Glycolic acid peeling in the treatment of mild to moderate inflammatory facial acne vulgaris

Abstract

Chemical peeling of the skin involves the topical application of a chemical agent in order to produce a controlled injury to a desired depth, thus allowing subsequent regeneration of the skin which can result in improved texture, more homogeneous pigmentation and less wrinkling. Acne vulgaris is one of the most common skin diseases. The aim of the actual study was to examine and compare the efficiency, skin tolerance and side effects of a 35% glycolic acid combined with antibiotic therapy in patients with inflammatory aspects of acne. The sample consisted of 120 subjects, divided into two experimental sub-samples of 60 subjects each. The first sub-sample consisted of patients with acne papulosa, while the second sub-sample consisted of patients with acne papulopustulosa. The patients from both sub-samples were additionally divided into two groups of 30 patients each. To the first group of 30 patients (within each sub-sample, respectively), glycolic acid in a concentration of 35% was applied after adjusted antibiotic therapy, while to the second group of 30 patients (within each sub-sample, respectively) glycolic acid in a concentration of 35% was applied without previous adjustment of antibiotic therapy. In each sub-sample, the differences in the manifested symptoms of the ailment and the side effects were analyzed. Glycolic acid had a significant effect in the treatment of acne papulosa and acne papulopustulosa, as a monotherapy, as well as combined therapy, that is, after adjusted antibiotic therapy. Side-effects were experienced by patients treated only by glycolic acid, that is, without previously adjusted antibiotic therapy. Glycolic acid chemical peels in concentration of 35% had overall efficiency and a superior therapeutic effect and are recommended by the authors after adjusted antibiotic therapy. The appearance and intensity of side effects in patients after adjusted monotherapy, adduced us to the choice of combined therapeutic treatment. © 2011 Academic Journals.