Combined 0.1% retinaldehyde/ 6% glycolic acid cream in prophylaxis and treatment of acne scarring.
BACKGROUND
Acne often results in permanent, badly tolerated, difficult to treat scars.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a 0.1% retinaldehyde/6% glycolic acid (RALGA) cream at preventing and treating acne scarring in patients previously treated for moderate acne.


METHODS
A double-blind vehicle-controlled study was conducted in 145 patients randomized to apply RALGAor vehicle cream every evening for 3 months. Global scarring score and patient's assessment of global efficacy, then residual acne lesions, quality of life and tolerance were evaluated at inclusion and each month until study completion.


RESULTS
Global scarring score, number of inflammatory lesions and comedones significantly improved in each group from day 28 (p<0.0001). Number of inflammatory lesions were significantly decreased only in the RALGA group. RALGA cream was more efficient than vehicle on scarring after 3 months in compliant patients (p=0.007) due to erythema and hyperpigmentation improvement.


CONCLUSIONS
RALGA cream is efficient at preventing and treating acne scarring in patients with moderate acne.
Dreno
Brigitte
B
A. Sygros Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, Greece. brigitte.dreno@wanadoo.fr
Katsambas
Andreas
A
Pelfini
Carlo
C
Plantier
Daniel
D
Jancovici
Eliane
E
Ribet
Virginie
V
Nocera
Thérèse
T
Morinet
Pierre
P
Khammari
Amir
A
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006016:Glycolates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009824:Ointments; D012172:Retinaldehyde / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D006016:Glycolates; D009824:Ointments; C031149:glycolic acid; D012172:Retinaldehyde