Evaluating Procedure Pairing of a Post-Procedure Cream Versus a Comparator in Patients Treated With Fractional Ablative CO2 Laser for Facial Rejuvenation

A Randomized, Single-Center, Double-Blinded, Split-Face, Controlled Study Evaluating Procedure Pairing of a Post-Procedure Cream Versus a Comparator in Patients Treated With Fractional Ablative CO2 Laser for Facial Rejuvenation

This randomized, single-center, double-blinded, split-face, controlled clinical trial was conducted to investigate the tolerability, safety, and efficacy of a post-procedure cream when used immediately after fractional ablative CO2 laser treatment and for 14 days post-procedure with three times daily application in healthy female subjects aged 35 to 65 with moderate to severe global facial overall photodamage (score of 4 to 9 out of the 10-point Modified Griffiths' scale). Furthermore, this clinical trial compared the active post-procedure cream to a comparator anhydrous formulation often paired with skin rejuvenation procedures. This is a cosmetic study with a FDA-regulated device.

A total of 22 healthy female subjects completed the study.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Wrinkle; Skin Laxity; Photoaging
• Intervention / Treatment: Procedure: Fractional Ablative CO2 Laser; Other: Facial Cleanser; Other: Facial Moisturizer; Other: Sunscreen; Other: Basic Ointment

Detailed Description

This randomized, single-center, double-blinded, split-face, controlled clinical trial was conducted to investigate the tolerability, safety, and efficacy of a post-procedure cream when used immediately after fractional ablative CO2 laser treatment and for 14 days post-procedure with three times daily application in healthy female subjects aged 35 to 65 with moderate to severe global facial overall photodamage (score of 4 to 9 out of the 10-point Modified Griffiths' scale). The ability of the post-procedure cream to soothe skin and improve patient downtime post-procedure was investigated by evaluating tolerability parameters (erythema, edema, dryness, burning, itching, stinging) and pain over the course of the study. Furthermore, this clinical trial compared the active post-procedure cream to a comparator anhydrous formulation often paired with skin rejuvenation procedures.

A 14-day washout period was required of all subjects prior to CO2 laser treatment. Tolerability (investigator: erythema, edema, dryness; subject: burning, itching, stinging) and safety were assessed through grading at screening, pre-procedure, post-procedure, post-procedure/post-product application, and days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 14 post-procedure. Pain evaluations were completed by subjects using the 11-point Wong Baker Faces® Pain Rating scale post-procedure, post-procedure/post-product application, and days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 14 post-procedure.

In addition, efficacy evaluation using the Modified Griffiths' scale was performed at screening, pre-procedure, and days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 14 post-procedure. Self-assessment questionnaires were completed by subjects post-procedure/post-product application and days 1, 3, and 14 post-procedure. Clinical photography was completed at all timepoints (screening to day 14 post-procedure).

A total of 22 subjects completed study participation.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 23
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Ohio
    • Blue Ash, Ohio, United States, 45242
      • The Dermatology Group

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy female subjects 35-65 years of age
• Fitzpatrick Skin Type I to III
• Any race or ethnicity
• Moderate to Severe Overall Photodamage (global face) (score of 4 to 9 out of the 10-point Modified Griffiths' scale, where 0 = none and 9 = severe)
• No known medical conditions that, in the Investigator's opinion, may interfere with study participation.
• Willing to discontinue all active topical facial products and only use the assigned test products for the duration of the study.
• Female subjects of childbearing potential must be willing to use a form of birth control during the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Nursing, pregnant, or planning a pregnancy during this study.
• Having undergone a chemical peel, microdermabrasion, hydro dermabrasion or anti-aging facial within 1 month; non-ablative laser (including IPL) or non-ablative fractional laser resurfacing of the face within 6 months; ablative laser resurfacing of the face within 12 months.
• Not willing to discontinue active topical facial products for 14 days prior to the Baseline Visit

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Other
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Split-Face Application of Active (Experimental); Active (Experimental) Post-Procedure Cream Dosage Form: reverse emulsion (water in oil) cream containing bioactive ingredients, botanical actives, peptides, and antioxidants. Frequency of Dosage: Three times daily (morning, afternoon, and evening). Subjects were asked to apply face (including upper eyelid), jawline, and neck. The product was labelled with Right or Left depending on split-face randomization. Study duration: 28 days. Active Post-Procedure Cream duration 14-days.	Procedure: Fractional Ablative CO2 Laser; A fractional ablative DEKA SmartXide Tetra CO2 laser treatment was performed after a 14-day washout period. Subjects were numbed for 1 hour prior to procedure with topical numbing cream (lidocaine 23%, tetracaine 7%). The global face was treated with a single pass. Treatment parameters include power 20 W, spacing 500 um (13% density), Dwell time 1200 us DEKA pulse mode, spray mode on.; Other Names: DEKA SmartXide Tetra CO2 laser treatment; Other: Facial Cleanser; Facial cleanser was to be used by subjects twice daily during the 14-day washout period and three times daily during the 14-day post-procedure timeline.; Other Names: Gentle Foaming Cleanser, Revision Skincare; Other: Facial Moisturizer; A bland facial moisturizer was to be used by subjects twice daily during the 14-day washout period and three times daily between day 3 and 14 post-procedure. Two pumps were to be applied to the face (avoiding the upper eyelid) after applying the active and comparator.; Other: Sunscreen; During the 14-day washout period, a bland sunscreen was to be used by subjects in the morning after cleansing and facial moisturizer application with reapplications as needed throughout the day per FDA recommendations. For days 3-14 post-procedure, the bland sunscreen was to be used daily by subjects in the morning and afternoon after cleansing, split-face application of the active post-procedure cream and comparator anhydrous formulation, and facial moisturizer application.; Other Names: Neutrogena Sheer Zinc SPF 50
Active Comparator: Split-Face Application of Comparator; COMPARATOR: Dosage Form: anhydrous formulation. Comparator Anhydrous Formulation Frequency of Dosage: Three times daily (morning, afternoon, and evening). Subjects were asked to apply on the face (including upper eyelid), jawline, and neck. The product was labelled with Right or Left depending on split-face randomization. Study duration: 28 days. Comparator duration 14-days.	Procedure: Fractional Ablative CO2 Laser; A fractional ablative DEKA SmartXide Tetra CO2 laser treatment was performed after a 14-day washout period. Subjects were numbed for 1 hour prior to procedure with topical numbing cream (lidocaine 23%, tetracaine 7%). The global face was treated with a single pass. Treatment parameters include power 20 W, spacing 500 um (13% density), Dwell time 1200 us DEKA pulse mode, spray mode on.; Other Names: DEKA SmartXide Tetra CO2 laser treatment; Other: Facial Cleanser; Facial cleanser was to be used by subjects twice daily during the 14-day washout period and three times daily during the 14-day post-procedure timeline.; Other Names: Gentle Foaming Cleanser, Revision Skincare; Other: Facial Moisturizer; A bland facial moisturizer was to be used by subjects twice daily during the 14-day washout period and three times daily between day 3 and 14 post-procedure. Two pumps were to be applied to the face (avoiding the upper eyelid) after applying the active and comparator.; Other: Sunscreen; During the 14-day washout period, a bland sunscreen was to be used by subjects in the morning after cleansing and facial moisturizer application with reapplications as needed throughout the day per FDA recommendations. For days 3-14 post-procedure, the bland sunscreen was to be used daily by subjects in the morning and afternoon after cleansing, split-face application of the active post-procedure cream and comparator anhydrous formulation, and facial moisturizer application.; Other Names: Neutrogena Sheer Zinc SPF 50; Other: Basic Ointment; The basic ointment was used only on the comparator side for three days (72 hours) post-procedure. This was a requirement of the comparator anhydrous formulation.; Other Names: Vanicream Moisturizing Ointment

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Investigator Tolerability	The primary tolerability endpoint will be Investigator Tolerability Assessment of erythema, edema, and dryness. A change in score or lack of significant change post product application, Day 1 (24 hours), Day 3, Day 5, Day 7, and Day 14 in comparison to baseline (immediately post-procedure) indicates tolerability / safety of the test material. A four-point scale will be used with a lower score indicating a better outcome: 0 = None; = Mild; = Moderate; = Severe	14 days
Incidence of Adverse Events	The primary safety endpoint will be determined by the incidence and severity of adverse events in healthy subjects, including immediately post-procedure and throughout the length of the study.	14-days
Subject Tolerability	The subject tolerability endpoint will be Subject Tolerability Assessment of burning, itching, and stinging. A change in score or lack of significant change post product application, Day 1 (24 hours), Day 3, Day 5, Day 7, and Day 14 in comparison to baseline (immediately post-procedure) indicates tolerability / safety of the test material. A four-point scale will be used with a lower score indicating a better outcome: 0 = None; = Mild; = Moderate; = Severe	14 days

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Self-Assessment Questionnaire	A change in response values at Day 1 (24 hours), Day 3, and Day 14 compared to post-procedure/post-product application response values indicates an improvement. Baseline responses will be set to post-procedure/post-product application. Subjects are asked to rate based on a scoring system of the following: from 5 (completely agree) to 1 (completely disagree). The best outcome is to Completely Agree with the statement / question being asked.	14 days

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Revision Skincare
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Nathan Weir, MD, PhD, The Dermatology Group

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): October 3, 2023
• Primary Completion (Actual): December 29, 2023
• Study Completion (Actual): December 29, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 10, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 10, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): April 16, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): August 3, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 30, 2025
• Last Verified: April 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: post-procedure; Fractional Ablative CO2 Laser
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Genetic Diseases, Inborn; Connective Tissue Diseases; Skin Diseases; Skin Diseases, Genetic; Cutis Laxa; Physiological Effects of Drugs; Dermatologic Agents; Protective Agents; Radiation-Protective Agents; Sunscreening Agents
• Other Study ID Numbers: RS-2023-05

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: Yes
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No