Study Combines Laser With Topical Nanofat Biocreme

A study published this year in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal suggests the use of topical nanofat biocreme compounded with a liposomal delivery vehicle and combined with a fractionated 1550-nm erbium/1927-nm thulium fiber laser (FXD) improves the appearance of wrinkles, nasolabial fold depth, and skin texture.

In the study, 50 patients were treated with nonablative FXD followed by a topical nanofat biocreme that was created using the patient’s own fat at the time of the treatment.

The fat was harvested from the patient’s medial thigh via a 14-gauage 10 cm Carraway harvest cannula. A total of 20 mL fat was emulsified by passing it through 2.4-mm diameter connector, a 1.2-mm connector, and finally a double filter of 400 µm and 600 µm.

“The nanofat was centrifuged (1200 rpm for approximately 2 minutes) in order to separate the free fatty acids, which were aspirated and discarded,” according to study authors. “The remaining nanofat was compounded with a liposomal delivery vehicle to create the topical nanofat biocrème.”

Laser settings for the treatment varied depending on the patient’s condition, severity, and skin-type. Photographs of all patients were taken before and after treatment.

In all, 17 study participants were eliminated due to incomplete data. The remaining 33 patients (32 female, one male), with Fitzpatrick skin types I to IV (18.2% type I, 45.5% type II, 21.2% type III, 18.2% type IV), were compared with 84 patients who received the same FXD laser treatment, without topical nanofat.

The photographs comparing the two groups were evaluated for improvements in nasolabial folds, wrinkles, and skin texture.

Follow-up photographs were also taken one to 18 months after treatment, with a mean time of three months.

A blind examination by a dermatopathologist returned a “greater amount of new elastin fibers as well as a slight increase in the thickness of the epidermis in the skin of the nanofat plus FXD group when compared with skin exposed to FXD alone,” according to the authors.

“The topical nanofat plus FXD group showed a 1-point improvement in both nasolabial folds and texture compared with the historical controls; however, no wrinkle improvement in Fitzpatrick skin type I patients was seen,” report study authors. “Fitzpatrick skin type II saw a 1.82-, 1.21-, and 0.67-point improvement in wrinkles, depth nasolabial folds, and overall skin texture, respectively, when compared with the control group. In Fitzpatrick type III patients, 0.46-, 2.67-, and 1.51-point improvements were seen in wrinkles, nasolabial folds, and texture, respectively. Finally, when compared with the control group, Fitzpatrick Type IV patients showed 1.96-, 1.93-, and 0.33-point average improvements.”

While this particulate delivery system demonstrated an improvement in aesthetic outcomes, more research is needed, according to the authors, to determine the effects of nanofat biocreme on wound healing and its longevity in combination with laser and as a lone treatment.

Reference:

Cohen SR, Goodacre AK, Womack H, et al. Topical Nanofat Biocrème Improves Aesthetic Outcomes of Nonablative Fractionated Laser Treatment: A Preliminary Report. Aesthet Surg J. 2020;40(8):892-899.