title: Comparison the effectiveness of pyruvic acid 50% and salicylic acid 30% in the treatment of acne.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous follicles and one of the most common skin diseases. The peeling method has been recently found to be effective for acne treatment. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of pyruvic acid 50% and salicylic acid 30% peeling in the treatment of mild to moderate acne.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective single-blinded clinical trial, 86 patients with acne were randomly assigned into two groups. In both groups, the routine treatment of acne (topical solution of erythromycin 4%, triclorocarban soap, and sunscreen) were used twice a day for 8 weeks. In addition, salicylic acid 30% for the control group and pyruvic acid 50% for the case group were used. In both groups, acne severity index (ASI) was calculated before and at week 2, 4, 6, and 8 of the treatment. Patient satisfaction was assessed at the end of the treatment. Side effects were recorded using a checklist.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In both groups, the reduction in the number of comedones, papules, and ASI were statistically significant (P< 0.001) in the course of treatment. However, it was not significant regarding the number of pustules (P= 0.09). None of the number of comedone, papules, pustules, and ASI was statistically different between study groups. Both treatment groups had similar side effects except for scaling in the fifth session, which was significantly lower in salicylic acid - treated patients (P= 0.015).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both pyruvic acid 50% and salicylic acid 30% are effective in the improvement of mild to moderate acne with no significant difference in efficacy and side effects.
authors.affiliation: Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Fariba
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jaffary
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Gita
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Faghihi
authors.affiliation: Skin and Stem Cell Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saraeian
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Sayed Mohsen
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Hosseini
keywords: Acne vulgaris; peeling; pyruvic acid; salicylic acid