Weekly Cosmetic Research Analysis
This week highlighted durable, mechanism-driven advances in cosmetic medicine: a multicenter double-blind RCT showed cold-crosslinked hyaluronic acid fillers provide superior and year‑long correction for nasolabial folds; a phase 3 randomized trial extended topical JAK inhibition (ruxolitinib cream) to children with mild‑to‑moderate atopic dermatitis showing meaningful clinical benefit and tolerability; and a randomized study supported adding botulinum toxin A to superficial radiotherapy to impr
Summary
This week highlighted durable, mechanism-driven advances in cosmetic medicine: a multicenter double-blind RCT showed cold-crosslinked hyaluronic acid fillers provide superior and year‑long correction for nasolabial folds; a phase 3 randomized trial extended topical JAK inhibition (ruxolitinib cream) to children with mild‑to‑moderate atopic dermatitis showing meaningful clinical benefit and tolerability; and a randomized study supported adding botulinum toxin A to superficial radiotherapy to improve outcomes after chest keloid excision. Complementary analytical and preclinical studies (environmental monitoring, anti‑glycation nanoparticles, rapid MS screening) reinforce a trend toward safety-focused, mechanism-based cosmeceutical development.
Selected Articles
1. Long-term Safety and Effectiveness of Cold-Crosslinked Hyaluronic Acid Fillers: Multicenter, Randomized, Controlled, Double-Blind Study.
In a multicenter, randomized, controlled, double‑blind split‑face trial of 140 patients with moderate‑to‑severe nasolabial folds, cold‑crosslinked HA fillers (EVLF, EVLS) demonstrated noninferiority and statistical superiority versus Restylane‑L on the Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale at 6 months, with EVLF maintaining superiority through 12 months. FACE‑Q patient‑reported outcomes improved significantly at all time points; treatments were well tolerated.
Impact: Provides high‑quality, head‑to‑head randomized evidence that an innovative cold‑crosslinking manufacturing process yields more durable aesthetic correction with strong patient‑reported benefits—directly informing clinician choice and regulatory evaluation of new filler platforms.
Clinical Implications: Clinicians can consider cold‑crosslinked HA fillers as first‑line options for nasolabial fold correction when seeking year‑long durability and high patient satisfaction; counsel patients on comparative durability versus established products and monitor for standard filler adverse events.
Key Findings
- Cold‑crosslinked fillers achieved noninferiority and statistical superiority versus Restylane‑L on WSRS at Month 6.
- EVLF maintained superior WSRS improvements through 12 months; EVLS showed superiority at 6 and 9 months.
- FACE‑Q patient‑reported outcomes improved significantly from baseline at all time points and all treatments were well tolerated.
2. Efficacy and safety of ruxolitinib cream in children aged 2 to 11 years with atopic dermatitis: Results from TRuE-AD3, a phase 3, randomized double-blind study.
TRuE‑AD3 (N=330) demonstrated that twice‑daily ruxolitinib cream (0.75% and 1.5%) significantly increased Investigator Global Assessment treatment success at 8 weeks compared with vehicle (36.6% and 56.5% vs 10.8%), with improvements in itch and quality of life and a safety profile consistent with adolescent/adult data.
Impact: A well‑powered phase‑3 randomized double‑blind pediatric trial extending topical JAK inhibition to children provides high‑level evidence for a non‑steroidal therapeutic option in pediatric atopic dermatitis, with immediate practice implications for dermatologists.
Clinical Implications: Ruxolitinib cream can be considered an effective, well‑tolerated nonsteroidal topical for children aged 2–11 with mild‑to‑moderate AD; clinicians should weigh long‑term safety, maintenance strategies, and comparisons with topical steroids and calcineurin inhibitors.
Key Findings
- IGA treatment success at week 8: 36.6% (0.75%) and 56.5% (1.5%) vs 10.8% for vehicle (P = .0001 and P < .0001).
- Significant improvements in itch and quality of life measures were observed.
- Safety in children was consistent with adolescent/adult experience.
3. Clinical Efficacy Analysis of Botulinum Toxin Type A Combined with Superficial Radiotherapy after Chest Keloid Surgery.
In a randomized study of 60 patients with medium to large chest keloids, immediate injection of botulinum toxin A combined with superficial radiotherapy after excision improved total effective rate, patient satisfaction, and Vancouver Scar Scale scores at 6 months versus radiotherapy alone, suggesting BTX‑A is a promising adjunct to reduce recurrence and improve cosmetic outcomes.
Impact: Provides prospective randomized evidence that a widely available adjunct (BTX‑A) can enhance post‑excisional radiotherapy outcomes in keloids—a high‑morbidity cosmetic problem—potentially changing perioperative scar management.
Clinical Implications: Consider intraoperative or immediate postoperative BTX‑A injection alongside superficial radiotherapy for chest keloids to improve scar quality and satisfaction; larger, multicenter trials with longer follow‑up are warranted before broad guideline changes.
Key Findings
- Randomized 60‑patient comparison: BTX‑A + superficial radiotherapy vs radiotherapy alone after chest keloid excision.
- Combination therapy produced higher total effective rates and patient satisfaction at 6 months (P < 0.05) and lower VSS scores.
- Reported recurrence was qualitatively lower in the combination group over 6 months.