Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41918136›Full record

ReviewJournal of cosmetic dermatology2026

TriHex Technology and Reversal of Solar Elastosis: Dispelling Some Myths.

Alan D Widgerow, Karl Napekoski, Faiza Shafiq, Tiffany Robison

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Alan D WidgerowDivision Chief Research, Professor Plastic Surgery, Center for Tissue Engineering, University of California, Irvine, US.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5705-8073
Karl NapekoskiDermatopathologist Midwest Diagnostic Pathology, Department of Pathology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, US.
Faiza ShafiqAlastin Skincare, Inc. a Galderma Company, US.
Tiffany RobisonAlastin Skincare, Inc. a Galderma Company, US.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSolar elastosis (SE) is the end result of long-term sun damage, characterized by a buildup of dystrophic material in the extracellular matrix (ECM) surrounded by fragmented collagen and dysfunctional, aggregated elastin. This degenerative process was once thought to be irreversible but is now recognized as dynamic, with the potential for regenerative change through appropriate interventions. New stains also enable the detection of newly formed elastin and collagen as part of this reversal process. MATERIALS AND

methodsA retrospective analysis of multiple clinical studies (624 patients, 80 biopsies, 31 reported solar elastosis) was conducted, focusing on the use of TriHex and TriHex+ peptide-based technology (Alastin Skincare Inc., Carlsbad, CA). Biopsies were evaluated using novel histologic stains, including Herovici and Movat, alongside conventional Hematoxylin & Eosin (H&E) and CD44. Markers such as Collagen IV and Laminin at the dermo-epidermal junction (DEJ) were also assessed to identify evidence of regenerative reversal of solar elastosis, ECM remodeling, and new elastin formation.

resultsThe regenerative reversal of solar elastosis was observed across multiple clinical trials. The TriHex formulations consistently produced significant improvements in ECM structure. Reported histology in 74% of cases showed clear removal of amorphous elastotic deposits and restoration of the ECM, including new elastin fiber formation, strengthening of the DEJ with increased Collagen IV and Laminin, new rete ridge architecture, and positive hydration effects evidenced by increased CD44 staining.

conclusionThis review positively challenges a long-standing myth and clearly establishes a new perspective: solar elastosis is reversible. The peptide-based TriHex Technology can remove the elastotic amorphous material from the ECM and rebuild it with new elastin and collagen fibers. Clinically and histologically, this shows that chronic sun damage can be repaired in the dermis, supporting a shift from superficial treatments to a more targeted regenerative approach focused on restoring the structural integrity of the skin.

Indexed as

Elastic TissueSkin AgingSunlightCollagen Type IVElastinExtracellular MatrixHumansHyaluronic AcidLamininRetrospective StudiesSkinCollagen Type IVElastinHyaluronic AcidLamininRestylane

Identifiers

PMID41918136
PMCPMC13039771

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.