Treatment of photoaged skin with topical tretinoin

Once-daily application of tretinoin to photodamaged facial skin for 0-12 months results in substantial clinical and histologic improvement. As regards appearance, fine wrinkles become effaced, dyspigmentations fade, surface becomes smooth and develops a 'rosy glow'. Histologically, atrophy and dysplasia of the epidermis are completely corrected. New collagen is laid down subepidermally along with the development of new small vessels (angiogenesis). Mesenchymal dermal cells become more numerous and larger. The sum of changes is toward more youthful skin.