title: The effects of an estrogen and glycolic acid cream on the facial skin of postmenopausal women: a randomized histologic study.
abstract: A prospective, randomized, double-blind study was conducted to determine if estradiol and glycolic acid creams produced a significant reversal of epidermal and dermal markers of aging and if the cumulative effect of the creams was greater than either alone. Sixty-five patients applied a cream containing 0.01% estradiol or 15% glycolic acid, alone or in combination, to one side of the face, and a vehicle cream to the opposite side, for 6 months. A 2-mm punch biopsy was obtained from the hairline of each patient and processed for analysis. The estradiol treatment produced a 23% increase in epidermal thickness (P = .00458); the glycolic acid, a 27% increase (P = .00467); and the combination, a 38% increase (P = .000181). All groups showed a statistically significant improvement in reversing markers (rete peg pattern, epidermal thickness) of skin aging. Although not statistically significant (P = .1), a cumulative effect was seen when estradiol and glycolic acid creams were used in combination.
authors.affiliation: Glens Falls Hospital, Glens Falls, New York 12801, USA.
authors.forename: Katie O
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: Fuchs
authors.forename: Otelo
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Solis
authors.forename: Ron
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tapawan
authors.forename: Jayant
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Paranjpe
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004817:Epidermis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D006016:Glycolates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D006016:Glycolates; C031149:glycolic acid; D004958:Estradiol