product, is safe and effective in improving hyperpigmentation. SKNB19 significantly improved the appearance of hyperpigmentation when compared with HQ4% in both patient self-assessment and independent reviewer assessment. SKNB19 exhibited a lower adverse reaction profile and was significantly better tolerated than HQ4%. SKNB19 should be considered as a safe and effective non-HQ alternative for the management of hyperpigmentation.

Safety/Efficacy of New Topical Silicone Formulation with Selective Growth Factors for Treating Striae Distensae.

Striae distensae (SD) are linear dermal scars that arise from progressive stretching or tearing of the dermal layer. This study tests the safety and efficacy of a topical formulation of silicone-based scar cream containing selective synthetic recombinant human growth factors, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C to improve overall appearance and texture of SD. Twenty-two subjects with SD alba were recruited and randomized to apply the topical formula to half of their SD laterally twice a day for 1 month. Patient surveys were obtained at 1 month for overall appearance, texture, and tolerability. Three-dimensional imaging was obtained at baseline and at 1 month and submitted to independent evaluators for grading on overall appearance. Subjects reported improved texture and appearance in 86.4% of SD. Subjects reported 100% of untreated SD to have no change in overall appearance or texture. 90.9% of subjects reported no tolerability issues. 9.1% of the treated group reported mild issues such as slight itching or redness the first day of application, which subsided in 2 days for all patients. Independent evaluators indicated improvement in 72.7% of SD in comparison to improvement in 36.3% of untreated SD. This study demonstrates that the investigated topical formulation is safe and effective to use for SD.