Efficacy and safety of commercially available cosmetic perioperative skincare products for non-invasive energy-based device treatment: a single-centre, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

Photoelectric therapies (or non-invasive energy-based device treatment), especially picosecond lasers and intense pulsed light (IPL) treatments, are widely used to manage various cutaneous conditions, including pigmentation, inflammation, and signs of aging. However, these treatments can also impair the integrity of the skin barrier, making post-treatment repair of skin barrier function essential to maintain perioperative curative effects. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of Eucerin® UltraSensitive Soothing Care Gel (GEL) and co-use of GEL and Eucerin® UltraSensitive Repair Intensive Source Serum (CO-USE) during the perioperative procedure. This study was designed with a four-week follow-up period, in which the first two weeks represented a pre-treatment phase. Self-assessment, clinical evaluation, and non-invasive skin testing were used at each visit after treatments to determine the efficacy of the two products. Compared to the placebo (PBO) group, both the GEL and CO-USE groups exhibited a significantly greater reduction in transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and a notable increase in stratum corneum hydration (SCH) 24 hours post treatment. Regarding facial redness, there was a significantly greater decrease in the GEL and CO-USE groups compared to the PBO group at all follow-up time points on the picosecond laser side. Moreover, the CO-USE group showed superior efficacy in alleviating skin sensitivity symptoms following the interventions. Both products were well tolerated and exhibited favourable safety profiles. Both commercially available skincare products tested in the present study were found to be clinically effective in inhibiting laser-induced skin barrier damage, and reducing skin redness and skin sensitivity.