[Therapy of aging skin]

The process of involution of aging skin is essentially caused by functional changes progressing as a consequence of the chronic influence of exogenous noxae. Reasonably, prophylaxis should avoid actinic damages, and skin care should be adapted to the changes due to age, which means providing a substitute for cutaneous lipids and stabilizing the hydration of the horny layer. Placebo-controlled studies proved that topical treatment with 0.05% tretinoin can result in the regression of degenerative and precancerous changes of the senile skin caused by chronic exposure to UVB. However, long-term results remain to be seen.