When it comes to acne scarring, an ounce of prevention is truly worth a pound of cure, finds new research in the Journal of Integrative Dermatology.
Scarring is a known sequela of acne vulgaris and can often reduce a patient’s quality of life and self-image. While there are multiple modalities available to treat acne scars, few clinical trials have specifically looked at scar prevention or treatment. In addition, clinicians have mainly relied on invasive treatments for acne scarring with less emphasis on the potential prevention of scars as a specific outcome.
“Acne creates a serious psychological burden on those who suffer, but even when acne has run its course, the scarring can be permanent,” says study author Peter A. Lio, MD, a Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology and Pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and a partner at Medical Dermatology Associates of Chicago. “It seems obvious, but there is not nearly enough data on how well medications address scarring, both as prevention and treatment for existing scars.”
For the new study, researchers analyzed data on recent treatment modalities that may reduce or prevent acne scarring.
Of the therapies included in the review, efficacy seems promising for:
• Adapalene Gel .3% (Differin, Galderma)
• Adapalene 0.3/Benzoyl peroxide 2.5% (EpiDuo Forte, Galderma)
• Isotretinoin
• DA-5520, a recently developed topical gel for the treatment of different types of acne scars.
• Topical Epidermal Growth Factor
Source:Journal of Integrative Dermatology
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved clindamycin phosphate, adapalene, and benzoyl peroxide topical gel 1.2%/0.15%/3.1% (Cabtreo, Bausch Health Companies Inc), but this triple gel was not included in the new analysis. “I imagine Cabtreo to be as good as or even better than EpiDuo, but I haven’t seen specific evidence of this as of yet,” says Dr. Lio.
Despite the efficacy, these treatments may not be widely used to stave off scarring. Some patients may be deterred by long-term treatments and won’t initiate conversations about the prevention of future scarring, Dr. Lio and coauthor Dharm Sodha, BS, a medical student at the University of Illinois College of Medicine.
Many of these therapies can be integrated concomitantly into a patient’s treatment plan to improve outcomes and patient satisfaction, the authors conclude.
The bottom line? “Through early evaluation and treatment, the best potential treatment for acne scarring will not be any procedure, but instead prevention.”
