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The Role of Topical Retinoids in the Treatment of Pigmentary Disorders

An Evidence-Based Review

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Abstract

Topical retinoids have been used in the treatment of pigmentary disorders such as melasma, actinic lentigines, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. This article evaluates the clinical efficacy and tolerability of retinoid treatment for pigmentary disorders through an evidence-based approach.We searched the MEDLINE and The Cochrane Library databases using the keywords ‘retinoid’ combined with ‘melasma,’ ‘lentigines,’ or ‘postinflammatory hyperpigmentation.’ For each study, the methodology and outcomes were assessed according to specific criteria. There is fair evidence to support the use of topical tretinoin as a monotherapy in the treatment of melasma as well as in the treatment of lentigines (grade B). Adverse effects of topical retinoids are quite frequent, and include local skin irritation, erythema, and peeling, and their severity is mild to moderate. There is evidence to support the use of topical tretinoin in a fixed, triplecombination therapy (hydroquinone 4%/tretinoin 0.05%/fluocinolone acetonide 0.01%) for the treatment of melasma (grade B). There is poor evidence (grade C) to support the use of combination formulations for the treatment of lentigines, and large, randomized, double-blind, controlled trials are needed to further evaluate their use for this indication.

In conclusion, there is evidence to support the use of topical retinoids as monotherapy or in combination with other topical agents in the treatment of pigmentary disorders.

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Acknowledgments

No sources of funding were used to assist in the preparation of this review. Prof. Ortonne has received grants from Schering-Plough, Abbott, Merk-Serono, Centocor, Wyeth, Janssen-Cilag, Meda Pharma, Pierre Fabre, Galderma, and Leo Pharma. Dr Kang has received a grant from Galderma. Drs Valerio and Bahadoran have no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this review.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea

    Hee Young Kang

  2. Department of Medical Informatics, Cimiez Hospital, Nice, France

    Laure Valerio

  3. Department of Dermatology, Archet-2 Hospital, 151 Route St Antoine de Ginestiere, BP 3079, 06202, Nice, Cedex 3, France

    Philippe Bahadoran &  Jean-Paul Ortonne

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  1. Hee Young Kang
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  2. Laure Valerio
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  4. Jean-Paul Ortonne
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Correspondence to Jean-Paul Ortonne.

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Kang, H.Y., Valerio, L., Bahadoran, P. et al. The Role of Topical Retinoids in the Treatment of Pigmentary Disorders. AM J Clin Dermatol 10, 251–260 (2009). https://doi.org/10.2165/00128071-200910040-00005

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