• Beta-glucan (Glucoprime®) – a naturally derived sugar that is purified from the cell wall of baker’s yeast which has immunomodulatory properties that support skin regeneration
• Triethanolamine – balances the pH of the gel to avoid irritation to your skin
• Carbomer – allows the gel to retain water to provide you with a soothing texture and leave your skin looking bright
• Neutral pH, no parabens or fragrances means TR Pro+® is suitable for most skin types

The active ingredient of TR Pro+® is Glucoprime® which is a beta-glucan purified from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ie: baker’s yeast) which is used to bake bread and brew beer.  Beta-glucans are commonly found in fungi, plants and bacteria where they are a key component of the cell wall.  Beta-glucans are almost totally made of sugar, with glucose being the sugar most commonly used.

There is enormous diversity in the way the millions of glucose units are linked together and their spatial location relative to adjacent molecules (Vetvicka et al. 2019). Up until recently, the extraction of beta-glucan has been difficult and expensive due to the challenges associated with retaining the complex branched structure of the molecule.

Preserving the native structure of the beta-glucan is essential because it determines its ability to interact with host cells, and studies have confirmed that beta-glucans which have maintained the natural branched structure are more effective in assisting damaged skin to heal (Kim et al. 2018). Historically however, this has been difficult to achieve with most beta-glucans breaking down during the purification process and therefore having less impact on skin repair.  Tissue Repair has successfully developed a proprietary process that leaves the native structure more intact, thereby allowing Glucoprime® to exert a positive healing influence on damaged skin.

The multifunctional nature of hydrogels, including their moisture retention, tissue adhesion, controlled drug delivery, antibacterial properties, and self-healing capabilities, makes them highly beneficial for skin healing applications. These properties enable hydrogels to create an optimal environment for wound repair, tissue regeneration, and controlled drug delivery, ultimately enhancing the overall healing process.

Hydrogels can benefit all stages of healing:

• Can be used for different types of wounds (closed, open, weeping or dry)
• Cleansing phase: supports the removal of exudate, cell debris, foreign bodies and germs (autolytic debridement)
• Granulation phase: optimally moisturise and provide a hydrated matrix which promotes cell migration into the wound, and supports collagen synthesis and cross-linking
• Reparative phase: re-epithelialisation is promoted by division of keratinocytes, optimally supplied with oxygen

Film-forming, Flexible, Full Contact

• TR Pro+® dries to form a thin, transparent and durable protective film that stays in constant contact with the skin.

Hydration and Water Loss

• TR Pro+® is partially absorbed into the skin to provide hydration while at the same time providing a barrier to reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL) (Pillai et al. 2005; Vetvicka et al. 2019).

Aesthetic Benefit

• TR Pro+® has been shown in clinical trials to reduce skin wrinkling and increase elastosis (Wu et al. 2022).

Wound Healing and Scar Formation

• TR Pro+® absorbs exudate leading to improved wound healing5. Increased hydration provides an environment favourable to normal scar formation (Muthuramalinga et al. 2019).

Protection

• TR Pro+® provides a barrier that protects against microbial infection while at the same time allowing the skin to breathe (Pillai et al. 2005).

Cooling Effect

• TR Pro+® provides a cooling effect to soothe damaged skin and helps relieve pain and itching. Heat generated from cosmetic procedures is able to dissipate freely (Pillai et al. 2005).

Reduces Oxidative Stress

• TR Pro+® has antioxidant capacity to protect skin against oxidative stress that may be caused by UV radiation (Majtan and Jesenak 2018).

Stops Bleeding

• TR Pro+® acts as a haemostatic agent to stem bleeding and manage exudate (Madaghiele et al. 2014).

Cosmetically Elegant

• Upon being left to dry and absorb into the skin, TR Pro+® is not visible and can have makeup and sunscreen applied.

Easy to Use and Non-reactive 

• TR Pro+® can be applied once daily, is non-greasy, and can easily be removed from clothes. TR Pro+® is neutral pH, and does not contain any preservatives, fragrances, or parabens making it suitable for people with sensitive skin.

The water content of the stratum corneum and skin surface is important in the appearance and function of skin (Cheng et al, 2007).  Moisturisers reduce the loss of skin humidity and increase hydration to make it moist, smooth and soft  (Kim et al, 2018).  For a long time it was believed that the large molecular structure of beta-glucans would prevent it from effectively penetrating the skin. This all changed following a clinical study (Pillai et al, 2005) which evaluated the effects of beta-glucan in the reduction of wrinkle depth and height. The researchers applied beta-glucan to skin samples and left it to absorb for 8 hours before examining the samples and finding that it was able to enter the stratum corneum and epidermis and penetrate into the dermis.  It’s also interesting to note that beta-glucan does not penetrate the skin by moving through individual cells, but instead passes in the spaces between cells.

Wrinkle formation is one of the main signs of ageing and the major cause of fine wrinkles is the loss of structural protein, or collagen, in the dermal layer of skin. Collagen makes up 70-80% of the dry weight of skin (Du et al 2014) and the amount of collagen varies from person to person. In a study published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science (Pillai et al, 2005), 27 people were tested to evaluate the effects of beta-glucan on facial fine lines and wrinkles. After twice daily use over 8 weeks, they found that there was a reduction in all wrinkles (including deep wrinkles) as well reductions in the average peak and roughness. A further by study by Wu et al (2022) showed that the TR Pro+® hydrogel was able to reduce wrinkling and improve elastosis in skin that had been resurfaced using a CO₂ laser.

Beta-glucans like Glucoprime® have also been shown to have potent antioxidant properties. Given that oxidative stress from free radicals is a major cause of skin ageing, these antioxidant properties are also beneficial in combating the ageing effects of sunlight and pollutants (Majtan and Jesenak 2018).

TR Pro+® protects the skin from external stressors and irritation by increasing your skin’s natural barrier function and preventing harmful bacteria or pollution from making their way into your skin. It aids in providing relief from excessive sun exposure, rashes and mild burns.  Glucoprime® provides a film-forming linear polymer, which means that it links together to form a thin, undetectable barrier that enhances the natural protecting properties of the skin layer.   Its ability to penetrate deep into the skin serves to immediately calm down redness and irritation caused after cosmetic treatments.

TR Pro+® is specifically designed to support the skin’s natural barrier function and works to diminish the appearance of redness. Gentle enough for dry and sensitive skin types, use it once daily or as needed, massaging a small amount onto the affected areas.

TR Pro+® containing beta-glucan, is fragrance-free  and suitable for most skin types. This oil-free gel works to instantly boost skin’s hydration, giving you a healthy supple complexion.

In general, TR Pro+® can be applied directly after the procedure, and from then on in the evening and then left to absorb into the skin overnight.  A loose dressing can be used to cover the area if necessary. The skin is gently cleansed the following morning, and if appropriate, moisturiser, makeup and/or sunscreen can be applied throughout the day. TR Pro+® is applied in the same way each evening for at least 5 days, and then every second evening afterwards as required or until the skin returns to normal.

There may be a brief mild stinging sensation before the cooling effect of the gel becomes apparent, at which time there may also be a feeling of skin tightening which is normal.

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2. Cheng Y, Dong Y, Dong M, Wang C, Sun Y, Su N, Liu J, Zheng H, Yang X, Li J, Andreas S, Rohr M, Liu W. Moisturizing and antisebum effect of cosmetic application on facial skin. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2007 Sep;6(3):172-7.
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5. Mills, S, Sylvester, C, Reed, D. Cowin, A. Beta-Glucan Hydrogel (TR Pro+®) modulates inflammation, by controlling macrophage differentiation, to improve the rate of healing in murine excisional wounds. AWTRS Abstract October 2024.
6. Pillai R, Redmond M, Roding J. Anti‐Wrinkle Therapy: Significant New Findings in the Non‐Invasive Cosmetic Treatment of Skin Wrinkles with Beta‐Glucan. International Journal of Cosmetic Science 2005 8: 2-6.
7. Roy S, Dickerson R, Khanna S, Collard E, Gnyawali U, Gordillo GM, Sen CK. Particulate β-glucan induces TNF-α production in wound macrophages via a redox-sensitive NF-κβ-dependent pathway. Wound Repair Regen. 2011 May-Jun;19(3):411-9. 
8. Vetvicka V, Vannucci L, Sima P, Richter J. Beta Glucan: Supplement or Drug? From Laboratory to Clinical Trials. Molecules. 2019 Mar 30;24(7):1251.
9. Wu DC, Kollipara R, Carter MJ, Goldman MP. A Novel Macrophage-Activating Gel Improves Healing and Skin Quality After CO₂ Laser Resurfacing of the Chest. Dermatol Surg. 2022 Dec 1;48(12):1312-1316. 
10. Goodridge HS, Reyes CN, Becker CA, Katsumoto TR, Ma J, Wolf AJ, Bose N, Chan AS, Magee AS, Danielson ME, Weiss A, Vasilakos JP, Underhill DM. Activation of the innate immune receptor Dectin-1 upon formation of a ‘phagocytic synapse’. Nature. 2011 Apr 28;472(7344):471-5.