title: Short contact 70% glycolic acid peels as a treatment for photodamaged skin. A pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Glycolic acid has been one of the more commonly used alpha hydroxy acids for the treatment of photodamaged skin. Its value as a quick "skin refreshing" peeling agent has been widely touted. This type of peel differs from a conventional therapeutic peel (eg, phenol, trichloroacetic acid, or a longer time exposure alpha hydroxy acid peel) in that there is little skin reaction and patients can go about their daily routine without concern.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the potential value of glycolic acid-based refresher peels as a cosmetic procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve healthy subjects with at least a moderate degree of photodamage were treated with monthly serial 70% glycolic acid peels over a period of 4 months. In addition to the "peels," six subjects were randomized to a 10% glycolic acid-based moisturizer twice daily. Patients were evaluated monthly and graded on a clinical scale using objective measures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No conclusive differences were noted on histologic evaluation. Ninety percent (9/10) of patients felt that overall they noticed significant improvement, however, there was no distinction between the two treatment options. The improvement in fine wrinkling and pigmentation was primarily seen in the patients who additionally received 10% glycolic emollient twice daily.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this limited pilot study, no specific benefit could be assigned to the concomitant use of monthly glycolic acid refresher "peels" in the treatment of photodamaged skin.
authors.affiliation: Division of Dermatology, University of California, San Diego, USA.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Piacquadio
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dobry
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hunt
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Andree
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Grove
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Hollenbach
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002615:Chemexfoliation; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006016:Glycolates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000187:drug effects*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D006016:Glycolates; C031149:glycolic acid