Homocysteic Acid Biostimulator for Photoaged Facial Skin

NCT07722351 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: KNW/0022/KB1/27/16
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 25
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study evaluated whether a chemical skin biostimulator containing ammonium trichloroacetate, homocysteic acid, phytic acid and citric acid can improve signs of photoaged skin in women with mature skin. Twenty-five women received four treatment sessions two weeks apart, followed by a home-care skincare regimen. Skin firmness, wrinkles, skin texture, hydration, sebum production and, in participants with hyperpigmentation, skin tone uniformity were measured before treatment and at 2 and 12 weeks after the treatment series to determine whether the biostimulator produces lasting improvement in photoaged skin without the downtime associated with traditional chemical peels.

Conditions

Skin Aging; Hyperpigmentation

Keywords

chemical skin biostimulator; photoaging; homocysteic acid; ammonium trichloroacetate; skin elasticity; wrinkle reduction; melasma; Cutometer; Antera 3D; grey-level co-occurrence matrix

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (9)

• Change From Baseline in Skin Viscoelasticity (Cutometer R2, R5, R7)

  Skin viscoelasticity assessed by Cutometer, reported as gross elasticity (R2), net elasticity (R5) and biological elasticity (R7); each is a dimensionless ratio ranging from 0 to 1, with higher values indicating greater skin elasticity.

  Baseline, 2 weeks, and 12 weeks after the treatment series

• Change From Baseline in Wrinkle Volume (Antera 3D)

  Wrinkle volume at the nasolabial folds, glabellar lines, forehead lines, and crow's feet, measured in mm³ by Antera 3D three-dimensional imaging.

  Baseline, 2 weeks, and 12 weeks after the treatment series

• Change From Baseline in Skin Texture Score (Antera 3D)

  A proprietary continuous index from the Antera 3D imaging software (Miravex) reflecting skin surface irregularity, with no manufacturer-published fixed range; observed values in this study ranged from approximately 20 to 55, with higher values indicating rougher skin.

  Baseline, 2 weeks, and 12 weeks after the treatment series

• Change From Baseline in Skin Roughness (Antera 3D, Ra)

  Arithmetic roughness (Ra), measured in micrometres (µm) by Antera 3D.

  Baseline, 2 weeks, and 12 weeks after the treatment series

• Change From Baseline in Maximum Wrinkle Height (Antera 3D)

  Maximum surface height of wrinkles, measured in millimetres (mm) by Antera 3D.

  Baseline, 2 weeks, and 12 weeks after the treatment series

• Change From Baseline in Skin Hydration

  Skin hydration measured by corneometry (arbitrary corneometer units).

  Baseline, 2 weeks, and 12 weeks after the treatment series

• Change From Baseline in Sebum Secretion

  Sebum secretion measured by sebumetry.

  Baseline, 2 weeks, and 12 weeks after the treatment series

• Change From Baseline in Skin Tone Contrast (GLCM) in Participants With Hyperpigmentation

  Grey-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) contrast index in the hyperpigmented subgroup (n=14), assessed from standardised cross-polarised photographs.

  Baseline, 2 weeks, and 12 weeks after the treatment series

• Change From Baseline in Skin Tone Homogeneity (GLCM) in Participants With Hyperpigmentation

  Grey-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) homogeneity index (range 0-1; higher values indicate greater uniformity) in the hyperpigmented subgroup (n=14).

  Baseline, 2 weeks, and 12 weeks after the treatment series

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Change in Self-Assessed Facial Appearance, Neck Appearance, Wrinkle Depth, and Skin Firmness

  Immediately after the fourth treatment session (each session is a single-day clinic visit; the four sessions were administered at 14-day intervals), compared with baseline

• Satisfaction With Wrinkle-Reduction and Firming Effects

  Immediately after the fourth treatment session (each session is a single-day clinic visit; the four sessions were administered at 14-day intervals)

• Proportion of Participants Satisfied With Facial and Neck Appearance

  Baseline and immediately after the fourth treatment session (each session is a single-day clinic visit; the four sessions were administered at 14-day intervals)

• Percentage Retention of Maximal Improvement in Wrinkle Volume and Skin Texture at 12 Weeks

  2 weeks and 12 weeks after the treatment series

Other Outcomes (1)

• Incidence of Local Skin Reactions and Adverse Events

  Throughout the treatment series and follow-up period, up to 12 weeks after the last session

Study Arms (1)

Chemical skin biostimulator (ATCA/HoA) plus home-care regimen

EXPERIMENTAL

Women with clinical signs of facial photoaging received four sessions, at 14-day intervals, of a topical chemical skin biostimulator containing ammonium trichloroacetate (ATCA), homocysteic acid (HoA), phytic acid and citric acid (PRX plus, WiQO), followed by a standardised home-care regimen consisting of a regenerating cream (morning), a glycolic-acid-containing fluid (evening), and, in participants with hyperpigmentation, a lightening serum applied twice daily to affected areas.

Procedure: Chemical skin biostimulation with ammonium trichloroacetate and homocysteic acid

Interventions

Chemical skin biostimulation with ammonium trichloroacetate and homocysteic acid PROCEDURE

A four-session chemical skin biostimulation procedure using a topical formulation containing ammonium trichloroacetate (ATCA), homocysteic acid (HoA), phytic acid and citric acid (PRX plus, WiQO, Trieste, Italy). At each session, three product layers were applied to predefined facial areas (forehead, nose, cheeks, chin, upper lip) with massage until absorption, followed by cold-water rinse. Sessions were repeated at 14-day intervals. Participants additionally followed a standardised home-care regimen: a regenerating shea-butter cream each morning, a glycolic-acid-containing fluid each evening, and, for participants with hyperpigmentation, a lightening serum applied twice daily to affected areas, together with daily broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 50+).

Also known as: PRX plus

Chemical skin biostimulator (ATCA/HoA) plus home-care regimen

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 39 Years - 69 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Female, Fitzpatrick skin phototype II
• Age 39-69 years
• Clinical signs of facial photoaging
• Some participants had hyperpigmentation (melasma or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation)

You may not qualify if:

• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Ongoing hormone therapy
• Topical retinoid use within 1 month, or oral retinoid use within 6 months, prior to treatment
• Chemical peel procedures within 1 month prior to treatment
• Use of arbutin and/or hydroquinone within 3 months prior to treatment
• Laser-based treatments within 3 months prior to treatment
• Active inflammatory dermatoses
• Autoimmune diseases
• Renal impairment

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Medical University of Silesia: lead
• WiQO (Trieste, Italy): collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Department of Practical Cosmetology and Skin Diagnostics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice

Sosnowiec, Poland

Location

Related Publications (12)

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• Houshmand EB. Effect of glycolic acid, phytic acid, soothing complex containing Emulsion on Hyperpigmentation and skin luminosity: A clinical evaluation. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2021 Mar;20(3):776-780. doi: 10.1111/jocd.13950. Epub 2021 Feb 2.

  PMID: 33458927 BACKGROUND

• Genever PG, Maxfield SJ, Kennovin GD, Maltman J, Bowgen CJ, Raxworthy MJ, Skerry TM. Evidence for a novel glutamate-mediated signaling pathway in keratinocytes. J Invest Dermatol. 1999 Mar;112(3):337-42. doi: 10.1046/j.1523-1747.1999.00509.x.

  PMID: 10084312 BACKGROUND

• Cuenod M, Do KQ, Herrling PL, Turski WA, Matute C, Streit P. Homocysteic acid, an endogenous agonist of NMDA-receptor: release, neuroactivity and localization. Adv Exp Med Biol. 1986;203:253-62. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4684-7971-3_19. No abstract available.

  PMID: 2878563 BACKGROUND

• Passeron T, Picardo M. Melasma, a photoaging disorder. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res. 2018 Jul;31(4):461-465. doi: 10.1111/pcmr.12684. Epub 2018 Jan 12.

  PMID: 29285880 BACKGROUND

• Shin JW, Kwon SH, Choi JY, Na JI, Huh CH, Choi HR, Park KC. Molecular Mechanisms of Dermal Aging and Antiaging Approaches. Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Apr 29;20(9):2126. doi: 10.3390/ijms20092126.

  PMID: 31036793 BACKGROUND

• Gromkowska-Kepka KJ, Puscion-Jakubik A, Markiewicz-Zukowska R, Socha K. The impact of ultraviolet radiation on skin photoaging - review of in vitro studies. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2021 Nov;20(11):3427-3431. doi: 10.1111/jocd.14033. Epub 2021 Mar 13.

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• Miao F, Wan J, Zhou Y, Shi Y. Unraveling Melasma: From Epidermal Pigmentation to Microenvironmental Dysregulation. Biology (Basel). 2025 Oct 13;14(10):1402. doi: 10.3390/biology14101402.

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  PMID: 34830368 BACKGROUND

• Ni J, Wang N, Gao L, Li L, Zheng S, Liu Y, Ozukum M, Nikiforova A, Zhao G, Song Z. The effect of the NMDA receptor-dependent signaling pathway on cell morphology and melanosome transfer in melanocytes. J Dermatol Sci. 2016 Dec;84(3):296-304. doi: 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2016.08.534. Epub 2016 Aug 24.

  PMID: 27596138 BACKGROUND

• Kaltchenko MV, Chien AL. Photoaging: Current Concepts on Molecular Mechanisms, Prevention, and Treatment. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2025 May;26(3):321-344. doi: 10.1007/s40257-025-00933-z. Epub 2025 Mar 12.

  PMID: 40072791 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Hyperpigmentation; Melanosis

Interventions

homocysteic acid

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Pigmentation Disorders; Skin Diseases; Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases

Study Officials

• Anna Deda, PhD

  Medical University of Silesia in Katowice

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Dominika Wcisło-Dziadecka, Prof

  Medical University of Silesia in Katowice

  STUDY CHAIR

• Sławomir Wilczyński, Prof

  Medical University of Silesia in Katowice

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 9, 2026
• First Posted: July 23, 2026
• Study Start: October 29, 2025
• Primary Completion: April 1, 2026
• Study Completion: April 1, 2026
• Last Updated: July 23, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL
• Time Frame: Available upon reasonable request from the corresponding author, beginning from the date of publication, with no specified end date.
• Access Criteria: Data will be made available to qualified researchers who submit a reasonable request to the corresponding author (Anna Deda, adeda@sum.edu.pl), for the purpose of methodologically sound reanalysis, subject to authors' approval.

Locations

PL (1)