Study summary · research use only
Facial rejuvenation: combining cosmeceuticals with cosmetic procedures
Plain-language summary
Paraphrased from the published abstract below — not a verdict on whether anything works.
This review discusses combining cosmeceuticals with cosmetic procedures for facial rejuvenation. The abstract describes adjunctive agents used with chemical peels, lasers and injectables to reduce postprocedure inflammation and hyperpigmentation and speed healing, including topical retinoids before ablative laser treatment and antioxidant/anti-inflammatory cosmeceuticals. It notes that acetyl hexapeptide-3 is described as a topical agent for decreasing wrinkles that can be used as an adjunct to intramuscular botulinum neurotoxin, potentially reducing the number of injections, and that topical hyaluronic acid may help patients averse to needles. The authors review combinations dermatologists may consider.
Abstract
Cosmetic patients are looking for a more youthful appearance without spending a lot of money, feeling any pain, or experiencing any postprocedure downtime. New cosmeceutical therapies can be used adjuvant to chemical peels, lasers, and injectables, making antiaging regimens less painful and requiring less postprocedural healing time. Adjunctive agents can be used to enhance chemical peels and decrease postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). Topical retinoids used prior to ablative laser treatments can aid in faster postprocedure healing and reepithelialization. Cosmeceuticals that contain both antioxidants and anti-inflammatories can help reduce postprocedure inflammation. Acetyl hexapeptide-3 is an effective topical agent for decreasing wrinkles and can be used as an adjunct to intramuscular botulinum neurotoxin, which may reduce the number of injections needed. Topical hyaluronic acid also would help patients who are averse to needles or are just starting to get wrinkles and are looking for noninvasive therapy. This article reviews combinations of cosmeceuticals with cosmetic procedures that dermatologists may want to consider discussing with their cosmetic patients.
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