#RETINA A SKIN#

Vitamin A Acid, which is also called tretinoin or retinoic acid, is now sold commercially by a well-known skin care brand under the trade name of Retin-A. An ideal topical medication would be one which served both purposes, which would be the next breakthrough, Vitamin A Acid in combination with Benzoyl peroxides as pioneered by Dr Fulton. Vitamin A Acid works as a keratolytic thereby inducing a sloughing off of redundant skin cells to peel the skin, not only does it peel the surface of the skin but it also peels the lining down the inside of the follicle, reversing the process of ‘retention hyperkeratosis.’ While Vitamin A Acid successfully peeled inside of the pore, unblocking and preventing further formation of impactions, it did nothing to combat another facet of acne, the bacterial action within the pore. A dramatic improvement was seen after three to four months of use.

An increase in cell turnover was noted allowing for effective removal of whiteheads and blackheads as they migrated to the surface of the skin. Its use in acne cases was well documented for the improvement of acne impactions. Vitamin A Acid had been developed in Europe, and was reported to work in treating skin diseases portraying with a thickened stratum corneum, such as ichthyosis, or “fish skin.” Vitamin A had been used for years in dermatology, but this particular form of Vitamin A, was new and was believed to be ‘the active’ for use on the skin. Dr Kligman was handed a bottle of yellow liquid called Vitamin A Acid. In 1967 there was a breakthrough in the field of Dermatology.

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