Abstract
BACKGROUND: Many skin disorders of the face have an inflammatory element, including atopic dermatitis, acne vulgaris, and rosacea. VYC-12 is an injectable hyaluronic acid product with well-established hydrating effects and potential anti-inflammatory benefits. AIMS: To assess the utility of VYC-12 for improving inflammatory skin conditions. METHODS: This was a single-center, retrospective analysis of adults with a facial inflammatory skin condition that was resistant to standard treatments. A small group was also included who only required treatment for aging-related concerns. VYC-12 was injected into the deep dermis based on the standard technique. Imaging was used to assess skin redness and stratum corneum moisture levels. Patient satisfaction was evaluated on a five-point Likert scale, and adverse events were recorded throughout a mean follow-up of 4 months. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were included (86.7% female; mean age: 40.5 ± 9.7 years). Four had atopic dermatitis, 4 had acne vulgaris, and 2 had rosacea; the other 5 had aging-related dryness and fine lines. Patients received a mean of 3.4 ± 1.2 mL of VYC-12. Among 10 individuals with an inflammatory skin condition, mean skin redness decreased from 57.7 (arbitrary units) at baseline to 47.9 at 4 months post-treatment (p < 0.0005); mean stratum corneum moisture levels increased from 45.1 (arbitrary units) to 75.3 over this period (p < 0.0005). All 15 subjects were satisfied with the results. There were no adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: VYC-12 significantly improved skin redness and hydration in patients with inflammatory skin disorders. Further studies are warranted to assess the benefits of combining VYC-12 with standard treatments.