RETINOIC ACID® (Vitamin A Acid, Retin A® Tretinoin) and Accutane® (13 cis Retinoic Acid, Isotretinoin) are the acid forms of Vitamin A (Retinol). They have been used for many years in the treatment of acne, hyperkeratosis and ichthyosis (thickened skin). They have also been studied for the treatment of sun-induced skin damage and photoaging.

INDICATIONS:

Excessive exposure to sunlight predisposes skin to precancerous and cancerous tumors and prematurely ages skin. Sun-aged skin appears wrinkled, yellowed, blotchy, coarse, rough, leathery and dry. These changes usually do not appear until years after unprotected sun exposure.

In the field of skin rehabilitation, RETINOIC ACID is in the resurfacing category along with salicylic acid, chemical peels, dermabrasion and laserbrasion. Such resurfacing techniques do not redrape the skin as does a face lift, or replace lost tissue. Although RETINOIC ACID treatment programs do not achieve the same type or degree of improvement attainable with surgical intervention, they clearly help maintain a more healthy and youthful skin.

Adult patients treated for acne with topical RETINOIC ACID have been observed to develop a younger-looking skin. This improved appearance is the result of: 1) exfoliation and increased epidermal turnover time; 2) increased turgor (fullness) of the skin, reducing the appearance of fine wrinkling; 3) anti-tumor effects, with regression of precancerous lesions; 4) new blood vessel formation and increased blood flow for a more healthful color; 5) more uniform pigmentation; and, 6) increased collagen formation.

You are suitable for this therapy if you have a history of sun exposure or show premature signs of fine wrinkling or surface damage. Very light-skinned people, especially predisposed to sun damage, may want to start therapy in their twenties. This chemical therapy supplements exfoliation with a BUF PUF® and soft tissue augmentation of deep wrinkles and folds by a variety of methods. If your skin shows years of accumulated sun damage, you may also wish to consider major resurfacing methods such as chemical peel, dermabrasion or laserbrasion. Please discuss these further with your doctor.