Clinical Efficacy and Safety of a Highly Purified Polynucleotide for Dry and Chapped Lips: A Prospective, Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND

Dry and chapped lips are a common nuisance. Besides the discomfort, many report feeling embarrassed over the unsightly appearance of their chapped lips. The aim of this study was to determine if polynucleotide (PN) injection helps relieve lip dryness and assess safety in practicing PN in this specific area.

METHODS

In this prospective study, 30 Korean subjects with dry and chapped lips enrolled to receive PN injection on the vermilion zone (a total of 3 injections, each 3 weeks apart). Vermilion wrinkle and roughness were scored based on the photos taken pretreatment (week 0); before the 2nd and 3rd injection (week 3, week 6); and 3 weeks after the 3rd injection (week 9) using the respective severity rating scales. Safety data were obtained throughout the study period.

RESULTS

A total of 27 individuals completed the study. PN significantly improved both the vermilion wrinkles (assessed by the Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale (WSRS)) and roughness (assessed by the Lip Roughness Grading Scale (LRGS)) at all time points compared to baseline (p < 0.05). The WSRS response rate (Ratio of subjects whose WRSR decreased by ≥ 1 point compared to baseline) at week 9 was 100%. Lip swelling was experienced by all subjects when examined 30 min after PN injection, followed by pain (90%) and redness (77%). The injection site adverse reactions were mostly mild and transient.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that PN may be a promising option to soothe dry and chapped lips. However, larger studies with long-term follow-up are necessary to confirm the preliminary findings of this study.