Efficacy of Topical 0.05% Retinaldehyde in Skin Aging by Ultrasound and Rheological Techniques

Abstract

Background: The natural precursor of retinoic acid, i.e. retinaldehyde, has been proven to exert retinoid activities. Aim and Methods: The aim of this prospective instrument study was to determine the effect of topical retinaldehyde 0.05% on the physical properties of aging skin. This was performed using two devices, namely a high-resolution (70–80 µm) ultrasound scanner, which visualizes the thickness of both the epidermis and the dermis, and an echorheometer, which assesses the stiffness and elasticity of the skin by suction. In a 1-year study, 21 patients applied retinaldehyde cream 0.05% on the face, while another group of 19 volunteers were only treated with an emollient (control group). Epidermal and dermal thicknesses were measured on the forehead and temple, and stiffness and elasticity were measured on the forehead only. All the instrumental parameters were assessed at baseline and at the end of treatment. Results: Compared to the control group, retinaldehyde treatment induced a significant increase in epidermal thickness of the temple, as well as in cutaneous elasticity (p < 0.01). Similarly, retinaldehyde treatment tended to increase dermal thickness and reduce cutaneous stiffness, but no statistical difference could be observed between the two groups. Conclusion: Taken together, the results further suggest that retinaldehyde has counteracting effects on skin aging

Tissue elasticity and the ageing elastic fibre

“…Suction methods which use a negative pressure to deform the skin (Fig. 4c) are perhaps the most widely used (Diridollou et al 1999;Pierard 1999;Rodrigues 2001;Smalls et al 2006;Takema and Imokawa 1998;Takema et al 1994). Diridollou and co-workers suggest that this technique enables the measurement of mechanical responses which originate primarily from the dermis rather than subcutaneous structures (Diridollou et al 1998).…”

“…Commercially developed devices include the Cutometer, which measures skin deformations optically, and the Dermaflex A, which measures vertical skin displacements by changes in capacitance (Diridollou et al 1998;Smalls et al 2006 biomechanical properties measured by these techniques requires quantitation of skin thickness. Early attempts to measure skin thickness using callipers ) have largely been superseded by the use of ultrasound (Diridollou et al 1999;Escoffier et al 1989;Takema et al 1994). Applying either suction or torsional forces to skin induces a rapid elastic deformation (U E ), followed by a slower viscoelastic deformation (U V ) until finally the total skin deformation (U F ) is reached (Fig.…”

Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safety

“…However, retinoic acid resulted in higher incidences of local irritation than retinaldehyde thus negatively affecting patient compliance. In another study, Diridollou and colleagues (1999) evaluated the effect of 0.05% retinaldehyde versus vehicle in 40 patients showing symptoms of aging by ultrasound and rheological techniques. Compared with the control group, the retinaldehyde treated group showed a significant increase in epidermal thickness, as well as in cutaneous elasticity (p < 0.01).…”

Retinaldehyde/hyaluronic acid fragments: a synergistic association for the management of skin aging

“…It has been shown to be a useful topical agent in the treatment of photoaged skin and to be well tolerated in comparison with retinoic acid 6 . Moreover, topical application of a RAL‐containing cream over a period of 6 months was well tolerated and induced beneficial effects on mild to moderate photoaging 7 . In a subsequent study of 125 individuals with photodamage, Creidi et al.…”