Efficacy and Safety of a Topically Applied Avène Spring Water Spray in the Healing of Facial Skin after Laser Resurfacing

Abstract

background. Although laser resurfacing is a well-accepted treatment, tolerance problems may preclude patient's acceptance of the procedure. Post-laser protracted erythema is a prime problem, associated with the symptoms of pain, itching, stinging and tightening. objective. The present study was conducted to evaluate a low-salt medical spring water (Avène, Avène-les-Bains, France), in conjunction with the standard use of an emollient, to improve tolerance by hydrating the postlaser skin. methods. A controlled, randomized, open-labeled, multicentric and two parallel group study was completed after 84 days in 74 patients, 34 applying a petrolatum ointment alone (control group), and 40 applying petrolatum ointment in association with the Avène spring water spray ad libitum (water group). results. The water spray showed a pronounced effect on reducing erythema, from the second week of postlaser onwards, with a statistically significant difference in favor of the water group compared with the control group ( p Յ 0.04 from day 14 to day 84, except a non-significant trend on day 28). In addition, the water spray was found to significantly reduce itching on day 28 ( p Ͻ 0.05), and stinging and tightening on day 14 and day 21 ( p Ͻ 0.05). Pain was not modified by the water. conclusion. Topical water appears to be a helpful adjunctive treatment to petrolatum ointment for counteracting erythema, itching, stinging and tightening during the postlaser treatment period. CommentaryThis is an interesting paper because erythema is a major postoperative problem for many laser patients. The conclusion that water has a beneficial effect on laser healing is important. However, it is difficult to draw statistical conclusions from 74 patients from seven different centers. Plain tap water may or may not provide the same benefit as the spring water spray studied here. Never-theless, the notion that topical water is a helpful adjunct to petrolatum ointment for counteracting erythema, itching, stinging, and tightening during the post-laser period is clinically relevant.

Comparative benefit of two thermal spring waters after photodynamic therapy procedure

“…16 Moreover, clinical studies have confirmed the clinical interest of ATSW sprays in different irritation models with retinoic acid 17 or after skin procedures such as laser resurfacing. 11 Therefore, ATWS could be of interest after ALA-PDT procedure.…”

“…Several comparative clinical studies have shown that the use of Avène thermal spring water (ATSW) after a superficial irritating procedure such as PDT, and more aggressive procedures like laser resurfacing and strong peelings, decreases inflammation, reduces irritation, and improves patient discomfort. ATSW's therapeutic properties involve the reduction of cell sensitivity, thereby reducing the reactivity threshold 11 . ATSW also exhibits anti‐inflammatory properties by modulation of the body's natural immune defense mechanism.…”

“…ATSW's therapeutic properties involve the reduction of cell sensitivity, thereby reducing the reactivity threshold. 11 ATSW also exhibits anti-inflammatory properties by modulation of the body's natural immune defense mechanism. This water indeed has an inhibiting activity on basophile degranulation, as well as anti-inflammatory properties in the sodium lauryl sulfate model.…”

Review of Over-the-Counter Topical Scar Treatment Products

“…24 In a French controlled, randomized clinical trial, treatment of facial skin with low-salt spring water spray and petrolatum ointment after laser resurfacing resulted in decreased itching, stinging, erythema, and tightening than treatment with petrolatum alone over a period of 84 days. 25 The efficacy of scar hydration strategies in these human trials is supported in the rat model, where one study revealed that carbon dioxide laser burn wounds healed more quickly with composite polyurethane dressings (i.e., OpSite, Smith & Nephew, Hull, U.K.; Spandra, Thermetics, Inc., Woburn, Mass.) (10 days) and petrolatum gauze (13 days) than when they were left open to air (16 days).…”

Beneficial effects of spraying low mineral content thermal spring water after fractional photothermolysis in patients with dermal melasma

“…Several comparative clinical studies have shown that the use of a particular thermal spring water (TSW) after superficial procedures such as photodynamic therapy, 7 and more aggressive laser resurfacing and medium/deep chemical peel procedures, decreases inflammation, reduces irritation, and improves patient discomfort. The therapeutic properties of the water involve the reduction in sensitivity of cells thereby reducing the reactivity threshold 8 . It also exhibits anti‐inflammatory properties by modulation of the body’s natural immune defense mechanism.…”