Dermabrasion for Nodular Cutaneous Elastosis With Cysts and Comedones

To the Editor.—  There is little recommendation for the therapy of the Favre-Racouchot syndrome in the English literature. A recent publication suggests (translated), ". . . As far as the eyelids are affected, plastic surgery with the removal of the diseased skin and the comedones is indicated".¹ Besides this approach, dermabrasion is now being recommended to help these comedo-ridden patients.²Since 1968 we have treated 15 patients with the Favre-Racouchot syndrome. If a 0.1% vitamin A acid in an alcoholic solution was applied twice daily, the comedones were removed and the skin smoothed within 9 to 16 weeks without additional medications or expression of the comedones. The results were cosmetically excellent and permanent without scarring, hyperpigmentation, or sensitization (Fig 1 and 2). Our experiences have been published recently³ to advocate the local treatment of the Favre-Racouchot syndrome and acne venenata with topically applied vitamin A acid.