title: Benefits of using a hydroquinone/tretinoin skin care system in patients undergoing intense pulsed light therapy for photorejuvenation: a placebo-controlled study.
abstract: A hydroquinone/tretinoin (HQ/tret) skin care system designed for use with non-surgical facial rejuvenation procedures has recently become available. In this observer-masked study, 36 patients with moderate-to-severe wrinkling of the skin around the eyes and lips were randomly assigned to use either the 4% hydroquinone/0.05% tretinoin skin care system or placebo products, each day for 90 days. In addition, all patients received intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment on days 30 and 60. At day 90, > or = 75% overall improvement was reported in 72% and 19% of patients in the HQ/tret + IPL group and the placebo + IPL group, respectively. HQ/tret + IPL was also associated with significantly lower mean hyperpigmentation scores at days 30, 60 and 90 (P < or = 0.05), and significantly lower mean laxity scores at day 90 (P< or =0.05) compared with placebo + IPL. Adjunctive use of the HQ/tret system enhances the improvements in facial skin achieved with IPL treatment.
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Cosmetic Laser Associates of La Jolla, La Jolla, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Katrina E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Woodhall
authors.forename: Mitchel P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Goldman
authors.forename: Michael H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Gold
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Biron
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006873:Hydroquinones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017495:Hyperpigmentation / Q000188:drug therapy; D007641:Keratolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D012060:Rejuvenation; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000187:drug effects*; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D006873:Hydroquinones; D007641:Keratolytic Agents; D014212:Tretinoin; C031927:hydroquinone