Alastin Skincare Product Training and Clinical Science Guide

Galderma and Alastin Skincare Partnership

• Galderma and Alastin Skincare joined forces in $2022$. Alastin operates under the dermatological skincare category within the Galderma umbrella, alongside brands like Cetaphil and the injectable portfolio, which includes Restylane, Sculptra, and Dysport (a neurotoxin).
• The Galderma mission emphasizes meeting individual consumer and patient needs with superior outcomes through partnerships with healthcare professionals.
• The Alastin brand was founded in $2015$ following the development of TriHex technology, a regenerative breakthrough in skincare science.
• Alastin is the number one most preferred physician-dispensed skincare brand among physicians who carry the line. It currently holds over $26$ patents and has over $60$ publications, with additional studies pending.
• The Aspire Rewards program applies to Alastin orders. Practices and patients can earn Aspire points when purchasing Alastin products, which can be applied toward future injectable orders for brands like Restylane or Sculptra. Points accumulate within the practice’s Aspire rewards account.

Biological Foundation: Skin Anatomy and the Extracellular Matrix (ECM)

• Skincare efficacy focuses primarily on the three layers of the skin, with the dermis being a critical target for Alastin products.
• The Dermis: Houses the extracellular matrix (ECM), containing collagen and elastin fibers, glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), and hyaluronic acid.
• The Hypodermis: Provides a cushion for loose connective tissues and contains white adipocytes and stem cells.
• Young vs. Older Skin Comparison:
  • Young, photoprotective skin features strong, firm, and structured collagen fibers (comparable to spaghetti strands) and robust fibroblast morphology.
  • Older, photodamaged skin exhibits fragmented, broken, and clumped collagen fibers. There is reduced ECM support, which leads to poor cellular crosstalk and communication.
  • Fibroblasts in aged skin are smaller and typically lose their original shape and activity level.

TriHex Technology: The Three R's and Scientific Evolution

• TriHex technology is a patented blend of peptides designed to restore skin health through the "Three R's":
  • Remove: Clears out broken-down, old-age collagen and elastin fragments within the ECM.
  • Rebuild: Initiates the production of new, healthy collagen and elastin.
  • Repeat: Maintains healthy, youthful-looking skin through continued product use.
• Core Peptides:
  • Tripeptide-1: Upregulates MMP-2 (gelatinase) and downregulates MMP-1 (collagenase). MMP-1 is an enzyme that breaks down collagen; hence, downregulating it is essential for preservation. Tripeptide-1 effectiveness for enzyme activation peaks between days $18$ and $22$.
  • Hexapeptide-11: Works in conjunction with Tripeptide-1 to support the restoration of collagen and elastin.
• TriHex Plus Evolution:
  • Includes Octapeptide-45, a proprietary peptide added based on provider feedback requesting higher levels of hydration.
  • Octapeptide-45 stimulates the natural production of hyaluronic acid (HA) within the skin.
  • The addition results in visible increases in trophoelastin (early-stage elastin fibers) and $131\%$ higher hyaluronic acid levels in the skin compared to the original formula.
  • It reinforces the dermal-epidermal junction (DEJ) and basement membrane strength for improved structural resiliency.

Cosmetic Treatment and Procedure Support Pillar

• This pillar focuses on maximizing progress and minimizing recovery time for in-office procedures.
• Regenerating Skin Nectar:
  • The standard for pre- and post-procedure care.
  • Designed for facial surgeries, microneedling, lasers, and chemical peels.
  • Water-free and preservative-free to prevent stinging or burning on compromised skin.
  • Key ingredients include Naringenin with Panthenyl Triacetate (inhibits redness via the JAK-STAT pathway) and antioxidants Vitaline and Vital Fluine.
  • Pre-treatment Protocol: Patients should use the Nectar for $2$ weeks prior to a procedure to clear out the ECM and strengthen the skin barrier.
• Reform & Repair Complex with TriHex Technology:
  • Specifically formulated for the body.
  • Targeted for use with body surgeries to assist with bruising, scarring, and wound healing. It can be applied directly to incisions.
• Enhanced Post-Injection Serum:
  • Complements injectable treatments like fillers or toxin.
  • Features Chromaphade technology and Arnica to reduce bruising and pigment.
• Soothe and Protect Recovery Balm:
  • A thick, cream-textured product used to lock in moisture. It can also function as a lip balm.

Targeted Treatment Support: Neck and Body

• Restorative Neck Complex:
  • Designed to treat the unique, thinner tissue of the neck and décolleté.
  • Contains TriHex technology, Dill extract (for elasticity and firmness), and Niacinamide (for pigment).
  • Clinical markers show more organized collagen arrangement and thin black stains indicating healthy elastin distribution after $12$ weeks of use.
• Transformed Body Treatment:
  • Addresses crepey skin and tightens body tissues.
  • Contains Hexapeptide-11 with LipoDRONE technology, which assists the natural detox process to clear out broken-down fat cells.
  • Features Tetrapeptide-2, Dill extract, Linseed, and Plantain Leaf to increase elastin production.
  • Highly recommended for patients undergoing body contouring (e.g., CryoStar T-Shock, Pagani, Matrix) or those experiencing skin laxity due to weight loss medications (GLP-1/semaglutide/tirzepatide).
  • Clinical data shows a $59\% \text{ to } 89\%$ change in elasticity after consistent use.

Targeted Solution Serums and Daily Care

• HA Immerse Serum:
  • Provides both immediate hydration and long-term HA production enhancement.
  • Ingredients: Octapeptide-45 (stimulates HA), Hexapeptide-11 (preserves natural HA), Hydroxydecadone (intrinsic booster/anti-irritant), Sodium Hyaluronate (surface moisture), and Silver Mushroom extract.
  • Three-dimensional hydration mapping shows significant improvement in skin moisture levels even $15$ minutes after a single application, with sustained baseline increases after $4$ to $8$ weeks.
• C-Radical Defense Antioxidant Serum:
  • Uses Sodium Ascorbate (a sodium salt) rather than standard L-Ascorbic Acid. Alastin science suggests that L-Ascorbic Acid can be detrimental to elastin, whereas Sodium Ascorbate is protective.
  • The Vitamin C is encapsulated in liposomes, allowing it to penetrate the stratum corneum and deliver to the dermis $20$ times more effectively than traditional formulations.
  • Protects against environmental stressors, UV damage, and blue light from electronic devices.
  • Formulated in vacuum-sealed packaging to prevent oxidation and color changes.
• Illuminate Brightening Serum:
  • Designed to address surface pigmentation (sun damage, acne scarring, hormones) without the irritation common in other brighteners.
  • Pathway Technology: A blend of Tranexamic Acid, Hexapeptide-11, Hexapeptide-12, and Lactoferrin to decrease melanin and prevent post-inflammatory pigmentation.
  • Niacinamide supports the barrier and reduces uneven skin tone.
  • In a $12$-week blinded randomized study comparing Illuminate to Hydroquinone $4\%$, Illuminate showed a $27\%$ overall improvement in melasma with zero reported adverse events, whereas Hydroquinone had $5$ reported adverse events.
• Renewal Retinol ($0.25$ and $0.5$):
  • Lipid-encapsulated formula to support smoothing and evening of skin tone.
  • Contains Oat extract and Silver Mushroom for calming/hydration.
  • Coenzyme Q10 helps protect the delivery of the retinol within the skin.
  • All Alastin products, including the retinols, are non-comedogenic and acne-safe.

Questions & Discussion

• Questions were raised regarding the redemption of Aspire points. Points are accumulated through the injectable representative (AX rep) and can be used on subsequent orders of Galderma injectables.
• Discussion occurred regarding pre-treatment with the Nectar. While some practices only use it post-procedure, Alastin recommends a $2$-week pre-treatment phase to optimize recovery, as indicated by a $45\%$ improvement in recovery by day $7$ in clinical trials.
• There was a specific inquiry about using the Restorative Neck Complex after radiofrequency (RF) microneedling (e.g., Morpheus8, Matrix). It is advised to use the Regenerating Skin Nectar first until the skin has completely re-epithelialized (healed/stabilized), then transition to the targeted neck complex.
• Users discussed the performance of HA Immerse Serum under makeup. It is noted that the serum prevents makeup from drying up over time by providing a hydrated skin prep base.
• A question was asked about the C-Radical Defense formula. It was clarified that the product recently underwent rebranding for its packaging but the formulation remains the same.
• Clarification was sought on the use of the Transformed Body Treatment for knees. Clinical data on a patient aged $77$ showed a $59\%$ change in elasticity on the knee area after $12$ weeks without additional procedures.