Efficacy and safety of a topically applied Avène spring water spray in the healing of facial skin after laser resurfacing.
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 < or = 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 < 0.05), and stinging and tightening on day 14 and day 21 (p < 0.05). Pain was not modified by the water.


CONCLUSIONS
Topical water appears to be a helpful adjunctive treatment to petrolatum ointment for counteracting erythema, itching, stinging and tightening during the postlaser treatment period.
Sulimovic
L
L
Pierre-Fabre Research Institute, Vigoulet, Castanet Tolosan Cedex, France.
Licu
D
D
Ledo
E
E
Naeyaert
J M
JM
Pigatto
P
P
Tzermias
C
C
Vasquez Doval
J
J
Dupuy
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000336:Aerosols; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D004890:Erythema / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008900:Mineral Waters / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010577:Petrolatum / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015361:Rhytidoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D014945:Wound Healing
D000336:Aerosols; D008900:Mineral Waters; D010577:Petrolatum