A Multicomponent Bioactive Cosmetic After Radiofrequency Microneedling: Effects on Skin Barrier, Downtime, and Multi-Domain Skin Parameters in a Randomized, Split-Face, Controlled Trial

This prospective, single-center, randomized, split-face controlled trial evaluated whether a multicomponent investigational cosmetic serum (ISCE) applied immediately after radiofrequency microneedling (RF-MN) provides additional benefit over RF-MN alone. In 22 healthy Korean women aged 40–69 years, one hemiface was randomly assigned by a computer-generated sequence to RF-MN plus ISCE and the other to RF-MN alone, in two sessions 3 weeks apart; outcome assessors and statisticians were blinded. Primary endpoints were transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and procedure-induced erythema; secondary endpoints were hydration, elastic recoil, elasticity, density, wrinkles, pores, and pigmentation. Twenty participants were analyzed. TEWL decreased more on the combination side from the first session (between-side difference −0.50 g/m2·h, 95% CI −0.68 to −0.33; p < 0.001), and the procedure-induced increase in erythema was smaller after the second session (−1.07 A.U., 95% CI −2.08 to −0.05; nominal p = 0.041). After the second session, all exploratory secondary endpoints favored the combination side (unadjusted p < 0.05). No adverse events occurred. ISCE after RF-MN yielded a greater short-term reduction in TEWL than RF-MN alone, whereas the erythema finding is preliminary and requires confirmation; because no vehicle control was included, the TEWL benefit is attributable to the formulation as a whole. The trial was not registered in a trial registry.