Trifarotene cream with proper skin care reduces acne-induced hyperpigmentation
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Key takeaways:
- Trifarotene had a higher reduction in acne-induced hyperpigmentation vs. vehicle by week 24 (–18.9% vs. –11.3%).
- More adverse events occurred in the vehicles vs. trifarotene group (30.2% vs. 16.7%).
Trifarotene cream 0.005%, in conjunction with a proper skincare regimen, reduced acne lesions and acne-induced hyperpigmentation within 24 weeks, according to study.
Acne vulgaris can cause long-term sequelae including scarring and hyperpigmentation. While any skin type can be impacted by acne-induced hyperpigmentation, patients with skin of color tend to experience it the most.
According to a study led by Andrew F. Alexis, MD, MPH, FAAD, vice chair for diversity and inclusion in the department of dermatology and professor of clinical dermatology at Weill Cornell Medicine, the skin-selective retinoid trifarotene (Aklief, Galderma) has shown efficacy in treating facial and truncal acne in clinical trials and may be helpful in reducing acne-induced hyperpigmentation, in conjunction with a proper skincare regimen.
To explore this as an option for the treatment of acne and acne-induced hyperpigmentation, Alexis and colleagues conducted a 6-month, phase 4 study of 123 patients with acne vulgaris and acne-induced hyperpigmentation, the majority of which had Fitzpatrick skin types IV to VI.
Patients were randomly assigned to trifarotene cream 0.005% (n = 60) or vehicle (n = 63) paired with a skincare regimen including moisturizer, cleanser and sunscreen.
By week 12, overall disease severity scores rapidly improved from baseline in the trifarotene group vs. the vehicle group (–34.4% vs. –23.6%; P = .03). However, there was no significant difference in overall disease severity improvement between groups by week 24 (–45.4% vs. –44.9%), which was the primary endpoint.
Trifarotene had a higher reduction in acne-induced hyperpigmentation by week 24 vs. vehicle (–18.9% vs. –11.3%; P < .01). Additionally, lesion count reductions were higher in the trifarotene group vs. the vehicle groups at week 12 (–64.1% vs. –46.7%; P < .001) and week 24 (–72% vs. –62.8%; P < .05).
Patients expressed high levels of satisfaction with both trifarotene and introducing a skincare routine into their regimen. Over 90% of patients agreed that cleansing and moisturizing while using trifarotene helped reduce skin irritation and dryness and helped increase compliance with acne treatment.
Significantly more patients in the vehicle group experienced adverse events vs. the trifarotene group (30.2% vs. 16.7%), positioning the topical as a safe treatment option for acne and acne-induced hyperpigmentation.
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