Weekly Cosmetic Research Analysis
This week’s cosmetic-focused literature advances both safety science and aesthetic practice. A high-quality randomized surgical trial shows semi-endoscopic trans‑axillary breast augmentation reduces deformities and capsular contracture. Mechanism-linked clinical cosmeceutical and injectable trials report objective improvements in periorbital rhytides and pigmented dark circles, while several studies push non-animal safety assessment, environmental remediation of cosmetic pollutants, and microbio
Summary
This week’s cosmetic-focused literature advances both safety science and aesthetic practice. A high-quality randomized surgical trial shows semi-endoscopic trans‑axillary breast augmentation reduces deformities and capsular contracture. Mechanism-linked clinical cosmeceutical and injectable trials report objective improvements in periorbital rhytides and pigmented dark circles, while several studies push non-animal safety assessment, environmental remediation of cosmetic pollutants, and microbiome‑aware product design.
Selected Articles
1. Trans-axillary breast augmentation: a Randomized Controlled Trial comparing a new semi-endoscopic video-assisted technique versus the blind technique.
In a randomized trial of 118 patients, a semi‑endoscopic video‑assisted trans‑axillary approach reduced deformities (bottoming‑out, double‑bubble, animation deformity) and capsular contracture compared with a blind approach, although operative time increased. The trial provides randomized evidence that a practical endoscopic modification improves aesthetic and implant‑related outcomes.
Impact: A randomized surgical trial demonstrating clinically meaningful reductions in frequent aesthetic complications provides high‑level evidence likely to change operative practice and patient counseling.
Clinical Implications: Surgeons should consider integrating semi‑endoscopic assistance into trans‑axillary augmentation to reduce deformity and capsular contracture risks, while informing patients about modestly longer operative time and potential learning-curve effects.
Key Findings
- Semi‑endoscopic video‑assisted trans‑axillary approach reduced asymmetries/deformities (bottoming out, double bubble, animation deformity).
- Lower incidence of capsular contracture observed with endoscopic assistance, at the cost of increased operative time.
2. Effect of Protease-Treated Royal Jelly Extract on Facial Wrinkles: A Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Parallel-Group Study.
A double‑blind split‑face randomized study (n=70, 12 weeks) found protease‑treated royal jelly (pRJ) cream reduced crow’s feet wrinkle depth, increased stratum corneum hydration and dermal thickness, altered cheek microbiome abundance, and upregulated COL17A1 ex vivo — linking clinical benefit with mechanistic biomarkers.
Impact: First randomized clinical demonstration linking a cosmeceutical to stem‑cell related markers and microbiome changes with objective wrinkle improvement — important for translational cosmeceutical development.
Clinical Implications: Clinicians and aesthetic practitioners can consider pRJ‑containing topical regimens for periorbital rhytides, counsel patients about demonstrated 12‑week benefits, and monitor safety and durability in broader populations.
Key Findings
- Significant reduction in maximum and average crow’s feet wrinkle depth versus placebo after 12 weeks.
- Increased stratum corneum water content and dermal thickness; decreased relative cheek microbiome abundance; ex vivo upregulation of COL17A1.
3. Efficacy and safety of injectable sodium hyaluronate with vitamin C, tranexamic acid, and glutathione for pigmented dark circles.
A randomized trial (n=120) showed two injections of a sodium hyaluronate complex combined with vitamin C, tranexamic acid, and glutathione improved objective grayscale pigmentation metrics and reduced contrast with surrounding skin at 12 weeks, with improved patient satisfaction and DLQI and no unexpected safety concerns.
Impact: Provides randomized evidence for a minimally invasive injectable combination for a prevalent cosmetic concern, offering objective and patient‑reported benefit data usable in practice.
Clinical Implications: This regimen can be discussed as an evidence‑based injectable option for periorbital hyperpigmentation; counsel patients on expected 12‑week improvement and monitor for routine injection‑related events (bruising, swelling).
Key Findings
- Two treatment injections (two‑week interval) improved periorbital grayscale values and reduced pigmentation contrast with normal skin at 12 weeks.
- Patient satisfaction and DLQI improved; safety profile acceptable with no unexpected adverse signals.