Background: Repeated vascular laser exposure induces not only selective photothermal effects within blood vessels but also secondary responses in the surrounding skin. This study investigated whether topical 7% ectoine modifies the trajectory of cutaneous response during a series of 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser treatments. Methods: Thirty participants underwent four 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser treatments in a prospective, randomized, vehicle-controlled split-face study. Following each treatment, one side of the face received a formulation containing 7% ectoine (ECT), whereas the contralateral side received an identical vehicle without ectoine (vehicle control). Skin erythema, stratum corneum hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), melanin index, and skin surface pH were assessed longitudinally. Redness was independently quantified using the CIELAB a* coordinate, while high-frequency ultrasonography was used to determine the proportion of low-echogenic pixels (LEPs). An untreated internal reference area (UIRA) was additionally assessed to characterize spontaneous temporal and environmental variability in skin parameters. The study was retrospectively registered in the ISRCTN registry (ISRCTN69645337). Results: Compared with the vehicle, ECT produced a significantly greater overall reduction in skin erythema (ΔΔ = −35.44 AU; 95% CI: −44.88 to −26.01; p < 0.001), accompanied by a greater reduction in CIELAB a* (ΔΔ = −1.18; 95% CI: −1.58 to −0.78; p < 0.001). ECT was also associated with a greater overall improvement in stratum corneum hydration assessed by corneometry (ΔΔ = +5.96 AU; p < 0.001), a greater reduction in TEWL (ΔΔ = −0.73 g/m²/h; p = 0.0012), and a greater decrease in LEPs (ΔΔ = −0.55 percentage points; p < 0.001). No significant between-treatment advantage was observed for the melanin index or skin surface pH. Conclusions: Topical application of 7% ectoine during serial vascular 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser therapy was associated with a distinct trajectory of cutaneous response compared with the vehicle alone. The effect was characterized by a greater reduction in the erythematous component, improvement in barrier-related parameters, and changes in dermal echogenic properties. These short-term instrumental findings support further investigation of ectoine as an adjunctive topical strategy during repeated photothermal procedures; their clinical significance requires confirmation using standardized clinical and patient-reported outcomes.

Background: This study investigated whether topical preconditioning with 7% ectoine modifies the cutaneous recovery trajectory following ablative Er:YAG laser treatment. Methods: In this exploratory proof-of-concept, randomized, vehicle-controlled split-neck study (retrospectively registered, ISRCTN69645337, 26 August 2026; no publicly time-stamped statistical analysis plan), 30 adults with Fitzpatrick phototype II applied 7% ectoine or its identical vehicle to opposite sides of the neck for 7 or 14 days before standardized Er:YAG treatment. Biophysical and 48 MHz ultrasound parameters were assessed through day 7. OBSERV 520x imaging was performed at baseline and on day 7, with CIELAB analysis comparing baseline and day 7. Results: Significant intervention-by-time interactions were observed for TEWL, hydration, pH, and erythema (all p < 0.0001). Immediately after treatment, ectoine-preconditioned skin showed higher TEWL and a small temperature difference (+0.150 °C). At 24 h, erythema, pH, and low-echogenic pixel content (LEP) were lower with ectoine (median LEP: 0.222% vs. 2.015%; p < 0.000001). By day 7, ectoine was associated with lower TEWL, erythema, pH, and LEP and higher hydration. Day-7 CIELAB analysis showed a smaller increase in a* (between-side difference: −0.64; p < 0.000001). Procedural pain was low (NRS: 1.60 ± 0.62), with no documented adverse events. Extending preconditioning to 14 days provided no consistent additional benefit. Conclusions: Ectoine-containing preconditioning was associated with differences across several complementary instrumental recovery outcomes. These exploratory, hypothesis-generating findings support further investigation of pre-procedural skin conditioning in prospectively registered studies.

Introduction: Although the number of studies on biomicroneedle therapies is increasing, their efficacy is still frequently determined by subjective clinical evaluation or individual instrumental parameters. Studies that combine objective biophysical, ultrasonographic, and imaging assessments of the skin are scarce. Aim: The study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the efficacy of bio-microneedle therapy in individuals with selected body skin conditions. Materials and methods: Twenty individuals with body acne, post-traumatic hyperpigmentation, atrophic scars, and stretch marks or follicular keratosis participated in this prospective pilot study. The evaluation was conducted using high-frequency ultrasound, biophysical measurements, digital image analysis, morphological analysis, an aesthetic improvement scale, and assessments of safety and satisfaction. Results: Positive changes were observed in both instrumental and clinical assessments, including improved hydration in follicular keratosis, reduced sebum secretion and erythema index in body acne, improved color parameters in hyperpigmentation, and favorable morphological changes in scars and stretch marks. Statistical significance varied depending on the parameter assessed. Adverse effects were mild and transient. Conclusions: Bio-microneedle therapy was associated with favorable changes in selected biophysical, ultrasonographic, morphological, and clinical skin parameters, as well as good tolerability. Given the pilot nature of this study, the results require confirmation in larger studies with longer follow-up periods.

Ectoine is used in peri-procedural skincare, but its effects may vary with laser procedure, concentration and application timing. This exploratory secondary analysis examined 360 ectoine–vehicle contrasts from a randomized within-participant décolletage study involving 30 adults with Fitzpatrick phototype II. Vehicle and 1%, 5% or 7% ectoine formulations were applied before (PRE) or after (POST) fractional CO₂, Er:YAG, 1064 nm Nd:YAG or picosecond 532 nm Nd:YAG exposure. Corneometry, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), erythema, melanin index and skin-surface pH were assessed immediately, at 24 h and at 14 days. Of 360 contrasts, 113 (31%) were significant after the Holm adjustment. Among 23 significant TEWL contrasts, 18 indicated lower values with ectoine; for Er:YAG, 7% POST at 24 h, the difference was −22.71 g/m²/h (95% CI −30.93 to −14.50). Cross-laser directional heterogeneity occurred in 59/90 configurations (65.6%), non-monotonic concentration patterns in 74/120 (61.7%), and PRE/POST sign reversals in 83/180 (46.1%). These descriptive patterns did not establish a consistent dose–response relationship. Effects differed across response domains and laser procedures, but exploratory comparisons cannot establish chromophore-specific mechanisms or improvements in healing or downtime.

Silica biomicroneedles are obtained from sponge skeletons through hydrolysis, purification, and appropriate drying. They are used in regenerative medicine and cosmetology to promote active substance absorption and a physical stimulus that triggers a cascade of repair processes through a puncture mechanism. The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of acne therapy using silica biomicroneedles. Statistically significant improvement was observed in all parameters tested, including a reduction in the number of acne lesions. Imaging diagnostics showed a decrease in inflammation, porphyrins, and sebaceous gland activity. The therapy showed potential as an effective, non-invasive adjunct to acne treatment, especially with appropriate qualification and a holistic approach.