Fibronectin-Based Skin Care Regimens for Skin Recovery After Intense Pulsed Light Therapy: A Split-Face Study

Haixia Feng,1,* Lan Ge,2,* Ge Shi,3,4,* Shan Yu,5 Xin Wang,6 Xiaowei Li,7 Si Wen,8 Linshan Wu,8 Zhen Yi,8 Xuesong Xian,8 Xiaoyan Fu,8 Baihui Zhang,8 Jinyin Liang,8 Hongling Zhu,8 Li Ye8 1Department of Dermatology, The University of Hong Kong–Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Dermatology, Southwest Hospital, Army Military Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery, the Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China; 4Biomedical Innovation Center, the Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China; 5School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China; 6Department of Orthopaedic Medicine, Fourth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 7Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China; 8Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University, Southern Medical University (NMPA Key Laboratory for Safety Evaluation of Cosmetics), Guangzhou, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Li Ye, Email dlpfbyy@163.comPurpose: Intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment may cause transient erythema, dryness, and barrier dysfunction, highlighting the need for effective postprocedural care. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of a fibronectin-containing skincare regimen in restoring skin barrier function and relieving these IPL-related manifestations.Patients and Methods: In this 28-day, split-face study, 32 healthy female participants undergoing IPL treatment applied a fibronectin-containing serum to one side of the face and a control serum to the opposite side. Skin hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), erythema, and radiance were evaluated at baseline, immediately post-IPL, and on days 3, 7, and 28.Results: Compared to the control, the fibronectin-treated side showed significantly greater improvements in skin hydration (P < 0.01) and significantly lower TEWL on days 3 (P < 0.05), 7 (P < 0.01), and 28 (P < 0.01). By days 7 and 28, skin radiance and erythema also improved more significantly (P < 0.01). Both dermatologist and participant assessments confirmed the superior efficacy of the fibronectin serum. No adverse events were rePorted.Conclusion: Post-IPL aPPlication of a fibronectin-containing serum effectively imProves skin hydration, reduces barrier dysfunction and erythema, and enhances radiance with good tolerability. These findings suPPort its Potential utility in Post-IPL skincare regimens.Keywords: fibronectin, intense pulsed light, skin barrier, post-treatment skincare