Background: There are few pharmacologic options to reduce laser-associated post treatment erythema and to extend anesthesia duration. Development of a novel adjuvant agent to topical lidocaine cream is required.
Objectives: This study aimed to evalua...
Background: There are few pharmacologic options to reduce laser-associated post treatment erythema and to extend anesthesia duration. Development of a novel adjuvant agent to topical lidocaine cream is required.
Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a combination of topical brimonidine and EMLA<sup>®</sup> as an aid for post treatment erythema and pain.
Methods: A total of 15 Korean subjects were randomized to receive a split-face, subject-blind application of a mixture of brimonidine and EMLA<sup>®</sup> on one side and only EMLA<sup>®</sup> on the other side of the face for anesthesia. After performing 1,550 nm erbium-glass fractionated laser, post-treatment erythema and pain were assessed at four time points: immediately after resurfacing, 30 minutes after, 60 minutes after, and 1 day after.
Results: A combination of brimonidine and EMLA<sup>®</sup> significantly lowered post treatment erythema until 60 minutes after the laser procedure. Furthermore, 30 and 60 minutes after the procedure, patients reported significantly lower post-procedural pain on the side where the mixture of brimonidine and EMLA<sup>®</sup> was applied.
Conclusion: Topical brimonidine can be used as an effective adjuvant agent to lidocaine-based topical anesthetics.