@article {Schmidt:February 1999:0011-9059:149,
author = "Schmidt, Jolanta B..",
author = "Donath, Peter",
author = "Hannes, Johanna",
author = "Perl, Sylvia",
author = "Neumayer, Renate",
author = "Reiner, Angelika",
title = "Tretinoin-iontophoresis in atrophic acne scars",
journal = "International Journal of Dermatology",
volume = "38",
year = "February 1999",
abstract = "Background Atrophic acne scars are a frequent problem after acne. Hitherto, mainly invasive treatment measures were possible. In a recent paper, we demonstrated the positive effects of iontophoresis with 0.025% tretinoin gel vs. estriol 0.03%. Objective In this further study, the recording of the clinical effects of iontophoresis with 0.025% tretinoin gel in atrophic acne scars was supplemented by immunohistochemistry investigations of collagen I and III, proliferation markers, and the estimation of epidermal thickness. Methods The treatment was performed twice weekly in 32 volunteer patients for a period of 3 months by application of the substance under a constant direct current of 3 mA for 20 min. Skin biopsies prior to and at the end of treatment were performed in 32 voluntary patients in order to investigate collagen I/III and proliferation markers by immunohistochemistry methods. Results Clinically, at the end of treatment, in 94% of patients a significant decrease in the scar depth was observed. Neither epidermal thickness nor proliferation markers revealed a significant increase at the end of treatment. Furthermore, collagen I and collagen III showed no common trend, as expressed statistically by a lack of significance. In some cases, increases in collagen III became evident at the end of treatment. Conclusions Tretinoin-iontophoresis is an effective, noninvasive treatment of atrophic acne scars without causing disturbing side-effects.",
pages = "149-153(5)",
url = "http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/bsc/ijd/1999/00000038/00000002/art00017"
doi = "doi:10.1046/j.1365-4362.1999.00586.x"
}