Photo-aged skin

Unlabeled Uses Treatment of disorders of keratinization, including photo-aged skin (wrinkled skin), liver spots... 

The UV radiation causes premature skin aging. This photo-aging is characterized by wrinkles, mottled pigmentation, dry and rough skin, and loss of skin tone. Use of topical vitamin A derivatives like tretinoin can improve photo-aged skin mainly by changing epidermal differentiation.52 However, skin dryness does not improve and even worsens with retinoid therapy, as well known from its systemic and topical use in several diseases in clinical dermatology. 

Chapter 11 Dryness in Chronologically and Photo-Aged Skin Ehrhardt Proksch 117... 

Butler P, Gonzales S, Randolp M et al. Quantitative and qualitative effects of chemical peeling on photo aged skin an experimental study. Plast Reconstr Surg 2001 107 222-8. 

Skin Pathology Involving Hyaluronan 21.5.5.1 Photo-Aging... 

Amygdalin, a compound isolated from the pits of apricots, peaches, and wild cherries, is commonly known as laetrile. Although it has no known therapeutic value, amygdalin has been used as an unsanctioned anticancer drug both within and outside of the United States. One hydrolysis product formed from amygdalin is mandelic acid, used in treating common skin problems caused by photo-aging and acne. 

UVA is principally responsible for photo-ageing and penetrates tissues far more deeply than UVB. Long-term risks of PUVA include accelerated skin ageing and an increased incidence of skin cancer. 

Caffeine is the most widely consumed central-nervous-system stimulant. It also relaxes smooth muscles, stimulates the cardiac muscle, stimulates diuresis, and appears to be useful in the treatment of some types of headache. Moreover, it has potent antioxidant properties, helps in protecting cells against the UV radiation, and slows down the process of photo-aging of the skin [250]. Theobromine is used as a bronchodilator, as a vasodilator, as a diuretic, and in the treatment of angina pectoris and hypertension [251]. 

Figure 7.5 Flaky skin mice treated with a daily water bath (A) or a water-GTP bath (B) until the animals reached the age of 12 weeks, when the photo was taken. Skin samples were collected 1 week after this photo was taken.

Fortunately, serious local infections are rare, as the peeling agents, especially phenol, are germicidal. Moreover, the skin on the face is rich in blood vessels and has effective defenses against infections. With age, however, there are fewer blood vessels in the face and the skin becomes more susceptible to external aggression. Infections seem to develop more readily and are more serious when peels are performed in a hospital setting, because of the presence of multiresistant strains. I am fortunate enough not to have any dramatic photos of post-peel infections to show, but many cases of secondary infection and scratch lesions from streptococci, staphylococci and Pseudomonas have been... 

---