Use of oral isotretinoin in photoaging therapy.
BACKGROUND
Many drugs are being used for prevention and treatment of photoaging, especially topical retinoids. The use of systemic retinoids, more specifically, isotretinoin, for this purpose has not been properly addressed to date. Our study was designed to assess the systemic use of isotretinoin used alone for the therapy of cutaneous photoaging.


OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate that isotretinoin is converted into retinoid and improves the appearance of the photoaged skin.


METHODS
Fifty women aged 40 to 60 years, phototype I, II, or III according Fitzpatrick, were selected to receive 20 mg of isotretinoin orally 3 times a week for a 3-month period. Patients underwent clinical and laboratory evaluation. Two biopsies and photographic control were performed. Patients were requested to use only topical photoprotecting agents during the treatment. Improvement in photoaging clinical parameters were evaluated through pictures taken and also through an evaluation form. Anatomopathologic parameters were obtained by comparing collagen degeneration and skin trophism. Results. Thirty patients fully complied with study requirements and were adequately analyzed. From the anatomopathologic data, an improvement of photoaging in 20 patients was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Isotretinoin improves photoaging with few adverse events because of the low dose used and to the short treatment duration.
Kalil
Célia Luiza Petersen Vitello
CL
Dermatology Department, Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil. clpvkderma@pro.via-rs.net
Fachinello
Fernanda Zatti
FZ
Lamb
Flávia Maria
FM
Comunello
Luciane Nardi
LN
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015474:Isotretinoin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology
D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D015474:Isotretinoin