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Cited by 32Skin Protection and AgingDermatologic Treatments and ResearchFacial Rejuvenation and Surgery Techniques

Topical tretinoin for treating photoaging: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials

Open access
Sitohang, Irma Bernadette S., Makes, Wresti Indriatmi, Sandora, Normalina, Suryanegara, Jose·2022·International Journal of Women’s Dermatology
DOI 10.1097/jw9.0000000000000003PMC PMC9112391
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Abstract

Background: Aging, an inevitable and continuous process in one’s lifetime, has all along been a focus of interest, especially for women, yet photoaging treatment to slow the process remains challenging. Recent studies have demonstrated the potency of topical tretinoin in the treatment of photoaging. Tretinoin, a metabolite of retinoids, shows prominent efficacy to regulate proliferation and differentiation of epidermal cells and induce new collagen formation. Objective: This review aims to study the current evidence on topical tretinoin for photoaging treatment. Methods: A systematic search of the literature was performed from Medline, Cochrane Central, Embase, and PubMed databases for published articles in the past 20 years. Only randomized controlled trials investigating tretinoin for photoaging treatment were included in our review. Results: A total of 180 studies were initially examined, of which 7 randomized controlled trials were included in this review. Four studies included only women as their participants, while the rest demonstrated women as their majority subjects. All studies that indicated topical tretinoin were safe and well tolerated in all patients. Topical tretinoin dosage varied from 0.025% to 5% while duration of treatment ranged from 3 months up to 24 months. With regard to efficacy, all studies consistently reported that topical tretinoin was efficacious in improving clinical appearance of photoaging in terms of wrinkling, mottled hyperpigmentation, sallowness, and lentigines as early as 1 month and lasted after 24 months. Limitations: Different tretinoin formulas used, different outcome parameters, and limited recent studies on topical tretinoin cause lack of uniformity in the evidences. Conclusion: Topical tretinoin is a safe and effective therapeutic modality for long-term treatment of photoaging. Further research is required to compare dose-ranging topical tretinoin to other agents to provide the best treatment strategy for photoaged skin.

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Crossref · 10.1097/jw9.0000000000000003

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  • Sitohang et al.'s systematic review found topical tretinoin effective for photoaging, with significant improvements in fine lines, wrinkles, and skin texture.

    “The review found that topical tretinoin is an effective treatment for photoaging, with significant improvements in fine lines, wrinkles, and skin texture.”

    From Cosmeceuticals in photoaging: A review. (2024) · cites this paper as [70]

    The Discussion (page unavailable) reports that topical tretinoin improved the clinical appearance of photoaging and that most studies found significant improvement in wrinkling. But it also says two studies found no improvement in tactile roughness versus placebo, so the claim of significant improvement in skin texture is not supported as stated. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • The level of evidence for effectiveness of topical tretinoin in treating photoaging is moderate.

    “Based on the evidence presented in this review, the level of evidence for the effectiveness of topical tretinoin in treating photoaging is moderate.”

    From Cosmeceuticals in photoaging: A review. (2024) · cites this paper as [70]

    The Results > Efficacy and Discussion report that topical tretinoin improved several clinical signs of photoaging. However, our copy does not assign a moderate level of evidence to its effectiveness; searches for an evidence-quality rating did not find one. The effectiveness claim is supported, but the stated rating is not. (LLM, conf=0.83)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Sitohang et al.'s review noted limitations in included studies such as small sample sizes, short follow-up, and lack of consistency in outcomes.

    “However, the authors noted some limitations in the included studies, such as small sample sizes and short follow‐up periods. Additionally, there was a lack of consistency in the reported outcomes and measurement tools across the studies, making it difficult to compare results.”

    From Cosmeceuticals in photoaging: A review. (2024) · cites this paper as [70]

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Authors
Sitohang, I. B. S., Makes, W. I., Sandora, N., & Suryanegara, J.
Affiliations
  • University of Indonesia (ID)
  • Human Reproduction, Infertility and Family Planning, Indonesia Medical Education and Research Institute, Jakarta, Indonesia
Corresponding author
Sitohang, Irma Bernadette S.
ORCID
Venue
International Journal of Women’s Dermatology
Publisher
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Published
2022-03
Volume
8
Issue
1
Pages
e003
ISSN
2352-6475 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1097/jw9.0000000000000003
PMC
PMC9112391
OpenAlex
W4282942567
Cited by
32
References
42
Citations by year
2026: 15 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 1
FWCI
0.76
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • International Journal of Women’s Dermatology (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Skin Protection and Aging
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Dermatologic Treatments and Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Facial Rejuvenation and Surgery Techniques
Keywords
topical tretinoin, photoaging, retinoids, skin aging, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, lentigines, collagen synthesis, epidermal proliferation, treatment efficacy, safety and tolerability, women

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