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Background: Dermatologists routinely perform office-based surgical procedures that result in cutaneous wounds. Wound care instructions are an important resource for postoperative patients. As there is no consensus on the ideal wound care regimen after dermatologic procedures, recommendations may vary., Objective: To evaluate the current recommendations for wound care following dermatologic procedures., Methods: The authors conducted a cross-sectional assessment of dermatology wound care handouts available online. The handouts were evaluated based on predefined parameters: topical agent recommendations for wound healing, caution against topical antibiotic use, and discussion of scarring, infection, bleeding, analgesia, and lifestyle considerations., Results: A total of 169 handouts were evaluated. The majority (84%) recommended the application of petrolatum-based products, specifically Vaseline (75%) and Aquaphor (43%). Nearly half (43%) recommended the use of topical antibiotics, whereas 24% advised patients to avoid antibiotic ointments. Handouts variably addressed scarring (36%), infection (72%), bleeding (69%), pain (66%), and lifestyle modifications (64%)., Conclusion: The instructions provided in dermatology patient handouts are highly variable, with various topical agents being recommended for wound healing. Topical antibiotics are not indicated for prophylaxis in clean dermatologic procedures but are still widely used. Greater efforts should be made to ensure that patients receive consistent and evidence-based wound care guidance.

BackgroundSkin fibrosis is a significant global health problem that affects over 100 million people annually and has a profoundly negative impact on quality of life. Characterized by excessive fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition, skin fibrosis underlies a wide spectrum of dermatologic conditions ranging from pathologic scars secondary to injury (e.g., burns, surgery, trauma) to immune-mediated diseases. Effective anti-scarring therapeutics remain an unmet need, underscoring the importance of developing novel approaches to treat and prevent skin fibrosis. Our in vitro data show that light emitting diode-red light (LED-RL) can modulate key cellular and molecular processes involved in skin fibrosis. In two phase I clinical trials (STARS 1 and STARS 2), we demonstrated the safety and tolerability of LED-RL at fluences of 160 J/cm2 up to 480 J/cm2 on normal human skin.Methods/designCURES (Cutaneous Understanding of Red-light Efficacy on Scarring) is a dose-ranging, randomized, parallel group, split-face, single-blind, mock-controlled phase II study to evaluate the efficacy of LED-RL to limit post-surgical skin fibrosis in subjects undergoing elective mini-facelift surgery. Thirty subjects will be randomly allocated to three treatment groups to receive LED-RL phototherapy or temperature-matched mock irradiation (control) to either periauricular incision site at fluences of 160 J/cm2, 320 J/cm2, or 480 J/cm2. Starting one week post-surgery (postoperative days 4-8), treatments will be administered three times weekly for three consecutive weeks, followed by efficacy assessments at 30 days, 3 months, and 6 months. The primary endpoint is the difference in scar pliability between LED-RL-treated and control sites as determined by skin elasticity and induration measurements. Secondary outcomes include clinical and photographic evaluations of scars, 3D skin imaging analysis, histological and molecular analyses, and adverse events.DiscussionLED-RL is a therapeutic modality of increasing importance in dermatology, and has the potential to limit skin fibrosis clinically by decreasing dermal fibroblast activity and collagen production. The administration of LED-RL phototherapy in the early postoperative period may optimize wound healing and prevent excessive scarring. The results from this study may change the current treatment paradigm for fibrotic skin diseases and help to pioneer LED-RL as a safe, non-invasive, cost-effective, portable, at-home therapy for scars.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03795116 . Registered on 20 December 2018.

Scarring has significant esthetic and functional consequences for patients. A need exists for anti‐scarring therapeutics. Light emitting diode‐red light (LED‐RL) has been shown to modulate skin fibrosis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of LED‐RL to reduce post‐operative scarring. Cutaneous Understanding of Red‐light Efficacy on Scarring was a randomized, mock‐controlled, single‐blind, dose‐ranging, split‐face phase II clinical trial. Starting 1 week post‐surgery, patients received LED‐RL irradiation and temperature‐controlled mock therapy to incision sites at fluences of 160, 320 or 480 J/cm2, triweekly for 3 weeks. Efficacy was assessed at 1, 3 and 6–12 months. The primary endpoint was difference in scar pliability between LED‐RL‐treated and control sites. Secondary outcomes included Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale, collagen and water concentration, and adverse events. There were no significant differences in scar pliability between treated and control scars. At certain fluences, treated scars showed greater improvements in observer rating and scar pliability, reflected by greater reductions in induration, from baseline to 6 months compared to control scars. Treatment‐site adverse events included blistering (n = 2) and swelling (n = 1), which were mild and resolved without sequelae. LED‐RL phototherapy is safe in the early postoperative period and may reduce scarring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]