[Development and regression of dermal corticosteroid atrophy. 3. Results of discontinuous topical corticosteroid...

It was shown in two earlier communications that a reduction in skin thickness owing to daily topical corticosteroid application (under occlusion) for about 12 h was measurable within a few days. Dermal atrophy remitted within one week. In this study, an open mode of topical application with a 0.1% triamcinolone ointment (Tri) once a day was tested. A decrease in thickness was also registered in the first week under this treatment. The following non-continuous modes of application were tested in 5 test subjects: 7 d Tri, 7 d free of treatment (7:) and 3 d Tri, 4 d free of treatment (3:4). In the 7:7 mode of application, there was a marked decrease of skin thickness during Tri application which remitted in the treatment-free interval. In the 3:4 application, almost no dependence on the individual phases could be discerned. Skin thickness decreased for nearly 16 d and began to normalize despite continued interval administration. At the end of the investigation (6 weeks), the skin had almost regained its original thickness.