RALGA (Diacneal®) decreases melanin content in a human skin model

Background: Retinaldehyde and glycolic acid RALGA (Diacneal(R)) are both effective in the topical treatment of acne. A decrease in the postinflammatory pigmentation has been observed after application of Diacneal during 3 months. Aim: To verify the effect of this association on pigmentation using an original model of surviving human skin. Methods: Human skin explants were maintained alive in organ culture for 14 days. Diacneal(R) was applied every day. Pigmentation of skin, depending on the transfer of melanosomes from melanocytes to keratinocytes, was visualized histologically by Fontana-Masson staining. The number of melanocytes was determined after the DOPA reaction. Results: A decrease in melanin content was shown after application of Diacneal. The number of melanocytes was not modified. Conclusion: These results suggest that RALGA (Diacneal(R)) may be of interest to prevent the postinflammatory pigmentation of acne. Copyright (C) 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel