BIOPELLE TENSAGE® INTENSIVE SERUM 40: SUPPORTING HEALING AFTER FRACTIONAL RESURFACING

As a strong proponent of high quality skincare, I recommend that all of my cosmetic dermatology patients use a regimen that I help create in order to meet their unique skincare needs. Although I recommend a variety of skincare products, I have been an advocate for the Biopelle Tensage line for some time.

Biopelle Tensage features a unique technology called SCA Biorepair Technology that is derived exclusively from the secretions of the Cryptomphalus aspersa snail. Having visited the snail sanctuary in Santander, Spain, I saw how the excretion is collected and learned about the benefits it confers. Snails are not harmed during the harvesting of secretions and, in fact, sanctuary snails live twice as long, on average, as their counterparts in the wild.

The C. aspersa snail was noted to have a remarkable capacity to heal following exposure to extreme heat and radiation. Study of the snail led to discovery of growth factors in its natural excretions that help to signal fibroblasts and support collagenesis; these were exclusively formulated into the SCA Biorepair Technology. The reparative benefits of the technology were demonstrated in a study documenting both clinical and histopathological improvement in the signs of skin photoaging.¹

Skincare Post-IPL and FRactional Resurfacing

Intense pulsed light (IPL) and fractional resurfacing with the 1440nm and 1550nm-fractionated lasers are popular treatments in my practice. We pair Biopelle Tensage with these treatments to help optimize results. Note that the formulation is suitable for use after a variety of procedures.

Although fractional resurfacing with the 1550nm laser is a minimally invasive, low-downtime procedure, I prefer patients discontinue skincare for three to four days prior to treatment. At the time of treatment, when the patient presents to the office, the skin is cleansed with a mild cleanser and a topical anesthetic is applied.

Treatment with the fractional 1550nm laser is known to induce immediate erythema and swelling. Therefore, after treatment, the patient applies cool compresses to help reduce redness and ensure cooling off of the inflammatory response. We then apply Biopelle Tensage Intensive Serum 40 to the skin—face, chest, and/or neck, depending on what area was treated with the laser. The formulation absorbs quickly. A mineral-based sunscreen is then applied on top of that.

For home care, patients are instructed to use a gentle cleanser, Biopelle Tensage Intensive Serum 40, and a mineral sunscreen every day.

In our experience, use of Biopelle Tensage Intensive Serum 40 allows for more rapid recovery after fractional resurfacing procedures and reduces downtime. Continued use in the healing phase for several days after treatment appears to optimize outcomes of energy-based treatment.

The selection of Biopelle Tensage Intensive Serum 40 for post-procedure care both immediately and in the days following fractional resurfacing was intentional. Although we refer to these procedures as non-ablative, the skin is stimulated and an inflammatory response is initiated, priming the cells to “go.” The goal of treatment is to signal fibroblasts to produce new collagen and elastin. With its growth factors, Biopelle Tensage Intensive Serum 40 is ideally suited to support stimulation of these cells and their rejuvenating processes. 

Supporting the skin requires a very delicate balance, as excess inflammation, which can be induced with some topical skincare ingredients, is deleterious. The balance that we get from Biopelle Tensage Intensive Serum 40 seems to hit the mark in terms of stimulating cells while helping to reduce inflammation. The formulation has a limited number of ingredients.

Before (left) and after fractional ablative resurfacing followed by application of Biopelle Tensage Intensive Serum 40 in the post-operative phase. For at-home care, patients apply a product containing hyaluronic acid and growth factors in the morning under sunscreen and apply Tensage Intensive Serum 40 nightly for 5-7 days. Patients then use Biopelle Stem Cell Cream daily.

It is worth noting that I am conservative in my skincare approach for patients who are atopic, as their response to topically applied ingredients can be unpredictable, but I do not see adverse reactions to Biopelle Tensage Intensive Serum 40. I have used Biopelle Tensage Intensive Serum 40 on Fitzpatrick skin types I-VI with no difficulty.

Post-Procedure Support: A Key Element

From a biochemical standpoint, aesthetic physicians recognize that energy-based devices confer benefits by inducing injury and initiating the skin's natural healing responses. Yet, that knowledge may not always reflect our clinical practice. How many patients return home from procedures using the wrong, or perhaps no, topical skincare?

Biopelle Tensage Intensive Serum 40 may be an ideal topical formulation for patients to use in the post-procedural phase. Its unique composition, including growth factors, supports the very repair processes that energy-based devices instigate, encouraging optimal cosmetic outcomes.

1. Tribó-Boixareu MJ, Parrado-Romero C, Rais B, et al. Clinical and Histological Efficacy of a Secretion of the Mollusk Cryptomphalus aspersa in the Treatment of Cutaneous Photoaging. Cosmetic Dermatology 2009 (22)5:247-252.