A Comparative Study of the Efficacy Of 36% Panax Ginseng Extract Gel and 0.02% Tretinoin Gel in The Treatment of Periorbital Wrinkles

Abstract

Introduction: The first signs of skin aging are represented around the eye area. Wrinkles around this area affect the overall look of the face, often associated with dull, tired skin. Eye wrinkles often cause stress and affect the confidence to join in public activities. Today, there are many methods to help decrease wrinkles around the eye area. The most popular treatment that has been commonly used for a long time are vitamin A derivatives medications, mainly Tretinoin. Tretinoin is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to have efficiency in reducing wrinkles. The medication also comes with side effects that include irritation, dry skin, and skin inflammation. This study has researched information relating to the efficiency in decreasing wrinkles around the eye area with the least side effects possible. The researcher has discovered that Ginseng extract effectively decreases wrinkles with the ability to stimulate collagen production in the skin, decreasing the turnover of collagen along with antioxidant properties.

Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to research the effectiveness of a gel base with 36% ginseng extract in the treatment of wrinkles around the eye area in comparison to 0.02% tretinoin gel.

Methods: A clinical trial was collected from 20 subjects both male and female aged between 30-60 years old showing clinical signs of skin aging around the eye area. The subjects received gel with 36% ginseng extract and 0.02% tretinoin gel, each subject used the medication on random and split face methods, 2 times per day, for a duration of 8 weeks. The effect of the treatment on the skin surface around the eye area was accessed on week 0, week 4, and week 8. The effects on wrinkles were measured by the doctor who conducted this research with Rao-Goldman 5 point visual scoring scale. The doctor who conducted this research measured the effects on wrinkles using the Visioscan VC98. All subjects indicated the side effects experienced.

Results: 20 subjects completed the study over a period of 8 weeks. It is discovered on week 8 that the wrinkles under the eye area measured with Rao-Goldman 5-point Visual Scoring Scale decreased sufficiently on wrinkles treated with 0.02% tretinoin, there is no substantial difference between those who used 0.02 tretinoin and those who used 36% ginseng extract. On week 8 the Rao-Goldman 5-point Visual Scoring Scale showed that wrinkles etched in the corner of the eye decreased sufficiently on wrinkles treated with 0.02% tretinoin and 36% ginseng extract, there is no substantial difference between both medications. The wrinkles measured with the Visioscan showed that the wrinkles under the eyes and wrinkles etched in the corner of the eye decreased sufficiently on those who used 0.02% tretinoin and those who used 36% ginseng extract, there are no substantial differences between both medications. Those who used 0.02% tretinoin experienced more side effects than those who used 36% ginseng extract.

Conclusion: 36% gel base ginseng extract showed efficiency in decreasing wrinkles around the eye area equivalent to 0.02% tretinoin after testing both medications for 8 weeks, subjects did not experience any side effects with the 36% ginseng extract.