Take 5: Recent Findings in Acne Research

1. Cultural Conditions Influence Acne

The treatment of acne vulgaris often can be affected by individual patient characteristics, including skin color and cultural background. Investigators note that skin of color is especially prone to hyperpigmentation, both from lesions and from irritating therapy. They also emphasize the importance of cultural attitudes and folk remedies that may adversely affect dermatologic conditions such as acne. (Semin Cutan Med Surg;30(3 Suppl):S12-5.)

2. Fractional Therapies Found Effective for Scarring

Non-ablative fractional (NAF) 1,550nm and ablative fractional (AF) CO2 Lasers are effective in the treatment of acne scars in ethnic skin. Thirty-five percent of patients receiving NAF therapy and 37 percent of patients receiving AF therapy attained more than 50 percent improvement with NAF 1,550nm and AF CO2 lasers, respectively. Investigators concluded that both NAF 1,550nm and AF CO2 lasers are effective in treating acne scars in ethnic skin with a good patient satisfaction rate and high safety profile. Moreover, they noted that fractional laser resurfacing opens a wide horizon for treating acne scars in ethnic skin. (Lasers Surg Med;43(8):787-91)

3. Glycolic Acid Emulsion Effective For Mild Acne?

An oil-in-water emulsion-containing 10% glycolic acid (pH 4; Dr. August Wolff GmbH & Co. KG Arzneimittel, Bielefeld, Germany) may be an effective agent in treating mild acne. In one study, acne improved significantly in patients receiving the agent up to 90 after treatment, with some patients responding at 45 days. Regarding tolerability, investigators noted that there was was no objective or subjective difference between the 10% glycolic acid containing oil-in-water emulsion and the corresponding placebo. (J Cosmet Dermatol;10(3):202-9)

4. RF Device May Be Beneficial

A novel device with a handpiece combining optical and radiofrequency (RF) energies along with a fractionated RF handpiece may be useful for nonablative resurfacing post-acne. Researchers evaluated the improvement in acne scars and skin texture in patients who received five treatments at 30-day intervals. They observed a 72.3 percent decrease on the acne scar scale from day 1 to 210. From day 30 to 210, investigator-rated changes in scarring, texture, and pigmentation improved 68.2 percent, 66.7 percent, and 13.3 percent, respectively. Patient satisfaction scores showed no significant change over time, although patient-evaluated overall improved scores increased 60 percent over baseline. (Dermatol Surg. e-pub August)

5. Adherence Improves with Knowledge

Researchers studied acne patients in Japan to determine the likelihood of good adherence and factors associated with medication-taking and found that factors with an impact on adherence included satisfaction with treatment and the experience of side effects. Patients who felt they had a good understanding of acne and its treatment were more likely to have good adherence. These data suggest that there is significant room for improvement in acne adherence and that improved education may enhance adherence. (Dermatology e-pub October)