IMO isn't worth taking Accutane if you don't have severe or resistant acne (too many siide effects...). Anyway, two good "news":
"Oral isotretinoin in photoaging: clinical and histopathological evidence of efficacy of an off-label indication.
Author: Rabello-Fonseca R, Azulay D, Luiz R, Mandarim-de-Lacerda C, Cuzzi T, Manela-Azulay M
Author affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Publication date & source: 2008.09.22, J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol., [Epub ahead of print]
Background Despite evidences of the beneficial clinical effects of oral isotretinoin in the treatment of cutaneous photoaging, scientific evidences are still scarce, mainly supported by histopathological and morphometric studies. Objectives To analyse possible clinical and morphological changes resulting from the treatment of photoaging with oral isotretinoin. Methods Thirty female patients, aged 40 to 55 years, phototypes II to IV, with moderate to severe photoaging were randomly assigned to two groups of 15 each. Group I (G I) patients were treated with 10 mg of isotretinoin and group II (G II) with 20 mg of oral isotretinoin thrice a week for 3 months. Skin biopsies were performed before and after the end of therapy, and the various sections were submitted to specific staining for collagen and elastic fibres. To analyse the changes, morphometric studies were performed, and the results obtained were analysed by Student's t-test (paired and non-paired). Clinical results of therapy regarding texture, colouring and aspect of the wrinkles were assessed by both physician and patient. Results The increase in the amount of collagen fibres was statistically significant with both dosage regimens (mean, 37.8%, increasing to 44.4%; P = 0.029 with the 10-mg dosage; and mean, 36.6%, increasing to 41.9%; P = 0.01 with the 20-mg dosage). A pattern pointing toward a decrease in the number of elastic fibres was found (mean, 15.3-12%; P = 0.014 with the 10-mg dosage; mean, 15.5-14%; P = 0.125 with the 20-mg dosage). Additionally, there was improvement in the general aspect of the skin, regarding texture, wrinkles depth and skin coloration. Limitations Despite ethical considerations, a lack of a control group using placebo may render the results less accurate. Conclusion Low dosages of oral isotretinoin seem to be an effective therapeutic option for cutaneous photoaging."
"Use of oral isotretinoin in photoaging therapy.
Author: Kalil CL, Fachinello FZ, Lamb FM, Comunello LN
Author affiliation: Dermatology Department, Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericordia de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
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-rs.net
Publication date & source: 2008.01, Skinmed., 7(1):10-4.
BACKGROUND: Many drugs are being used for prevention and treatment of photoaging, especially topical retinoids. The use of systemic retinoids, more specifically, isotretinoin, for this purpose has not been properly addressed to date. Our study was designed to assess the systemic use of isotretinoin used alone for the therapy of cutaneous photoaging. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate that isotretinoin is converted into retinoid and improves the appearance of the photoaged skin. METHODS: Fifty women aged 40 to 60 years, phototype I, II, or III according Fitzpatrick, were selected to receive 20 mg of isotretinoin orally 3 times a week for a 3-month period. Patients underwent clinical and laboratory evaluation. Two biopsies and photographic control were performed. Patients were requested to use only topical photoprotecting agents during the treatment. Improvement in photoaging clinical parameters were evaluated through pictures taken and also through an evaluation form. Anatomopathologic parameters were obtained by comparing collagen degeneration and skin trophism. Results. Thirty patients fully complied with study requirements and were adequately analyzed. From the anatomopathologic data, an improvement of photoaging in 20 patients was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Isotretinoin improves photoaging with few adverse events because of the low dose used and to the short treatment duration."
