Adapalene-benzoyl peroxide superior to its vehicle on atrophic scars

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Over a 24-week treatment period, adapalene-benzoyl peroxide stabilized acne scar counts compared to its vehicle which continued to increase scars, according to research from the 23^rd World Congress of Dermatology.

The split-face study included 31 patients with active moderate facial acne vulgaris (20 to 30 inflammatory lesions excluding the nose), no more than one acne nodule and a minimum of 10 atrophic acne scars.

Researchers utilized photographs using VisiaCRT, clinical Scar Global Assessment (SGA), scar counting and analysis of affected regions on 3D images to objectively measure volume scarring, adverse events and local tolerability.

The mean age of the patients was 23.4 years and 63% were male.

Prior to treatment, mean total inflammatory and non-inflammatory counts were 22.7 and 21.2, respectively.

Baseline mean SGA for adapalene-benzoyl peroxide (BPO) and vehicle side was 2.1. Researchers rated skin as almost clear in 9.7%, mild in 71%, moderate in 16.1% and severe in 3.2%.

Baseline mean total scar count was 10.8 for vehicle and 11.1 for adapalene-BPO.

Adapalene-BPO significantly decreased inflammatory lesions at week 24 and increased those classifying as an almost clear acne grade from 9.7% to 45.2%.

Compared to the vehicle, mean SGA was statistically significantly lower on the adapalene-BPO side.

Scar counts remained stable on the adapalene-BPO side while they increased on the vehicle side.

Reference :

Bourdès V, et al. Effect of Adapalene-benzoyl peroxide fixed-dose combination on atrophic acne scars: Results of a 24-week multi-center, randomized, investigator blinded, half face design, vehicle controlled study. Presented at: 23^rd World Congress of Dermatology; June 8-13, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia.