Tretinoin Peeling

BACKGROUND: Topical tretinoin has been used for a long time to improve photoaged skin, but this therapy takes quite a few months to show some clinical changes. Because of that, we think tretinoin peeling would be an excellent choice for improvement of photoaged skin. OBECTIVE: Our objective was to show the clinical and histologic modifications of the skin after five sessions of tretinoin peeling. METHODS: The authors studied the clinical and histologic modification that occurred in 15 female patients after conducting tretinoin peeling procedures twice a week in concentrations of 1-5%. Conventional sectioning of punch biopsy specimens was conducted before and after the treatment. RESULTS: Clinical improvement was observed in the skin texture and appearance. Through histologic examinations, a decrease in the corneous layer and an increase in the epidermal thickness were noticed, inducing an improvement of its stratification, as well as the formation of cristae cutis. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the peeling conducted with serial tretinoin showed good clinical and histologic results, especially for the treatment of photoaged skins I and II, melasma, ephelis, and acne degree I, as well as being practical, quick, and easily accomplished with no side effects.