Observational Assessment of a Non-steroidal Tranexamic Acid and sh-Oligopeptide-1 Serum for Topical Steroid-Damaged Face Using the Dermoscopy-Assisted Topical Steroid Score

Topical steroid-damaged face (TSDF) is a clinically challenging consequence of inappropriate or prolonged facial topical corticosteroid use.Objective tools for monitoring recovery are limited.The Dermoscopy-Assisted Topical Steroid (DATS) score provides a structured method for quantifying the extent and dermoscopic severity of TSDF.This retrospective case series included five women with clinically and dermoscopically diagnosed TSDF who were treated with a non-steroidal serum containing tranexamic acid (TXA) and sh-oligopeptide-1 together with supportive skincare.DATS scores were assessed from standardized clinical and dermoscopic evaluations at baseline and four weeks.Paired baseline and four-week scores were compared using an exact two-sided Wilcoxon signed-rank test because of the small sample and paired ordinal-derived outcome.All five patients showed lower DATS scores at four weeks, with reductions ranging from 52% to 83%.Dermoscopic follow-up showed reductions in vascular prominence and hypertrichosis, with concurrent improvement in clinically observed erythema, scaling, and pigmentation.The exact Wilcoxon signed-rank test yielded W = 0 and p = 0.0625.No adverse events or rebound flares were documented during the fourweek observation period.These observations suggest that DATS may be useful for structured monitoring of TSDF over time.The clinical improvement observed with steroid cessation, supportive skincare, and the TXA/sh-oligopeptide-1 regimen is hypothesis-generating and cannot establish treatment efficacy in the absence of a comparator group.Larger prospective controlled studies are required.