Persistent Effects of Adapalene Gel After Chemical Peeling with Glycolic Acid in Patients with Acne Vulgaris

Abstract

We investigated the usefulness of adapalene gel as maintenance therapy following chemical peeling with glycolic acid in patients with acne vulgaris. The study period was 14 weeks. The subjects were 23 patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris (1 male, 22 females). After chemical peeling (CP) of the face was performed 3 times at 2-week intervals, adapalene was applied for 6 weeks using a randomized, double-blind half-side method. On the day of observation, dermatologists examined dermal findings, and measurement was conducted using instruments to analyze the physiological skin function. After the third session of CP was completed, both the inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesion counts significantly decreased. Subsequently, on the adapalene-treated side there were no change in the inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesion counts after the CP 3 times, but on placebo-treated side, there significant increase in the inflammatory and non inflammatory lesion counts. Concerning the results of measurement with instruments, the sebum capacity significantly decreased after the third session of CP. Subsequently, there were no changes after the 6-week application of adapalene or a placebo. These results suggest that post-CP adapalene application is an effective acne treatment method to improve efficacy and treatment adherence.