Split-face clinical and bio-instrumental comparison of 0.1% adapalene and 0.05% tretinoin in facial acne.
BACKGROUND
Adapalene and tretinoin are topical compounds active for treating acne.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the efficacity and safety of adapalene 0.1% gel and tretinoin 0.05% gel in moderately severe facial acne using clinical and objective biometrological assessments. Such information is currently lacking in the literature.


METHODS
The split-face method was used in 25 acne volunteers for a 6-week treatment. In addition to clinical counts of lesions, the amount of comedones was assessed using computer-assisted morphometry of cyanoacrylate follicular biopsies. The erythema index and squamometry values were used to quantitate skin irritation.


RESULTS
The tretinoin formulation brought better comedolysis and clinical improvement than the adapalene formulation. Erythema was transiently more pronounced on the tretinoin-treated side. Squamometry yielded no significant difference between both products.


CONCLUSIONS
Tretinoin 0.05% gel exhibits a greater anti-acne efficacy than adapalene 0.1% gel, although with temperate tolerability.
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D000068816:Adapalene; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007641:Keratolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D009281:Naphthalenes / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects