Following acne therapy, peels or treatments for premature ageing

It has been observed in acne patients with photodamaged skin that application of tretinoin not only improves acne but also reduces the photodamage clinically and histologically. It could be shown that precancerous lesions were eliminated. The desired peeling effect makes the skin thinner and thus more photosensitive. Therefore, it must be protected from sunlight. All skincare products must offer ample moisturising factors (i).

Chronic photodamage is characterised by thin, dry, scaly, itchy skin with loose connective tissue, elastosis, actinic keratosis (i), wrinkles and age spots. Treatment of premature skin ageing with retinoic acid (tretinoin, vitamin A acid) has keratolytic, anticarcinogenic, and, when administered orally, antiseborrheic effects.

When on medication

Many medicines can trigger photodynamic reactions, and these reactions can be phototoxic and/or photoallergic. Foremost among them are the antibiotics of the tetracycline group, followed by sulphonamides and certain substance groups found in antidiabetics, diuretics, neuroleptics, antidepressants and antirheumatics. Topically applied medications can also show such adverse effects. It is therefore necessary to include any medications when determining the medical history of any photodermatosis. Naturally, these patients must receive an appropriate medicinal sunscreen product with a high SPF selected according to the skin type.

For scars and after laser therapy

Rigorous sun protection with a high SPF is recommended in such instances, and a product with micropigments is especially indicated, since these sunscreens do not penetrate into the skin and will place no additional burden on the affected areas.