The effect of glycolic acid on photoaged albino hairless mouse skin.
BACKGROUND
Several clinical reports have suggested that alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), including glycolic acid, may improve photoaging. However, the mechanism of action of glycolic acid is not well understood.


OBJECTIVE
In order to investigate the mechanism of action of glycolic acid in improving photoaged skin, we observed the effect of glycolic acid on collagen metabolism and wrinkle effacement in chronically ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiated mice.


METHODS
Skh:HR-1 mice were exposed to UVB for 10 weeks and then treated topically with 15% glycolic acid for 10 weeks. We assessed the improvement in wrinkling, the depth of the dermal repair zone, and the extent of the increase in collagen synthesis.


RESULTS
At treatment week 10, the glycolic acid-treated mice showed a significant decrease in wrinkle score, an increased thickness of the dermal repair zone, and an increase in the amount of collagen synthesized compared to vehicle (hydrophilic ointment base) treated mice.


CONCLUSIONS
Topically applied glycolic acid may improve photoaging through modulation of collagen production.
Moon
S E
SE
Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Korea.
Park
S B
SB
Ahn
H T
HT
Youn
J I
JI
D000818:Animals; D003094:Collagen / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D006016:Glycolates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008027:Light; D051379:Mice; D008812:Mice, Hairless; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000187:drug effects*
D006016:Glycolates; C031149:glycolic acid; D003094:Collagen