Abstract
Mandelic acid is an α-hydroxy acid with reported benefit in treating acne and hyperpigmentation.
The authors have developed a topical mandelic acid formulation that subjectively improves
the quality of aged skin. Although the gold standard for assessing outcomes, photographic
documentation is limited by subjective interpretation. Tools for measuring physical
skin properties allow for an objective assessment of changes in skin quality. The
authors sought to objectively study the viscoelastic changes to the skin following
treatment with topical mandelic acid, using the Cutometer MPA 580. Twenty-four patients,
twenty females and four males, aged 42 to 68 years, were studied over a four-week
period. Mandelic acid was applied topically to the face twice a day for four weeks.
The lower eyelid skin viscoelastic properties were assessed weekly using the Cutometer.
After four weeks of topical mandelic acid treatment, the elasticity of lower eyelid
skin increased 25.4% (P = .003). Skin firmness increased 23.8% (P = .029). Improvement in photographic appearance correlated with these findings. Mandelic
acid is another topical treatment option for improving skin quality, and is well tolerated
by patients. The authors feel that the Cutometer or similar device should be used
routinely in facial plastic surgery to objectively assess outcomes of various treatment
modalities.
Keywords
cutometer - skin elasticity - mandelic acid - α-hydroxy acid - antiaging
