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- $Unique_ID{BRK00887}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Is There a Medicine That Reduces Wrinkles and Treats Acne?}
- $Subject{wrinkle wrinkles age aging acne treatment treatments Skin tretinoin
- Vitamin A side effects irritation sensitivity sun dermis collagen growth new
- vessels}
- $Volume{R-20}
- $Log{
- Anatomy of the Skin*0006701.scf}
-
- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
-
-
- Is There a Medicine That Reduces Wrinkles and Treats Acne?
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-
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-
- QUESTION: my girl friend's doctor has given her some new medicine that is
- supposed to reduce her wrinkles. It is also supposed to be a treatment for
- acne. I have spent many a hard earned dollar on creams that were supposed to
- help me get rid of some of my age lines, but never really worked; and I am
- skeptical about this stuff too. Is there any truth to the story?
-
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-
- ANSWER: It may be a bit too soon to be sure, but there is preliminary
- scientific evidence to suggest that local applications of a medication called
- tretinoin may improve the appearance of skin aged by the sun, and that
- wrinkling may be reduced. Tretinoin is a prescription medication, a
- derivative of Vitamin A, that is currently used to treat acne. For that
- indication, the medication is applied once daily, usually at bed time to
- clean, dry skin. It is available in three preparations; cream, gel, and
- liquid. While each of these may cause irritation to the skin, that is a side
- effect of the medication, the liquid preparation is the most irritating, the
- cream the least so. Tretinoin works on the outer layer of the skin, the
- epidermis, promotes normal growth, and normalizes the way the skin sheds its
- outer layers. Its undesirable side effects include irritation of the skin,
- causing it to become red and scaly. It may also heighten a person's
- sensitivity to sun exposure. It may be that it also has an effect on the
- dermis, the tissue that lies beneath the epidermis, and there stimulates the
- growth of collagen and new vessels, reversing the effects of aging caused by
- sunlight. While all this may sound like something you always dreamed of, you
- must use this preparation under medical supervision, being aware that there
- are cases where the medication has changed the pigmentation of the skin.
- Whenever any side effects are discovered, the medication must be discontinued.
- Additional investigations are needed to fully evaluate both the potential
- beneficial effects, as well as any possible hazards which may result from use
- of this medication.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-
-