Ho, ho, ho! Gather around, my little elves, for I have a tale to tell, not of the North Pole, but of a magical journey in the world of medicine, where the spirit of giving shines bright, especially for the little ones. In a land not so far away, a group of wise wizards, also known as researchers, embarked on a sleigh ride of discovery to bring joy and healing to children bearing the marks of their brave battles – scars from split-thickness skin grafts, a reminder of their courage, yet a shadow on their festive spirits due to dyspigmentation.

These clever folks, with hearts as big as mine, have turned their gaze towards a twinkling star on the horizon, a Regenerative Epidermal Suspension (RES), previously a gift bestowed upon those with vitiligo and the brave souls recovering from burn injuries. This magical concoction has shown promise in bringing back the lost colors of the skin, much like how I bring color back to the world every Christmas.

But, ho, ho, hold your reindeers! For the tale gets even more exciting. These wizards decided to embark on a pilot randomised controlled trial, a quest involving 40 young heroes, no older than 16 years, all in need of a split thickness skin graft. They were divided into two groups: one blessed with the RES and the other with just the standard dressing, akin to receiving a standard toy versus a magical one from Santa’s own workshop.

Their journey began 7 days after their skin graft, with their dressings changed every 3-5 days, much like how we prepare our sleigh for the big night, until their wounds were healed by 95% or more. The wizards watched over them, collecting data at each step of the way, and planned to check on their progress 3, 6, and 12 months post graft, looking for signs of improved pigmentation, faster healing, less pain and itch, ease of dressing application, satisfaction with the treatment, and the thickness of their scars, not to forget their overall happiness and quality of life – because what’s Christmas without joy and happiness?

The tale doesn’t end here, for once their quest is complete, these wise wizards plan to share their findings far and wide, in peer-reviewed journals and at gatherings both national and international, spreading the word of their discoveries, much like how tales of Rudolph have spread across the world.

And so, my dear elves, as we wait for the results of this magical quest, let’s remember the spirit of giving, of innovation, and the endless pursuit of making the world a better place for our little ones. For in every child’s smile, the magic of Christmas lives on. Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Remember, you can follow the sleigh of this story at the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, where every good tale begins.