Clinical and Instrumental Evaluation of the Efficacy of a New Depigmenting Agent Containing a Combination of a Retinoid, a Phenolic Agent and an Antioxidant for the Treatment of Solar Lentigines

Abstract

Background: Solar lentigines are common benign macular hyperpigmented lesions localized on sun-exposed areas. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new depigmenting agent containing a retinoid (retinaldehyde), a new phenolic agent (4-(1-phenylethyl)-resorcinol) and a reducing agent (δ-tocopheryl-β-<smlcap>D</smlcap>-glucopyranoside) in the topical treatment of solar lentigines. Patients and Methods: Twenty patients with solar lentigines of the face and hands applied the depigmenting agent on each lentigo once daily for 12 weeks. The outcome was evaluated at 45 days (T1) and 3 months (T2) after the end of treatment compared to baseline (T0) by means of clinical evaluation, Mexameter® and Visioface devices for digital and ultraviolet computerized image analysis of skin color as well as in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy. Results: Image analysis and confocal laser reflectance microscopy showed that hyperpigmentation was significantly reduced at T2 compared to baseline and to controls. Conclusion: The study treatment was well tolerated and showed significant improvement in the depigmentation of solar lentigines.