Effect of high advanced-collagen tripeptide on wound healing and skin recovery after fractional photothermolysis treatment

SummaryBackground Collagens have long been used in pharmaceuticals and food supplements for the improvement of skin. Aim We evaluated the efficacy of high advanced-collagen tripeptide (HACP) on wound healing and skin recovery. Methods Using an in vitro model, we performed HaCaT cell migration assays and collagen gel contraction assays using HACP concentrations of 1, 10 and 100 μg/mL. In this pilot study, eight healthy volunteers were randomly divided into two groups. Both the control and experimental groups received fractional photothermolysis treatment, but in the experimental group, four subjects received 3 g/day of oral collagen peptide (CP) for 4 weeks. To assess transepidermal water loss in each patient before and after the treatment, we used a Corneometer and a Cutometer, and we also assessed the patient's Erythema Index. Results The cell migration assay showed that HACP enhanced wound closure, but not in a dose-dependent manner. The collagen gel contraction assay showed increased contractility when patients were treated with 100 μg/mL HACP, but the results were not significantly different from those of controls. We found that post-laser erythema resolved faster in the experimental group than in the control group (P < 0.05). In addition, the recovery of skin hydration after fractional laser treatment was greater in the experimental group than in the control group by day 3 (P < 0.05), and the experimental group showed significantly improved post-treatment skin elasticity compared with the controls by day 14 (P < 0.05). Conclusions Collagen tripeptide treatment appears to be an effective and conservative therapy for cutaneous wound healing and skin recovery after fractional photothermolysis treatment.