Does skincare change what a home fractional laser does?
Short answer
In a 49-person split-face trial, every participant used a home non-ablative fractional diode laser on the whole face for 12 weeks, but applied an antioxidant regimen to one side only. The combination side improved on all photodamage measures, and the authors report the products enhanced and prolonged the laser’s benefits.
- Study
- Geronemus R, Du A, Yatskayer M, et al. J Cosmet Laser Ther. 2016;18(3):154-61.
- Design
- Randomised, evaluator-blinded, split-face
- People
- 49
- Topic
- Photodamage
Why it matters
It asks a practical question: whether what you put on your skin alongside a home laser changes the result.
What they did
- Randomised which side of the face received topical antioxidants in addition to the laser.
- Treated for 12 weeks, then followed a 2-week regression period and a 10-week second phase.
- Assessed with blinded clinical grading, VISIA-CR imaging and questionnaires.
What they found
- Laser plus antioxidants improved all photodamage measures evaluated.
- The authors conclude the products enhanced and prolonged the benefit of laser alone.
What it cannot tell you
- The abstract does not give effect sizes for laser alone versus combination.
- Single centre; the topical products were the study’s test products.
- Phase 2 study.
Takeaway
A home fractional laser may work better as part of a routine than on its own, but the evidence comes from one study testing specific products.
Matching devices
Devices whose published technology match this study: MimiSilk Iris and Tria FRX. None of them was the device tested unless the study names it.
Not medical advice. Summary based on the published abstract; read the full paper for detail.