title: South-East Asia study alliance guidelines on the management of acne vulgaris in South-East Asian patients.
abstract: The management of acne in South-East Asia is unique, as Asian skin and local variables require a clinical approach unlike that utilized in other parts of the world. There are different treatment guidelines per country in the region, and a group of leading dermatologists from these countries convened to review these guidelines, discuss current practices and recent advances, and formulate consensus guidelines to harmonize the management of acne vulgaris in the region. Emphasis has been placed on formulating recommendations to impede the development of antibiotic resistance in Propionibacterium acnes. The group adopted the Acne Consensus Conference system for grading acne severity. The group recommends that patients may be treated with topical medications including retinoids, benzoyl peroxide (BPO), salicylic acid, a combination of retinoid and BPO, or a combination of retinoids and BPO with or without antibiotics for mild acne; topical retinoid with topical BPO and a oral antibiotic for moderate acne; and oral isotretinoin if the patient fails first-line treatment (a 6- or 8-week trial of combined oral antibiotics and topical retinoids with BPO) for severe acne. Maintenance acne treatment using topical retinoids with or without BPO is recommended. To prevent the development of antibiotic resistance, topical antibiotics should not be used as monotherapy or used simultaneously with oral antibiotics. Skin care, comprised of cleansing, moisturizing and sun protection, is likewise recommended. Patient education and good communication is recommended to improve adherence, and advice should be given about the characteristics of the skin care products patients should use.
authors.affiliation: National Skin Centre, Singapore.
authors.forename: Chee Leok
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Goh
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center, Manila, Philippines.
authors.forename: Flordeliz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Abad-Casintahan
authors.affiliation: National University Hospital, Dermatology Clinic, Singapore.
authors.forename: Derrick Chen Wee
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Aw
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Hospital Melaka, Melaka, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Roshidah
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Baba
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Hospital Pulau Pinang, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Lee Chin
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Ho Chi Minh Dermatology and Venereology Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
authors.forename: Nguyen Thanh
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Hung
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Kanokvalai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kulthanan
authors.affiliation: Rophi Clinic, Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre, Singapore.
authors.forename: Hoe Nam
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Leong
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, Muntinlupa, Philippines.
authors.forename: Marie Socouer
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Medina-Oblepias
authors.affiliation: Division of Dermatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Nopadon
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Noppakun
authors.affiliation: Cosmetic Dermatology Division, Department of Dermatovenereology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia.
authors.forename: Irma Bernadette
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Sitohang
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermato-Venereology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia/Dr Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia.
authors.forename: Titi Lestari
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Sugito
authors.affiliation: Dr SN Wong Skin, Hair, Nails & Laser Specialist Clinic, Mt Elizabeth Medical Centre, Singapore.
authors.forename: Su-Ni
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Wong
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001210:Asia, Southeastern; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D006801:Humans; D010349:Patient Compliance; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
keywords: Asian; acne; management; oral antibiotics; topical retinoids