Lidocaine/tetracaine peel in topical anesthesia prior to laser-assisted hair removal: Phase-II and Phase-III study results.

Author(s): Alster T(1), Garden J, Fitzpatrick R, Rendon M, Sarkany M, Adelglass J.

Affiliation(s): Author information: (1)Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery , Washington, DC , USA.

Publication date & source: 2014, J Dermatolog Treat. , 25(2):174-7

BACKGROUND: Patient comfort is essential during dermatologic procedures. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate anesthetic efficacy in laser-assisted hair removal of a self-occluding topical anesthetic (lidocaine 70 mg/g and tetracaine 70 mg/g, "LT peel"), which air-dries and can be peeled off 30 min post-application. METHODS: Studies A (Phase-II) and B (Phase-III) were randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled and paired. Applications of LT peel and placebo were concurrent: in Study A, 60 subjects were randomized to 30, 45, or 60-min groups, and in Study B, 50 subjects had 30-min applications. After drug removal, the investigator assessed for erythema, edema, and blanching. Efficacy evaluations followed the procedure: subject's pain [Visual Analog Scale (VAS), no to worst pain (0 - 100)], subject's/investigator's impression of anesthetic adequacy, and investigator's pain ratings. Adverse events (AEs) were recorded. RESULTS: VAS scores were significantly lower (p < 0.05) for LT peel: mean scores were 26.7 for LT Peel vs. 44.3 for placebo (Study A total population, similar between application times) and 23 vs. 31.7 (Study B), respectively. For both studies, subject's/investigator's ratings favored LT peel (p < 0.05 vs. placebo). Mild skin reactions occurred more frequently for LT peel. CONCLUSIONS: After a 30-min application, LT peel was effective and well-tolerated in providing anesthesia for laser-assisted hair removal.