A comparison of the effectiveness of azelaic and pyruvic acid peels in the treatment of female adult acne: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

chemical peels are widely used as therapeutic agents in dermatology and cosmetology. this study aims to explore the differences in the effectiveness of azelaic and pyruvic acid peels in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Eligibility criteria for participants were: female gender, 18-25 years of age, no dermatological treatment within the last 12 months and mild to moderate papulopustular acne. We treated 120 young women (with a mean age of 22 years old) with six peeling sessions at 2-week intervals. In the parallel clinical study design, one randomized group (n = 60, 50%) was treated using azelaic acid (AA), whereas the second group participated in pyruvic acid (PA) sessions. We evaluated the patients clinically twice (before and after treatment), using the Scale of Hellegren-Vincent Severity Symptoms to assess the acne diagnosis, and the Nati Analyzer to estimate the skin properties (oily skin, desquamation, porosity, and moisture). The clinical evaluation of the patients demonstrated a significant reduction of acne severity symptoms in both the AA and PA groups, after the peeling sessions. An effect was also found in terms of decreasing desquamation and the oiliness of the skin. PA showed a more significant reduction of greasy skin than AA. In conclusion, after the six peeling sessions using AA and PA, all patients showed better skin parameters in term of reduced oiliness and desquamation. Both AA and PA peelings are a safe and efficient treatment for mild acne, however, during the selection of one of the two acids, side effects, skin properties, and patients' preferences should be taken into account. This study was registered in the ISRCTN registry (registration number ISRCTN79716614, 17/01/2020).

Effects of Topical Hydrogen Purification on Skin Parameters and Acne Vulgaris in Adult Women

“…Previous research has shown the effectiveness of cosmeceutical treatment for improving skin parameters and reducing the scars of people with acne vulgaris, using acid peels, radiofrequency, and fractional microneedle radiofrequency, microdermabrasion, sonophoresis, and intense pulsed light (IPL) [ 25 , 49 , 50 ]. Compared to other topical cosmeceutical treatments, such as cosmetic acids [ 9 , 50 ], the hydrogen purification treatment is not associated with the risk of irritation, reddening of the skin, or side effects as burning and itching of the epidermis surface.…”

“…Previous research has shown the effectiveness of cosmeceutical treatment for improving skin parameters and reducing the scars of people with acne vulgaris, using acid peels, radiofrequency, and fractional microneedle radiofrequency, microdermabrasion, sonophoresis, and intense pulsed light (IPL) [ 25 , 49 , 50 ]. Compared to other topical cosmeceutical treatments, such as cosmetic acids [ 9 , 50 ], the hydrogen purification treatment is not associated with the risk of irritation, reddening of the skin, or side effects as burning and itching of the epidermis surface. People with sensitive skin, prone to irritation and with certain undesirable symptoms related to the type of skin (e.g., dryness, tightness, coarseness, washout of makeup, quick production of sebum, feeling differences in oiliness, frequencies of acne lesions, and oiliness) [ 51 ], should pay special attention to treatments with the use of cosmetic acids or other topical therapies [ 52 ].…”

Association between Satisfaction with Life and Personality Types A and D in Young Women with Acne Vulgaris

“…The severity of acne vulgaris was assessed using the Hellgren–Vincent Scale (HVS). In the HVS, the number of skin eruptions in people suffering from acne are classified using a five-point scale, as follows: (1) erythema, blackheads, and 1–5 pustules or papules; (2) erythema, blackheads, and 6–10 pustules or papules; (3) erythema, blackheads, and 11–20 pustules or papules; (4) erythema, blackheads, and 21–30 pustules or papules; (5) erythema, blackheads, and over 30 pustules or papules [ 93 ]. In the AV group, all participants presented with mild acne, including 96 (64%) women with first-degree acne severity and 54 (36%) females with second-degree acne severity based on the HVS.…”

Microbiome and Probiotics in Acne Vulgaris—A Narrative Review

“…In females, acne is more persistent and commonly located on the face, while males experience more severe forms with eruptions located mostly on the chest and back. Acne occurs also in the adult population, not only in teenagers [ 1 ].…”