Natural and Recombinant Collagen Dressings Enhance Post-Q-Switched Laser Skin Barrier Recovery and Collagen...

Laser therapy is popular for dermatological treatments due to its precision and effectiveness. Post-treatment, applying topical agents helps the skin recover and improves esthetic outcomes. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of collagen dressings in promoting the repair of ex vivo skin tissue following laser treatment, focusing on barrier repair and collagen regeneration.

This study utilized Q-switched lasers with wavelengths of 532 and 1064 nm to irradiate ex vivo skin tissue. Following laser treatment, collagen dressings were applied. Three types of dressings were evaluated: Type A (laboratory‑prepared Type I collagen formulation), Type B (a commercial dressing based on Type I collagen), and Type C (a commercial dressing incorporating recombinant Type III collagen). The effects of these dressings on skin barrier recovery were assessed by observing Nile Red penetration and measuring the expression levels of skin barrier-related proteins (pan-Keratin, Filaggrin, and Claudin-1). The collagen regeneration in the laser-treated skin tissue was evaluated using Masson staining, and by analyzing the expression of Collagen I (COL I).

Collagen-based dressings facilitated the recovery of the skin barrier, with Type A and Type B dressings showing effectiveness in early-stage barrier repair. During 120-h culture, collagen dressings inhibited the transient upregulation of MMP‑1 while enhancing COL I expression, particularly with the Type C dressing.

The results indicate that collagen dressings provide therapeutic benefits for post-laser skin recovery. These findings highlight the potential of collagen dressings in enhancing the synergistic effects of laser treatments and skin care, suggesting paths for improved clinical practices.