Facial rejuvenation: combining cosmeceuticals with cosmetic procedures.
Wisniewski. Joy D JD; Ellis. Dana L DL; Lupo. Mary P MP
Key Findings
- Acetyl‑hexapeptide‑3 applied topically reduces the appearance of facial wrinkles.
- When used alongside intramuscular botulinum toxin, it may lower the number of Botox injections needed.
- Combining antioxidant/anti‑inflammatory cosmeceuticals with procedures (peels, lasers) helps faster healing and less post‑procedure inflammation.
Practical Outcomes
- Add a cream with acetyl‑hexapeptide‑3 to your daily routine, especially before or after Botox or other facial procedures. This can smooth wrinkles and might let you space out Botox injections. Pairing antioxidant and anti‑inflammatory skin products with peels or lasers can also reduce downtime and improve recovery.
Summary
The article says a skin cream containing acetyl‑hexapeptide‑3 can smooth wrinkles and works well together with Botox shots, possibly letting you use fewer injections. It also notes that using antioxidant and anti‑inflammatory skin products before or after peels, lasers, or other cosmetic procedures can speed healing and cut down on redness or dark spots.
Abstract
Cosmetic patients are looking for a more youthful appearance without spending a lot of money, feeling any pain, or experiencing any postprocedure downtime. New cosmeceutical therapies can be used adjuvant to chemical peels, lasers, and injectables, making antiaging regimens less painful and requiring less postprocedural healing time. Adjunctive agents can be used to enhance chemical peels and decrease postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). Topical retinoids used prior to ablative laser treatments can aid in faster postprocedure healing and reepithelialization. Cosmeceuticals that contain both antioxidants and anti-inflammatories can help reduce postprocedure inflammation. Acetyl hexapeptide-3 is an effective topical agent for decreasing wrinkles and can be used as an adjunct to intramuscular botulinum neurotoxin, which may reduce the number of injections needed. Topical hyaluronic acid also would help patients who are averse to needles or are just starting to get wrinkles and are looking for noninvasive therapy. This article reviews combinations of cosmeceuticals with cosmetic procedures that dermatologists may want to consider discussing with their cosmetic patients.
Study Information
pubmed
2014