Evaluating the Efficacy, Tolerability and Outcomes of Topical Tripeptide and Hexapeptide Formulations PRE and Post Liposuction of the Medial Thighs

Goals/Purpose: Surgical outcomes and recovery time are paramount for physicians and patients. Preparing the skin prior to surgical procedures has become a recognized concomitant treatment in addition to that used post procedurally to aid in healing and outcomes. 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 been demonstrated clinically to improve lipid droplet dissolution and patient reported outcomes post procedure. Histologically both have proven to regenerate collagen and elastin.

This split body, randomized, blinded study was designed to incorporate the pre procedural topical application of RSN and post procedural topical application of RSN and TFB to determine gene expression changes, histological alterations, recovery and outcomes. Liposuction of the medial thighs was determined to be the most advantageous, thus avoiding cross over contaminating of the two sides. In addition, the manipulation of adipose tissue with lipid droplet breakdown products likely caused by liposuction, made this a suitable model for testing skin changes subjectively and objectively in this patient group.

Methods/Technique: Participants were randomized to apply RSN pre and post procedure and TFB post procedure to one thigh and a bland moisturizer to the other. All products were in identical blinded bottles. After topical pre-treatment for approximately 2-3 weeks participants underwent bilateral medial thigh liposuction. Assessments included induration measurements, ultrasounds, blinded investigator assessments, participant assessments, photography, biopsies and gene expression. Follow-up visits were for 10 weeks.

Results/Complications: 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 modelling only present on the RSN/TFB side at week 4 and histological biopsies demonstrated improved collagenesis and elastogenesis.

Conclusion: Using RSN to prepare the skin for surgical procedures combined with RSN and TFB post procedure has been correlated through clinical study outcomes, histological evidence and finally gene analysis demonstrating remodeling of the extracellular matrix, accelerating healing and initiation of anti-inflammatory genes¹. The investigator assessments, participant assessments and induration measurements align with less severe post procedural events and match up with the genes being expressed within the period 4 weeks post procedure.

Reference:

1. Mary E Ziegler, PhD, Brannon Claytor, MD, FACS, Michaela Bell, BS, MBA, Laurie Casas, MD, FACS, Alan D Widgerow, MBBCh, MMed, FCS, FACS, Gene Expression Changes in the Skin of Patients Undergoing Medial Thigh Liposuction With Pre-Surgical and Post-Surgical Application of Topical Products, Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum, ojaa033, https://doi.org/10.1093/asjof/ojaa033