Korean J Dermatol.  2021 Dec;59(10):761-769.

Effect of Epidermal Growth Factor-Containing Ointment for the Management of Laser-Induced Postinflammatory Erythema and Hyperpigmentation

• Song CH
• Jung YJ
• Ko JY
• Ro YS
• Kim JE

Abstract

Background
Epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulates wound healing in various skin conditions, and EGFcontaining formulations can promote wound regeneration and help reduce complications after laser treatment.
Objective
To evaluate the effect of EGF-containing ointment on wound regeneration after ablative laser treatment and laser-induced postinflammatory erythema (PIE) and hyperpigmentation (PIH).
Methods
Twenty-five patients who required treatment with ablative laser on both sides of the face were enrolled and underwent one session of laser treatment. Postoperatively, all patients were instructed to apply the EGFcontaining ointment on the randomly assigned-hemifacial side, while gentamicin cream was applied on the opposite side. Investigators’ global assessment (IGA), evaluating general wound condition, erythema, pigmentation, and scab shedding, and patient’s global assessment (PGA), evaluating patient satisfaction with clinical improvement, were both measured at 1 week and 4 weeks after treatment. Objective assessments, including melanin index (MI), erythema index (EI), skin hydration, and transepidermal water loss (TEWL), were measured before treatment and at 1 week and 4 weeks after treatment.
Results
The EGF-containing ointment showed better outcomes with IGA (1 week; p=0.02, 4 weeks; p=0.002) and PGA (1 week; p=0.04, 4 weeks; p=0.01) scores compared to gentamicin cream. Compared to gentamicin cream, treatment with EGF-containing ointment resulted in significantly lower EI (p=0.044) and MI (p=0.023), but skin hydration and TEWL between the two groups exhibited nonsignificant differences.
Conclusion
EGF-containing ointment could be an effective adjuvant option for wound regeneration after ablative laser treatment and minimizing laser-induced PIE and PIH in Asian patients.

Keyword

Ablative laser; Epidermal growth factor; Laser complication; Postinflammatory erythema; Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation; Wound healing