Tretinoin peeling.

BACKGROUND

Topical tretinoin has been used for a long time to improve photoaged skin, but this therapy takes quite a few months to show some clinical changes. Because of that, we think tretinoin peeling would be an excellent choice for improvement of photoaged skin.

OBJECTIVE

[corrected] Our objective was to show the clinical and histologic modifications of the skin after five sessions of tretinoin peeling.

METHODS

The authors studied the clinical and histologic modification that occurred in 15 female patients after conducting tretinoin peeling procedures twice a week in concentrations of 1-5%. Conventional sectioning of punch biopsy specimens was conducted before and after the treatment.

RESULTS

Clinical improvement was observed in the skin texture and appearance. Through histologic examinations, a decrease in the corneous layer and an increase in the epidermal thickness were noticed, inducing an improvement of its stratification, as well as the formation of cristae cutis.

CONCLUSION

It was concluded that the peeling conducted with serial tretinoin showed good clinical and histologic results, especially for the treatment of photoaged skins I and II, melasma, ephelis, and acne degree I, as well as being practical, quick, and easily accomplished with no side effects.