Combining Topical Products with Anti-Aging Procedure Synergistically Improves the Skin Barrier

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Adding topical reparative and anti-aging cosmetics to dermatological procedures may increase the efficacy of treatments, according to a new study.¹ Short-term and long-term synergistic improvements in skin hydration, barrier function, erythema, pore size, fine lines, lifting, and other categories were observed 4 weeks after the procedure.

The randomized, controlled, comparative study included 42 healthy women. All were between 30 and 50 years old with a mean age of 47.7. Participant had not undergone any dermatological procedures in the previous 3 months and stopped any use of anti-aging cosmetics and skin care products.

The patients were evenly divided into a test and control group (n = 21). Each was given a single application of Thermage treatment, which uses high-frequency energy inside of the skin to induce collagen production.² The procedure was performed on both groups with 300 shots, an energy level of 2, and a Total Tip area of 4.0 cm².

Only the test group applied AMOREPACIFIC products with ingredients called Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, which are targeted for repair and anti-aging outside the skin, thus strengthening the barrier. The control group used only a non-functional moisturizer. All products were used twice a day, morning and evening, for the duration of the study.

Measurements and VISIA-CR image analysis occurred up to 4 weeks later to assess changes in the skin. The Tewameter TM 300, Morpheus 3D, Corneometer MPA580, Cutometer MPA580, and PRIMOS Lite were used to evaluate transepidermal water loss, redness, temperature, elasticity, density, thickness, pores, swelling, fine lines, texture, glossiness, color, lifting, and hydration.

Any post-procedure adverse effects were resolved 1 day after the procedure. This included redness, temperature, swelling, and transepidermal water loss, which increased immediately but returned to normal. After 2 weeks, hydration, elasticity, density, lifting on the cheeks, and glossiness significantly and continuously increased. Fine lines, skin texture, pores, and lifting on the chin were reduced. Four weeks after the session, the skin’s hydration, elasticity, density, fine lines, texture, color, and pores continued to improve. The rate of change was higher at this later time point of the study.

“The decrease in skin texture and the increase in hydration may have been indirectly affected by the improvement in the overall skin condition as collagen was regenerated,” the authors inferred.

However, greater long-term improvement was observed in patients who used the additional anti-aging products. Only the test group saw statistically significant improvements in transepidermal water loss (decreased by 3.2 g/m²), versus the control group (decreased by 1.6 g/m²). After 2 weeks, transpepidermal water loss decreased by 14.2% and then by 16.4% after 4 weeks.

Differences in hydration, fine lines, skin texture, and pores were greater in this group as well. Skin density, in particular, had a rate of change at 4 weeks that was more than twice that of the control group. Skin elasticity had a slightly higher rate of change as well. This cohort also saw improvement in yellowness of the skin, while the control did not.

There have been various studies to evaluate the effectiveness of dermatological procedures and anti-aging skin care separately, but few have assessed the synergistic effects of the combination therapy. A subsequent trial can observe the reported changes even longer than 4 weeks.

“This study is meaningful in that it focused on the overall skin changes by period after the procedure, measured various skin characteristics that were directly and indirectly affected, and identified the changes in the short- and long-term,” the authors concluded.

References 

1. Park SR, Choi JY, Suk J, Suh BF, Kim E. Short- and Long-Term Effects of Adding Topical Cosmetics to a Dermatological Procedure (Thermage): A Randomized Controlled Comparative Study Exploring the Synergistic Effects. Skin Res Technol. 2025;31(2-5):e70162. doi:10.1111/srt.70162

2. Ning X, Wang Z, Fei W, et al. Efficacy and safety of 1565-nm nonablative fractional laser combined with mucopolysaccharide polysulfate cream for erythematous acne scars. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2023;22(11):3008-3016. doi:10.1111/jocd.15935