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Impact of previous skin hydration on postsclerotherapy hyperpigmentation: a prospective, randomized, comparative
Mariana Borges Firmo1,2, Samantha Neves2, Maria F Portugal3
1Faculty of Medicine (Famed), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
Background:
Postsclerotherapy hyperpigmentation (PSH) is a frequent and distressing complication. It is a cosmetic concern in aesthetic phlebology, with limited prospective efficacy/safety data. Skin hydration with moisturizer strengthens the skin barrier and may potentially prevent postsclerotherapy hyperpigmentation.
Methods:
This prospective, randomized, comparative study included 55 adult patients with reticular veins and telangiectasias. Patients were randomized to receive a daily moisturizer for 30 days before sclerotherapy or to no hydration. All participants underwent a single session of polidocanol 0.5% sclerotherapy. The primary efficacy outcome was moisturization's ability to prevent PSH, as evaluated by blinded evaluators using photos taken before and after procedures. Secondary outcomes included patient-reported outcomes assessed using the VEINES-QoL/Sym questionnaire.
Results:
Both groups experienced hyperpigmentation. PSH appeared in fewer patients who received hydration (44% vs. 57%, P=0.423), with no statistically significant difference. No skin alterations occurred at any time point. Nine patients (90%) rated the results as "very good" or "excellent".
Conclusions:
In this randomized, double-arm, prospective, pilot study, the use of moisturizer 30 days before polidocanol 0.5% sclerotherapy did not reduce PSH.
