A total of 511 patients finished the study; their average age was 56 and almost all were women. Compared to those who received the placebo cream, those who used the tazarotene cream looked better at the end of treatment, the researchers say. Among other things, the tazarotene users had less wrinkling, mottled pigmentation and skin roughness. Most of the patients continued using the tazarotene cream for another 28 weeks, and researchers reported that their faces continued to improve. However, 20 of the 283 patients initially treated with tazarotene cream had to stop because of side effects. Among other things, the drug can cause peeling, redness, burning and dryness, Phillips says.
Boosting collagen production
The study, which appears in the November issue of the Archives of Dermatology, didn't compare tazarotene cream to other drugs. However, Phillips says the findings suggest that it works about as well as other medications in the Vitamin A family. Those drugs appear to work by boosting production of a component of skin known as collagen, she explains. Glogau says tazarotene cream may be a good alternative to Retin-A (known by the brand name Renova) because it may work more quickly and be less irritating. However, he adds, "the endpoints are still the same." – (HealthScout News)
(published with permission in writing from:http://www.health24.com)
