Influence of Sun Protection and Linear Repair of Cutaneous Surgical Defects

The purpose of this study is to determine the potential influence of sun protection on the aesthetic outcome of post-surgical scars following the reconstruction of Mohs micrographic surgery defects via linear repair. This study will be performed as a randomized split-wound study. Half of the wound will be treated with zinc containing sunscreen and the other half of the wound would not be treated. Three-months post-surgery, the scar will be evaluated via the patient observer scar assessment scale (POSAS), a validated scar instrument, as well as a colorimeter to measure the amount of vascularity, and hyperpigmentation between the treated and the non-treated area compared to the 'surrounding skin' defined as skin in the proximity but not adjacent to the wound. Any adverse events will also be recorded.

Primary linear repair remains a fundamental and common means of closing skin defects; however, to date, there are no clinical studies currently within the medical literature that explore the potential influence that sunlight exposure has on the cosmetic outcome of surgical site cutaneous scars. Therefore, this study aims to determine the potential effects of sun protection on post-surgical scar cosmesis following linear repairs on sun-exposed areas of the face, hairless scalp, and neck.

It has been thought that sun exposure is associated with a higher chance of erythema and dyspigmentation in cutaneous wounds, however, this remains unproven and findings pertaining to this topic remain largely confined to animal studies. In one study, researchers found that the wounds of rats chronically exposed to UVA radiation exhibited diminished wound contraction during the healing process compared to non-irradiated controls. Another study simulated UV radiation before and after laser treatment on vascular skin lesions in groups of hairless mice. In the postoperative UV-irradiated group, the mice skin displayed significant fibrosis, slower healing, and marked hyperpigmentation. A different group of researchers explored the effect of UVA light exposure on wound pigmentation on scars with and without dry tattooing. This study found that dry tattooing with UVA light exposure demonstrated significant improvement of hypopigmented scars. The researchers of this study hypothesized that the light exposure led to an inflammation-driven hyperpigmentation response. A separate study hypothesized that UV exposure may be beneficial for wound healing by stimulating melanocyte distribution via keratinocyte-melanocyte cross-talk, and thus, preventing hypopigmentation. Irregularity in the pigmentation of healing scars remains a large insecurity of patients and has led to their desire for surgical corrections of these scars. These researchers suggested that UV exposure will promote melanin production, and thus, potentiate a protective effect against further UV damage and wound hypopigmentation.

Skin color changes provide information and clues about certain pathologies, disease progression, and patient response to treatment. Factors such as melanin vascularity contribute to skin color. Historically, this evaluation of skin color has been subjective, however, objective analysis is now possible by means of colorimeters. Cutaneous color changes can be quantified using the standardized CIELAB system, which measures color light intensity, as well as red/green and yellow/blue intensity. Following Mohs micrographic surgery, the colorimeter can be used as an objective measurement to assess scar hyperpigmentation and vascularity.