Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Tirbanibulin 1% ointment has been licensed to treat non-hyperkeratotic actinic keratosis (AKs) on the face and scalp in adults to ensure excellent patient tolerability due to the mild side effects and the brief application time compared to other topical therapies on the market. A growing body of evidence suggests that, beyond their primary function, the treatments for AKs and the cancerization field may inadvertently confer substantial cosmetic benefits to patients. METHODS: We report a single-center retrospective case series of patients referred to the Dermatology Unit of the University Hospital of Messina, Italy, between February and December 2023 seeking treatment for AKs in the context of photodamaged areas in which the application of tirbanibulin 1% ointment induced, besides clearance of AKs, anti-aging effects on both skin texture and solar lentigos. RESULTS: Seven patients affected by Olsen grade 1-2 AKs experienced a powerful rejuvenating effect in the treated areas, with a marked efficacy in skin lightening and clearance of solar lentigo. CONCLUSIONS: Tirbanibulin 1% ointment seems able to improve skin aging as a desirable side effect at the site of application for AKs on chronic photodamaged skin. Such preliminary observation needs further confirmation in real-life studies on larger cohorts of patients, to explain the pathogenic mechanisms responsible for such aesthetically relevant results.