Combining in-office chemical peel procedures with topical therapy of a comprehensive pigmentation control product for 
multi-ethnic subjects with moderate to severe facial hyperpigmentation

Katie H. Schneider, BS, CRA; Lisa T. Goberdhan, BA; Elizabeth T. Makino, BS, CCRA, MBA; Rahul C. Mehta, PhD
Research & Development SkinMedica, an Allergan Company, Irvine, CA, USA

Presented at the Fall Clinical Dermatology Conference Series, October 12-15, 2017, Las Vegas, NV, USA

BACKGROUND
Skin discoloration is a common concern with limited treatment options for 
multi-ethnic patients due to  the increased risk of Post Inflammatory 
Hyperpigmentation (PIH). The use of superficial chemical peels is an 
effective and well tolerated treatment  for patients of various ethnic origins. 
Combination therapy such as brightening topicals paired with chemical peels 
has been shown to be more effective in addressing hyperpigmentation. 

OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy  and  tolerability of a daily topical regimen (HQ free) in 
combination with a series of three superficial chemical peels in patients with 
moderate to severe facial hyperpigmentation.

RESULTS
● Fourteen male and female subjects (FST III, IV and VI) presenting with moderate to severe hyperpigmentation completed the 

twelve week study. Three subjects discontinued the study, due to treatment-related adverse events which were skin-related.
● At week 8, significant improvements in all efficacy parameters including overall hyperpigmentation, overall photodamage, and 

skin tone unevenness (p<0.03; n=16; student’s paired t-test) 
● At week 12, all efficacy parameters continued to show significant improvements (p<0.01; n=14; student’s paired t-test)
● The combination treatment of VP and LYT2 was highly-rated at Week 12 by subjects in self-perceived efficacy and patient 

satisfaction (Figure 5)
● At study completion, 100% of subjects felt moderately and very satisfied with the combination regimen. 

CONCLUSIONS
These results demonstrate the aesthetic benefits to multi-ethnic patients with use of a daily non-HQ  
regimen combined with  a series of  3 superficial chemical peels. 

STUDY DESIGN
• Open-label, single-center clinical usage study 
• Twelve week study duration with visits at baseline, week 4, week 8 and 

week 12
Subject Demographics
• Male and Female subjects (n=17) aged 36-69 years, with Fitzpatrick Skin 

Types (FST) III, IV and VI, who identified as Asian, Hispanic, African 
American, or Caucasian ethnicities presenting with moderate to severe 
hyperpigmentation (as determined by a grade of 4-9 on the overall 
hyperpigmentation scale) were enrolled in the study.

Test Products
• Comprehensive HQ-free Pigmentation Control Product (LYT2)
• Superficial Chemical Peel (VP)

Treatment
Subjects received a series of three VP treatments every four weeks during 
the twelve week study. A basic skincare regimen of cleanser, moisturizer, and 
physical sunscreen was provided to subjects  in addition to LYT2  which was 
applied post-peel approximately 5-7 days or once facial peeling was 
complete. After cleansing, subjects were instructed to apply a thin layer of 
LYT2 to the entire face morning and evening. 

Clinical Assessments

At all visits, the investigator graded the subjects’  skin on the following facial  
parameters (0-9 scale):

• Overall Hyperpigmentation
• Overall Photodamage
• Skin Tone Unevenness
• Global Improvement in Hyperpigmentation (0-4 scale; at follow-up visits 

only)

Subject Self-Assessment Questionnaires
Subjects also completed a self-assessment questionnaire at all follow-up 
visits (weeks 4, 8 and 12) regarding the appearance of the facial skin.

Instrumentation
Standardized digital photographs of the face were taken at all visits using the 
VISIA-CR Imaging System (Canfield Scientific, Inc.) Reflectance Confocal 
Microscopy (RCM) images (VivaScope® 1500, Caliber Imaging and 
Diagnostics) were captured at baseline and week 12 visits on three subjects. 

DISCLOSURES
This study was sponsored by Allergan. All authors met the ICMJE authorship criteria.  All authors are employees of Allergan.

Female subject, Age 36, Fitz III 
Left to Right: Baseline & Week 12 after 3 VP treatments, and 9 weeks of  twice 
daily use of LYT2

Improvements observed in overall hyperpigmentation and overall photodamage at week 4 through week 12 with statistically
significant improvements observed at weeks 8 and 12 (p<0.03; student’s paired t-test).

Figure 5: Subject Self-Assessment Questionnaire at Week 12 

Figure 6: Investigator Efficacy Assessments of the Face

Female subject, Age 45, Fitz III 
Left to Right: Baseline, & Week 12 after 3 VP treatments, and 12 weeks of 
twice daily use of LYT2

Figure 4: Visible Improvements at Week 12

Female subject, Age 44, Fitz III 
Left to Right: Baseline & Week 8 after 2 VP treatments, and 6 weeks of twice 
daily use of LYT2

Figure 3a: Dermoscopy Image Baseline vs. Week 12

Female subject, Age 56, Fitz IV 
3a) Dermoscopy  of pigmented lesion showing improvements in skin tone at 
Baseline (Left) versus Week 12 (right)
3b) RCM single frame (0.5 x 0.5mm)  at Baseline,(left) versus Week 12  (right)  
showing a decrease in pigmented keratinocytes (bright white round cells)

Figure 3b: RCM Image Baseline vs. Week 12

Figure 1: Visible Improvements at Week 8 Figure 2: Visible Improvements at Week 12


	FC17PosterAllerganPeels.pdf