Seven developments in acne

Recently published study results have included seasonal variations in the symptoms of acne and rosacea, which significantly cleared during the summer and worsened in the winter.

Other developments have included Canada declaring Sept. 14-20 Acne Awareness Week and the FDA approving antibiotic-free Epiduo Forte Gel, 0.3%/2.5%, for once-daily, topical treatment of acne vulgaris:

1. Psoriasis, acne respond to seasonal variations

Symptoms of psoriasis and acne significantly cleared during the summer and worsened in the winter, according to recently published study results.

Researchers used physician’s global assessment (PGA) scores to determine seasonal variation in psoriasis and acne. Data were collected between June 2011 and May 2014 in New England. Read more

2. Acne awareness week declared in Canada

To coincide with the new school year, Sept. 14-20 has been declared the first Acne Awareness Week in Canada and is featured in Health Canada’s calendar of health promotion days, according to the Acne and Rosacea Society of Canada.

“Some [acne] myths, passed on by parents and friends, can have some serious and long term consequences,” says Windsor dermatologist and society spokesperson, Jerry Tan, MD, FRCPC, a dermatologist and spokesman for the society, said in a press release. Read more

3. FDA approves antibiotic-free gel treatment for acne

The FDA has approved antibiotic-free Epiduo Forte Gel, 0.3%/2.5%, for once-daily, topical treatment of acne vulgaris, according to a press release from Galderma.

Jonathan Weiss

Epiduo Fortel Gel, the first to combine the strengths of adapalene, a retinoid, and benzoyl peroxide for patients with moderate-to-severe acne, “is an effective and well-tolerated antibiotic-free treatment option for the moderate to severe acne patient," Jonathan Weiss, MD, a clinical investigator for the phase 3 trial of the product, told Healio.com. Read more

4. Peels prime darker skin types prior to laser treatment for acne scars

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Shehnaz Arsiwala, MD, of Prince Aly Khan Hospital, Mumbai, India, discussed the use of skin peels prior to laser treatment in darker skin types to lighten the pigment in scars and prepare the skin for laser treatment during a presentation at the World Congress of Dermatology.

Shehnaz Arsiwala

“Managing acne scars in dark skin types 3 to 5 demands aggressive priming before optimal laser resurfacing parameters are used and intervention priming with chemical peels before lasers, [forms] a bridging link to enhance the results,” Arsiwala told Healio.com/Dermatology. Read more

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5. VIDEO: Nonablative laser treatment promising for acne scars in Asian skin types

VANCOUVER — In this video, Pravin Banodkar, DNB, DD, FIPD, discusses his presentation on the use of a nonablative Erbium glass laser for treating acne scars in Indian skin types at the World Congress of Dermatology.

“The treatment is very promising for Asian skin types in particular and gives a very substantial improvement in acne scars with the least side effects,” Banodkar, of Kaya Skin Clinic, Mumbai, India, told Healio.com/Dermatology. Watch video

6. Skin care product containing 0.1% retinol improves acne vulgaris lesions, improves QoL

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Inflammatory lesions and post-inflammatory lesions greatly improved in those with acne treated with a dermo-cosmetic skin care product containing 0.1% retinol, according to research presented at the 23rd Annual World Congress of Dermatology.

Sixty patients aged 12 to 35 years old with mild-to-moderate acne on the face presented with at least 10 retentionnal lesions, five inflammatory lesions and at least one post-inflammatory lesion. Read more

7. Sebacia announces Series C financing for advancement of acne treatment

Sebacia announced completion of a $22 million Series C financing, which the company plans to use the proceeds to advance its in-office procedure for severe acne, according to a press release.

The Sebacia Treatment is intended to reduce acne during a few treatments performed at a dermatologist’s office, according to the release. The treatment uses proprietary Sebacia microparticles, which are made of gold and silica placed in a suspension designed to penetrate the sebaceous follicles when activated by the light lasers commonly used for hair removal. Read more