title: Treatment of facial photodamage using a novel retinol formulation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Photoaged skin is characterized by a variety of clinical, histologic, and biochemical features.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the efficacy of a new topical formulation of 1% retinol and the effects of this same formulation using a 0.5% retinol concentration to minimize irritation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients at 2 sites (n=6, n=5) with photodamaged skin applied a novel suspension of retinol (1%) daily to their faces for 8 to 12 weeks. Clinicians graded improvement in ultraviolet-induced features at 4 to 6 weeks and at 8 to 12 weeks. Positive results of the observational pilot study warranted a follow-up study on the low concentration. At a third site, females (n=30) with facial photodamage applied the same formulation with or without retinol (0.5%) daily for 8 weeks. Twenty-two subjects applied the test product and 8 applied vehicle according to a randomized, double-blinded, institutional review board-approved protocol. Improvements in photodamage features were graded at 4 and 8 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the observational pilot study, most participants showed improvement in overall photodamage, crow's feet, elasticity,wrinkles, brightness, and hyperpigmentation at 60 to 80 days. Improvements at 60 to 80 days were greater than at 30 to 46 days. In the low-concentration study with 0.5% retinol, improvements were modest, most likely due to the lower retinol concentration. Burning, pruritus, dryness, and erythema were minimal with the 0.5% retinol concentration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The topical formulation of 1% retinol improves photodamaged skin for at least 8 to 12 weeks. Although improvements with the 0.5% retinol were more modest, side effects such as burning, dryness, pruritus, and erythema during the 8-week study period were minimal. These encouraging results justify a longer-term study to determine whether topically applied 0.5% retinol can provide benefits comparable with those seen with topically applied 1% retinol.
authors: Tennessee Clinical Research Center, Nashville, TN, USA. research@goldskincare.com
authors: Michael H
authors: MH
authors: Gold
authors: Leon H
authors: LH
authors: Kircik
authors: Vivian W
authors: VW
authors: Bucay
authors: Monika G
authors: MG
authors: Kiripolsky
authors: Julie A
authors: JA
authors: Biron
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000187:drug effects*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D014801:Vitamin A