Original paper
Assessment of the skin parameters moisture, melanin content, pH and production of sebum in patients treated with oral isotretinoine – preliminary report

Introduction: Acne vulgaris is the most common dermatosis found in patients between 11 and 30 years of age. The adverse effects of oral isotretinoin are divided into several groups. The most common (> 1/10) are: cheilitis, skin dryness, erythema, itching, scaling, bruising, skin atopy, increase of transaminase activities, myalgia and arthralgia, reduced toleration of physical activity, elevation of plasma triglycerides, elevated sedimentation rates, elevated platelet counts, conjunctivitis, dry eyes, eyelid inflammation, decrease in serum high-density lipoprotein levels, and anaemia. Other adverse effects are observed less frequently.
Aim: To evaluate the skin parameters moisturisation, melanin content, pH and sebum production in patients treated orally with isotretinoin.
Results: During 6-month therapy we observed decreasing serum secretion and melanin content. Decreasing moisturisation seems to be crucial for side effects.
Conclusions: The measurements of the skin parameters performed only in 20 patients treated for 6 months with oral isotretinoin had a preliminary character, and their purpose was to modify the isotretinoin treatment standards in the future so that the highest possible efficiency can be combined with a decrease in the skin and mucosal side effects present in most patients.