A novel ecobiological dermo-cosmetic product in wound healing and scar management

Scar management becomes an important dermatological issue due to the increase of aesthetic procedures in the last two decades. Applying an adapted moisturizer during the healing process is commonly practiced in order to help wound healing, reduce discomfort sensations, and most importantly, the final issue, leading to absence of scar pigmented or not. The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a new soothing and repairing dermo-cosmetic product formulated in accordance with the ecobiological approach. Ecobiology considers the skin as a living ecosystem interfacing with its environment and preserving its natural biology to act lastingly.

Three clinical studies (2 randomized split face and 1 opened study in real life) were performed with the product applied twice daily for 14 days. In the 2 split face studies, 21 subjects (mean age 45 y.o.) and 22 subjects (mean age 36 y.o.) that underwent a CO2 fractional laser or 70% glycolic acid peeling procedures, respectively, applied the repair product on a half-face and the placebo on the other one. The global wound score was constituted of 3 subscores - the inflammation, the scar appearance and the soothing effect - evaluated by the dermatologist. Instrumental assessments (TEWL, pH, LC-OCT) were also performed. A non-comparative true-life study on 35 subjects (mean age 32 y.o.) was based on the massage of post-surgical scars with the product and evaluated by global assessments (5-point scale, Vancouver Scar Scale [VSS]), skin colorimetry (chromameter) and scar thickness (ultrasound system).

In the first clinical studies, a significant reduction of the global score was noted after laser procedure at D7 (-63%) and D14 (-96%) and after peeling vs placebo at D3 (-56% vs. -32%) at D7 (-81% vs. -55%), both compared to D0. A TEWL reduction and a more physiological pH value were obtained with the product vs. placebo from D1 after peeling procedure. Moreover, the stratum corneum was thicker at D1 (+1.4 μm) and viable epidermis thickness was higher (+0.2 μm) with the product compared to placebo.  Finally, after 14 days of the product use in real life, we observed a significant improvement on suppleness +34%, scar color -35%, scar pigmentation -30%, thickness -32%, tightness -71%, discomfort sensations -89%, vascularity -46%, pigmentation -26% (VSS), pliability -46, height -20% and VSS total score -39%. In addition, we noticed a significant improvement of the skin homogeneity, redness and a decrease of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation as well as the scar thickness and depth (up to -19% at D14 vs. D0) via instrumental measurement. In the 3 clinical studies, the tolerance of the product was very good.