The research suggested that this bio-regenerative approach offered a safe and effective alternative to more invasive dermatological procedures.
Researchers from clinics in Malaysia and Italy tracked 62 patients over six months to evaluate the efficacy of a sterile intradermal gel known as Newest. The study participants, who represented both Asian and Caucasian ethnicities, saw measurable reductions in scar severity and reported high levels of satisfaction with the results.
Atrophic acne scars remain a significant therapeutic challenge for dermatologists, and a source of psychological distress for many people globally. Traditional treatments such as ablative lasers and deep chemical peels often involve long recovery times and carry risks of hyperpigmentation, particularly for patients with darker skin tones.
This new study highlighted a shift toward minimally invasive bio-regenerative treatments that could focus on healing the skin from within. The investigators found that the combination of polynucleotides and hyaluronic acid worked by creating a physiological environment that supported the skin’s natural repair mechanisms.
Tackling the psychological burden of scarring
Acne vulgaris is one of the most common skin conditions in the world, affecting nearly 10% of the global population. While the active breakouts are temporary, the resulting scars can be permanent.
Atrophic scars, which appear as depressions in the skin like ice picks or boxcars, occur when the body fails to produce enough collagen during the healing process. These physical marks often lead to lower self-esteem, anxiety, and depression among adolescents and young adults.
The research team recruited 19 men and 43 women with a mean age of 36.6 years for the trial. At the start of the study, nearly 90% of these patients had scars classified as moderate or severe.
The researchers aimed to see if a standardised protocol of four treatment sessions, spaced two weeks apart, could move the needle on these challenging cases.
By using a real-world study design, the investigators were able to see how the treatment performed in a typical clinical setting rather than a strictly controlled laboratory environment.
A synergistic approach to skin regeneration
The treatment at the heart of the study used a dual-action formula. PN HPT, derived from trout DNA, acted as a bio-stimulant. When clinicians inject these highly purified DNA fragments into the dermis, they stimulate fibroblast cells responsible for producing type I and type III collagen, as well as elastin fibres.
This process essentially reorganises the skin’s internal scaffolding, filling in the depressions caused by acne.
Hyaluronic acid complements this regenerative action by providing immediate hydration and volume. Because hyaluronic acid can retain massive amounts of water, it ensures the skin remains hydrated and elastic during the remodelling phase.
The researchers explained that the polynucleotides also had scavenger properties, meaning they could neutralise free radicals that caused oxidative stress in the skin.
Together, these two ingredients created a “priming effect” that made the participants’ skin more responsive to healing, and potentially more receptive to other aesthetic procedures in the future.
Measurable improvements across diverse skin types
The results of the six-month study showed a clear trend of improvement. To measure success, the researchers used the Acne Scar Assessment Scale, which ranks scars from zero for clear skin to four for severe scarring.
At the three-month mark, 46.8% of the patients showed at least a one-grade reduction in their scar severity.
The mean score for the entire group dropped from 3.32 at the baseline to 2.84 after three months. This improvement continued through the end of the study, with the mean score falling further to 2.65 at the six-month follow-up.
Patient feedback was equally positive. According to the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale, more than 54% of the participants perceived their scars as “improved” or “much improved”.
The investigators’ assessments were even more optimistic, with nearly 70% of patients rated as “improved” at the three-month mark.
One of the most significant findings was that the results were consistent across both Asian and Caucasian participants. This suggested that the treatment was a versatile option for diverse populations, as it did not carry the same risk of pigment changes often seen with laser treatments on darker skin.
Prioritising safety
The study reported an excellent safety profile for the combination therapy. Over the course of the six-month period, only one patient experienced a mild adverse event, which was the temporary formation of a wheal. This reaction resolved on its own within a few days without any medical intervention.
No other side effects were recorded during the follow-up visits, which is a notable advantage over more aggressive interventions that can cause persistent redness or even further scarring.
The researchers used various injection techniques, including linear threading and serial puncture, to target the base of each scar. By infiltrating the perilesional dermis, they were able to address the fibrotic anchoring that keeps atrophic scars depressed.
This precision, combined with the gentle nature of the gel, allowed patients to return to their daily lives almost immediately after treatment.
Furthermore, the investigators noted that while the volumetric benefits of traditional fillers were often short-lived, the bio-regenerative nature of polynucleotides aimed for more durable dermal remodelling.
Outlook for bio-regenerative medicine
While the authors acknowledged the need for larger, controlled trials to confirm their findings, the results provided strong evidence for the role of polynucleotides in modern dermatology.
The ability to stimulate the skin’s own repair mechanisms rather than simply filling a gap represents a significant shift in how professionals approach scarring.
The researchers concluded that this combination therapy would be a valuable addition to the therapeutic landscape, offering a high-satisfaction, low-risk option for patients who have struggled with the long-term effects of acne.
They wrote: “The combined use of highly purified polynucleotides and hyaluronic acid represents a promising regenerative approach to scar management, supporting dermal remodelling and enhancement of skin quality improvement through a minimally invasive procedure.
“These findings indicate that Newest may represent a promising option within the broader therapeutic strategy for acne scars, pending confirmation in future controlled trial.”
Source: Cosmetics
“Prospective Multicentre Real-World Study of a Bioregenerative Combination Therapy with Polynucleotide High-Purification Technology (PN HPT™) and Hyaluronic Acid for Moderate-to-Severe Atrophic Facial Acne Scars”
https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics13010001
Authors: Lim Ting Song, et al.
