An Analysis of Patient-Reported Recovery Outcomes of Topical Tripeptide/Hexapeptide Formulations Utilized in a Prospective Randomized Double-Blind Split Neck and Body Study.

BACKGROUND: Physicians strive to improve the postsurgical experience and optimize patient-reported recovery outcome measures (PROMs) following elective cosmetic surgical procedures. Our previous pilot feasibility study demonstrated that twice daily postoperative topical body treatment with tripeptide and hexapeptide (TransFORM Body Treatment with TriHex Technology [TFB, Alastin Skincare, Inc., Carlsbad, CA]) reduced PROMs of swelling, induration, soft tissue fibrosis, and pain as well as improved visible and palpable skin quality. OBJECTIVES: Evaluate whether adding a tripeptide/hexapeptide anhydrous gel (Regenerating Skin Nectar with TriHex Technology [RSN, Alastin Skincare, Inc., Carlsbad, CA]) pre- and post-procedure to the existing postsurgical regimen of TFB significantly improves 6 PROMs in patients undergoing neck and body contouring cosmetic surgical procedures. METHODS: Ten female patients underwent 15 neck and body contouring procedures and were blindly randomized to 1 of 2 topical treatment protocols (1 [TFB] and 2 [RSN/TFB]) pre- and post-procedure. Patient-reported scores of 5 skin parameters (skin discoloration, ecchymosis, edema, induration, and subcutaneous fibrous banding) and pain scores using the Visual Analog Scale were collected at 8 intervals for 12 weeks post-procedure. RESULTS: The treatment side that used both topicals showed significantly reduced scores of edema, induration, and subcutaneous fibrous banding compared with the side that only used 1 topical, on days 5-7 and 10-14 (P < 0.05). All patients observed slower soft tissue recovery on the side that was treated with TFB alone and opted to break the code and use both topical treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Patients had statistically significant improved patient-reported measures of skin edema, skin induration, and subcutaneous banding on the operated side that used both topicals.

Evaluating the Efficacy, Tolerability, and Outcomes of Topical Tripeptide/Hexapeptide Formulations Before and After Liposuction of the Medial Thighs.

Regenerating Skin Nectar with TriHex Technology (RSN) has been shown clinically to promote healing and outcomes post procedures. TransFORM Body Treatment with TriHex Technology (TFB) has demonstrated clinically to improve lipid droplet dissolution and patient-reported outcomes post procedure. Histologically, both have been proven to regenerate collagen and elastin. The objective is to evaluate postprocedural recovery, histological, and gene expression changes of medial thigh liposuction in participants using RSN and TFB on one thigh in comparison with a bland moisturizer on the other. Participants were randomized to apply RSN pre and post procedure and TFB post procedure to one thigh and a bland moisturizer to the other. After topical pretreatment, participants underwent bilateral medial thigh liposuction. Assessments included induration measurements, ultrasounds, blinded investigator assessments, participant assessments, photography, and biopsies for 10 weeks post procedure. Blinded investigator assessments of induration, edema, and subcutaneous fibrous banding had less severity at weeks 1, 2, and 4 on the RSN/TFB thigh, corresponding with induration measurements. Ultrasound images showed less fluid infiltration, edema, and induration on the RSN/TFB side over the bland moisturizer at 2 weeks. Gene expression confirmed a hastened inflammatory phase converting more rapidly to the anti-inflammatory regenerative healing environment with evidence of extracellular remodeling only present on the RSN/TFB side at week 4, and histological biopsies demonstrated improved collagenesis and elastogenesis. RSN used before surgical procedures combined with RSN and TFB post procedure has demonstrated remodeling of the extracellular matrix, accelerating healing, and initiation of anti-inflammatory genes.

Gene Expression Changes in the Skin of Patients Undergoing Medial Thigh Liposuction With Pre-Surgical and Post-Surgical Application of Topical Products.

BACKGROUND: Skin topical preconditioning before and after surgical procedures is a relatively new concept, particularly in relation to the efficient removal of tissue breakdown products. Clinical trials demonstrate improvements, such as less induration, when surgery is combined with topical product preconditioning and with usage post-surgery. OBJECTIVES: This trial aimed to assess the efficacy of such a regimen at the molecular level through gene expression studies in combination with clinical assessments. METHODS: Six women who underwent medial thigh liposuction administered either a bland moisturizer or the experimental topical products to each side of the surgical area twice daily. Biopsies were taken before any topical application, at 2 and 4 weeks after liposuction. An inflammation-related gene expression analysis was conducted to compare the different conditions. In addition, the degree of induration was assessed in a blinded manner. RESULTS: Compared with the bland moisturizer, the experimental group demonstrated a hastened immune inflammatory response moving more rapidly to an anti-inflammatory reversal at 2 weeks followed by a wound healing extracellular remodeling effect at 4 weeks. This matched the clinical picture depicting less induration with the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: For patients undergoing body procedures, a topical treatment with the Alastin induces an accelerated healing response, inducing the clearance of "waste" products and the induction of anti-inflammatory genes. Furthermore, this topical treatment stimulates extracellular matrix remodeling, which ultimately leads to less induration.