Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser versus Glycolic Acid Peel in Treatment of Pseudo-Acanthosis Nigricans

Abstract

Background: Acanthosis nigricans (AN) is a common cutaneous condition that can be a manifestation of systemic disease. AN is characterized by hyperpigmented and hyperkeratotic velvety skin lesions that presents mainly on the flexural sites, for example, the neck, the axillae, and groin. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of fractional carbon dioxide laser versus glycolic acid peel 70% in treatment of pseudo-acanthosis nigricans through assessing changes in degree of area index, severity and texture of lesion. Patients and methods: Twenty patients with pseudo-acanthosis nigricans were included in this study. They were chosen from the Outpatient Clinic of Dermatology, Andrology & STDs department, Mansoura University Hospitals. All cases were subjected to fractional CO2 laser on the right side of the neck and glycolic acid peel 70% on the left side of the neck. Each patient was followed up for 3 and half months. Results: There was statistically significant difference regarding improvement in area index, severity and texture across time subjected to glycolic acid (GA) peeling 70%. There was statistically significant difference regarding improvement in area index, severity and texture across time subjected to fractional CO2 laser. There was no statistically significant difference when comparing effect of laser and peeling on adult and children. There was no statistically significant difference when comparing effect of laser and peeling on rural and urban cases. Conclusion:Acanthosis nigricans is a difficult dermatosis to treat, although there are many methods of treatment. Glycolic acid peeling 70% and fractional CO2 laser are considered effective modalities for AN treatment. However, GA peeling was more effective but statically insignificant.

Comparison of efficacy and safety of tretinoin 0.05% and glycolic acid peeling 70% in axillary and neck lesions of acanthosis nigricans: A single‐blinded, randomized trial

“…No significance was found comparing the modalities, nevertheless, glycolic acid was more effective in improving mean area, severity, and texture. 20 Our findings showed no statistically significant difference between the two methods when comparing glycolic acid and tretinoin efficacy in neck lesions. Furthermore, in terms of patient satisfaction, the two treatments were not significantly different.…”

“…20 patients with pseudo‐acanthosis nigricans of the neck were treated with glycolic acid 70% compared to fractional CO2 laser. No significance was found comparing the modalities, nevertheless, glycolic acid was more effective in improving mean area, severity, and texture 20 …”

Comparative Study between Topical Metformin 30% Cream and Topical Adapalene 0.1 % Cream in The Treatment of Acanthosis Nigricans [Clinicodermoscopic Study]

“…Acanthosis nigricans [AN] is characterized by symmetrical, hyperpigmented, velvety lesions, which can occur especially in the armpits, groin, neck, antecubital, popliteal fossae, and umbilical region. Less often, it affects the eyelids, palms, soles of the feet, nipples, and phalanges [1] .…”