title: Resurfacing with topical agents.
abstract: Evaluation of the aging face reveals many changes such as lentigines, coarseness, senile purpura, and fine lines that can be blamed primarily on photoaging. There are many topical preparations that are now being used or are under investigation for facial rejuvenation. These include retinold creams, alpha-hydroxy acids, Ethocyn (Chantal Skin Care Corp, Los Angeles, CA), topical vitamins, and topical hormonal treatments. There has been substantial media attention devoted to these "antiaging" cures but there is a lack of scientific evidence to support some of these claims. After review of these agents, a practical approach to the patient requesting younger-looking skin is presented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, SUNY Health Science Center at Brooklyn, New York 10021, USA.
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Gendler
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006728:Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006880:Hydroxy Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007641:Keratolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012060:Rejuvenation; D012176:Retinoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014812:Vitamin K / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D006728:Hormones; D006880:Hydroxy Acids; D007641:Keratolytic Agents; D012176:Retinoids; D014812:Vitamin K; D014212:Tretinoin; D001205:Ascorbic Acid