Effect of a desogestrel-containing oral contraceptive on the skin.
OBJECTIVE
This pilot study evaluated the effects of a desogestrel-containing oral contraceptive (DSG-OC) on facial seborrhea (oiliness), acne and related factors in otherwise healthy women with moderate facial acne vulgaris.


METHODS
In this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 41 women received DSG-OC (50/100/150 microg desogestrel plus 35/30/30 microg ethinylestradiol given in a 7/7/7 day regimen) and 41 received placebo for six cycles. Seborrhea and skin assessments, and hormone analyses were performed regularly.


RESULTS
Analyses of sebum output (measured using Sebutape) indicated that the effect of DSG-OC on the skin varied with facial area. Compared with placebo, DSG-OC had a statistically significant effect on the cheeks (60% relative reduction in sebum output; p = 0.02), and a non-significant effect on the forehead (30% relative reduction in sebum output). Acne lesion counts did not differ significantly between groups. Both patient and investigator assessments of skin condition (visual analog scale) indicated significant improvements with DSG-OC compared with placebo. The reduced sebum output with DSG-OC is associated with a three-fold increase in sex hormone binding globulin, as well as an expected decrease in free testosterone and other androgens that were found in this group.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that DSG-OC reduces facial oiliness and may be a useful contraceptive choice for women with this problem.
Minnesota Clinical Study Center, Fridley, USA.
H I
HI
Katz
S
S
Kempers
M D
MD
Akin
F
F
Dunlap
D
D
Whiting
T C
TC
Norbart
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003280:Contraceptives, Oral, Synthetic / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012628:Dermatitis, Seborrheic / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017135:Desogestrel / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000378:metabolism; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D003280:Contraceptives, Oral, Synthetic; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D013739:Testosterone; D017135:Desogestrel