Homocysteic Acid Biostimulator for Photoaged Facial Skin

Medical University of Silesia25 enrolled

Overview

This study evaluated whether a chemical skin biostimulator containing ammonium trichloroacetate, homocysteic acid, phytic acid and citric acid can improve signs of photoaged skin in women with mature skin. Twenty-five women received four treatment sessions two weeks apart, followed by a home-care skincare regimen. Skin firmness, wrinkles, skin texture, hydration, sebum production and, in participants with hyperpigmentation, skin tone uniformity were measured before treatment and at 2 and 12 weeks after the treatment series to determine whether the biostimulator produces lasting improvement in photoaged skin without the downtime associated with traditional chemical peels.

This was a single-arm, prospective, open-label study conducted at a single academic centre to assess the clinical and instrumental effects of a chemical skin biostimulator (PRX plus, WiQO, Trieste, Italy) on facial photoaging. The intervention combines ammonium trichloroacetate (ATCA), a controlled-penetration TCA derivative intended to stimulate dermal fibroblast activity and collagen remodelling, with homocysteic acid (HoA), a novel antioxidant and NMDA-receptor-modulating molecule proposed to influence keratinocyte differentiation, epidermal barrier function and melanocyte activity, together with low concentrations of phytic and citric acids providing mild keratolytic and antioxidant effects. Treatment consisted of a standardised four-session protocol (three product layers per session) applied to defined facial regions of interest, combined with a daytime regenerating cream, a nighttime glycolic-acid-containing fluid, and, in participants with hyperpigmentation, a twice-daily lightening serum. Outcomes were assessed instrumentally using Cutometer (skin viscoelasticity), Antera 3D (wrinkle volume and surface texture), corneometry and sebumetry (hydration and sebum), and grey-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) analysis of standardised cross-polarised photographs (skin tone homogeneity in the hyperpigmented subgroup), at baseline, 2 weeks after the final session, and 12 weeks after completion of the treatment series, to characterise both the immediate and sustained effects of the intervention.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

TREATMENT

Interventions

Chemical skin biostimulation with ammonium trichloroacetate and homocysteic acidPROCEDURE

A four-session chemical skin biostimulation procedure using a topical formulation containing ammonium trichloroacetate (ATCA), homocysteic acid (HoA), phytic acid and citric acid (PRX plus, WiQO, Trieste, Italy). At each session, three product layers were applied to predefined facial areas (forehead, nose, cheeks, chin, upper lip) with massage until absorption, followed by cold-water rinse. Sessions were repeated at 14-day intervals. Participants additionally followed a standardised home-care regimen: a regenerating shea-butter cream each morning, a glycolic-acid-containing fluid each evening, and, for participants with hyperpigmentation, a lightening serum applied twice daily to affected areas, together with daily broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 50+).

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 39 YearsMax age: 69 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Female, Fitzpatrick skin phototype II * Age 39-69 years * Clinical signs of facial photoaging * Some participants had hyperpigmentation (melasma or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy or breastfeeding * Ongoing hormone therapy * Systemic corticosteroid use within 3 months prior to inclusion * Topical retinoid use within 1 month, or oral retinoid use within 6 months, prior to treatment * Chemical peel procedures within 1 month prior to treatment * Use of arbutin and/or hydroquinone within 3 months prior to treatment * Laser-based treatments within 3 months prior to treatment * Active inflammatory dermatoses * Autoimmune diseases * Renal impairment

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change From Baseline in Skin Viscoelasticity (Cutometer R2, R5, R7)

Skin viscoelasticity assessed by Cutometer, reported as gross elasticity (R2), net elasticity (R5) and biological elasticity (R7); each is a dimensionless ratio ranging from 0 to 1, with higher values indicating greater skin elasticity.