Aging is an inevitable process that affects every aspect of our lives, including our external appearance.
The skin, as the outermost organ of the body, prominently bears the signs of aging.
Factors of skin aging:
Two main processes cause skin aging:
- Internal processes: These are related to natural biological processes that occur in the body with age, such as decreased production of collagen and elastin, impaired cell regeneration ability, and more.
- External factors: These factors include sun exposure, air pollution, smoking, poor diet, and more.
Sun exposure is the most harmful external factor for the skin, causing cumulative damage, wrinkles, age spots, and skin cancer.
The aim of the research in this article is to examine the potential efficacy of oral low-dose isotretinoin
(also known as: Curatane, Roaccutane) in the treatment of skin aging.
Research method:
60 patients aged 35-65 years, who underwent various facial rejuvenation procedures, were randomly divided into two groups:
- Group A (n=30): The treatment group, which received oral isotretinoin at a dose of 10-20 mg three times a week for two months.
- Group B (n=30): The control group, which did not receive oral isotretinoin.
Measures:
Patients underwent a clinical assessment of skin appearance, including:
- Wrinkles
- Skin thickness and color
- Pore size
- Skin elasticity
- Skin tone
- Pigmented lesions
Results:
- All patients in the treatment group noted an improvement in skin appearance, including wrinkles, skin thickness and color, pore size, skin elasticity, skin tone, and a reduction in pigmented lesions.
- A statistically significant difference in improvement was found in the treatment group (Wilcoxon test <0.01).
- The side effects of low-dose oral isotretinoin were mild and negligible.
In summary:
In the treatment group, there was an improvement in the overall appearance of the skin, regarding texture, wrinkle depth, and skin tone.
Skin thickness, elasticity, and pore size improved.
Both the number of collagen fibers and the density of elastic fibers increased significantly.
Elastosis decreased, epidermal thickness increased, and the stratum corneum decreased.
A reduction in pigmented lesions and uneven hyperpigmentation was identified.
With a low dose of isotretinoin, side effects were absent or negligible, limited to minimal lip dryness.
Conclusions:
The study indicates that the use of oral isotretinoin, in combination with facial rejuvenation procedures, may significantly improve the appearance of aging skin.
An additional advantage is that the side effects of the treatment are mild and negligible.
Importance of the study:
This is one of the first reports on the use of oral isotretinoin for the treatment of facial skin aging.
The study results are promising and offer a new and effective treatment option for people wishing to improve their skin appearance.
Important to note:
High-dose isotretinoin may cause:
- Dry skin: Isotretinoin may cause extreme dryness of the skin, including the lips, nose, and eyes. This dryness may lead to itching, peeling, and skin cracks.
It is important to use moisturizer regularly during treatment. - Sun sensitivity: Isotretinoin may increase the skin's sensitivity to the sun, so it is important to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) every day,
even on cloudy days. - Vision changes: In rare cases, isotretinoin may cause vision changes, such as dry eyes, difficulty with night vision, and changes in color vision.
It is important to have regular eye exams during treatment. - Liver damage: Isotretinoin may impair liver function.
It is important to have regular blood tests during treatment to monitor liver function. - Bone health damage: Isotretinoin may weaken bones, so pregnant women or women trying to become pregnant are absolutely prohibited from taking the drug.
- Depression and anxiety: There are reports of cases where isotretinoin caused depression and anxiety.
It is important to contact a doctor immediately if you experience these side effects. - Reproductive system damage: Isotretinoin may damage the reproductive system in women and men.
Women of childbearing age must use effective contraception during treatment and for at least one month after.
Men should consult a doctor about the potential risks to the reproductive system.
References:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/12433387_Oral_Isotretinoin_as_Part_of_the_Treatment_of_Cutaneous_Aging
https://apcz.umk.pl/JEHS/article/view/41331
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