Analytic assessment under ultraviolet light of actinic lentigines under bleaching treatment

Follow-up of solar lentigo depigmentation with a retinaldehyde-based cream by clinical evaluation and calibrated colour imaging

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

To assess an objective method evaluating the effects of a retinaldehyde-based cream (RA-cream) on solar lentigines; 29 women randomly applied RA-cream on lentigines of one hand and a control cream on the other, once daily for 3 months.

METHODS

A specific method enabling a reliable visualisation of the lesions was proposed, using high-magnification colour-calibrated camera imaging. Assessment was performed using clinical evaluation by Physician Global Assessment score and image analysis. Luminance determination on the numeric images was performed either on the basis of 5 independent expert's consensus borders or probability map analysis via an algorithm automatically detecting the pigmented area.

RESULTS

Both image analysis methods showed a similar lightening of ΔL* = 2 after a 3-month treatment by RA-cream, in agreement with single-blind clinical evaluation.

CONCLUSION

High-magnification colour-calibrated camera imaging combined with probability map analysis is a fast and precise method to follow lentigo depigmentation.

Efficacy of hydroquinone-free skin-lightening cream for photoaging

BACKGROUND

Hyperpigmentation and solar damage remains a difficult problem to treat with topical agents.

AIMS

To evaluate a novel skin-lightening complex (SLC) comprising four actives targeting melanin formation at multiple levels, namely disodium glycerophosphate, L-leucine, phenylethyl resorcinol, and undecylenoyl phenylalanine, in an oil-in-water emulsion cream.

PATIENTS/METHODS

Skin-lightening complex was evaluated in 80 female subjects of skin types I-III with at least moderate mottled hyperpigmentation. After a wash-out period of 1 month with a sunscreen, the subjects added a cream containing the SLC for 12 weeks twice daily to entire face and continued the sunscreen use.

RESULTS

Whereas there was no significant change during the wash-out period, the primary endpoint mottled hyperpigmentation decreased by 32% after the 12-week treatment period with the SLC cream. Secondary endpoints such as severity and number of lentigines, skin tone, and skin brightness also improved. In all, 57% of the subjects showed at least a moderate response, 17% did not improve, and 3% got worse after the treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The SLC cream was well tolerated, in particular when comparing with exfoliating or peeling agent containing skin-lightening products. When used with a daily sunscreen, this study confirms that the SLC represents an alternative to hydroquinone, retinoids, and many other skin-lightening actives.