title: The use of salicylic acid in a new delivery system as a co-adjuvant topical treatment for acne vulgaris.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Topical preparations in the form of creams or ointments are the usual treatment for acne. These agents do not seem to penetrate the skin barrier deeply enough to produce the desired effect.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We conducted a randomized, double-blinded, prospective study to evaluate the effectiveness of salicylic acid in a new delivery system, the Crown Carrier System (CCS, Trivitaderm LLC, Asheville, NC) for the treatment of acne.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-seven patients with homogenous backgrounds were randomly divided into 3 groups. Group A was treated with salicylic acid in CCS, Group B was treated with CCS without salicylic acid, and Group C received salicylic acid alone. Patients were evaluated at 2 weeks and 8 weeks post-treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-five patients completed the evaluation. Most patients in Group A presented with no changes in the number of acne lesions but with significant improvement of inflammatory signs. Their overall skin condition was remarkably better.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study is unique in that it focused on the delivery system used in the treatment of acne, rather than on the active agent. The technology of the Crown Carrier System appears to be a breakthrough that may give physicians the opportunity to administer topical treatment of skin problems in a more efficient way.
authors.affiliation: Roane General Hospital, Spencer, WV, USA.
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Souza
authors.forename: Carroll
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Christiansen
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jamie