Methods for treatment of sundamaged human skin with retinoids

Abstract

Various effects of photoaging or sundamage of skin including impairment of differentiation of epidermal epithelial cells and loss of collagen fibers, abnormal changes in elastic fibers and deterioration of small blood vessels in the dermis of the skin are retarded by applying topically to the epidermis in a maintenance therapy program effective amounts of retinoids including retinoid derivatives and stereoisomers thereof such that epithelial growths are substantially reduced and prevented and the skin substantially regains and maintains its firmness, turgor and elasticity. Moreover, with persistent treatment dermal blood cells and vessels increase and the epidermis and dermis thicken, resulting in improved ability of the skin to sense, resist and recover from irritation or injury. Further, hyperpigmentation, lines and wrinkles due to aging are reduced and prevented. The treatment is particularly useful for human facial skin and preferably applied in amounts insufficient to cause excessive irritation.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.