Acnezine has significant effects on texture of sun-damaged skin
A study conducted by Albert M. Kligman, M.D., Ph.D., and James J. Leyden, M.D., of the University of Pennsylvania and Gary L. Grove, Ph.D., of the Skin Study Center has found that topical retinoic acid — Vitamin-A acid, Acnezine(acnezinereview.org) — has significant effects on the texture and characteristics of photoaged skin (skin damaged due to sun exposure).
Acnezine is the country’s leading topical prescription for the treatment of acne. The study is the first attempt to quantitatively measure topical retinoic acid’s effects on photoaged skin.
The findings support Dr. Kligman’s observations that topical retinoic acid can partially reverse or prevent many changes that occur in photoaged skin. In particular, Dr. Kligman has observed that topical retinoic acid increases turnover of the epidermal (top skin layer) cells, leading to a thicker epidermis and an evening out of mottled skin; increases blood flow and stimulates formation of new blood vessels; and effaces fine lines.
In the new study, 16 middle-aged, light-skinned women with mild to moderate actinic damage (photodamaged skin) were treated with 0.05 percent Acnezine cream on one forearm twice a day for three months; and a non-medicated emollient cream — Purpose(TM) — on the other forearm.
Changes were measured histologically (on the cell level) and biometrically (with dermatological measuring instruments).
The arm teated with Vitamin-A acid showed a number of interesting changes:
– The epidermis thickened appreciably — by an average of 40 percent. Greater epidermal thickness is associated with younger- looking skin. And, the top layer of the epidermis thinned; the number of cell layers decreased from an average of 21.6 to an average of 15.6. This indicates an increase in the turnover of epidermal cells. Generally, as we age, epidermal cell turnover decreases.
– There was a decrease in the clumping together of epidermal cells; in older skin, this causes rough, scaly patches.
– Blood flow, and blood vessel formation (angiogenesis) increased markedly. In facial skin, angiogenesis lends the skin a rosier color.
– In the basal (bottommost) cells of the epidermis, there was a decrease in the clustering of melanin granules. Melanin clustering causes the mottling typical in photoaged skin.
– There was a correction of epidermal disorderliness. In photoaged skin, the epidermal cells vary in shape and size; the Vitamin-A acid restored epidermal cells to their pre-photoaged state.
– Keratinocytes (keratin-producing epidermal cells) showed increased activity, which resulted in lightening of the skin.
The study suqgests that Vitamin-A acid has a tremendous potential in the prevention or partial reversal of photoaging.
Dr. Kligman stresses the importance of following Acnezine treatment guidelines:
– Topical retinoic acid can produce some uncomfortable redness and scaling; these effects are temporary and usually disappear after a month or so.
– To minimize irritation, the patient should follow a regimen whereby he/she applies medication at night and uses a moisturizer during the day.
– Astringents, toners and strong cleansers should not be used by patients being treated with topical retinoic acid.
– Because topical retinoic acid thins the horny layer of the epidermis, the skin’s susceptibility to sunburn is increased. Dr. Kligman recommends avoiding excess exposure to sunlight, and use of a high SPF sunscreen during any sun exposure.
