Prebiotic- and Panthenol-Containing Multipurpose Healing Dermocosmetics Post-Cryotherapy for Actinic Keratoses: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Summary

In a randomized, unblinded trial of 75 AK patients post-cryotherapy, adding a prebiotic/panthenol dermocosmetic to standard boric acid soaks shortened median healing time by 4.5 days (7 vs 11.5; P<0.0005), increased excellent cosmetic outcomes (50% vs 20%), and reduced the severity of local skin reactions, with no reported adverse events.

Key Findings

• Randomized 75 adults post-cryotherapy to BA alone vs BA plus prebiotic/panthenol dermocosmetic
• Healing time reduced by 4.5 days (median 7 vs 11.5 days; ~40% reduction; P<0.0005)
• Higher rate of excellent cosmetic outcomes in complete responders (50% vs 20%)
• Lower severity of local skin reactions (median 2 vs 3 at day 3; P<0.0001) and no reported adverse events

Clinical Implications

Consider prescribing a prebiotic/panthenol dermocosmetic after AK cryotherapy to reduce downtime, improve cosmesis, and mitigate local reactions; integrate into postprocedural care pathways.

Limitations

• Unblinded, single-center design may introduce performance and detection bias
• Short follow-up (30 days) limits assessment of longer-term recurrence or scarring

Future Directions

Validate in multicenter, blinded trials with longer follow-up, cost-effectiveness analysis, and standardized cosmetic assessment (e.g., blinded photo-grading, 3D imaging).