Treatment of photoaged skin with topical tretinoin increases epidermal-dermal anchoring fibrils: a preliminary report

Article Abstract:

Photoaging of the skin refers to cumulative damage from sun exposure. There is limited evidence so far that 0.1 percent tretinoin applied directly to the skin can improve the characteristics and appearance of photodamaged skin. In this study, six women (age range, 36 to 55 years) applied tretinoin to one forearm and an inactive placebo cream to the other forearm daily for four months. At the beginning and end of the study, skin biopsies were taken and the structure of the skin was examined using an electron microscope. Specifically, the number of anchoring fibrils in the epidermal-dermal junction were counted; these structures contain the protein collagen. It was theorized that during sun damage, exposure to UV light increases the production of collagenase, the enzyme that breaks down collagen in the skin, and that the collagenase degrades the anchoring fibrils. Tretinoin is believed to inhibit this process, preserving the anchoring fibrils. The anchoring fibrils may literally anchor the layers of skin to one another, straightening out the tiny wrinkles caused by sun damage. Treatment with tretinoin doubled the density of anchoring fibrils as compared with the placebo cream; the increased number of these anchoring fibrils may be responsible for the improved appearance of photoaged skin when treated with tretinoin. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Research, Evaluation, Complications and side effects, Radiation effects, Skin aging, Dermatology, Skin, Effect of radiation on the, Sunburn

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Restoration of collagen formation in photodamaged human skin by tretinoin (retinoic acid)

Article Abstract:

A correlation may exist between topical application of tretinoin and an increase in collagen I production in sun-damaged skin. The formation of collagen, a protein that is a component of connective tissue, is decreased in sun-damaged human skin. Skin biopsies were performed on 26 healthy, white participants. Analysis of biopsies from sun-protected areas of the buttocks and sun-damaged areas of the participants' forearms indicated that collagen I formation was significantly lessened in the damaged skin. An additional 29 white patients were randomly assigned to apply either a topical preparation of 0.1% tretinoin cream or a similar-looking placebo cream with no active ingredients. Some of the patients were treated for 10 months and some for 12 months. Biopsies were performed before treatment began and again at the end of treatment. Analysis of the biopsies found a 119% increase in collagen I staining of fibroblasts and an 80% increase in extracellular collagen I formation in patients treated with tretinoin. There was an 18% decrease in collagen staining of fibroblasts in patients who received the placebo.

Physiological aspects, Collagen

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Topical tretinoin (retinoic acid) therapy for hyperpigmented lesions caused by inflammation of the skin in black patients

Article Abstract:

Topical tretinoin (retinoic acid) may be an effective and safe treatment for hyperpigmented skin lesions in black individuals. Hyperpigmented skin lesions are dark, irregular spots that can occur after inflammation caused by acne, folliculitis, eczema or shaving irritation. Among 54 black individuals with hyperpigmented skin lesions, 24 were treated with topical tretinoin applied to the face or arms or both and 30 were treated with a placebo cream, or an inactive substance, every day for 40 weeks. Lesions were 40% lighter in the individuals treated with tretinoin after completion of treatment, compared with 18% lighter in the individuals treated with the placebo cream. Treatment with tretinoin reduced the melanin content of the lesions by 23%, compared with a 3% reduction after treatment with the placebo cream.

Care and treatment, African Americans, Pigmentation disorders

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