Efficacy

To evaluate possible improvement to photodamage, a split-face study was done on 33 women (162). Topical application twice daily of 5% lipoic acid cream for 12 weeks decreased skin roughness by 50.8% (as measured by laser profilometry) when compared with the placebo. Clinical and photographic evaluation showed reduction in lentigenes and fine wrinkles in this and one other study (163). Clearly, topical a-LA should be further investigated by quantitative techniques to confirm these results and to elucidate mechanisms of action.