Biweekly serial glycolic acid peels vs. long-term daily use of topical low-strength glycolic acid in the treatment of atrophic acne scars

• Published in: International journal of dermatology 2000-10, Vol.39 (10), p.789-794
• Main Authors: ERBAGCI, Zülal, AKCALI, Cenk
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acne Vulgaris - drug therapy; Administration, Topical; Adolescent; Adult; Atrophy; Biological and medical sciences; Cicatrix - drug therapy; Dosage Forms; Drug Administration Schedule; Drug Tolerance; Female; Glycolates - administration & dosage; Glycolates - adverse effects; Humans; Keratolytic Agents - administration & dosage; Keratolytic Agents - adverse effects; Medical sciences; Ointments; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Skin, nail, hair, dermoskeleton; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0011-9059; 1365-4632
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-4362.2000.00076.x

Background  and objective Treatment of atrophic acne scars is difficult and generally unsatisfactory. Although many clinical studies have been performed to investigate the efficacy of glycolic acid in the treatment of acne vulgaris, to the best of our knowledge no placebo‐controlled study has been carried out to ascertain the effect of glycolic acid on atrophic postacne scars. Design  A single, blind, placebo‐controlled, randomized comparative clinical study was conducted in 58 women with atrophic acne scars. The subjects were randomly divided into three study groups. Glycolic acid peels with 20%, 35%, 50%, and 70% concentrations were applied serially at 2‐week intervals to 23 patients in Group A. Twenty patients in Group B used a 15% glycolic acid cream once or twice daily for a period of 24 weeks. The remaining 15 patients in Group C applied a placebo cream twice daily during the same period. Results  The differences between the results in the different groups were statistically significant at week 24 (P