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A long term study of the difference in efficacy and effect rate of various concentrations of retinol (1500–6600 IU) in middle aged women

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Abstract

Retinol is widely used for topical application for antiaging. However, the efficacy and effect rate of different concentrations of retinol have been rarely analyzed. Therefore, in this study, the efficacy and rate of effect of retinol concentrations from 1500 to 6600 IU, on various skin parameters, have been compared. Seventy-two Korean women aged 40–59 years participated in this study. Retinol was used by them for 24 weeks; the effects were measured at 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 weeks. The measurement parameters for aging were crow’s feet, forehead wrinkles, nasolabial fold, dermal density, and elasticity and that for skin color were skin brightness, yellowness, redness, and standard deviation of skin brightness. The texture of the skin was measured by measuring the skin roughness and pores, and the skin barrier function was evaluated through hydration, sebum, and desquamation. Low concentration retinol (1500–2500 IU) had a significantly higher effect in skin color, brightness, and elasticity and faster improvement rate in skin brightness and elasticity compared to that for high concentration (3300–6600 IU). High concentration of retinol had a significantly higher effect in wrinkles, dermal density and pores and faster improvement rate for wrinkles, skin texture, pores, and desquamation compared to that for low concentration. This study evaluated the changes caused by different concentration of retinol over a long period of time. The results of this study have great implications as the optimal concentration of retinol can be prescribed for an accurate period for the desired results without side effects.

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Funding

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

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Author notes

  1. Sue Im Jang, Yu-Chul Jung and Eunjoo Kim authors contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Amorpacific R & I Center, 1920, Yonggu-Daero, Giheung-Gu, Yongin-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, 17074, Republic of Korea

    Sue Im Jang, Yu-Chul Jung, Jaeil Han, Byung-Fhy Suh & Eunjoo Kim

  2. Global Medical Research Center, Seoul, Korea

    Jangmi Suk & Sieun Lee

Authors
  1. Sue Im Jang
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  2. Yu-Chul Jung
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  3. Jangmi Suk
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  4. Sieun Lee
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  6. Byung-Fhy Suh
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  7. Eunjoo Kim
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Contributions

Byung-Fhy Suh, Eunjoo Kim and Sue Im Jang conceived of the presented idea. Sue Im Jang, Yu-Chul Jung developed the theory and performed the computations. Yu-Chul Jung, Jangmi Suk, and Sieun Lee verified the analytical methods. Sue Im Jang, Jangmi Suk, Sieun Lee, and Jaeil Han to investigate and supervised the findings of this work. All authors discussed the results and contributed to the final manuscript

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Correspondence to Eunjoo Kim.

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Jang, S.I., Jung, YC., Suk, J. et al. A long term study of the difference in efficacy and effect rate of various concentrations of retinol (1500–6600 IU) in middle aged women. Arch Dermatol Res 315, 1323–1332 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-022-02520-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-022-02520-2

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